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E-Tech Híbrido vs 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) carries less risk than the E-Tech Híbrido: 27/100 versus 32/100 (both moderate risk). The E-Tech Híbrido has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)»; the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

E-Tech Híbrido

32

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

27

Moderate 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

19 sourcesHow 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 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) reliable?

Suzuki's M series (the 1.3-litre M13A, 1.5-litre M15A and 1.6-litre M16A, with a timing chain and indirect injection) has a reputation as a simple, reliable engine: we have found no documented serious fault in the block or the chain. What is on record are minor faults or one-off campaigns: the catalytic converter and lambda sensors of the 2005-2010 Swift, the catalytic converter of the 2006-2007 SX4, the Swift's fuel hose and the Grand Vitara and Jimny tensioner pulley.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

See the 4 of the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of E-Tech Híbrido and 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
E-Tech Híbrido1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,598 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power140–200 hp83–136 hp
Productionsince 2020[1][10][11]since 1999[4][5][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)32Moderate risk27Moderate risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity20
Worst severityHigh severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)
  2. High severity: Stalling and injection warnings on the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12)
  3. Medium severity: Hybrid system electrical fault with "DANGER" warning and car won't start
  1. Medium severity: Faulty catalytic converter and lambda sensors on the 2005-2010 Swift (engine warning light)
  2. Medium severity: Accessory belt tensioner pulley on the Grand Vitara 1.6 and Jimny 1.3 (2010 campaign)
  3. Medium severity: Fuel hose damaged by rubbing on the Swift 1.3 and 1.5 (2005-2008)
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.3 M13A 83-92 CV (Swift, Ignis and Jimny, 2003-2018)[5][6][9]
  • 1.5 M15A 99-109 CV (Swift, SX4 and Ignis, 2003-2012)[7][13]
  • 1.6 M16A 120-136 CV (SX4, Sedici, S-Cross, Vitara and Swift Sport, 2009-2018)[14][15][16]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 140-145 (H4M, 2020+)[2][17]
  • 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 (H4M, 2020-2023)[18]
  • 1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 (HR12 turbo, 2022+)[3][19]
  • 1.6 M16A 107-125 CV (Swift Sport, SX4, Sedici and Grand Vitara, 2005-2009)[5][6][7]
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

E-Tech Híbrido

See the 12 models with the E-Tech Híbrido

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

See the 11 models with the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

Other comparisons

With the E-Tech Híbrido

With the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

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. Renault Clio VWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault AustralFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Suzuki M engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  5. Suzuki Swift MK4 MZ 2005-2010: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift (2005-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  7. Rückruf Suzuki SX4AUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 7 April 2008 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  8. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  9. Por 7.000 € puedes tener un Suzuki Jimny: guía de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 10 January 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Renault Captur IIWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Renault AustralWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Suzuki SX4 1.6 VVT 4x2 GL (2010-2012): datoskm77.com · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Suzuki SX4: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  14. Suzuki Vitara (ab 2015): Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  15. Suzuki SX4 S-Cross JY 2013-2021: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  16. Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift 2 (2010-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault ArkanaFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Captur IIFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  19. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Espace 6Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French