PBundles:

Actually there is something as a V4 engine. Lancia were famous for building them if Im not mistaken. Though it seems some got the question confused by citing V4 and V6 which is a different issue as you pointed out ( not the same as 4cyl and 6cyl).

Wallie:

Which is better? It depends!

It is very hard to generalize but if you must do, with all things being equal, a 4 cylinder engine will consume less fuel and will be less complicated. Some manufacturers simply lump out 2 cylinders to make a lower cylinder equivalent. This is true with some BMW models (E60 M5 V10 and E9X M3 V8).

I think you should focus on a particular Make then you can decide. For example, Audi’s 2.0T is more developed and offer you more “everything” per liter than the discontinued 3.0 V engine. With BMW, the Inline 6 engines are probably better than the old 4 cylinder engines but BMW now has a great 2.0 liter 4 cylinder turbo that will replace most inline 6s. BMW’s inline 6 is actually their bread-and-butter until the arrival of the new 4 cylinder because they use it across every model (X5, X3, 528, 530, 330, 325, 328, 128) and the engine is known for its balance/smoothness.

Once you decide on a particular Make, the next thing to consider is the weight of the car. A very heavy car like 5 series, E class, S class, 7 Series, mid-sized SUV will struggle with a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine because of low torque. A turbo 4 cylinder might offer enough torque to move a huge car but it will have a very weak top end. For example, it will take forever to accelerate over 100 MPH which is needed on US highways. Imagine trying to overtake a trailer traveling at 80 mph, you step on your gas and it takes eternity for it to respond:-) In the US, luxury cars can never sell with a 4 cylinder engine (even 6 cylinders won’t sell very well), which is one of the reasons Acura’s top of the line RL failed. But things are starting to change with the introduction of turbocharged 6 cylinder engines.

The last thing to decide on is what you want out of your car. Do you just want to get to your destination or do you car about the “feel” of your engine response?

Bottom line is that not all V6s are created equal and the same is true for 4 cylinders especially if it is turbocharged.

So, which is better? It depends on your need, the Make of the vehicle and its weight.

yusuf_@:

used to drive a 97 Accord L4 Engine, Now i drive a 2004 Accord V6 and i can tell u, i get better fuel economy on the V6, driving the V6 got me to conclude i was driving a toy before, it's just too powerful & responsive, i agree for accord, the V6 has a problem of availability of Parts though. but i love it die 

uchenageme:

Thank you all for your advice and contributions, I have learned much and I can make up my mind now. I'm very grateful.

Thank you.

Siena:

You're partially right - there were V4 engines of old, but not by Lancia. Lancia used the "Boxer" engine. So, horizontally-opposed engines, with the pistons lying flat either side. Often referred to as the "Flat-Four". Similar to the old Volkswagen air-cooled engines used in the Beetle and Type 2 / Volkswagen bus (Danfo).

The old V4 engines were used by Saab back in the late '60's - early '80's. Capacies were 1,7 or 2,0. The same engines were used by Ford in the early Transit, Taunus and Corsair.

Modern 4 cylinder engines in current use are either I4 (inline four) or Flat Four (Boxer).

pak:

@Poster
I'll give you a big advice not as an expert but from experience.

If you ever choose to buy a Honda product. Then RUN from the V6, especially those made between the years 1998 and 2005.

You can go online to verify by typing phrases like 'honda accord 2003 problems' and at the end of the day you'll realise that most complaints are from ppl with V6 and there are a lot of gear related issues.

Also in this part of the world, maintenance and spare parts of V6 cars are another thing entirely.

Don't we have spare part for v6 cars in nigeria?

PBundles:

Dude dont take this wrong but,  what are you talking about?  LANCIA PIONEERED THE V engines![/i] I didnt want to come across as a know it all hence the statement [i]If Im not mistaken. Lancia use to be well know for their racing/rally etc. Could it be that you meant boxer motor from Alfa?? Boxer motors are horizontal.

Siena:


Sorry bro, my mistake. I was indeed referring to the Boxer engines from the Alfa Romeo. You are right - Lanci did use V4 engines between 1920 and the early 1960's.

However, the point I was trying to get across, is that the 4 cylinder engines that the majority of Nigerians (including mechanics) refer to as "V4" in modern cars, are anything but. They are all I4.

Again, my apologies for getting mixed up with your statements regarding Lancia and early V4 engines.

Kay999:

I don't think one engine type is better than the other.

I think one's choice of engine type should be based on personal circumstances.

For example, if you are living in Lagos mainland, say somewhere in Ogba and you work in Victoria Island (9-5 job). Your situation typically will be that you are driving at least one hour in slow traffic in the morning and another one hour in traffic in the evening. During the week, you may never get to accelerate to more than 80KM/h. In this kind of situation a Toyota Corolla with 4 cylinders and 1.8 litre engine will definitely be a smarter choice than any car with a V6 engine.

On the other if you are business man and you do a lot of interstate travelling and rarely drive in rush hour traffic, then a V6 engine may be a better choice for you.

That's my opinion.

PBundles:

All the reasons given for choosing a 6 cyl over 4 cyl are correct but actually outdated. In short it used to be a power issue (HP),  torque, stillness etc. The flip side was that you knew that you would pay more on fuel and possibly repairs. Nowadays auto manufacturers are discovering that with the latest technology a [s]4 cyl accommodates and make the 6 cyl an expensive alternative[/s]. There are 4 cyl with lots of HP, incredible torque [s]( torque is that ability to move force[/s], [s]so when you are climbing a hill or accelerating while in a high gear)[/s] etc. A good example is BMW and MB who have adopted this in many models of their 5 series and E Class respectively. Not to mention that they are good for the environment ( exhaust ext). I doubted a bit at first, but I have an E class 2010 and I was shocked at the performance and the fuel efficiency though its a diesel, is sick ( I get 17-18 KM per liter) and push the pedal on the highway (120+km). Torque is crazy. The dealer showed me the new S Class, yes you guessed it with 4 cyl. I test drove it and couldn't believe it. Who would have believed that you could make a S Class using a 4 cyl. technology means we can achieve more using less.

Torque = Mass * Acceleration

Power (hp) = Torque (ft.lb) * [(RPM (*1000))/(5252)]

Torque (ft.lb) = [((5252 * (Power (hp))) / RPM (*1000)]