Are you looking for a cost-effective car for daily use? Vehicles fitted with 4-cylinder engines are the best option because they perfectly balance cost and performance.
Most high-end cars in the US are six- and eight-cylinder engines, but that narrative is soon to change. 4-cylinder engine cars are making a comeback at a fast rate. Automakers worldwide have come up with high-performance 4-cylinder engine cars with great features.
Read on for a quick review of the best cars with 4-cylinder engines from different manufacturers to consider in 2022.
What's Special About Cars With 4-Cylinder Engines?
The number of cylinders decides the power of the engine. A cylinder comprises a piston, intake and exhaust valves, a spark plug, and a fuel injector. Besides, the number of cylinders is proportional to the number of ignition coils. In general, the more cylinders a car has, the more power it possesses, but worse fuel economy.
However, thanks to tricks that people use variable valve timing and turbocharging, the 4-cylinder cars gradually precede the 6-cylinder ones.
These days, 4-cylinder cars are prevalent in the automobile world. Indeed, you can come across types of cars with 4-cylinder engines under the hood ranging from hybrids like the Chevrolet Volt to sports cars like the Ford Mustang.
Top 5 Best 4 -Cylinder Cars To Buy in 2022
Now let’s move on to the main part of this article, exploring the best cars with 4-cylinder engines in 2022!
5) Mercedes-Benz A45 S
The Mercedes-Benz A45 S is undoubtedly one of the best hot hatches in the world. In fact, it is an understatement to say so because of its dominance. You get this car in two different versions: the A45 and A45 S. These two differ in the power output.
The A45 uses a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine which is capable of 376 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. The other version has an additional 33 hp. Both versions can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and attain a maximum speed of up to 155 mph. It also offers the best fuel economy. Mercedes-Benz A45 S claims up to 32.8 mileage per gallon.
Specifications:
- Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol
- Power: 421 hp @ 6750 rpm
- Torque: 500 Nm @ 5000-5250rpm
- Weight (tare): 1629kg
- Drive Type: All-wheel drive
- Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic
- Power to weight ratio: 190.3kW/t
- Price (MSRP): $58,670
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4) 2022 Audi S3
The 2022 Audi S3 is a subcompact that makes a statement as a sports car. This new model checks all the boxes technology-wise, meaning it has it all. It is based on the A3 sedan and uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine capable of 306 hp and a torque of 295 lb-ft. This model also uses Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
A few vehicles can beat Audi S3 in a 0-60 miles dash. It claims 4.5 seconds, and with a DCT transmission, it is a perfect car for navigating tight spaces or a bursting speed on a highway. This car also gives you the best fuel economy. 2022 Audi S3 offers 23 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway.
The 2022 Audi S3 comes in three different trims. The pricing is $46,995 for premium, $49,895 for Premium Plus, and $53,895 for Prestige. All these come with additional features that cause price variations.
Specifications:
- Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol
- Power: 306 hp @ 5450–6500rpm
- Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 5000-5250rpm
- Weight (tare): 1590kg
- Drive Type: All-wheel drive
- Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
- Price (MSRP): $46,995 - $53,895
3) Ford Mustang EcoBoost
Ford Mustang has a good reputation for the decades it has been in service. This car has been famous among enthusiasts who like customizing their vehicles. Its convertible top is a worthy feature to mention.
It uses a 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder engine capable of producing 310 hp. The Ford Mustang EcoBoost is a rear-wheel drive car with a 6-speed manual transmission, but some versions have 10-speed automatic transmissions. This vehicle is not the best for a 0-60 mile per hour dash. It takes about 5.0 seconds to achieve it.
Ford Mustang remains one of the most fuel-efficient cars driven by 4-cylinder engines. It claims about 21 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon when driving on the highways. Also, Ford Mustang EcoBoost is an affordable sports car offering the best performance. It starts at $28,000, but the convertible version retails at $33,000.
Specifications:
- Engine: 2.3-litre turbocharged EcoBoost 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine
- Power: 310 hp @ 5,500 rpm
- Torque: 350 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
- Weight (tare): 1583.94kg
- Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
- Transmission: 6-speed manual or 10-speed manual transmission
- Price (MSRP): $28,000 for nonconvertible and $33,000 for convertible
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2) Porsche 718 Cayman S
If you are looking for a 4-cylinder sports car, choose Porsche 718 Cayman S. This car is not just about the engine power but also drivability. Its maneuverability makes it addictive to many drivers.
Porsche 718 Cayman S uses a mid-rear-mounted 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer 4-cylinder engine that produces 350 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque. This is coupled to a standard 6-speed manual transmission. These specs give Porsche 718 Cayman S the ability to dash from 0-60 mph in under 4.5 seconds.
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_718_Cayman_S_back_IMG_0704.jpg
Porsche 718 Cayman S fuel economy you can expect is 19 mpg (city driving) and 25 mpg (driving on the highway) for the versions with automatic transmissions. The ones equipped with GT4 manual transmissions only offer 16 and 23 mpg in the city and highway, respectively.
The standard Porsche 718 Cayman S retails at $60,300. Versions with PDK transmissions cost an additional price of $3,200, and a Sport Chrono Package costs about $2,500 more.
Specifications:
- Engine: 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer 4-cylinder petrol
- Power: 350 hp @ 6500 rpm
- Torque: 309 lb-ft @ 1900-4500 rpm
- Weight (tare): 1430 Kg
- Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
- Transmission: Six-speed manual
- Price (MSRP): $72,500
1) 4-Cylinder Car: Lotus Emira
Lotus Emira is the first 4-cylinder sports car from the manufacturer, debuting in 2022. It uses the same engine that powers the CLA 45 and GLA 45 but a modified version to meet the specifications of this car. Hethel engineers claim that the customized AMG-sourced 360-hp turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine produces 360 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque.
Lotus Emira is a high-performance sports car that appears on the market for the first time and is already rumored to mark the beginning of a new sports car era. It is capable of 0-60 mph in under 4.5 seconds and offers a top speed of 180 mph. However, it is only available with a dual-clutch automatic transmission. It gives an average of about 25.2 mpg.
Lotus Emira is yet to hit many markets worldwide and is expected to retail at $77,100 by the time it gets to the US market.
Specifications:
- Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol
- Power: 360 hp
- Torque: 317 lb-ft
- Weight (tare): 1,405 kg
- Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
- Transmission: eight-speed dual-clutch automatic
- Price (MSRP): Base, $77,100; First Edition, $96,100
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Conclusion
Sports cars with 4-cylinder engines are making a comeback. The new models offer a perfect balance between performance and price, with newly designed ones producing the maximum power possible. These cars are sleek, maneuverable, and fuel-efficient compared to vehicles with 6- or 8-cylinder engines. You can choose from the 5-best cars on this list if you want a sporty car in 2022.