Verdict
A turbo four-cylinder of 1,498 cm³ introduced on the Golf in 2017, in 130 or 150 hp, with cylinder deactivation (ACT) and a timing belt. On the Golf VIII it is also available as the eTSI: integrated starter-generator and 48 V battery, combined with the DSG7 gearbox. Its best-documented fault is hesitation (“kangaroo” effect) when cold on the first cars, especially with the manual gearbox; Volkswagen acknowledged it and then addressed it with a software update in 2020: check that it has been applied. Fiches-auto also gives it a reputation for oil consumption, still little visible in reviews. Since 2022 it has been replaced by the 1.5 TSI evo2.
Years to favour or avoid
- To favour
- No year particularly to favour
- To avoid
- No year to avoid identified
Known faults
Jerking and hesitation when cold (“kangaroo” effect)
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingOn the first versions of the 1.5 TSI evo, the car can hesitate and jerk forward during warm-up, especially with the manual gearbox. Volkswagen acknowledged the problem in January 2019, then announced a software update for all brands and models of the group concerned in March 2020. According to feedback, the update has improved the situation without always eliminating it completely. Ask whether it has been applied and carry out a test drive with the engine cold.
- Versions
- tsi-1-5-evo
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Models fitted
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Cupra Formentor
since 2020 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
- Estimated monthly cost
- €578/month
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Jakub "flyz1" Maciejewski, CC BY-SA 3.0
Buy with carePhoto: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0
Seat Leon
since 2020 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
- Estimated monthly cost
- €442/month
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Seat Tarraco
2018–2024 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
- Estimated monthly cost
- €599/month
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0
Extra cautionPhoto: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Škoda Octavia
2013–2020 · Petrol, Diesel
- Estimated monthly cost
- €404/month
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Škoda Octavia
since 2020 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
- Estimated monthly cost
- €465/month
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Buy with carePhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Škoda Superb
2015–2024 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
- Estimated monthly cost
- €476/month
Good choice, check firstPhoto: KGC626, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Arteon
2017–2023 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
- Estimated monthly cost
- €529/month
Buy with carePhoto: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Golf
2012–2020 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, Electric
- Estimated monthly cost
- €409/month
Buy with carePhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Golf
since 2020 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
- Estimated monthly cost
- €437/month
Buy with carePhoto: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Passat
2014–2023 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
- Estimated monthly cost
- €396/month
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen T-Cross
since 2019 · Petrol, Diesel
- Estimated monthly cost
- €438/month
Buy with carePhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen T-Roc
2017–2025 · Petrol, Diesel
- Estimated monthly cost
- €512/month
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
2017–2024 · Petrol, Diesel
- Estimated monthly cost
- €557/month
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Tiguan
2016–2024 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
- Estimated monthly cost
- €539/month
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Good choice, check firstPhoto: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Volkswagen Touran
since 2015 · Petrol, Diesel
- Estimated monthly cost
- €482/month
Maintain and diagnose this engine
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of car parts (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.