Engine size explained: what size engine do you need?

The size and weight of the car is worth bearing in mind, too. For example, a 1.4-litre engine in a supermini will usually deliver sprightly acceleration and strong fuel economy, but the same engine in a heavier SUV will be required to work much harder to achieve similar performance and will use more fuel in the process.

How does engine size affect fuel economy?

Larger engines usually consume more fuel than smaller engines under the same driving conditions. This is because they’re able to burn more fuel and air and, therefore, produce more power.

This is a very important consideration when it comes to choosing a new car. With more powerful, bigger-engined cars usually costing more and using more fuel than those with a smaller engine, it’s worth thinking about how much power you actually need. If your everyday driving typically doesn’t involve much hard acceleration, carrying of heavy loads or cruising at high speeds, you may find that a smaller, less powerful engine will save you money on fuel.

Company car users will make a saving on Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax[1], too, as that’s linked directly to CO2 emissions, although an all-electric car will nearly always be cheapest. Small engines tend to suit cars that are used predominantly around town. They provide enough performance for short journeys where high speeds and rapid acceleration aren’t really necessary.

As the engine isn’t regularly needed to produce lots of power, it makes sense to keep it small and take advantage of the gains in fuel economy.

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References

1. ^ Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax (www.carbuyer.co.uk)