Of course, an engine is the heart of our vehicle. It converts fuel into motion, which impacts our driving experience. Particularly, when someone is in the market for a new car, they must consider the size of this component. Is 1.6 or 2.0 engine better? This common question keeps us in a dilemma. So, I thought I would discuss this topic.
By size (also known as engine capacity or displacement), it refers to the total volume of the cylinders in an engine. Usually, it is expressed in liters or cubic centimeters (cc). For instance, if you have a car with a 1000cc engine, it means it has a fuel capacity of 1 liter. The engine size directly impacts a car’s speed, acceleration, and overall performance.
Larger engines can generate more torque, resulting in quick acceleration and higher top speeds. In this sense, a 2.0 or 2L engine offers more power and torque than a 1.6 (1.6L) engine. However, this is not enough to consider the latter one terrible. That’s why I suggest you read this complete blog and define which is right for you.
The Basics of Engine Size: The Base of Debate Over 1.6L and 2.0L Engines
What do you think about the engine size? Generally, it refers to the total volume of air and fuel mixture an engine can draw in during one complete cycle of all cylinders. As I said, it is measured in liters (L) or cubic centimeters (cc).
You can find different sizes of engines. After all, size is the determining factor of how much power they can produce. The larger engine appears to be heavier and more expensive than smaller engines. But they can be louder and consume more fuel.
These larger engines are better for long commutes. You can find these engines in sports cars, SUVs, and high-performance vehicles. Alternatively, smaller engines are a better choice for regular driving. Also, you can save more money on fuel.
Overview of 1.6 and 2.0 Engines
Both 1.6 and 2.0 engines are popular for their distinctive features.
For instance, the 1.6L engine is a popular choice for many compact and subcompact cars. Even some small SUVs also have this type of engine. Mostly, people choose this engine for its balance between performance and fuel efficiency.
Well, the main difference between 1.6 and 2.0 engines lies in their displacement. Earlier, I said, this displacement or size means the total volume of all the cylinders in an engine.
A 2.0 engine has a larger displacement than a 1.6 engine. Typically, it means it can produce more power. Let me give you an example. The Toyota Corolla’s 2.0-litre petrol engine produces 126kW, while a smaller engine produces less power (1). However, this engine may consume more fuel than smaller ones. Again, I am giving you an example. The Corolla’s combined ADR fuel consumption is 6.0L/100km than a smaller engine’s 4.9L/100km.
In the case of the Mercedes M274/M270 engines, the 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter variants have the same cylinder bore size. Still, the difference in stroke sizes gives a 0.4L gain in the total displacement for the 2.0-liter engine (2).
General Features
Both 1.6-liter and 2-liter engines are usually four-cylinder engines. It means they have four cylinders inside the engine block. Thus, the smaller size mainly focuses on fuel efficiency over raw power. Some standard vehicles with 1.6L engines are Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, and Nissan Versa.
Alternatively, the larger displacement of 2L engines helps to produce more power. And guess what? More power is essential for high-speed driving. Without thinking about fuel efficiency, riders with the habit of long driving prefer vehicles with these engines. Honda Civic, Ford Focus, and Subaru Impreza all have 2.0-liter engines.
Performance Comparison
If you wish to experience the difference between a 1.6 and 2.0 engine, you may look for famous brands.
I can recall the previous example. The Toyota Corolla’s 2.0-liter petrol engine produces 126kW, allowing it to go from 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds.
On the other hand, the Hyundai Kona’s 1.6-liter petrol engine produces 196bhp and 265Nm of torque. It can achieve the same speed in 7.8 seconds when you equip it with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. As for top speed, the 1.6-liter petrol Kona can reach up to 130mph (3).
In terms of acceleration, a car with a naturally aspirated larger engine will likely feel the acceleration more immediately. However, a turbocharged car can have a delay known as ‘turbo lag’. This occurs because it takes a few seconds for the turbo to spin and suck air into the engine. But this is much less of an issue with smaller turbocharged systems and those used in modern engines.
Specific top speed figures for 2.0 engines can be different depending on the vehicle model and other factors.
For instance, the 2.0L engine in the 2021 Hyundai Tucson delivers 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque (4). The same engine size in the 2024 Kia Soul produces 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque (5).
On the other hand, the 1.6L turbo engine in a Hyundai model can generate 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque (6). Besides, a turbocharged 1.6L engine in the 2023 Hyundai Sonata also produces 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque (7).
Fuel Efficiency Analysis
Do you want to save more money on fuel? Suppose you have a tight budget to buy a new vehicle or a calculated salary. In that case, you must think about this matter. In the context of 1.6L vs. 2.0L, 1.6L engines are better than the posterior ones. Still, this fuel efficiency may be affected by some factors.
Some of them are the chemical energy loss in emissions, heat losses from the engine and through the exhaust gas, and gas pumping and friction losses in the engine (8). Hence, engine efficiency can be increased by optimizing engine design, improving engine management systems, and fuel design (9).
If you have a vehicle with a 2.0 engine, it doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot save fuel. For example, the way you drive it can significantly impact fuel economy. Driving too fast or too slowly increases fuel consumption (10). Therefore, modern engines work with fuel additives. They are cost-effective and a unique way to improve fuel properties (11).
Cost-Benefit Comparison
For sure, you can evaluate the cost comparison between a 1.6L and a 2.0L engine in terms of fuel consumption and performance.
I have found a discussion on this topic on the 5th Gen Subaru Impreza Forum. Surprisingly, the fuel consumption between the two engines is not significantly different. With the 2.0L engine, your car can achieve 11.5 km/l in the city. Similarly, with the 1.6L engine, it will be 12.5 km/l (12).
In terms of performance, a 2.0L engine generally provides more power. The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek with a 2.0L engine indicates that it produces 152 horsepower (13).
However, it’s worth noting that some smaller turbo engines, like 1.5 and 1.6L, can perform similarly to larger engines due to turbocharging (14). The annual fuel cost difference between the two engines in the 2023 Crosstrek is only $50 (13). The smaller size also often means lower taxes and insurance costs.
Fuel type is also another factor in cost-benefit analysis. For example, petrol engines are generally more responsive and quicker to rev. It makes smaller displacements like 1.6 liters feel lively. Alternatively, diesel engines deliver higher torque at lower RPMs. It means a 2.0-liter diesel engine can offer excellent fuel economy and pulling power. It is beneficial for larger vehicles or those used for towing.
Conclusion – Which One Should You Choose?
So, what do you think – is 1.6 or 2.0 engine better? Well, you should keep something in mind. For driving on highways or towing heavy loads, I suggest you pick 2.0 engines. If you drive primarily in the city and want to save fuel, a smaller engine like a 1.6 might be better.
Similarly, you must keep your budget in mind when making further calculations. Think about the larger engines – they have higher initial costs and fuel consumption. It can lead to higher long-term expenses. If budget is a concern, a smaller engine might be more economical.
One more thing, smaller cars (with smaller engines like 1.6L) may not need much power. So, they can function well with a 1.6 engine. You can still prefer larger engines to drive bigger cars.
That’s all for today’s conversation. I hope you enjoyed reading this blog. Thanks a lot!
