I4 vs V6 engines: Which is right for me?

When it comes to picking the engine for your vehicle, what should you choose? A powerful six-cylinder, or a fuel-efficient four-cylinder? Surely, the six-cylinder is better, right? Well, not necessarily. Engines have evolved just as fast as the vehicles that use them, and it can make the choice difficult to make when it comes down to it! Continue reading to learn more!

Four and Six Cylinders: The Basics

Four and six-cylinder engines are the most common engines found in passenger vehicles, with four-cylinders typically having under three liters of displacement, and six-cylinders having over. This typically means that you can get more power out of a six-cylinder engine than a four-cylinder while the four-cylinder might have better fuel-efficiency.

However, even among these engine types, there is a diversity of configurations! For instance, an inline four-cylinder is the most popular and common engine around, and that’s just one of many different four-cylinder times.

Add in the Turbocharger: The Engine Equalizer

Additionally, when you add turbocharging into the equation, the engine lines blur even further. A four-cylinder engine with a turbocharger can beat out some six-cylinders in terms of power, while still being more fuel-efficient. These systems make engines provide more torque, reduce emissions, give more power, and provide an improved fuel economy.

When you add one of these systems to an engine, even if the engine is smaller, it can often push out just as much performance as a larger caliber engine, making a four-cylinder a competitor with any available V6.

So, is it worth having the upgrade from a four-cylinder to a six-cylinder engine in your vehicle? While, it really depends on the vehicle, the person, and if the engine has a turbocharger option. Sometimes, upgrading from the four-cylinder to a six-cylinder provides more power for a little extra money, other times the decreased fuel-efficiency and price increase just isn’t worth it.

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To find out more on the topic of engines, or to see a turbocharged engine in action, contact us at Palmen CDJR Racine today! You can come test drive the latest models and speak to our agents to learn more!