MZR gasolina vs E-Tech Híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the E-Tech Híbrido carries less risk than the MZR gasolina: 32/100 versus 41/100 (both moderate risk). The MZR gasolina has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Big-end bearing damage in the 2.3 MZR, with isolated cases in the 1.8 and 2.0»; the E-Tech Híbrido has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)».

Risk index

MZR gasolina

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

E-Tech Híbrido

Moderate 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

Reviewed on 8 October 202626 sources How we work

Is the MZR gasolina reliable?

Mazda's naturally aspirated MZR petrol engines (1.3 to 2.5, 2002-2015) have a good reputation: the German press describes them as reliable and almost trouble-free if kept up to date with servicing. Little is documented: oil consumption (especially in the 2.3 of the Mazda6 GG), the odd isolated case of big-end bearings and the occasional ignition fault. We have found no recalls for these engines.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

See the 4 of the MZR gasolina faults

Is the E-Tech Híbrido reliable?

The E-Tech combines a combustion engine (1.6 H4M naturally aspirated or 1.2 HR12 turbo) with electric motors and a multi-mode gearbox with no clutch or torque converter. Its best-documented weak point is the gearbox itself: reports from the Clio, Captur, Arkana, Austral, Duster and Jogger describe warnings of a risk of breakage, and Renault has launched two campaigns since 2020 (an electrical fault and a primary shaft seal). The 12 V battery also fails fairly often.^[6][7][8]

See the 4 of the E-Tech Híbrido faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of MZR gasolina and E-Tech Híbrido
Item	MZR gasolina	E-Tech Híbrido
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,598 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	75–170 hp	140–200 hp
Production	2002–2015^{[4][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]}	since 2020^[6][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	41Moderate risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	4
Of high or critical severity	1	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Big-end bearing damage in the 2.3 MZR, with isolated cases in the 1.8 and 2.0 Medium severity: High oil consumption in the 2.3 MZR of the Mazda6 (GG) Low severity: Oil consumption in the 1.3, 1.6 and 2.0 MZR at high mileage	High severity: Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage) High severity: Stalling and injection warnings on the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12) Medium severity: Hybrid system electrical fault with "DANGER" warning and car won't start
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.3 and 1.5 MZR 75-103 hp (ZJ-VE, ZY-VE, 2007-2014)^[4][18] 1.4 MZR 84 hp (Mazda3 BK, 2003-2009)^[3][19] 1.6 MZR 105 hp (Z6 / ZM-DE, 2003-2013)^{[3][19][20][21]} 1.8 MZR 116-126 hp (L8-DE, 2002-2015)^{[1][5][22][23]} 2.0 MZR 140-160 hp (LF-DE, LF-VE, 2003-2015)^{[1][3][5][19]} 2.5 MZR 170 hp (L5-VE, 2008-2013)^[2][22]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.3 MZR naturally aspirated 165 hp (L3-VE, 2003-2008)^[1][5]	1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 140-145 (H4M, 2020+)^[7][24] 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 (H4M, 2020-2023)^[25] 1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 (HR12 turbo, 2022+)^[8][26]
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

MZR gasolina

See the 8 models with the MZR gasolina

E-Tech Híbrido

See the 12 models with the E-Tech Híbrido

Other comparisons

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Sources

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

Mazda 6 I: Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 8 August 2025 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Mazda 6 II: Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 4 December 2025 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Mazda 3 I (2003 – 2009) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 3 December 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Mazda 2 II (DE): Typische Mängel & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 28 September 2025 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2002-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Renault Clio VWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault AustralFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda L engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Mazda Z engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Mazda2Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Mazda5Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Mazda6Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Mazda MX-5 (NC)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Mazda MX-5: Gebrauchtwagen kaufenAUTO ZEITUNG · Motoring press · published 20 June 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Renault Captur IIWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault AustralWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité Mazda 2 (2006-2014)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2003-2009)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Mazda 3 II (2009 – 2013) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 October 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2009-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2008-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Gebrauchtwagencheck Mazda MX-5 NCauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published 14 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault ArkanaFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Captur IIFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Espace 6Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French