2.0 TDI CR (EA189/288) vs 1.8 NA

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
1.8 NA BUY 80/100
+2 points over 2.0 TDI CR (EA189/288)
0 / 100
BUY 2.0 TDI CR (EA189/288) Volkswagen
0 / 100
BUY 1.8 NA Volkswagen

Specifications

2.0 TDI CR (EA189/288)
1.8 NA
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
BUY
BUY
Reliability
78
80
Years
2008--present
1991--2000
Displacement
1968 cc
1781 cc
Layout
I4
I4
Type
Diesel
Petrol Na
Power
140--200 hp
90 hp
Known Issues
0
1
Total Risk Cost
€0--€0
€200--€400

Character

2.0 TDI CR (EA189/288)

"Common rail successor. Smoother, more refined. Dieselgate affected EA189 but engine is reliable. EA288 is current."

1.8 NA

"Golf III/IV, Passat B4. Simple 8V NA. Hydraulic lifters. Timing belt (interference). Oil leaks. Nearly unbreakable with basic maintenance. One of VW's most reliable engines."

Issues Comparison

2.0 TDI CR (EA189/288) 0

No documented issues.

1.8 NA 1

▲ HIGH
Timing belt (interference) €200--€400 60,000 km--90,000 km

Models

2.0 TDI CR (EA189/288) 78

Transporter T5 2009--2015 Transporter T5 2009--2015 Exeo 3R 2009--2013 A4 B8 2008--2015 Q5 8R 2008--2017 A5 8T 2008--2016 Tiguan 5N 2008--2016 A3 8P 2008--2012 Golf Mk6 (5K) 2009--2012 Yeti 5L 2009--2018 Golf Mk6 (5K) 2009--2012 Passat B7 (3C) 2010--2014 Octavia 1Z 2008--2013 Superb 3T 2008--2015 Transporter T6 2015--2019 Alhambra 710/711 2010--2020 Yeti 5L 2009--2018 Q3 8U 2011--2018 Yeti 5L 2011--2018 Passat B7 (3C) 2010--2014 Alhambra 710/711 2010--2020 Superb 3T 2008--2015 Q3 8U 2012--2018 Caddy 2K 2010--2015 Ibiza Mk4 (6J) 2009--2012 A4 B8 2011--2015 A6 C7 2011--2018 Exeo 3R 2009--2013 Tiguan 5N 2008--2016 Octavia 5E 2013--2020 Leon Mk3 (5F) 2012--2020 Leon 5F 2013--2020 A3 8V 2012--2020 Golf Mk7 (5G) 2012--2019 Q7 4M 2015--present Alhambra 710/711 2015--2020 Passat B8 (3G) 2014--2019 Tiguan AD 2016--2020 TT 8S 2015--2018 Octavia 5E 2014--2020 A3 8V 2014--2020 Leon Mk3 (5F) 2013--2020 Leon 5F 2014--2020 Golf Mk7 (5G) 2013--2019 Transporter T6 2015--2021 Transporter T6 2015--2021 A4 B9 2015--2023 Q5 FY 2017--present A5 F5 2016--2024 A4 B9 2015--2019 Superb 3V 2015--2024 Touran 5T 2015--present Tiguan AD 2016--2024 Ateca KH7 2016--present Passat B8 (3G) 2014--2023 Tarraco KN2 2019--present Arteon 3H 2017--present Tarraco KN 2019--present T-Roc A11 2017--present Ateca KH 2016--present Kodiaq NS 2017--2024 Karoq NU 2017--present Passat B8 (3G) 2014--2023 Tarraco KN2 2019--present Tiguan AD 2016--2024 Superb 3V 2015--2024 Ateca KH7 2016--present Ateca KH 2016--present Kodiaq NS 2017--2024 Arteon 3H 2017--present Macan 95B 2014--2024 Leon KL 2020--present A3 8Y 2020--present Golf Mk8 (CD) 2020--present Q3 F3 2019--present Caddy SB 2020--present Octavia NX 2020--present Leon Mk4 (KL) 2020--present

1.8 NA 1

Golf Mk3 (1H) 1991--1997
Full 2.0 TDI CR (EA189/288) Report Full 1.8 NA Report