So you’re in the market for a new or used car and you aren’t sure whether a turbocharged I-4 engine is enough? Despite recent advances in automotive technology, there are still some differences between the turbocharged I-4 and a V-6 engine. We’ll tell you what makes each engine configuration different, and how you can choose between the two. Is a turbocharged I-4 engine like a V-6? Read on and find out!

I-4 vs V-6 Horsepower and Fuel Economy

There are physical differences between an I-4 and a V-6 engine that lie in how the cylinders are laid out. In an I-4 engine, there are four cylinders and they are lined up next to each other, thus the name of the inline-four-cylinder engine. A V-6, on the other hand, has the cylinders lined up to create a V shape inside the engine. Several engines, the V-6, V-8, and V-12, all have the same cylinder layout, just with more cylinders in the larger engines.

In order to give the I-4 more power to work with, without decreasing the fuel efficiency ratings, is to add a boosting system. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine can produce extra power, but only does it when it is needed. Unlike a V-6 that uses power all the time, resulting in lower fuel economy ratings, the turbocharged I-4 uses the extra power when you are accelerating. The downside to this is that your I-4 will sometimes take a moment or two to deliver the power, and might hesitate a bit when you first hit the gas.

I-4 vs V-6 Similarities

If you decide to go with a V-6 engine for your next vehicle, you will find that the decrease in fuel efficiency can result in spending more on gas. Both the turbocharged I-4 and the V-6 are great options for sedans and hatchbacks, but the I-4 might not be your best option in an SUV. For the daily commute and city errands, the I-4 is powerful and responsive, but for towing or hauling a trailer, you’ll want to make sure you have a V-6 under the hood.