Malibu VIII vs 6 III (GJ/GL): which is better?
Chevrolet Malibu VIII (2012–2016) vs Mazda 6 III (GJ/GL) (2012–present): specs, fuel economy, tax and common problems.
Chevrolet Malibu VIII
Mazda 6 III (GJ/GL)Specifications
| Chevrolet Malibu VIII | Mazda 6 III (GJ/GL) | |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 2012–2016 | 2012–present |
| Body | sedan | sedan |
| Fuel | petrol | petrol |
| Engines | 2.4 | 2.5 |
| Power, up to | 167 hp | 192 hp |
| Torque, up to | 225 Nm | 256 Nm |
| Gearbox | automatic | automatic |
| Drive | front-wheel drive | front-wheel drive |
| Length | 4 865 mm | 4 870 mm |
| Width | 1 855 mm | 1 840 mm |
| Height | 1 465 mm | 1 450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2 737 mm | 2 830 mm |
| Ground clearance | — | 165 mm |
| Fuel tank | 70 L | 62 L |
| KZ tax 2026 (car under 10 years) | ≈ 28 750 ₸ | ≈ 29 450 ₸ |
The better value is highlighted in green.
Pros, cons and common problems
Chevrolet Malibu VIII
Pros
- Conventional automatic, no robotized gearbox or CVT
- Large tank: 70 L
- Local assembly: Uzbekistan
- Sold in all major markets of the region — parts and mechanics available
Cons
- GM 6T30/6T40/6T45 etc. gearbox: 3-5-R clutch pack wave spring failure (6T40/6T45)
Gearbox (GM 6T30/6T40/6T45, etc.): broken wave spring in the 3-5-R clutch pack (6T40/6T45); jerks when the valve body wears.
Mazda 6 III (GJ/GL)
Pros
- Mazda Skyactiv-Drive gearbox (6-speed automatic): a reliable transmission
- Powerful versions: up to 192 hp
- Currently in production — can be bought new
- Sold in all major markets of the region — parts and mechanics available
Cons
- Mazda Skyactiv-G engine: carbon buildup on valves in city driving
Engine (Mazda Skyactiv-G): few widespread problems; carbon buildup on valves in city driving.
Gearbox (Mazda Skyactiv-Drive (6-speed automatic)): reliable gearbox.
Which one to choose
- Malibu VIII — if you care more about: fuel tank, kz tax 2026.
- 6 III (GJ/GL) — if you care more about: power, torque, wheelbase.
The condition of a specific car matters more than the model: check the service history and get the engine and gearbox inspected before buying.
FAQ
Which is more powerful: Malibu VIII or 6 III (GJ/GL)?
Malibu VIII: up to 167 hp, 6 III (GJ/GL): up to 192 hp.
What is the vehicle tax in Kazakhstan?
For 2026, for a car under 10 years old: Malibu VIII — about 28 750 ₸, 6 III (GJ/GL) — about 29 450 ₸ (base engine). A 0.7 factor applies to cars aged 10–20 years and 0.5 to cars over 20.