E-Tech Híbrido vs 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT carries less risk than the E-Tech Híbrido: 23/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate risk). The E-Tech Híbrido has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)»; the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

E-Tech Híbrido

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202615 sources How we work

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.^[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the E-Tech Híbrido faults

Is the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT reliable?

The Suzuki 1.2 VVT and 1.2 Dualjet (K12B/K12C/K12M) is a naturally aspirated petrol engine with a timing chain and indirect injection, fitted since 2008 to the Splash, Swift, Ignis and Baleno, with an SHVS mild-hybrid variant since 2016. It is reliable: there is no serious documented fault with the engine block itself; the main points are a clutch that wears out sooner than expected on some cars and two SHVS recalls that have already been resolved.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

See the 5 of the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of E-Tech Híbrido and 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
Item	E-Tech Híbrido	1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,598 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	140–200 hp	82–92 hp
Production	since 2020^[1][9][10]	since 2008^[4][5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	32Moderate risk	23Low risk
Documented faults	4	5
Of high or critical severity	2	0
Worst severity	High severity	Medium severity
Main faults	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	Medium severity: Clutch: premature wear and clutch cable anchor failure Medium severity: SHVS mild-hybrid system: recalls for the starter generator belt and software Medium severity: Water pump pulley fixing (2013-2014): recall
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.2 VVT 86-92 hp (K12B, one injector per cylinder, 2008-2013)^[7] 1.2 Dualjet non-hybrid 89-91 hp (K12B/K12C, dual injector, 2013-2020)^[8][11][12] 1.2 Dualjet SHVS mild hybrid 82-90 hp (K12C/K12D, since 2016)^[8]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 140-145 (H4M, 2020+)^[2][13] 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 (H4M, 2020-2023)^[14] 1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 (HR12 turbo, 2022+)^[3][15]	None
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

E-Tech Híbrido

See the 12 models with the E-Tech Híbrido

1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

See the 7 models with the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

Other comparisons

With the E-Tech Híbrido

With the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

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Sources

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

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
Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Suzuki Swift (NZ) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Suzuki Splash (2008–2014) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Suzuki Ignis (MF, ab 2016) – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Captur IIWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault AustralWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Suzuki Ignis : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Suzuki Swift 2 : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · 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