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.
The L-series also includes: L12B, L13A, L15A, L15B and L15C.
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 |
| Fuel type | petrol / E85 |
The engine was installed on:
- Honda Jazz 3 (GK) in 2013 – 2019 (Asia);
- Honda City 6 (GM6) in 2014 – 2020;
- Honda Mobilio 1 (DD4) since 2014;
- Honda BR-V 1 (DG1) in 2016 – 2021;
- Honda HR-V 2 (RU) since 2014 (Indonesia);
- Honda City 7 (GN) since 2020;
- Honda Jazz 4 (GR) since 2020 (Asia, South Africa);
- Honda BR-V 2 (DG3) since 2021;
- Honda 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.
