1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo vs Skyactiv-G: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo carries less risk than the Skyactiv-G: 18/100 (low risk) versus 25/100 (moderate risk). The 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo has no documented serious faults; the Skyactiv-G has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

Skyactiv-G

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 30 October 202614 sources How we work

Is the 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo reliable?

The FireFly turbo 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 show no systemic fault in open sources; there are only isolated cases of jerking with replacement of the MultiAir block on the 1.0 and one engine failure on a 1.3. The evidence is thin and is not a guarantee of reliability.^[1][2][3]

See the 2 of the 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo faults

Is the Skyactiv-G reliable?

The Skyactiv-G is a naturally aspirated petrol engine that the German specialist press consistently describes as reliable, with no documented pattern of serious engine faults in any Mazda model reviewed. Its weak point, shared with almost any direct-injection petrol engine, is carbon build-up in the intake; in addition, 2017-2020 units had recalls for software and for the fuel pump, since fixed by the manufacturer.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the Skyactiv-G faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo and Skyactiv-G
Item	1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo	Skyactiv-G
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,332 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	100–180 hp	75–187 hp
Production	since 2018^[8]	since 2011^[4][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	18Low risk	25Moderate risk
Documented faults	2	5
Of high or critical severity	0	0
Worst severity	Medium severity	Medium severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Oil consumption and premature turbo wear on the 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 Medium severity: Jerking and MultiAir block failures on the 1.0 T3	Medium severity: Intake shut-off valve software issue and engine stalling Medium severity: Micro-cracks in the fuel pump impeller Medium severity: ECU programming and loss of power (CX-5 II and Mazda3 IV)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.3 GSE T4 Turbo 150-180 hp (FireFly, since 2018)^[1][10] 1.3 GSE T4 Turbo plug-in hybrid 4xe (130-180 hp from the petrol engine, since 2021)^[11][12]	1.5 Skyactiv-G (P5-VPS)^[5][13] 2.0 Skyactiv-G (PE-VPS)^[6][7][14] 2.5 Skyactiv-G (PY-VPS)^[6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.0 GSE T3 Turbo 100-120 hp (FireFly, since 2018)^[1][2]	None
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo

Skyactiv-G

See the 9 models with the Skyactiv-G

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo

With the Skyactiv-G

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Fiabilité Jeep: témoignages de propriétairesfiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Fiat: témoignages de propriétairesfiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French
Broken chain in Firefly 1.0 engineFiat Forum · Owners' forum · consulted 30 October 2026
SkyactivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Mazda 3 (BM/BN, 2013-2019) – Erfahrungen & ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda 6 (GJ, III) – Erfahrungen & ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda CX-5 II (KF) – Erfahrungen & ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiat Global Small EngineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
List of Mazda enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Problemas Jeep CompassTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Renegade Problemecarwiki.de · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
Jeep Renegade 4xe plug-in hybrid reliability and safetyDriving Electric · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026
Mazda 2 (DJ) – Erfahrungen & ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda 3 IV (BP) – Erfahrungen & ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German