e-Skyactiv D 3.3 vs D5 5 cilindros: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 carries less risk than the D5 5 cilindros: 21/100 (low risk) versus 39/100 (moderate 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 D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it».

Risk index

e-Skyactiv D 3.3

Low risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

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

Reviewed on 29 October 202612 sources How 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 D5 5 cilindros reliable?

Volvo's five-cylinder D5 (2.4 D3/D4/D5 and 2.0 D3/D4) has no documented systemic fault, but it does carry one serious risk: several owners report that a snapped auxiliary belt took the timing belt with it. The rest is EGR, DPF and the odd turbo.^[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of e-Skyactiv D 3.3 and D5 5 cilindros
Item	e-Skyactiv D 3.3	D5 5 cilindros
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	3,283 cm³	2,400 cm³
Timing	—	Timing belt (dry)
Power	254 hp	126–215 hp
Production	since 2022^[7][8]	2001–2015^{[9][10][11][12]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	21Low risk	39Moderate risk
Documented faults	2	4
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Stalling and restart failures due to control unit software High severity: Clutch between engine and electric motor that does not re-engage after braking	Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it Medium severity: EGR valve and EGR cooler clogged with carbon Medium severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure^[6]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	3.3 e-Skyactiv D 254 (T3-VPTS, 2022-present)^[1][2][3]	2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)^[4][5] 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)^[4][5] 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)^[5][12]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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

Mazda CX-60

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

Other comparisons

With the e-Skyactiv D 3.3

With the D5 5 cilindros

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.

DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (Mazda CX-60)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 29 October 2026
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
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
Fiabilidad Volvo S60 (2010-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Volvo XC60 (2008-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Problemas Volvo XC90 D5Total Renting · General press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Skyactiv (apartado Skyactiv-D 3.3)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Mazda CX-60 3.3 e-Skyactiv D MHEV 254ps AWD HomuraPractical Caravan · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026
Volvo D5 de 185 CV para S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista · Motoring press · published 27 July 2005 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo V70 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo S80 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo V60 (motorizaciones de la primera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026