1.6 DIG-T vs E-Tech Híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 DIG-T carries less risk than the E-Tech Híbrido: 23/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate risk). The 1.6 DIG-T has no documented serious faults; the E-Tech Híbrido has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)».

Risk index

1.6 DIG-T

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

E-Tech Híbrido

Moderate 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 202618 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 DIG-T reliable?

The 1.6 DIG-T (MR16DDT) has a reputation as a solid engine: a German buying guide describes it as powerful and free of notable problems, and a Spanish long-term test reports five years without faults in a Juke. Its documented weak points are occasional oil consumption, chain noise for a minority of owners and sensor failures; we have not found any recalls or a pattern of turbo failures.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

See the 3 of the 1.6 DIG-T 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 1.6 DIG-T and E-Tech Híbrido
Item	1.6 DIG-T	E-Tech Híbrido
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,618 cm³	1,598 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	163–215 hp	140–200 hp
Production	2010–2019^{[9][10][11][12]}	since 2020^[6][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	23Low risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	4
Of high or critical severity	0	2
Worst severity	Medium severity	High severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Timing chain wear and noise Medium severity: Oil consumption from piston ring wear Low severity: Lambda sensor and other engine sensor failures	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	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 DIG-T 163 (MR16DDT, Nissan Qashqai II)^{[1][2][4][15]} 1.6 DIG-T 190 (MR16DDT, Nissan Juke and Nissan Pulsar)^[2][3][4][5] 1.6 DIG-T Nismo / Nismo RS, 197-215 hp (MR16DDT, Nissan Juke only)^[10]	1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 140-145 (H4M, 2020+)^[7][16] 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 (H4M, 2020-2023)^[17] 1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 (HR12 turbo, 2022+)^[8][18]
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

1.6 DIG-T

E-Tech Híbrido

See the 12 models with the E-Tech Híbrido

Other comparisons

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With the E-Tech Híbrido

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Sources

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

Nissan Qashqai: Bekannte Probleme & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Problemas comunes del Nissan Qashqai: cómo solucionarlos en el popular SUVAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 9 September 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Nissan Juke 1.6 DIG-T 190 CV CVT 4x4 (prueba de propietario)km77 · Motoring press · published 11 September 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Avis moteur Nissan Qashqai 2 1.6 163 chFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Avis moteur Nissan Juke 1.6 Turbo 190 chFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 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
Nissan MR engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Nissan JukeWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Nissan QashqaiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Motor Renault-Nissan Type-MWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault Captur IIWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault AustralWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Essai complet Nissan Qashqai 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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