Born from Hiroshima's resilience, Mazda has spent a century punching above its weight — mastering the rotary engine when no one else could, making the world's best-selling roadster, and engineering Skyactiv petrols that rival Toyota for longevity. A brand this small shouldn't be this good, and for the most part it is. But the diesels tell a different story, and the ambitious CX-60 proves that even Mazda can stumble when it reaches too far, too fast.
| Engine | Found in | Verdict | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skyactiv-G 2.0 (PE-VPS) | 3 BM/BP, CX-5 KE/KF, CX-30, CX-3, 6 GJ (2011+) | Mazda's workhorse. Naturally aspirated, high compression, proven across millions of units. Routine 250,000+ km with basic maintenance. | Reliable |
| Skyactiv-G 1.5 (P5-VPS) | 2 DJ, MX-5 ND 1.5, 3 BM (2014+) | Smaller sibling of the 2.0, equally reliable. The MX-5 ND 1.5 is one of the most trouble-free sports cars ever made. | Reliable |
| Skyactiv-G 2.5 (PY-VPS) | CX-5 KF 2.5 (2017+) | Strong and smooth. Pre-2021 turbo versions had cylinder head cracking, but the naturally aspirated 2.5 in the CX-5 is solid. | Reliable |
| MZR 1.6 / 1.8 (B6/BP) | MX-5 NA 1.6, MX-5 NB 1.8 (1989-2005) | Classic iron-block engines that run forever. NA 1.6 short-nose crank issue on early 1989-1990 cars only. Check for rust, not engine problems. | Reliable |
| MZR 2.0 (LF-DE) | MX-5 NC 2.0 (2005-2015) | Reliable and rev-happy. Timing chain, no belt to worry about. Occasional coil pack failures, but nothing structural. | Reliable |
| Skyactiv-X 2.0 (HF-VPH) | 3 BP, CX-30 (2019+) | Innovative SPCCI compression ignition, but overly complex. Carbon buildup, injector issues, and spark plugs wear fast. Fuel economy gains over the Skyactiv-G are marginal in practice. | Caution |
| e-Skyactiv-G 2.0 (M Hybrid) | CX-30, 3 BP (2021+) | Mild hybrid version of the proven 2.0 Skyactiv-G. Engine itself is reliable, but early cars had 12V battery drain issues linked to the mild hybrid electronics. | Caution |
| Skyactiv-D 2.2 (SH-VPTS) | CX-5 KE/KF, 6 GJ, 3 BM (2012+) | Oil pump chain failure on 2012-2015 engines, DPF clogging on short trips, EGR carbon buildup. Not suited to city driving. Verify oil pump chain replacement on early cars. | Avoid |
| Skyactiv-D 1.5 (S5-DPTS) | 3 BM 1.5D (2015-2018) | Same EGR and DPF sensitivity as the 2.2 diesel, but in a car more likely to be used for short urban trips. Injector problems and oil dilution reported. | Avoid |
| MZR DISI Turbo 2.3 (L3-VDT) | 3 MPS BL (2007-2013) | 260 hp hot hatch engine with turbo seal failures, high-pressure fuel pump weakness, and a timing chain that needs replacement around 100,000 km. Great fun, expensive to keep. | Avoid |
| Renesis 13B-MSP | RX-8 SE3P (2003-2012) | Rotary engine with apex seal wear as a fundamental design trait. 2004-2005 models had the least oil injection. Budget for a rebuild every 60,000-100,000 km. | Avoid |
Mazda's Skyactiv-D diesels run extremely high compression ratios (14:1) and rely heavily on EGR to meet emissions standards. This creates a vicious cycle: the EGR floods the intake with soot, which clogs the DPF, which triggers more frequent regeneration cycles, which dilutes the engine oil. Short-trip driving accelerates everything. On the 2.2, the oil pump chain can snap if contaminated oil reaches it — a catastrophic failure.
CX-5 owners in both generations report windscreens cracking spontaneously, often overnight with no impact point visible. The suspected cause is frame geometry putting stress on the glass, combined with defroster thermal shock. Most common on 2014-2017 KE models but also reported on the KF. No official recall exists — Mazda typically denies warranty coverage.
The CX-30 e-Skyactiv-G and CX-60 PHEV both suffered from premature 12V battery failures within the first three years. The ADAC Pannenstatistik flagged the Mazda 3 BP and CX-30 as below-average for breakdowns, with flat batteries as the leading cause. Mazda issued a service action (AM005A) with BCM reprogramming that largely resolved the issue on post-2021 builds.
Clunking from the front suspension is a recurring complaint across Mazda's SUV range, particularly the CX-5 KF and CX-30. Causes vary from worn stabiliser bar links to broken coil springs. The CX-60 adds rear multi-link suspension creaks to the list, often audible from delivery. Generally fixable, but disappointing for a brand that prides itself on driving dynamics.
Mazda's MZD Connect infotainment system in the BP-generation Mazda 3, CX-30, and CX-60 is prone to screen freezes, random reboots, and Apple CarPlay disconnections. Software updates have improved stability, but the system remains one of Mazda's least polished components. The commander knob interface works well when the screen cooperates.
Cost estimates based on 15,000 km/year in Western Europe. Individual costs may vary based on driving style, location, and maintenance history.