1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs 1.8 / 2.0 Nu: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the 1.8 / 2.0 Nu: 19/100 (low risk) versus 48/100 (moderate risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the 1.8 / 2.0 Nu has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cylinder scoring and piston knock when cold».

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.8 / 2.0 Nu

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202618 sources How we work

Is the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II reliable?

The 1.4 and 1.6 16v GM Daewoo E-TEC II (first-generation Lacetti/Optra and Aveo) have a timing belt and, according to the Polish press, a moderate fault record. Documented issues are faulty valves in the first units (2004-2005), lambda sensor faults and a few cases of oil leaks or oil consumption.^[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II faults

Is the 1.8 / 2.0 Nu reliable?

The Nu 1.8 and 2.0 (G4NB, G4NA, G4NH and G4NC) are naturally aspirated timing-chain engines from Hyundai and Kia; in Europe the guides we have read only document the 2.0 GDI. Russian press describes, on the 2.0 MPI (G4NA), cylinder scoring, oil consumption, a disintegrating catalytic converter and a stretched chain, with improvements from 2017-2019; the 2.0 GDI adds carbon build-up.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

See the 5 of the 1.8 / 2.0 Nu faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and 1.8 / 2.0 Nu
Item	1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II	1.8 / 2.0 Nu
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	—
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	83–109 hp	145–177 hp
Production	2004–2011^{[9][10][11][12][13]}	since 2010^{[4][6][7][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	19Low risk	48Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	5
Of high or critical severity	0	3
Worst severity	Medium severity	High severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Faulty valves and ignition faults in the first units (2004-2005) Low severity: Lambda sensor faults Low severity: Oil consumption and oil leaks	High severity: Cylinder scoring and piston knock when cold High severity: Ceramic catalytic converter that disintegrates and scores the cylinders High severity: Stretched timing chain and weak tensioner
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.4 and 1.5 8v SOHC (Aveo, 2005-2011)^[3][13] 1.5 and 1.6 16v DOHC 100-106 hp (A15DMS/A16DMS, Daewoo Lanos and Nubira, 1997-2008)^[15][16]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.4 16v DOHC 95-101 hp (F14D4/L95, 2004-2011)^[1][2][13] 1.6 16v DOHC 103-109 hp (L91/LXT, 2004-2011)^[2][13][17]	1.8 MPI (Nu G4NB, 145-150 hp, naturally aspirated, from 2010)^[4][5][14] 2.0 MPI (Nu G4NA and F4NA flex-fuel, 150-167 hp, naturally aspirated, from 2010)^[4][5][6] 2.0 MPI Atkinson (Nu G4NH, 149 hp, naturally aspirated, from 2015)^[4][14] 2.0 GDI (Nu G4NC, 163-177 hp, direct injection, from 2012)^[7][8][14] 2.0 MPI flex Smartstream (G2.0 MPi, 166-167 hp, Creta II Brazil, 2021-2024)^[4][18]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

1.8 / 2.0 Nu

See the 12 models with the 1.8 / 2.0 Nu

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

With the 1.8 / 2.0 Nu

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Sources

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

Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4 16V - Niełatwo zdobyć zaufanieAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 19 November 2007 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
Bez fajerwerków - Chevrolet Lacetti (2003-2010)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 7 April 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
Czy warto kupić: używany Chevrolet Aveo (od 2002 do 2011)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 5 March 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
2 литра и 7 проблем популярного мотора Hyundai (и Kia)За рулем (zr.ru) · Motoring press · published 22 July 2021 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
Они тоже ломаются: пять 4-цилиндровых атмосферников с низким ресурсомAuto.ru Журнал · Motoring press · published 11 October 2024 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
Hyundai G4NA 2.0 MPI: ficha del motor (Tucson III 2015-2018)A/H AutoHints · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
Hyundai i40 (2011 - 2019) | Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 5 January 2023 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Hyundai ix35: Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 9 May 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
Hyundai Nu engineWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
Daewoo Nubira: zwawa, pakowna i taniaAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 20 February 2006 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
Gdy koszty grają rolę - Daewoo/FSO Lanos (1997-2008)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 4 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
Hyundai Smartstream engineWikipedia (en) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026