2.2 TD4 / SD4 vs 2.5 TDI R5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.2 TD4 / SD4 carries less risk than the 2.5 TDI R5: 32/100 versus 45/100 (both moderate risk). The 2.2 TD4 / SD4 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Coolant leak from the EGR valve cooler»; the 2.5 TDI R5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders».

Risk index

2.2 TD4 / SD4

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.5 TDI R5

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 5 October 202613 sources How we work

Is the 2.2 TD4 / SD4 reliable?

This is the 2.2-litre diesel of the Freelander 2, the first Evoque, the 2014-2015 Discovery Sport and the Jaguar XF 2.2D. The sources consulted do not describe it as a problematic engine, but they point to three things: the EGR cooler, the DPF in urban use, and replacing the belt along with the water pump.^[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the 2.2 TD4 / SD4 faults

Is the 2.5 TDI R5 reliable?

The 2.5 TDI R5 in the T5 and the Touareg has a poor reputation: camshaft wear, pump injectors and cylinder coating. The later series were more reliable. It is not Audi's V6 TDI.^[4][5][6]

See the 5 of the 2.5 TDI R5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.2 TD4 / SD4 and 2.5 TDI R5
Item	2.2 TD4 / SD4	2.5 TDI R5
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	2,179 cm³	2,461 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	150–200 hp	88–174 hp
Production	2006–2015^{[7][8][9][10]}	2003–2011^[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	32Moderate risk	45Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Coolant leak from the EGR valve cooler Critical severity: Timing belt failure and water pump failure Medium severity: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged by urban use	Critical severity: Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders High severity: Camshaft and hydraulic tappet wear Medium severity: Leaks and play in the unit injectors
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.2 TD4 / eD4 150-160 hp^[1][3][10] 2.2 SD4 190-200 hp^[2]	2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp with DPF (BNZ, BPC, 2006-2009)^[4] 2.5 TDI common rail Crafter (88 to 163 hp, 2006-2011)^[13]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp (AXD, AXE, 2003-2006)^[4]

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

Cars that each one is fitted to

2.2 TD4 / SD4

2.5 TDI R5

Other comparisons

With the 2.2 TD4 / SD4

With the 2.5 TDI R5

Compare other engines

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Sources

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

Land Rover Freelander Mk2 common problems 2006-2015Haynes · Technical documentation · published December 2022 · consulted 5 October 2026
Test / Avis Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.2 SD4 190 ch (2011-2018)Fiches-auto · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Problemas Land Rover Freelander 2Totalrenting · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
VW T5 4Motion Gebrauchtwagen-TestAuto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Kaufberatung gebrauchter VW T5 (2003-2015)Promobil · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Ratgeber Technik: Fehler VW T5Auto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Land Rover FreelanderWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Land Rover Discovery SportWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Jaguar XF (X250)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
How to fit a timing belt on a Land Rover Freelander 2Professional Motor Mechanic (PMM) · Motoring press · published 22 January 2018 · consulted 5 October 2026
VW T5Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
VW Touareg IWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Volkswagen CrafterWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish