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1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power vs 1.8 TCe: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.8 TCe carries less risk than the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power: 32/100 versus 36/100 (both moderate risk). 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)»; the 1.8 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «A110 oil pressure solenoid valve sticking in 2018–2019 cars».

Risk index

1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power

36

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.8 TCe

32

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

13 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3]

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

Is the 1.8 TCe reliable?

The 1.8 TCe (M5P) in the Alpine A110 and the Mégane R.S. IV has no documented endemic faults. What has been published are recalls for the A110: the oil pressure solenoid valve (2019) and the fuel pump (2021 and 2023). We have found no recalls or complaints about this engine in the Mégane R.S.[4][5][6][7]

See the 2 of the 1.8 TCe faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power and 1.8 TCe
1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power1.8 TCe
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,497 cm³1,798 cm³
Timing——
Power190–213 hp252–350 hp
Productionsince 2022[8][9][10][11]2017–2026[7][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults42
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Safe mode due to battery controller calibration (loss of propulsion)
  2. High severity: Fuel line that slips out of its clip and may leak
  3. Medium severity: e-Power warning and limited mode due to incorrect state-of-charge reading
  1. High severity: A110 oil pressure solenoid valve sticking in 2018–2019 cars
  2. High severity: A110 fuel pump that can leave the car unable to start when hot
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.8 TCe 280–300 hp (M5P, Mégane R.S. IV, 2018–2023)[4][6][7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power 190 hp (Qashqai J12, since 2022)[1][2][3]
  • 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power 204 hp (X-Trail T33, front-wheel drive, since 2022)[1][8]
  • 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power e-4ORCE 213 hp (X-Trail T33, all-wheel drive, since 2022)[8][10]
  • 1.8 TCe 252–350 hp (M5P, Alpine A110, 2017–2026)[4][6]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power

With the 1.8 TCe

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.

  1. Fiabilidad y averías del Nissan Qashqai 3 (2021)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French
  2. Nissan Qashqai: richiamo per la batteria del sistema ibridoalVolante · Motoring press · published 4 August 2026 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Italian
  3. Nissanowski SUV z usterką systemu zarządzania akumulatoremAutokatalog.pl · Motoring press · published 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in another language
  4. Rappels Alpine A110 (2019). Risque de casse moteurL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 August 2019 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  5. Rappel Alpine A110. La pompe à essence de 2 849 exemplaires remplacéeL'argus · Motoring press · published 7 September 2021 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  6. Alpine A110. Un nouveau rappel pour remplacer des pompes à essenceL'argus · Motoring press · published 25 October 2023 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  7. Renault Mégane IVWikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  8. Nissan X-Trail - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  9. Nissan KR engine - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  10. Nissan X-Trail (T33) - Wikipedia (versión alemana)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
  11. Nissan z novim Qashqaijem uvaja e-Power v EvropiRTV Slovenija · General press · published 19 February 2021 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in another language
  12. Alpine A110 (2017)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
  13. Alpine A110 (2017)Wikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French