OK, this sounds like a dumb question but, at what rpm's is a 2.0 engine happiest just cruising along?

mine is smooth through all rpm ranges. I can comfortably cruise at 3.5k to 4k on the freeway.
are you having issues?

My cars like 3200 rpm best though they are smooth everywhere.

I think he's asking where's the sweet spot feel good no stress or strain rpm on a 2.0 ? Right?

Gonna be different for almost every car. Wheel/tire size and gearing will change the "sweet spot". Mine likes about 3500-3700. I have 195/55/15's so speedo is off.
Tom

3200-3400 rpm for mine, with 195/60/15's.

My long time Porsche trained German mechanic Hans always said/says - "Deese karz like to be triven hart, zo don't baby zem, uttervise you haf problems!"

If you're on a long trip & just cruzin - just listen ~ the sound of the engine will tell you where she's happiest at any particular point, road conditions & set-up/tires you have!

engine rpm is 2800 -3200 give or take 100 rpm.
The engine is designed to perform at its most efficient in that range.

Tire size does not matter.

Stock motor...no cam change, head change, or exhaust change.

Rich

Depends on speed and load conditions. IMO, the "sweet zone" ranges from 1800 to 4000 rpm.

3000 is great cruising imo. which is about 70 mph, stock 5th gear, 195/50/R15

but really anywhere 2500-5000 feels about the same, it just gets a little louder above 4k

Over 3000rpm the engine is cooling proper and you are not "lugging" the engine.

"Lugging" a VW engine is very bad for it.

Something close to 3000 rpm's is best for running around. That seems to be a good area for cooling.

I've heard of folks putting some pretty tall gears in air cooled cars running under 2000 rpm's on the freeway overheating the engines on long trips.

My car loves the 3200 to 3600 range. At 3200 I get right at 30MPG. Above 3600 my engine starts to heat up a little, but for the most part I can zoom between LA and Las Vegas right at 3800RPM

I don't lug my engine below 2000RPM much at all.

Eric

I don't shift until about 4000 even for cruising around town...