Not that long ago, four-cylinder engines used to be associated with small econoboxes providing little to no thrill. It was the perfect engine for the sake of fuel efficiency. Sure, why not? The even number of cylinders makes it smooth on idle (looking at you, 5-cylinders) and enough for traveling around the city. However, this configuration has its downside; it lacks power in stock form. So, no wonder there has been some discrimination towards four-cylinder units, as most pure-blooded petrolheads simply didn’t find them that attractive.
However, we now live in an era where big, thirsty, and growly V8s are slowly being phased out. Hefty tax and emission regulations make every car manufacturer switch from high to low cylinder count. Of course, major carmakers, especially American ones, face significant public backlash for killing big engines and iconic models, yet they’re not to blame as they don’t have much choice here. The downsizing trend is a worldwide phenomenon, and no need to say that a large portion of car enthusiasts aren’t very happy about it.
Luckily, things have changed a lot in the last 2-3 decades, and technology has allowed four-cylinder engines to be significantly more powerful than they were before. In fact, some are so powerful that they can literally put old V8s and modern straight-six engines to shame!
So, to help you keep up with the changing times, we have compiled a list of the top five most powerful production-four-cylinder-engined cars available right now. Some of the cars that made the list may catch you off guard, yet they showcase the remarkable advancements in four-pot engines in recent years.
Let’s dive in!
2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost (315 hp)
I know, I know — the Ford Mustang should always be equipped with a V8 engine. It’s a muscle car, and its very essence comes from its growling eight-cylinder engine. However, not everyone necessarily needs a 5.0-liter gas-guzzling V8, and considering that Ford already started using the Mustang nameplate on an electric SUV and Chevrolet and Dodge already killed the Mustang’s long-time rivals, the Challenger and Camaro, nothing proves V8s will keep being made forever. So, if you are looking for something a little tamer or a bit more fuel efficient, Ford has something in store for you — a pretty decent turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four engine.
Slightly more suitable as a daily driver than the regular V8, the EcoBoost Mustang boasts 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, enough to catapult the car from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 4.5 seconds — no slouch indeed, and for a good reason. The engine was sourced from the now-infamous Ford Focus RS performance hatchback, though that one produces 350 hp due to a different turbo and ECU tuning. Of course, the EcoBoost is significantly less powerful than the V8, but when paired with the 10-speed automatic gearbox, it can also do over 25 mpg easily — something the V8 Mustang would struggle to keep up with.
What Ford’s trying to offer here is just another option for the Mustang, and we don’t think it deserves all the hate — simply a cheaper and more fuel-efficient option. It’s also significantly more affordable too. While the V8 Ford Mustang GT costs $42,495, the EcoBoost model starts from just $30,920. And if you only like the Mustang’s styling without putting too much thought into the powertrain, the Mustang EcoBoost couldn’t make more sense — it may not be as fast as the V8, but it’s far from a bad option.
2024 Honda Civic Type R (315 hp)
Honda is arguably one of the world’s first manufacturers to produce truly legendary four-cylinder engines. Its unmatched Japanese reliability and advanced technology turned it into an icon amongst Japanese and sport-compact car enthusiasts. As a result, its engines quickly became staples in the tuning culture, with B and K Series engines being by far the most popular swaps of all time.
The latest generation Honda Civic Type R features a K20C1 engine, the same as the previous FK8 model. While it may not be the legendary K20A engine, the new Type R engine does share some parts with the legend and adds forced induction. As a result, the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four produces 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque and sends all power to the front axle through a six-speed manual — quite interesting specs in such a small car.
Interestingly, the K20C1 is engineered in such ways to achieve performance and durability simultaneously. The engine block and head are made of aluminum, timing is taken care of by a low-friction timing chain, and specially designed oil jets and F1-style internal cooling galleries ensure it stays cool no matter what you throw at it. This engine is also a tuner’s heaven thanks to the wide range of aftermarket performance parts available.
In fact, this engine is such a good offering, and since there’s so much to cover, we wrote a complete article about it!
➤ Read more: Honda Civic Type R’s K20C1 Engine is Japanese Engineering at its Finest
2024 Volkswagen Golf R (315 hp)
Volkswagen‘s love story with inline-four engines and manual (or more modern DSG) gearboxes is very well-known by now. The Mk8-based Golf R is no exception and uses the EA888 engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit. The engine was introduced 15 years ago and has been widely used throughout the Volkswagen Group. It’s been adopted by many Audi and Seat models with different power outputs as well, thanks to bespoke tuning.
In the Golf R, the EA888 engine produces 315 hp and 310 lb-ft — identical to Honda’s Civic Type R. But when it comes to drag races, the R’s guaranteed consistent perfect launches thanks to its clever AWD system. I’m particularly fond of the engine’s linear torque curve. Once sent to all four wheels at the same time, that’s more than enough to stick a big smile on any pocket rocket fans.
