Skyactiv-G vs 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Skyactiv-G carries less risk than the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power: 25/100 versus 36/100 (both moderate risk). The Skyactiv-G has no documented serious faults; the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Safe mode due to battery controller calibration (loss of propulsion)».

Risk index

Skyactiv-G

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 29 October 202614 sources How we work

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.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the Skyactiv-G faults

Is the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power reliable?

There is still little reliability data: the three-cylinder 1.5 VC-Turbo only generates electricity and no mechanical faults are known in Europe. The documented weak points are in the e-Power electronics: battery campaigns and isolated cases of immobilisation.^[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Skyactiv-G and 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power
Item	Skyactiv-G	1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,497 cm³
Timing	Chain	—
Power	75–187 hp	190–213 hp
Production	since 2011^[1][8]	since 2022^{[9][10][11][12]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	25Moderate risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	0	3
Worst severity	Medium severity	High severity
Main faults	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)	High severity: Safe mode due to battery controller calibration (loss of propulsion) High severity: Fuel line that slips out of its clip and may leak Medium severity: e-Power warning and limited mode due to incorrect state-of-charge reading
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.5 Skyactiv-G (P5-VPS)^[2][13] 2.0 Skyactiv-G (PE-VPS)^[3][4][14] 2.5 Skyactiv-G (PY-VPS)^[3]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	None	1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power 190 hp (Qashqai J12, since 2022)^[5][6][7] 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power 204 hp (X-Trail T33, front-wheel drive, since 2022)^[5][9] 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power e-4ORCE 213 hp (X-Trail T33, all-wheel drive, since 2022)^[9][11]
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

Skyactiv-G

See the 9 models with the Skyactiv-G

1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power

Other comparisons

With the Skyactiv-G

With the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power

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Sources

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

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
Fiabilidad y averías del Nissan Qashqai 3 (2021)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French
Nissan Qashqai: richiamo per la batteria del sistema ibridoalVolante · Motoring press · published 4 August 2026 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Italian
Nissanowski SUV z usterką systemu zarządzania akumulatoremAutokatalog.pl · Motoring press · published 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in another language
List of Mazda enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Nissan X-Trail - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Nissan KR engine - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Nissan X-Trail (T33) - Wikipedia (versión alemana)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
Nissan z novim Qashqaijem uvaja e-Power v EvropiRTV Slovenija · General press · published 19 February 2021 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in another language
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