
Toyota Levin's engine comes with both three-cylinder and four-cylinder configurations. Engine Configurations: The latest Levin is equipped with 1.8L, 1.2T, and 1.5L engines in terms of powertrain. Among these, the 1.8L and 1.2T engines use a four-cylinder setup, while the 1.5L engine employs a three-cylinder configuration. The 1.2T engine delivers a maximum output of 85 kW and a peak torque of 185 N·m, offering robust power performance. Differences Between Three-Cylinder and Four-Cylinder Engines: Currently, small-displacement vehicles primarily utilize three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines, each with distinct characteristics. Compared to four-cylinder engines, three-cylinder engines are more compact, easier to arrange, and suffer less mechanical friction loss. In contrast, four-cylinder engines provide higher operational stability, longer service life, and lower failure rates. Engine Maintenance: Every component in a vehicle requires maintenance, especially the engine as its core part. It is recommended to service the car every 5,000 kilometers. Essential maintenance items for each service include engine oil and oil filter replacement. Additionally, the engine's gasoline filter, air filter, brake fluid, coolant, and spark plugs also need regular maintenance.

Oh, I know the Toyota Levin quite well. Several of my friends drive this car. The domestic Levin mainly comes with two types of engines. The most common one is the 1.2T small-displacement turbocharged engine, which is a solid four-cylinder with adequate power and good fuel efficiency. Many ordinary families opt for this version. There's also a hybrid version that uses a 1.8L naturally aspirated engine, also a four-cylinder, paired with an electric motor, making it particularly quiet and extremely fuel-efficient in traffic jams. My colleague commutes 50 kilometers daily with it. There was a 1.5L three-cylinder version in the North American market before, but it was hardly bought in China, so the manufacturer didn't introduce it here. Therefore, all the engines available to us are four-cylinders. If you're worried about vibration issues, rest assured—Toyota's four-cylinder engines are renowned for their durability.

Having studied the Leiling's powertrain configurations, the differences between model years are quite clear. When it was first domestically produced in 2014, it primarily featured 1.6L and 1.8L naturally aspirated engines, all with four-cylinder structures. By 2017, these were replaced with a 1.2T turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which continues to be used in the 2023 model. Special mention goes to the dual hybrid version—though it mainly relies on electric motor drive, its 1.8L Atkinson cycle engine remains a four-cylinder unit, only engaging during cold starts. Three-cylinder engines? They've only appeared in certain overseas markets; you simply can't buy a three-cylinder Leiling in China. The most straightforward way to check is by looking at the engine bay—open the hood and count the spark plug positions: four means it's a four-cylinder engine.

Recently, I helped my cousin look at cars and specifically compared the engine data of the Leiling. Currently, all models available at domestic 4S stores are equipped with four-cylinder engines: the fuel version comes with a 1.2T four-cylinder turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 116 HP; the hybrid version uses a 1.8L four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, which alone produces 98 HP, but combined with the electric motor, the total system output reaches 122 HP. The three-cylinder version was never introduced in China, and some short videos claiming the Leiling switched to a three-cylinder engine are purely misinformation. In real-world driving, the four-cylinder engine shows minimal steering wheel vibration at idle, and the turbo kicks in quite briskly during high-speed overtaking.


