The decision of whether to purchase a V6 or V8 car is largely a personal one.

The V8 engine offers more power but consumes more fuel. If you are undecided between the two, you will need a basic understanding of how internal combustion engines work.

Technological innovations have led to new additions to the combustion – like a turbo – and this has led to powerful four-cylinder and V6 engines.

These engines are cheaper than the V8 while enabling users to enjoy both power and fuel efficiency – critical for city roads.

History of internal combustion engines
V6 Vs V8 Car Engine Differences
Before the 19th century, the most common type of engines were steam engines. Things changed in the 1950s when fuel started being used as an energy source.

Researchers had experimented with other chemical compounds like hydrogen and coal but this was not successful. The first time people got to see a fully assembled internal combustion engine was in 1876. Nikolaus Otto created the Otto engine, which has been redesigned to give us what we see today.

The engine block is often made from aluminum or a cast iron block. Inside, you will find the cylinders arranged in one or two rows. Within the engine are water passages that are used to dissipate energy from the block and cool it in the radiator. Movement in the engine is due to the pressure produced by the ignition of air/fuel mixture.


The piston rings prevent the leakage of gases and oil into the crankcase. The camshaft will hold the inlet and outlet valves. The exhaust system will carry the exhaust gases through the tailpipe to the atmosphere. Problems can arise in the combustion chamber and this will be evidenced by white or black smoke from the exhaust. The spark plugs provide the necessary spark for the ignition of the fuel/air mixture. The crankshaft rotates as the pistons move.

Key differences between the V6 and V8 engine
1. Power decision
The internal combustion chambers use an air/fuel mixture to run the engine. Inside the combustion chambers are pistons that move up and down when the fuel/air mixture is ignited. This then drives the crankshaft and wheel axles.

A V6 engine has six cylinders while a V8 has eight cylinders. This means the V8 produces more power. Power means that the car accelerates at a faster rate. The V8 also has the added advantage of cylinder banks being in a perpendicular angle. Power delivery is smoother in the V8.


2. Fuel economy
Due to the additional cylinders in the V8, it means that it consumes more fuel than the V6. If you are thinking of using it for occasional city driving then it would be uneconomical to drive a V8. The V8 will also cost more than the V6. If you are looking for a car with less friction and maintenance costs then the V6 is better but if it is the power that you are after, then the V8 delivers.

Four-cylinder engine
The four-cylinder engine has been the most common type of engine and is the predecessor of the V6 engine. it is a compact engine that fits in most cars. Due to its lightweight design, it offers a smooth ride. The engines are also easy to work with because the cylinder heads are the highest point for the pistons.


The reason they have been widely used is due to the low manufacturing costs. Drawbacks include the inability to incorporate large cylinders like 2.5 or 3.0 liters and this limits performance. You also have a higher center of gravity and a rigid layout when compared to the V6 and V8.

V6 Engine
The engine is compact and rigid. You can have it as either a 2.0 or 4.0 liter. There has been an increase in the usage of the V6 engine as they act as a middle ground between the V8 and the four-cylinder. It offers more power than conventional engines and this has seen its usage in many fronts, rear, and all-wheel drives.

The drawback is that the use of two camshafts for SOHC and four for DOHC which makes the car heavier.


Most companies have drastically improved the performance of the four-cylinder engines by introducing turbo. This gives the car more power while enabling it to be fuel efficient. Turbo operation is simple – it works by adding more air to the chambers and this causes each combustion to have be more powerful.

This power is moved to the crankshaft and the car accelerates fast. The turbo is not in constant operation and is often deployed when the driver is in need of more power. This helps keep fuel consumption low.

V8 engine
This engine has to be a favorite for most muscle cars. It is an engine associated with power. The engine packaging is short and you get a good balance that is dependent on the crankshaft type – cross-plane or flat plane. The V8 rigid design offers higher displacement.


However, the V8 has several drawbacks like the engine being heavier than the V6 and it having a higher center of gravity than the flat engines. The costs of maintaining a V8 are higher due to the increased friction in the moving parts and this will push-up the purchase price.

