Skip to content
MotorFiable

2.0 TSI / TFSI vs 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) carries less risk than the 2.0 TSI / TFSI: 32/100 (moderate risk) versus 54/100 (high risk). The 2.0 TSI / TFSI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «High oil consumption»; the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «1GR-FE 4.0 V6 head gasket failure».

Risk index

2.0 TSI / TFSI

54

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

32

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

16 sourcesHow we work

Is the 2.0 TSI / TFSI reliable?

It depends above all on the generation. The earliest units (2008-2012, without Valvelift) have more oil consumption complaints and somewhat more chain and tensioner wear; from 2012 the Valvelift design reduced oil consumption but kept carbon build-up on the intake valves as a weak point until, around 2016, supplementary indirect injection was added. The thermostat housing with the integrated water pump leaks coolant in several generations.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 5 of the 2.0 TSI / TFSI faults

Is the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) reliable?

The sources consulted describe them as robust chain-driven engines with few documented faults: on the 4.0 V6 (1GR-FE), the water pump, head gasket on early units and the coils; on the 2.7 (2TR-FE), the front crankshaft seal in the early years. Almost all the data comes from technical websites, not official campaigns.[6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 TSI / TFSI and 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
2.0 TSI / TFSI2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,984 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power170–320 hp151–281 hp
Productionsince 2008[1][10]since 2002[11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)54High risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: High oil consumption
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear
  3. Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves
  1. High severity: 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 head gasket failure
  2. Medium severity: 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 water pump leaks
  3. Medium severity: 2.7 2TR-FE oil leaks from the front crankshaft seal
Most expensive documented repairup to €4,000High oil consumptionPublished figure[13]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 3B / evo, with added indirect injection (2016 onwards, 190-320 hp)[1][5][14]
  • 2.7 Dual VVT-i (2TR-FE, from 2015)[8][9]
  • 4.0 V6 Dual VVT-i (1GR-FE, from 2009)[6][15]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 1, without Valvelift (2008-2012, 170-220 hp)[2][3][14][16]
  • 2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 2/3, with Valvelift and direct injection only (2012-2016, 180-230 hp)[2][3][14]
  • 2.7 VVT-i (2TR-FE, 2,693 cc, 2004-2014)[8][9]
  • 4.0 V6 VVT-i (1GR-FE, 3,956 cc, from 2002)[6][7][15]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

2.0 TSI / TFSI

See the 45 models with the 2.0 TSI / TFSI

2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 TSI / TFSI

With the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Volkswagen EA888 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  2. Fiabilité Volkswagen (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité Audi (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  4. Motores TFSI: características, ventajas e inconvenientesAutofácil · Motoring press · published 18 May 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Motor 2.0 TFSI 190 CV (ficha técnica)km77 · Technical documentation · published 13 May 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. 1GR-FE Toyota 4.0L 236 hp: ficha del motor, puntos débiles y fiabilidadAutoHints · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. The 4 Most Common Toyota 1GR-FE Engine Problems8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 29 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Toyota 2TR-FE 2.7L: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Toyota 2TR-FE Engine Guide - Specs, Reliability, & Mods8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 2 February 2023 · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Audi TTWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  11. Toyota TR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Toyota GR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Tu coche quema aceite: 6 señales de alarma y la solución definitiva para salvar tu motorAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 19 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Témoignages fiabilité Audifiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  15. Toyota 1GR-FE 4.0L V6: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. Témoignages fiabilité Volkswagenfiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French