The 1.5-liter Honda L15Z is a naturally aspirated L-series engine for affordable models built mainly in Asia: City, Jazz, Mobilio, BR-V, HR-V, WR-V and Elevate. It has been produced since 2013 in two generations.
The first-generation L15Z1, L15Z2, L15Z5 and L15Z6 have a 16-valve SOHC head with i-VTEC and produce about 118 hp and 145 Nm; flex-fuel versions for Thailand can run on E85. The second generation from 2020 (L15Z, L15ZE, L15ZF) belongs to the Earth Dreams family, received a DOHC head and a compression ratio of 10.6 and delivers 118-121 PS.
L-series family: L13A, L13B, L15B, L15C, L15Z, L15A, L12B, L12A, L13Z, LEA, LEB, LEC.
Specifications
| Production years | since 2013 |
| Displacement, cc | 1497 |
| Fuel system | injector |
| Power output, hp | 115 – 121 |
| Torque output, Nm | 142 – 146 |
| Cylinder block | aluminum R4 |
| Block head | aluminum 16v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 73 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 89.4 |
| Compression ratio | 10.3 – 10.6 |
| Features | SOHC / DOHC |
| Hydraulic lifters | no |
| Timing drive | chain |
| Phase regulator | i-VTEC |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 0W-20 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 3.6 |
| Fuel type | petrol / E85 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Honda HR-V 2022) — city — highway — combined |
7.8 5.2 5.9 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~300 000 |
| Weight, kg | 103 |
The engine was installed on:
- Honda Jazz 3 (GK) in 2013 – 2019 (Asia), Jazz 4 (GR) since 2020 (Asia, South Africa);
- Honda City 6 (GM6) in 2014 – 2020, City 7 (GN) since 2020;
- Honda Mobilio 1 (DD4) since 2014;
- Honda BR-V 1 (DG1) in 2016 – 2021, BR-V 2 (DG3) since 2021;
- Honda HR-V 2 (RU) since 2014 (Indonesia), HR-V 3 (RV) since 2021;
- Honda WR-V 2 (DG4) since 2022 (Indonesia);
- Honda Elevate 1 since 2023 (India).
Disadvantages of the Honda L15Z engine
- There are no hydraulic lifters, so valve clearances need periodic adjustment;
- Poor fuel quickly wears out the spark plugs and then the ignition coils.
Frequently asked questions about the Honda L15Z
How much power does the Honda L15Z make?
The Honda L15Z develops 115 - 121 hp and 142 - 146 Nm of torque.
How much oil does the Honda L15Z take and which one?
Engine oil capacity: 3.6 liters. Recommended oil: 0W-20.
Does the Honda L15Z have a timing belt or chain?
The Honda L15Z uses a timing chain.
Is the Honda L15Z turbocharged?
No, the Honda L15Z is naturally aspirated.
Does the Honda L15Z need valve clearance adjustment?
Yes, there are no hydraulic lifters, so the valve clearances have to be checked and adjusted periodically.
How long does the Honda L15Z last?
The typical lifespan of the Honda L15Z is ~300 000 km with proper maintenance.
What is the fuel consumption of the Honda L15Z?
Honda HR-V 2022: city 7.8, highway 5.2, combined 5.9 L/100 km.
What cars was the Honda L15Z installed on?
Honda Jazz 3 (GK) in 2013 - 2019 (Asia), Jazz 4 (GR) since 2020 (Asia, South Africa); Honda City 6 (GM6) in 2014 - 2020, City 7 (GN) since 2020; Honda Mobilio 1 (DD4) since 2014; Honda BR-V 1 (DG1) in 2016 - 2021, BR-V 2 (DG3) since 2021; Honda HR-V 2 (RU) since 2014 (Indonesia), HR-V 3 (RV) since 2021; Honda WR-V 2 (DG4) since 2022 (Indonesia) and 1 more (see the full list above).
What are the common problems of the Honda L15Z?
There are no hydraulic lifters, so valve clearances need periodic adjustment. Poor fuel quickly wears out the spark plugs and then the ignition coils. All known problems.