Most of the cars with the V8 engine are either AWD or RWD which are restricted, unlike the V6 and four-cylinder engines that can be fixed on most car models. The V6 offers more displacement than the four-cylinder and has even been the preferred engine for most formula one cars.

Conclusion
When it comes to selecting either a V6 or V8 car, your budget, personal preferences and usage of the car will be a determining factor. If you are going to be using your car frequently for city traffic then it is wise you go with a V6 engine. The V6 engine can be mounted on most front and rear wheel drives while the V8 is mostly found in RWD and AWD cars.


But, if you are looking for more power at the expense of fuel efficiency then go with the V8 engine. You will have to contend with the additional maintenance costs when compared to the V6.

Other articles that I will drop later. Stay tuned.
10w30 vs 10w40 Engine Oil - What's the difference?
10w30 vs 10w40 Engine Oil - What's the difference?
Dot 3 vs Dot 4 Brake Fluid - What is the difference?
Dot 3 vs Dot 4 Brake Fluid - What is the difference?
AWD Vs. 4WD – The difference and which one to choose
AWD Vs. 4WD – The difference and which one to choose
DOHC Vs. SOHC - What's The Difference Between Them?
DOHC Vs. SOHC - What's The Difference Between Them?
Overfilling Engine Oil: Will it damage my Engine & What to do?
Overfilling Engine Oil: Will it damage my Engine.
Car Sensors used in a Car Engine
Car Sensors used in a Car Engine
Research references.
The history of internal combustion engines.
The anatomy of Super cars in the 21st century
V8 engines, a blessing or a waste of time to the present dispensation. By Seyi kukoyi.
Thanks, article compiled by piston65.

Nice article.

Good article.....

Thumb up

Lalasticlala!
This article would have made more sense and easy understanding if there were inline pictures alongside it.

I am yet to see a V4 engine in my 20 years of driving and managing cars.

Nice article on auto world. Pls, for easier awareness, let this article be publish on your Facebook account and kindly publish your facebook or your whatsapp link here for easy access and archive.

Observer007:
I am yet to see a V4 engine in my 20 years of driving and managing cars.

A lot of folks often make this mistake. What they refer to as "V4" is actually an I4 engine. Straight inline 4 cylinder engine. This mistake is because they fail to realise where the "V" originated from in V6 and V8 nomenclature. This "V" is from the orientation of the cylinders in the engine which are arranged in a somewhat V shape. The four cylinder in contrast, does not have this orientation and are rather arranged in a straight line hence the "I" prefix for "inline".

Observer007:
I am yet to see a V4 engine in my 20 years of driving and managing cars.

LoL.

What I know...

I 3 : 3 cylinders Engine (check out a Suzuki Every "korope" for more observation)

I 4 : 4 cylinders Engine (check out a Toyota Corolla for more observation)

V 6: 6 Cylinders Engine (check out an Acura MDX for more observation)

V 8: 8 Cylinders Engine (check out a Toyota Tundra for more observation)

W 12: 12 Cylinders Engine (check out a Volkswagen Phaeton for more observation)

We all learn together.

Observer007:
I am yet to see a V4 engine in my 20 years of driving and managing cars.

Lol.. I see what you're doing here

Ceyacap275:
What I know...

I 3 : 3 cylinders Engine (check out a Suzuki Every "korope" for more observation)

I 4 : 4 cylinders Engine (check out a Toyota Corolla for more observation)

V 6: 6 Cylinders Engine (check out an Acura MDX for more observation)

V 8: 8 Cylinders Engine (check out a Toyota Tundra for more observation)

W 12: 12 Cylinders Engine (check out a Volkswagen Phaeton for more observation)

We all learn together.

you are right boss

Agbaidu25:



A lot of folks often make this mistake. What they refer to as "V4" is actually an I4 engine. Straight inline 4 cylinder engine. This mistake is because they fail to realise where the "V" originated from in V6 and V8 nomenclature. This "V" is from the orientation of the cylinders in the engine which are arranged in a somewhat V shape. The four cylinder in contrast, does not have this orientation and are rather arranged in a straight line hence the "I" prefix for "inline".

some people also think that all 6 cylinder engines are V6. Not knowing that some are I6 (in-line 6). Like in some Mercedes and BMWs

The V-6 and V-8 designs share several similarities. For one, these engines are generally lighter, and secondly, they tend to be more compact than other engine designs. The advantage of the lightweight and compact design of both V-6 and V-8 engine types is that w ith the exceptional balance in the vehicle design, the weight savings can improve the level of fuel efficiency.