Despite its common quirks, such as frequent timing chain issues and excessive oil consumption, this engine is also a tuner’s dream, with serious builds often producing well over 500 hp — I mean, if you want a proper sleeper that will smoke the two cars above off the line, look no further!
2024 Porsche 718 Cayman S (350 hp)
I bet you wouldn’t have thought a Porsche would make the list, right? It’s okay; the 718 Cayman S is actually the first four-cylinder sports car produced by the Stuttgart-based manufacturer in almost 30 years. Indeed, its last four-cylinder engine was found in the 968, which ended production in 1995. Still, Porsche chose to replace the 981’s shouty naturally aspirated 3.4-liter flat-six engine in favor of a turbo flat-four in the 982 — a controversial move from Porsche.
One could say that the mid-engine sports car is yet another victim of the downsizing trend due to stricter emission regulations, especially in Europe. As a result, the 718 Cayman S is now powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter MA2.22 four-cylinder engine producing 350 hp. While it’s more powerful than the 3.4-liter unit it’s replacing, some purists just miss the good ol’ flat-six engine’s purr.
Still, the four-cylinder replacement packs quite a punch and offers other perks. For instance, the Cayman S can now run the 0-60 mph sprint in 4.0 seconds (some even managed to do it quicker). The smaller engine also means better fuel economy (at 19/25 mpg city/highway), and the lower weight definitely helps with handling.
That said, at over $80,000, you can’t help but feel it’s a bit overpriced, especially when you can have the GTS with a sweet 4.0-liter flat-six producing nearly 500 hp for “only” 15 grand more.
2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance (671 hp)
True, Mercedes-AMG models with “63” badges used to display a magnificent V8 in all its glory — the number itself used to indicate a 6.0-liter unit under the hood. But, like I said earlier, a thirsty engine is apparently vulgar in this day and age, so it had to make way for something a bit more modern and efficient.
Hence, Mercedes has been hard at work trying to downsize its “63” lineup for years. While the third-gen Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 was equipped with a mighty 6.2-liter V8 producing 457 hp and 443 lb-ft, the fourth-gen model came with a smaller, yet turbocharged, 4.0-liter V8, producing 510 hp and 516 lb-ft. Sure, a smaller engine with the same number of cylinders and a pair of turbochargers sounded like a fair trade.
However, it was not enough yet. Hence, the latest-gen Mercedes-AMG C63 S E-Performance now comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit, albeit electrified this time, producing 469 hp and 402 lb-ft – that’s 117 hp per cylinder! You can find the same engine in other smaller AMGs, such as the A45s and CLA45s. Dubbed the M139, this engine series is filled with the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engines, replacing the previous title holder, the M133 series.
The M139 engine comes in several variants, and the C63 S E-Performance is equipped with the most powerful model of the bunch, the M139L. This engine was designed with plenty of high-tech bells and whistles, including Merc’s NANOSLIDE technology — a technology ensuring extremely smooth cylinder walls, reducing friction, and increasing lifespan in the process. The twin-scroll electrically-assisted turbocharger also features roller bearings instead of the usual ball bearings to keep mechanical friction to a minimum and allow it to spool faster and spin quicker, up to 169,000 rpm.
I could go on for hours talking about this magnificent piece of engineering, but we have already covered it in a complete article here.
➤ Read more: Mercedes-AMG M139 2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder Is An Engineering Gem
And if that’s still not enough for you, the new C63 hybrid comes with two electric motors producing an extra 201 hp, thanks to a tiny 4.8 kWh battery pack, good for a total of 671 hp combined. In perspective, a mid-engine Ferrari 488 has fewer ponies than this four-door family sedan!
It doesn’t come as a surprise that the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance is currently the most powerful four-cylinder car money can buy.
Final Words
The pace of change in the automotive industry is accelerating like never before. While electric vehicles (EVs) often steal the spotlight, it’s important to remember that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are also undergoing rapid evolution. Our list of the top five cars is a testament to this remarkable progress in automotive engineering. Today, we’re seeing compact 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines deliver over 300 hp, a feat that seemed nearly unthinkable just a decade ago.
Admittedly, for us petrolheads, the allure of vehicles with a higher cylinder count and the distinctive character they bring is undeniable. However, in an era increasingly defined by climate concerns and oil crises, the relevance and appeal of these smaller engines are growing. They might play a more pivotal role than we’ve realized (and they’re becoming more enticing, too).
The days of compromising on fuel economy and enduring complex maintenance for the sake of driving a performance car are fading. Modern options like the base Porsche 718 and various hot hatches offer the high miles per gallon and hassle-free upkeep drivers value without sacrificing the style and agility that make these compact powerhouses so exhilarating.
Sure, these engines might not have the rumble of a V8, but they pack a punch and are kinder to your wallet and the planet — and they’re proof that you don’t have to sacrifice fun for practicality. As we move forward, it’s exciting to think about what’s next in the world of petrol-powered performance cars. One thing’s for sure: the future of driving might be smaller and smarter but just as thrilling.
