2.0 TDI CR (EA189/288) vs EA888 Gen 3 (2.0 TSI)
Side-by-side reliability comparison
Higher reliability score
EA888 Gen 3 (2.0 TSI)
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
EA888 Gen 3 (2.0 TSI)
Volkswagen
Specifications
2.0 TDI CR (EA189/288)
EA888 Gen 3 (2.0 TSI)
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
BUY
BUY
Reliability
78
80
Years
2008--present
2012--2020
Displacement
1968 cc
1984 cc
Layout
I4
I4
Type
Diesel
Petrol Turbo
Power
140--200 hp
180--310 hp
Known Issues
0
2
Total Risk Cost
€0--€0
€700--€1,500
Character
2.0 TDI CR (EA189/288)
"Common rail successor. Smoother, more refined. Dieselgate affected EA189 but engine is reliable. EA288 is current."
EA888 Gen 3 (2.0 TSI)
"Same as Audi EA888 Gen 3. Dual injection, metal tensioner. Golf GTI/R engine. Proven."
Issues Comparison
2.0 TDI CR (EA189/288) 0
No documented issues.
EA888 Gen 3 (2.0 TSI) 2
● MODERATE
Water pump failure
○ MINOR
Intake carbon buildup (reduced in Gen 3)
Models
2.0 TDI CR (EA189/288) 78
Transporter
Transporter
Exeo
A4
Q5
A5
Tiguan
A3
Golf
Yeti
Golf
Passat
Octavia
Superb
Transporter
Alhambra
Yeti
Q3
Yeti
Passat
Alhambra
Superb
Q3
Caddy
Ibiza
A4
A6
Exeo
Tiguan
Octavia
Leon
Leon
A3
Golf
Q7
Alhambra
Passat
Tiguan
TT
Octavia
A3
Leon
Leon
Golf
Transporter
Transporter
A4
Q5
A5
A4
Superb
Touran
Tiguan
Ateca
Passat
Tarraco
Arteon
Tarraco
T-Roc
Ateca
Kodiaq
Karoq
Passat
Tarraco
Tiguan
Superb
Ateca
Ateca
Kodiaq
Arteon
Macan
Leon
A3
Golf
Q3
Caddy
Octavia
Leon