VAG 1.4 tfsi vs 2.0 tdi engines - different driving characteristics?

Comhrá

What are the differences in driving characteristics between the VAG 1.4 TFSI petrol 1.4 140 ps and the 2.0 150 ps TDI diesel?

I'm not too concerned about economy (both are pretty frugal) but more about quietness,smoothness, torque, low-end lugging ability at low revs etc.

I'm considering a new Passat or A4 for 2016 and I'm trying to get a feel for both engines.

I already have the 1.4 TFSI in my A3 and I like it a lot but I haven't driven the 2.0 TDI in a new Passat or an A4 so interested in hearing some comments from users of both.

Henry Ford III

Go drive them.

Brasso

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Petrol every day of the week in that case.

Maybe smoothness, but for noise the TDI was found to be quieter during acceleration:
http://www.bksv.com/NewsEvents/Waves/Articles/2014/In-search-of-the-worlds-quietest-car
Read point 5 on that.
However I found the stop-start system on the mk7 golf to be quite unrefined when the 1.6 TDI cuts in, the 2.0 TDI could be better but the petrol will surely give a nicer start, that could be important if you're doing a lot of city driving.

T.w.a.T.

The petrol one will be cheap to service in long terms.

JohnBoy26

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Petrol every day of the week in that case.

To be fair that 2.0tdi engine is pretty smooth for a diesel, it's not really a noisy engine either.

Stallingrad

Having driven both petrol and diesel Passats, the 1.4Tsi feels like it's from a class above in terms of refinement. Suits the stature of the car far better IMO.

Jesus.

TDI all day. Torque is King

Leonard Hofstadter

Currently driving a 1.6 TDI Octavia, it's surprisingly smooth for a diesel. I'd still have the petrol any day of the week, though, it will be far nicer to drive (it is a petrol after all) and depending on the model, could be far cheaper to buy.

Jesus.

captainspeed wrote: »

it will be far nicer to drive (it is a petrol after all) .

I know most people agree with that but I've just never got it.

Is it the Rev range?

Brasso

Jesus. wrote: »

TDI all day. Torque is King

But the tfsi has the same amount of torque (250 Nm) as the 1.9 tdi 105 HP engine in the previous Passat. So while it mightn't have as much as the TDI, it's still respectable.

Jesus.

Brasso wrote: »

But the tfsi has the same amount of torque (250 Nm) as the 1.9 tdi 105 HP engine in the previous Passat. So while it mightn't have as much as the TDI, it's still respectable.

Indeed but we're not comparing it to the 1.9

Foxhole Norman

Premium cars should have premium engines, I'd opt for the Petrol everytime to be honest.

Jesus.

But is a 1.4 a premium engine Norman? Its got good poke for its size for certain but I'm not sure I'd call it premium

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

MuppetCheck

I've driven both in a Golf and the diesel in a few cars.

I'd prefer the petrol in the Golf but the diesel feels slightly quicker in normal driving. The diesel dies off above 4.5k revs so if your driving is constantly above that (which half this forum must be given the usual comments) you might prefer it. I like that its one of the best mixes of running costs and decent performance out there and doesn't feel such a small engine.

Bigger saloons are a bit different. They're not driven too hard usually and the mid range of a diesel is probably more in keeping with the theme.

Bottom line, buy what you prefer. You're going to have varying opinions, some will have experience and others will just be the usual petrol V diesel thanks whoring. It's your money so buy it with your gut. You're not going to be short changed with either.