Skyactiv-G vs 1.8 and 2.0 XU: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Skyactiv-G carries less risk than the 1.8 and 2.0 XU: 25/100 versus 39/100 (both moderate risk). The Skyactiv-G has no documented serious faults; 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

Skyactiv-G

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.8 and 2.0 XU

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202619 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 1.8 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.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.8 and 2.0 XU faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Skyactiv-G and 1.8 and 2.0 XU
Item	Skyactiv-G	1.8 and 2.0 XU
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	—
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	75–187 hp	90–167 hp
Production	since 2011^[1][9]	1993–2002^{[10][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	25Moderate risk	39Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	0	1
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: Premature timing belt breakage in the 16-valve engines Medium severity: Coolant leaks from the thermostat housing and radiator Medium severity: Oil consumption and oil leaks
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.5 Skyactiv-G (P5-VPS)^[2][14] 2.0 Skyactiv-G (PE-VPS)^[3][4][15] 2.5 Skyactiv-G (PY-VPS)^[3]	1.8 8v 90-103 hp (XU7JB/LFX and XU7JP/LFZ, 1993-2001)^[5][6][16] 2.0 8v 121-123 hp (XU10J2C/RFX, until 1997)^[5][17]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	None	1.8 16v 110-112 hp (XU7JP4/LFY, 1995-2002)^[5][6][7] 2.0 16v 132-135 hp (XU10J4R/RFV, 1995-2002)^[7][8][18] 2.0 16v 150-167 hp (XU10J4/RFT/RFY S16 and XU10J4RS/RFS GTi-6 and VTS, 1993-2002)^[8][17][19]
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

1.8 and 2.0 XU

See the 9 models with the 1.8 and 2.0 XU

Other comparisons

With the Skyactiv-G

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.

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
Peugeot 306: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Citroën Xsara: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Peugeot 406: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Peugeot 306 GTI-6 buying guide: powertrainPistonHeads · Motoring press · published 4 September 2016 · consulted 2 November 2026
List of Mazda enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
PSA XU engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Peugeot 306Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Citroën XsaraWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Citroën XsaraWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
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
Fiabilité Citroën Berlingo: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Peugeot 306: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Peugeot 406: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Citroën Xsara: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French