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2.0 and 2.2 VCDi vs 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi carries less risk than the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC: 43/100 (moderate risk) versus 54/100 (high risk). The 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Sump cover fire risk from DPF fault (2011–2015 Captiva diesel)»; the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger failure».

Risk index

2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

43

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

54

High risk · 3 serious faults

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

17 sourcesHow we work

Is the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi reliable?

Chevrolet's 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi diesels (Lacetti, Captiva, Cruze and Orlando) stand out for owner complaints about the particulate filter, with injectors that, according to a German guide, fail early, and for a 2015 recall over fire risk from the sump cover on 2011–2015 Captiva diesels. There is no reliable data on costs or mileage.[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi faults

Is the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC reliable?

The i-DTEC is Honda's diesel family from 2008, with two four-cylinder blocks: the 2.2 (Accord, CR-V) and, from 2013, the 1.6 (Civic, CR-V, HR-V). It uses a timing chain instead of a belt and common-rail injection. The basic architecture has a good reputation for longevity, but the emissions system (DPF and EGR) and the turbocharger account for most of the faults documented by owners themselves.[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi and 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC
2.0 and 2.2 VCDi1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power121–184 hp120–180 hp
Production2006–2015[9][10][11][12][13]2008–2020[5][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)43Moderate risk54High risk
Documented faults35
Of high or critical severity13
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Sump cover fire risk from DPF fault (2011–2015 Captiva diesel)
  2. Medium severity: Blocked DPF and failed regenerations
  3. Medium severity: Injectors failing early from soot build-up
  1. High severity: Turbocharger failure
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage at high mileage
  3. Critical severity: Diesel injector wear or failure
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 VCDi 121–150 hp (VM Motori licence; Z20S in the Captiva, 2006–2011)[1][3][16]
  • 2.0 VCDi 130–163 hp (Z20D1, 2011–2014)[1][2]
  • 2.2 VCDi 163–184 hp (Z22D1 / A22DM, Captiva, 2011–2015)[3][4]
  • 1.6 i-DTEC 120 (N16A1, single turbo, from 2013)[6][17]
  • 1.6 i-DTEC 160 (N16A4, twin turbo, CR-V)[7]
  • 2.2 i-DTEC 180 Type S (N22B2, from 2010)[5]
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 and 2.2 VCDi

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

With the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

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. Fiabilité Chevrolet Cruze (2009-2015): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité Chevrolet Orlando (2010-2015): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  3. Chevrolet Captiva (2006-2015): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  4. Chevrolet Captiva (2011-2015): alerta A12/1063/15 (filtro de partículas y cubrecárter)Car-Recalls.eu (reproduce Safety Gate) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
  5. Honda N engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2012-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2007-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Chevrolet CaptivaWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  10. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  11. Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Captiva 2.0 D LT 4WD (7-Sitzer) (09/06 - 01/10)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  12. Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Captiva 2.2 D LT 2WD (05/11 - 04/13)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  13. Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Orlando 2.0TD S/S LTZ (10/12 - 08/14)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  14. Honda HR-VWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  15. Avis et fiabilité Honda Accord (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Chevrolet Cruze (J300, 2008-2016): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  17. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2017-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French