Skyactiv-G vs 2.3 VR5 (V5): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Skyactiv-G carries less risk than the 2.3 VR5 (V5): 25/100 versus 32/100 (both moderate risk). The Skyactiv-G has no documented serious faults; the 2.3 VR5 (V5) has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch».

Risk index

Skyactiv-G

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.3 VR5 (V5)

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 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 2.3 VR5 (V5) reliable?

The 2.3-litre VR5 is a naturally aspirated five-cylinder with the timing chain at the rear of the engine. Gebrauchtwagenberater rates it as a buy with no known problems in the Golf IV, but in the Bora it warns that the chain sometimes stretches; AutoHints adds the coils and the plastic coolant parts as points to watch.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 3 of the 2.3 VR5 (V5) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Skyactiv-G and 2.3 VR5 (V5)
Item	Skyactiv-G	2.3 VR5 (V5)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	2,324 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	75–187 hp	150–170 hp
Production	since 2011^[1][9]	1997–2006^[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	25Moderate risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	3
Of high or critical severity	0	1
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: Timing chain stretch Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils Medium severity: Coolant leaks from the hoses and thermostat housing
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	2.3 VR5 10v 150 hp (AGZ; 1997-2001)^[6][7] 2.3 VR5 20v 170 hp (AQN, AZX; 2000-2006)^[6][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

2.3 VR5 (V5)

Other comparisons

With the Skyactiv-G

With the 2.3 VR5 (V5)

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
VW Golf 4: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Bora (1J2) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 14 July 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Engine 2.3 VR5 (AGZ) 150 HP: Experiences, problems, fuel consumption and used-car buying tipsAutoHints · Technical documentation · published 24 July 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
Volkswagen 2.3 VR5 20V (AQN): Experiences, problems, fuel consumption and used car buying tipsAutoHints · Technical documentation · published 24 July 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
List of Mazda enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
VR5 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
VR-MotorWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
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