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1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha vs 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 carries less risk than the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha: 14/100 versus 23/100 (both low risk). The 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha has no documented serious faults; the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12

14

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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

24 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha reliable?

Naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with a timing belt, which Hyundai and Kia fitted as the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 in the Getz, the Rio II, the Elantra XD and the Cerato I. Buying guides describe it as reliable and durable (250,000-350,000 km with maintenance), with oil consumption and leaks, coils and the throttle, and valve train wear as typical complaints.[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha faults

Is the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 reliable?

The EW10 (2.0) and EW12 (2.2) are naturally aspirated 16-valve petrol engines with a timing belt, which PSA fitted between 1999 and 2010 to the 206, 307, 406, 407, 607, 807, C4, C5 and C8, among others. According to owners there are no frequent internal failures: the most-cited problems are the ignition coils (the only fault also reported by the press), the exhaust and, on the 2.2, oil consumption.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

See the of the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha and 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12
1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power82–112 hp135–177 hp
Production2000–2011[12][13][14][15]1999–2010[4][6][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)23Low risk14Low risk
Documented faults31
Of high or critical severity00
Worst severityMedium severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Oil consumption and leaks from the sump, crankshaft seal and breather
  2. Medium severity: Wear of the camshafts, hydraulic tappets and intermediate chain
  3. Low severity: Faults with the ignition coils and the throttle body
  1. Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.4 16v (G4EE, 97 hp, 2005-2011)[1][18]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 12v (G4EH, 82-85 hp, 2002-2005)[1][18][22]
  • 1.6 16v (G4ED and G4ED-G, 105-112 hp, 2000-2011)[2][23]
  • 2.0 16v VVT 177 hp (EW10J4S, RFK, 2003-2008)[7][19][21]
  • 2.0 HPi 140 hp direct injection (EW10D, RLZ, 2001-2004)[8][10]
  • 2.2 16v 158-163 hp (EW12J4, 3FZ/3FY, 1999-2010)[8][9][11][17][24]
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

Other comparisons

With the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha

With the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12

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. Hyundai Getz: typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 November 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  2. Kia Cerato I с пробегом: неудачные механические коробки и шумные, но надёжные моторыKolesa.ru · Motoring press · published 28 February 2019 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  3. Hyundai Getz: Autokatalog mit Zuverlässigkeit und SchwachstellenPKW.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  4. PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  5. Peugeot 307 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 November 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  6. Peugeot 407 problems (reseña de Graham Smith)CarsGuide (Australia) · Motoring press · published 17 March 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
  7. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 307 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  8. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 406 1995-2004 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  9. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 407 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  10. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  11. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C8 2002-2015 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  12. Hyundai Alpha engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Hyundai Getz 1. Generation (2002-2005): ModellvariantenADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Kia Rio JB (2005-2009): ModellvariantenADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. Hyundai Elantra 1. Generation (XD): 1.6 GLS und SchwachstellenADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  16. Peugeot 406Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  17. Peugeot 307 2.0 16V 140 ch: courroie de distribution (intervalo, tiempo y riesgo)Mecazen · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  18. Tous les problèmes sur Hyundai Getz 2002-2010 (fiabilité, témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  19. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 1998-2006 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  20. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara Picasso 1999-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  21. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C4 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  22. Hyundai Getz ab 2002: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  23. Hyundai Elantra XD с пробегом: под хруст гранат и стук клапановKolesa.ru · Motoring press · published 1 November 2018 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  24. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 607 2000-2011 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French