Skyactiv-G vs 1.6 THP: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Skyactiv-G carries less risk than the 1.6 THP: 25/100 (moderate risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The Skyactiv-G has no documented serious faults; the 1.6 THP has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)».

Risk index

Skyactiv-G

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 THP

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 27 September 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 1.6 THP reliable?

The 1.6 THP turbo and its naturally aspirated sibling, the 1.6 VTi, make up the Prince family, developed together with BMW and also used by MINI: they do not have a reputation for reliability. Turbo versions built before 2012 carry a known problem of timing chain stretch, and the whole block shares a water pump described as fragile; the turbo versions add oil consumption and high-pressure fuel pump failures.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.6 THP faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Skyactiv-G and 1.6 THP
Item	Skyactiv-G	1.6 THP
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,598 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	75–187 hp	120–270 hp
Production	since 2011^[1][9]	2006–2018^[5][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	25Moderate risk	64High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	0	2
Worst severity	Medium severity	Critical 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)	Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012) High severity: Fragile water pump and heat exchanger Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versions
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.5 Skyactiv-G (P5-VPS)^[2][12] 2.0 Skyactiv-G (PE-VPS)^[3][4][13] 2.5 Skyactiv-G (PY-VPS)^[3]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	None	1.6 VTi 120 / 1.6 16v (EP6/EP6C, N12/N16, naturally aspirated)^[8] 1.6 THP medium output (EP6DT/EP6DTS/EP6CDT, N14/N18; 140-190 hp)^[6][7][14] 1.6 THP high performance (EP6CDXD/EP6FDTR/EP6CDTR, John Cooper Works N14/N18; 200-270 hp)^[6][7][8]
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

1.6 THP

See the 16 models with the 1.6 THP

Other comparisons

With the Skyactiv-G

With the 1.6 THP

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.

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
Prince engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Moteurs essence qui consomment de l'huileFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Liste des moteurs qui ont des soucis de refroidissementFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
List of Mazda enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot 308Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Peugeot RCZWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 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
BMW Recalls Fuel Pumps. Mini Does NotMotoringFile · Motoring press · published 27 October 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026