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MotorFiable

Td5 2.5 vs e-Skyactiv D 3.3: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 carries less risk than the Td5 2.5: 21/100 (low risk) versus 29/100 (moderate risk). The Td5 2.5 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Cracked flywheel in the first Td5s (2000 recall)»; the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Stalling and restart failures due to control unit software».

Risk index

Td5 2.5

29

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

e-Skyactiv D 3.3

21

Low risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

16 sourcesHow we work

Is the Td5 2.5 reliable?

The Td5 is the 2.5-litre, five-cylinder diesel fitted to the Defender from 1998 to 2007 (and to the Discovery II). Land Rover Hub considers it the best diesel the Defender ever had and as reliable as the Tdi; the documented issues are the flywheel recall on the first Td5s and contamination of the injector wiring.[1][2][3][4]

See the 2 of the Td5 2.5 faults

Is the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 reliable?

The e-Skyactiv D 3.3 is an inline-six diesel with mild-hybrid assistance that Mazda debuted in the CX-60. It is a very recent engine: there is no in-service reliability data, and what is documented are software recalls (stalling, restarting, clutch) fixed at the official dealer.[5][6][7]

See the 2 of the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Td5 2.5 and e-Skyactiv D 3.3
Td5 2.5e-Skyactiv D 3.3
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement2,495 cm³3,283 cm³
TimingGears—
Power122–139 hp254 hp
Production1998–2007[8][9][10][11][12]since 2022[13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)29Moderate risk21Low risk
Documented faults22
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Cracked flywheel in the first Td5s (2000 recall)
  2. Medium severity: Injector wiring contamination and Td5 control unit failure
  1. High severity: Stalling and restart failures due to control unit software
  2. High severity: Clutch between engine and electric motor that does not re-engage after braking
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Td5 122 hp, 15P engines (Defender, 2002-2007)[1][3][4]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • Td5 122 hp, 10P engines (Defender, 1998-2002)[2][3][15]
  • Td5 139 hp (Discovery II, 1998-2004)[16]
  • 3.3 e-Skyactiv D 254 (T3-VPTS, 2022-present)[5][6][7]
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

Td5 2.5

e-Skyactiv D 3.3

Other comparisons

With the Td5 2.5

With the e-Skyactiv D 3.3

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. Defender Engines ratedLand Rover Hub (Land Rover Monthly) · Motoring press · published 1 January 2018 · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. Land Rover Defender: Engine Flywheel May Fragment (R/2000/038)Car-Recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA) · Other source · published 5 June 2000 · consulted 2 November 2026
  3. How to buy a Land Rover 90, 110 & Defender (1983-2016)Haynes Manuals UK · Technical documentation · published January 2017 · consulted 2 November 2026
  4. Land Rover Defender review: common repair issues (AA Mechanic)The AA · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (Mazda CX-60)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 29 October 2026
  6. Mazda CX-60 (2022 – 2024): engine stall (Safety Gate SR/01913/25)Car-Recalls.eu · Official body · published 23 May 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
  7. Mazda CX-60: The engine not responding to the accelerator after stopping (KBA 14131R)Car-Recalls.eu · Official body · published 11 August 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
  8. Land Rover DefenderWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Land Rover DefenderWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. Land Rover DiscoveryWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Land Rover DiscoveryWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Land Rover DefenderWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  13. Skyactiv (apartado Skyactiv-D 3.3)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  14. Mazda CX-60 3.3 e-Skyactiv D MHEV 254ps AWD HomuraPractical Caravan · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026
  15. Land Rover Defender Buying GuideHeritage Parts Centre · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. Land Rover Discovery: Engine Flywheel May Fragment (R/2000/038)Car-Recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA) · Other source · published 5 June 2000 · consulted 2 November 2026