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MotorFiable

1.6 CRDi vs 2.2 TD4 / SD4: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.2 TD4 / SD4 carries less risk than the 1.6 CRDi: 32/100 (moderate risk) versus 70/100 (high risk). The 1.6 CRDi has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «MHSG belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley failure (48V mild hybrid)»; the 2.2 TD4 / SD4 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Coolant leak from the EGR valve cooler».

Risk index

1.6 CRDi

70

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

2.2 TD4 / SD4

32

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

18 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.6 CRDi reliable?

The U2 D4FB (2009-2018) is a generally robust diesel if well maintained, with known turbo failures in the early units and timing chain problems from 120,000-150,000 km. Its successor, the Smartstream (U3 D4FE, from 2018), has a good reputation, except in the 48V mild hybrid version, which has a belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley fault that can destroy the engine.[1][2][3]

See the 6 of the 1.6 CRDi faults

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.[4][5][6]

See the 3 of the 2.2 TD4 / SD4 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 CRDi and 2.2 TD4 / SD4
1.6 CRDi2.2 TD4 / SD4
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,582 cm³2,179 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power90–136 hp150–200 hp
Productionsince 2009[1][7][8][9]2006–2015[10][11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)70High risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults63
Of high or critical severity42
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: MHSG belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley failure (48V mild hybrid)
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch
  3. High severity: Premature variable-geometry turbo (VGT) failure
  1. High severity: Coolant leak from the EGR valve cooler
  2. Critical severity: Timing belt failure and water pump failure
  3. Medium severity: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged by urban use
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,800Particulate filter (DPF) blocked in urban usePublished figure[14]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi U3 (D4FE, 115-136 hp, without mild hybrid, from 2018)[2][15]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 CRDi U2 (D4FB, 90-136 hp, sold in Spain from 2010 to ~2018)[1][16][17]
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi 48V mild hybrid (D4FE MHEV, 136 hp, from ~2019)[3][18]
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 1.6 CRDi

With the 2.2 TD4 / SD4

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.

  1. Motor Kia y Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB): ficha tecnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Kia Ceed III: Bekannte Probleme & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. Kia / Hyundai 1.6 CRDi MHEV Engine FailuresDOHC (especialista en reconstrucción de motores) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  4. Land Rover Freelander Mk2 common problems 2006-2015Haynes · Technical documentation · published December 2022 · consulted 5 October 2026
  5. Test / Avis Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.2 SD4 190 ch (2011-2018)Fiches-auto · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  6. Problemas Land Rover Freelander 2Totalrenting · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Hyundai U engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  8. Hyundai Smartstream engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. Hyundai i30 Kombi 1.6 CRDi 48V-Mildhybrid Trend (10/20-01/22): Technische Daten, Bilder, PreiseADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  10. Land Rover FreelanderWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  11. Land Rover Discovery SportWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  12. Jaguar XF (X250)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  13. 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
  14. Kia Ceed 1.6 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Kia Ceed im TÜV-Check 2026: Schwachstellen, Mängel und ProblemeAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  16. Kia and Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB) engineEngineDNA · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  17. Best Hyundai Kia 1.6 CRDI Mods & Upgrades Guide to D4FB TuningTorqueCars · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  18. KIA SPORTAGE 2023 - vehicle recallsGOV.UK (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) · Official body · consulted 26 September 2026