what cars have v4 engines

[DelZoe]

The term "V4 engine" is often misunderstood. In modern automotive contexts, true V4 engines are exceptionally rare in production cars. The vast majority of four-cylinder engines you'll find today are inline-four (or "straight-four") engines, where all four cylinders are arranged in a single row. This design is simpler, cheaper to manufacture, and more compact in terms of width. A true V4 engine has its cylinders arranged in a V configuration, like a V6 or V8, which is more complex and was historically used for specific packaging reasons. For the average car shopper, you're almost certainly looking for a vehicle with a powerful and efficient inline-four engine, not a V4.

While not common in mainstream cars, V4 engines have appeared in some notable historical and niche vehicles:

• Classic European Cars: The 1960s Ford Taunus (a German-market Ford) and the Saab 96 and Sonett models used V4 engines. These are the most well-known examples for everyday drivers.
• Racing and Exotics: The 1966 Porsche 919 Le Mans car used a V4, and more recently, the 2014 Porsche 919 Hybrid also featured a turbocharged V4 as part of its hybrid powertrain, showcasing the design's potential for high performance and packaging efficiency.
• Other Applications: You'll find V4 engines more frequently in motorcycles, outboard boat motors, and some industrial equipment.

The table below lists specific car models known to have used a V4 engine.

Car Model	Engine Details	Production Era	Key Characteristics
Ford Taunus 12M / 15M	1.2L - 1.5L V4	1962 - 1970	Known for its "cardboard" timing gear; a front-wheel-drive economy car.
Saab 96 / Sonett	1.5L Ford V4	1967 - 1980	Provided more power for Saab's two-stroke models and the sporty Sonett.
Lancia Fulvia	1.1L - 1.6L Narrow-Angle V4	1963 - 1976	Famous for its advanced narrow-angle design, contributing to its rally success.
ZAZ Zaporozhets	0.7L - 1.2L V4 (air-cooled)	1960 - 1994	A quirky Soviet-era car with a rear-mounted, air-cooled V4 engine.
Porsche 919 Hybrid	2.0L Turbocharged V4 (Hybrid)	2014 - 2017	A highly efficient racing engine paired with hybrid systems, winning Le Mans.

When you see a modern car advertised as having a "4-cylinder" or "turbo-four," it is almost certainly an inline-four. These engines are the backbone of today's market, offering an excellent balance of fuel economy and power in models like the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, and Ford Mustang EcoBoost.

[RiverRose]

Honestly, you'd have a really hard time finding a new car with a V4. They just don't make them for regular passenger cars anymore. Your best bet is to look at classic cars from the 60s and 70s, like the old Saab 96 or some European Fords. What you're thinking of is almost definitely an inline-four engine, which is what's in most sedans and compact SUVs today. They're great on gas and have plenty of pep.

[DiAxel]

As a gearhead, this is a fun one. True automotive V4s are rare gems. The Lancia Fulvia had a brilliant narrow-angle V4 that helped it dominate rallies. Porsche used a turbocharged V4 in their 919 Hybrid Le Mans winner for perfect weight distribution. But for your daily driver? You won't find one. The complexity of two cylinder heads and exhaust manifolds isn't worth it for most manufacturers compared to a simple, robust inline-four.

[AdrianLynn]

I remember my first car was an old Ford Taunus with that rumbling V4. It had a unique character you don't get from today's smooth inline engines. You felt it more than heard it. But that was a different time. Now, everything is about efficiency. If you're searching for a car with a "V4," you're likely seeing a mislabeled inline-four. They're fantastic engines, but the real V4 is pretty much a piece of automotive history.

[Matteo]

From an engineering standpoint, the V4's niche was packaging. It's shorter than an inline-four, allowing for a lower hood line or better crash structure management. However, its inherent cost and complexity—requiring two cylinder heads and more intricate machining—made it uncompetitive for mass production. The inline-four's refinement and cost-effectiveness sealed the V4's fate in the mainstream market. Its modern applications are confined to motorsports where specific performance and weight targets justify the expense.