Advantages of a V-6 vs. a V-8
If you're thinking about buying a V-6, there are several advantages that this engine type can offer over a V-8:

The horsepower gain from a V-6 to a V-8 is minimal
V-6 engines can offer some powerful towing capabilities
V-6 engines make vehicles less nose-heavy when driving
The V-6 can often provide more stability than a V-8
A V-6 frequently offers better handling than a V-8
The reality is that the increase in horsepower you get when you go from a V-6 to a V-8 is relatively small. The Dodge Ram series is a prime example of this fact. According to the Green Garage Blog, you can get a 305 horsepower V-6 3.6-liter for under $36,000 that provides almost as much horsepower as some of the engine options in V-8 Chevy and Ford pickup trucks.

In fact, one of the best vehicle engines currently offers 420 pound-feet of torque with a 240-hp 3.0-liter V-6 design that can provide up to 29 miles per gallon on the open highway. You can get similar fuel efficiency results from the Ford F-150 and their EcoBoost engine technology.

Several great SUVs on the market can tow large amounts with a V-6 rather than a V-8 under the hood. A perfect example of this is the Ford Expedition EcoBoost V-7. This vehicle can tow up to 9200 pounds because of its 460 lb-ft of torque. This gives the Expedition the highest tow rating in its class.

The V-6 also makes weight less of an issue when driving around curves, corners, and turns. This is due to the fact that V-6 engines have two fewer cylinders. V-6 engines have improved performance compared to V-8 engines, especially when timing acceleration properly because there's less tendency to drift to the outer edge.

However, you can lose a little bit of the power ceiling with the weight advantage. So choosing a V-6 versus a V-8 can really depend on what you hope to achieve with your vehicle. Improved handling in a V-6 offers stability that a V-8 vehicle simply cannot match.

Advantages of a V-8 over a V-6
There are also several advantages of a V-8 engine that a V-6 just cannot offer. Some of these advantages include:

More cargo capacity so you can haul more things and heavier stuff with a V-8 compared to a V-6
V-8 cylinders tend to have more of a perpendicular angle within the engine
V-8 engines have more power, which results in a higher power ceiling than a V-6
A vehicle with a V-8 can be more beneficial for fulfilling worksite needs
One of the biggest reasons most car owners have a V-8 is because of the ability to haul something. You get extra power with a V-8 engine that's useful when you upgrade to something like the 5700-pound Cadillac Escalade.

You'll also find that with V-8 engines, you'll get a little more torque than you will with a V-6, although this difference can be quite small in some models. So if you need something heavy, you're better off with a power upgrade to ensure you accomplish what you need to.

Depending on the worksite situation, a large SUV, cargo van, or pickup with a V-8 — like the Ford F-150 — can provide an advantage in power. Whether it's hauling materials, towing equipment, or other worksite needs, a V-8 can provide better options.

V-6 vs. V-8: Which Is the Better Choice?
The advantages and disadvantages of a V-6 versus a V-8 will ultimately boil down to the power and performance that you want to get out of your vehicle. U.S. News explains that you should think about the purpose you have for your vehicle before choosing your engine type. For instance, you might opt for a V-6 engine if:

You want improved handling and lighter weight
Overall vehicle performance is an important factor for your purchase
Improved fuel efficiency is one of your priorities
The total of your vehicle purchase is one of your main concerns
Similarly, if you want to accomplish heavy tasks, and towing and hauling capabilities are a must, you might opt for a V-8 engine. Ultimately, your purchase depends on your overall daily work and personal transportation needs.