What are the drawbacks of China VI engines?

[DeJayce]

China VI engines require the use of China VI gasoline, which contains 10% ethanol. Since ethanol has a lower calorific value than gasoline, this leads to a decrease in engine power and an increase in fuel consumption when using China VI gasoline. More details are as follows: 1. Currently, only GAC's 4A15J1 engine and SAIC's 15E4E engine from domestic manufacturers have been included in the China VI standard list. 2. China VI engines perform well in terms of fuel economy and reducing exhaust emissions, but the current technical requirements for China VI engines are relatively high. Few domestic brands have independently developed such engines, and most are equipped in imported brand models.

[McJoshua]

To meet the China VI emission standards, the design of China VI engines has somewhat sacrificed daily driving experience, and I think it brings quite a few troubles. The most obvious issue is potentially higher fuel consumption. When I drove my friend's China VI-compliant car, I noticed the acceleration felt sluggish, with a delayed throttle response—it wasn't as crisp as older models, likely due to emission control measures. Additionally, the aftertreatment systems, like the particulate filter, are prone to clogging, requiring regular cleaning or highway driving to clear blockages. Otherwise, warning lights will activate, leading to costly and inconvenient repairs—each visit can cost hundreds of yuan. New cars compliant with China VI standards are also more expensive by several thousand yuan, and insurance costs may rise accordingly, increasing overall ownership expenses. Poor-quality fuel can exacerbate engine issues, such as clogged fuel injectors affecting performance. Many car owners are now complaining about these problems. It's advisable to carefully consider maintenance intervals and real-world driving feel when choosing a car, and opt for reputable brands to minimize hassle.

[StAugust]

From a technical perspective, some drawbacks of China VI engines stem from mandatory emission reduction requirements, where more complex designs may lead to reliability risks. The core issues lie in the aftertreatment system—for instance, power output is restricted when the GPF gets clogged, and the high sensitivity of sensors frequently triggers false fault alarms, causing the vehicle to illuminate warning lights unnecessarily and require workshop visits. Additionally, to control nitrogen oxide emissions, software tuning may result in sluggish acceleration from a standstill, compromising driving enjoyment. Maintenance costs have also increased, with shorter intervals for oil changes or particulate filter treatments, along with higher demands for tools and equipment—many small repair shops haven’t fully adapted to this yet. Over prolonged use, exhaust system corrosion accelerates, and the risk of electronic control unit failures rises, especially for vehicles frequently operated in congested conditions. While these technical shortcomings can be mitigated through regular maintenance, it’s crucial to inquire about repair history and user feedback when purchasing a car.

[AylaRose]

From an economic perspective, the drawbacks of China VI engines mainly hit the wallet. I've observed that the cost of purchasing new vehicles has generally increased by about 10% due to the high R&D costs being passed on to consumers. Insurance premiums sometimes rise as well, especially for models with high claim rates. Daily fuel consumption increases slightly, meaning more money spent on fuel for long trips. Maintenance isn't cheap either—for instance, cleaning the particulate filter or replacing related parts can easily cost several hundred yuan each time. The strict fuel quality requirements mean that using substandard fuel can easily cause the engine to fail, leading to even higher repair costs. In the long run, these vehicles depreciate quickly; in the used car market, China VI-compliant cars might not fetch good prices, as everyone is worried about the burden of future maintenance. When choosing a family car, it's advisable to calculate the total cost first—don't just focus on the environmental label for convenience while overlooking monthly expenses.