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e-Skyactiv D 3.3 vs Skyactiv-D: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 carries less risk than the Skyactiv-D: 21/100 (low risk) versus 55/100 (high risk). The e-Skyactiv D 3.3 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Stalling and restart failures due to control unit software»; the Skyactiv-D has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations».

Risk index

e-Skyactiv D 3.3

21

Low risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

55

High risk · 3 serious faults

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

17 sourcesHow we work

Is the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 reliable?

The e-Skyactiv D 3.3 is an inline-six diesel with mild-hybrid assistance that Mazda debuted in the CX-60. It is a very recent engine: there is no in-service reliability data, and what is documented are software recalls (stalling, restarting, clutch) fixed at the official dealer.[1][2][3]

See the 2 of the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 faults

Is the Skyactiv-D reliable?

The Skyactiv-D is a modern and generally reliable diesel, but across its three displacements (1.5, 1.8 and 2.2) it shares oil dilution with diesel fuel during diesel particulate filter regenerations, which means you need to watch the oil level and not stretch oil changes, especially on short journeys; the older 2.2s (2012-2014) also accumulate more turbo and carbon build-up cases.[4][5][6][7]

See the 4 of the Skyactiv-D faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of e-Skyactiv D 3.3 and Skyactiv-D
e-Skyactiv D 3.3Skyactiv-D
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement3,283 cm³—
Timing—Chain
Power254 hp105–184 hp
Productionsince 2022[8][9]since 2012[4][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)21Low risk55High risk
Documented faults24
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Stalling and restart failures due to control unit software
  2. High severity: Clutch between engine and electric motor that does not re-engage after braking
  1. High severity: Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations
  2. High severity: Turbo wear or failure from lack of lubrication
  3. Critical severity: Oil pump chain breakage and camshaft wear
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 3.3 e-Skyactiv D 254 (T3-VPTS, 2022-present)[1][2][3]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)[5][12][13]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)[6][14]
  • 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)[7][15]
  • 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)[7][16][17]
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-Skyactiv D 3.3

Skyactiv-D

See the 7 models with the Skyactiv-D

Other comparisons

With the e-Skyactiv D 3.3

With the Skyactiv-D

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. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (Mazda CX-60)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 29 October 2026
  2. Mazda CX-60 (2022 – 2024): engine stall (Safety Gate SR/01913/25)Car-Recalls.eu · Official body · published 23 May 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
  3. Mazda CX-60: The engine not responding to the accelerator after stopping (KBA 14131R)Car-Recalls.eu · Official body · published 11 August 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
  4. SkyActivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2012-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Mazda CX-3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Skyactiv (apartado Skyactiv-D 3.3)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  9. Mazda CX-60 3.3 e-Skyactiv D MHEV 254ps AWD HomuraPractical Caravan · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026
  10. Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  11. Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  14. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French