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Honda IMA híbrido vs 1.8 and 2.0 XU: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the 1.8 and 2.0 XU: 21/100 (low risk) versus 39/100 (moderate risk). The Honda IMA híbrido has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006)»; the 1.8 and 2.0 XU has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Premature timing belt breakage in the 16-valve engines».

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

21

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.8 and 2.0 XU

39

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

24 sourcesHow we work

Is the Honda IMA híbrido reliable?

Honda's IMA hybrid system (Insight II, Jazz Hybrid, CR-Z and Civic Hybrid) has a good reputation for reliability in the British press, and its documented weak point is the ageing of the high-voltage battery, which turns on the IMA warning light. There were also two one-off campaigns: the DC/DC converter on the 2006 Civic Hybrid and the CR-Z software.[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the Honda IMA híbrido faults

Is the 1.8 and 2.0 XU reliable?

These are naturally aspirated 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol engines with no serious documented design faults outside the 16-valve timing belt: the 1.8 16v built until late 1997 had a recall for premature breakages, and the 2.0 16v in the GTi-6 calls for shorter belt change intervals. The rest are minor faults: coolant and oil leaks, sensors and idle.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.8 and 2.0 XU faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda IMA híbrido and 1.8 and 2.0 XU
Honda IMA híbrido1.8 and 2.0 XU
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power88–132 hp90–167 hp
Production1999–2016[2][8][9][10][11]1993–2002[12][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)21Low risk39Moderate risk
Documented faults35
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: High-voltage IMA battery degradation and IMA warning light on
  2. High severity: IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006)
  3. Medium severity: CR-Z IMA hybrid system software: the car may move when the engine stalls
  1. Critical severity: Premature timing belt breakage in the 16-valve engines
  2. Medium severity: Coolant leaks from the thermostat housing and radiator
  3. Medium severity: Oil consumption and oil leaks
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA 98 (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Insight II, 2009-2014)[2][3]
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Jazz Hybrid, 2011-2015)[2][16][17]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)[11][18]
  • 1.8 8v 90-103 hp (XU7JB/LFX and XU7JP/LFZ, 1993-2001)[4][5][19]
  • 2.0 8v 121-123 hp (XU10J2C/RFX, until 1997)[4][20]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)[1][21][22]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)[1][11][18]
  • 1.8 16v 110-112 hp (XU7JP4/LFY, 1995-2002)[4][5][6]
  • 2.0 16v 132-135 hp (XU10J4R/RFV, 1995-2002)[6][7][23]
  • 2.0 16v 150-167 hp (XU10J4/RFT/RFY S16 and XU10J4RS/RFS GTi-6 and VTS, 1993-2002)[7][20][24]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

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

Cars that each one is fitted to

Honda IMA híbrido

1.8 and 2.0 XU

See the 9 models with the 1.8 and 2.0 XU

Other comparisons

With the Honda IMA híbrido

With the 1.8 and 2.0 XU

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.

  1. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  2. Used Honda Insight Mk2 buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 24 October 2019 · consulted 8 October 2026
  3. Honda Insight (2009 - 2014) used car reviewRAC · Motoring press · published 13 February 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
  4. Peugeot 306: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  5. Citroën Xsara: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  6. Peugeot 406: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  7. Peugeot 306 GTI-6 buying guide: powertrainPistonHeads · Motoring press · published 4 September 2016 · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Integrated Motor AssistWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  9. Honda L engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  10. Honda CR-ZWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  11. Used Honda CR-Z buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 31 October 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026
  12. PSA XU engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Peugeot 306Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Citroën XsaraWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. Citroën XsaraWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  17. Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  18. Used Honda CR-Z reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 14 August 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
  19. Fiabilité Citroën Berlingo: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  20. Fiabilité Peugeot 306: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  21. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  22. Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  23. Fiabilité Peugeot 406: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  24. Fiabilité Citroën Xsara: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French