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E-Tech Híbrido vs Drive-E gasolina: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the E-Tech Híbrido carries less risk than the Drive-E gasolina: 32/100 versus 43/100 (both moderate risk). The E-Tech Híbrido has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)»; the Drive-E gasolina has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «High oil consumption that can damage the turbo».

Risk index

E-Tech Híbrido

32

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

Drive-E gasolina

43

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

15 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 Drive-E gasolina reliable?

The Volvo Drive-E petrol engine (2.0-litre 4-cylinder T2-T6/B4-B5 and, since 2018, 1.5-litre 3-cylinder T2-T3/B3) powers almost the entire Volvo range since 2013. Owners mainly document high oil consumption that can damage the turbo, carbon build-up on the intake valves caused by direct injection, and the odd coolant reservoir leak; we have not found Volvo acknowledging these faults with a campaign of its own for the petrol engine.[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the Drive-E gasolina faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of E-Tech Híbrido and Drive-E gasolina
E-Tech HíbridoDrive-E gasolina
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,598 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power140–200 hp122–320 hp
Productionsince 2020[1][7][8]since 2013[4][5][6][9][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)32Moderate risk43Moderate risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityHigh severityHigh 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. High severity: High oil consumption that can damage the turbo
  2. Medium severity: Carbon build-up on injectors and intake valves due to direct injection
  3. Medium severity: Leak from the expansion tank or faulty cap in the cooling system
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 140-145 (H4M, 2020+)[2][12]
  • 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 (H4M, 2020-2023)[13]
  • 1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 (HR12 turbo, 2022+)[3][14]
  • 2.0 T2/T3/T4/T5/T6 and B4/B5 mild hybrid 4-cylinder (B4204T, Drive-E, 2013-present)[4][5][6]
  • 1.5 T2/T3 and B3 mild hybrid 3-cylinder (B3154T, Drive-E, since 2018)[10][11][15]
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

Drive-E gasolina

See the 10 models with the Drive-E gasolina

Other comparisons

With the E-Tech Híbrido

With the Drive-E gasolina

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. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Volvo XC60 II (ab 2017) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published November 2022 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  6. Volvo V90 – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published January 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Renault Captur IIWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Renault AustralWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V40Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Volvo XC40 (seit 2017) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published March 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  12. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault ArkanaFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Captur IIFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Espace 6Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French