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e-Skyactiv D 3.3 vs D4/D5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 carries less risk than the D4/D5: 21/100 (low risk) versus 64/100 (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 D4/D5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)».

Risk index

e-Skyactiv D 3.3

21

Low risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

D4/D5

64

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

12 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 D4/D5 reliable?

The Volvo D5/D4 covers two different engines: the classic 5-cylinder (2001-2016, D5244T/D5204) and the 4-cylinder VEA (D4204T, from 2013). On the former, several owners document the auxiliary belt breaking and taking the timing belt with it, destroying the engine; on the VEA the most common problems are the EGR, the DPF and oil consumption that can damage the turbo from 90,000-150,000 km. Neither is an engine to buy without checking its service history.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the D4/D5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of e-Skyactiv D 3.3 and D4/D5
e-Skyactiv D 3.3D4/D5
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement3,283 cm³—
Timing—Timing belt (dry)
Power254 hp120–235 hp
Productionsince 2022[8][9]2001–2024[4][5][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)21Low risk64High risk
Documented faults25
Of high or critical severity22
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. Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)
  2. High severity: High oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA)
  3. Medium severity: Clogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intake
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]
  • 2.4/2.0 D3/D4/D5 5-cylinder (D5244T/D5204, 2001-2016)[6][11]
  • 2.0 D2/D3/D4/D5 VEA 4-cylinder (D4204T, 2013-2024)[6][7][12]
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

D4/D5

See the 14 models with the D4/D5

Other comparisons

With the e-Skyactiv D 3.3

With the D4/D5

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. Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Volvo D5: 185 CV para el S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista.es · Motoring press · published July 2005 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · 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. Volvo XC90Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French