The 1.6 CRDI engine is part of a series of five Korean diesel engines with two-camshaft cylinder heads and four valves per cylinder. Both Kia and Hyundai use the engines in their European market cars and Continuous Injection System (CIS) vehicles. Introduced in 2007, the 1.6 CRDi is part of the U family of engines and features a Common Rail injection with Bosch injectors, a double mass flywheel, a variable geometry turbocharger, and a DPF filter (after 2009 in the second generation). Depending on the version and year of manufacture, the engine power varies from 90 to 136 hp. The diesel engine is used in the Hyundai i20 and i30, as well as Accent, Kia Cerato, Venga, Soul, CEE'D, and Sportage makes.
The 1.6 CRDi engine has demonstrated exceptional reliability since its introduction and AutoSpruce gives it a durability rating of 500,000 km. The first-generation engine benefits from its lack of a floating flywheel, which in other diesel engines has contributed to high repair costs.
The early 115 hp engines suffered from a loss of power from a malfunctioning turbocharger. Kia resolved the issue by changing the software on the engines produced from 2006 to 2009. The CRDi engine has also experienced some problems with the Bosch injection system, however, system elements are repairable, keeping total repair costs to a minimum. Drivers who use their cars mostly for city driving may have issues with a clogged DPF filter. None of these problems are serious enough to tarnish the exceptional durability rating of the 1.6 CRDi engine.