Skip to content
MotorFiable
en

1.5 K15B (Jimny) vs 1.33 Dual VVT-i: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) carries less risk than the 1.33 Dual VVT-i: 14/100 (low risk) versus 54/100 (high risk). The 1.5 K15B (Jimny) has no documented serious faults; the 1.33 Dual VVT-i has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption from piston wear».

Risk index

1.5 K15B (Jimny)

14

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.33 Dual VVT-i

54

High risk · 1 serious fault

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

11 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) reliable?

The 1.5 K15B in the Suzuki Jimny is a 102 hp naturally aspirated four-cylinder with a timing chain, simple and with no documented faults of its own. The only thing recorded in Europe is a 2018-2020 recall for the fuel pump, precautionary and with a definitive remedy.[1][2][3]

See the of the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) fault

Is the 1.33 Dual VVT-i reliable?

Yes, with caveats: the 1.33 Dual VVT-i (1NR-FE) is a simple naturally aspirated engine, with no turbo or DPF, and a timing chain. Units built before 2013 carry a factory defect in the pistons, acknowledged by Toyota in a technical bulletin, that sends oil consumption soaring and can end in engine replacement; Toyota corrected it from 2013. We found no specific pattern of water pump or sensor faults; keep an eye on the clutch, manual or with the MMT gearbox.[4][5][6]

See the 3 of the 1.33 Dual VVT-i faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 K15B (Jimny) and 1.33 Dual VVT-i
1.5 K15B (Jimny)1.33 Dual VVT-i
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,462 cm³1,329 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power102 hp97–105 hp
Productionsince 2018[7][8][9]since 2008[4][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)14Low risk54High risk
Documented faults13
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Fuel pump with resin impeller that swells (recall)
  1. Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption from piston wear
  2. Medium severity: Hard cold starting and fault code P1604
  3. Medium severity: Premature clutch wear and MMT gearbox actuator faults
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.5 K15B 102 hp (Jimny IV, 2018-present)[1][2][3]
  • 1.33 Dual VVT-i (1NR-FE, revised pistons and rings, from 2013)[6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious aboutNone
  • 1.33 Dual VVT-i (1NR-FE, first series, 2008-2013)[5]
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

1.5 K15B (Jimny)

1.33 Dual VVT-i

See the 8 models with the 1.33 Dual VVT-i

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 K15B (Jimny)

With the 1.33 Dual VVT-i

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

  1. Problemas Suzuki JimnyTotalrenting · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Suzuki Jimny: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Suzuki Jimny Problemecarwiki.de · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  4. Toyota NR engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Toyota 1.33 1NR-FE: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  6. Toyota Yaris III (XP13) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published August 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  8. Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Suzuki JimnyWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Toyota istWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Toyota iQWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026