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2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) vs 2.3 VR5 (V5): which engine is more reliable?

The 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) and the 2.3 VR5 (V5) tie on our risk index: 32/100 (moderate risk). 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»; the 2.3 VR5 (V5) has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch».

Risk index

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

32

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

2.3 VR5 (V5)

32

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

14 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3][4]

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

Is the 2.3 VR5 (V5) reliable?

The 2.3-litre VR5 is a naturally aspirated five-cylinder with the timing chain at the rear of the engine. Gebrauchtwagenberater rates it as a buy with no known problems in the Golf IV, but in the Bora it warns that the chain sometimes stretches; AutoHints adds the coils and the plastic coolant parts as points to watch.[5][6][7][8]

See the 3 of the 2.3 VR5 (V5) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) and 2.3 VR5 (V5)
2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)2.3 VR5 (V5)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—2,324 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power151–281 hp150–170 hp
Productionsince 2002[9][10]1997–2006[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)32Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  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
  1. High severity: Timing chain stretch
  2. Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils
  3. Medium severity: Coolant leaks from the hoses and thermostat housing
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 2.7 Dual VVT-i (2TR-FE, from 2015)[3][4]
  • 4.0 V6 Dual VVT-i (1GR-FE, from 2009)[1][14]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.7 VVT-i (2TR-FE, 2,693 cc, 2004-2014)[3][4]
  • 4.0 V6 VVT-i (1GR-FE, 3,956 cc, from 2002)[1][2][14]
  • 2.3 VR5 10v 150 hp (AGZ; 1997-2001)[6][7]
  • 2.3 VR5 20v 170 hp (AQN, AZX; 2000-2006)[6][8]
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

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

2.3 VR5 (V5)

Other comparisons

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

With the 2.3 VR5 (V5)

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. 1GR-FE Toyota 4.0L 236 hp: ficha del motor, puntos débiles y fiabilidadAutoHints · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. The 4 Most Common Toyota 1GR-FE Engine Problems8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 29 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
  3. Toyota 2TR-FE 2.7L: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  4. Toyota 2TR-FE Engine Guide - Specs, Reliability, & Mods8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 2 February 2023 · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. VW Golf 4: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  6. VW Bora (1J2) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 14 July 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. Engine 2.3 VR5 (AGZ) 150 HP: Experiences, problems, fuel consumption and used-car buying tipsAutoHints · Technical documentation · published 24 July 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Volkswagen 2.3 VR5 20V (AQN): Experiences, problems, fuel consumption and used car buying tipsAutoHints · Technical documentation · published 24 July 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Toyota TR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Toyota GR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. VR5 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. VR-MotorWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Toyota 1GR-FE 4.0L V6: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026