What is the difference between a 1.2T and a 1.5L car engine?

[PeytonAnn]

1.2T refers to a turbocharged engine with a displacement of 1.2 liters, while 1.5L represents a naturally aspirated engine with a displacement of 1.5 liters. Here, T stands for turbocharged engine, and L denotes a naturally aspirated engine. The differences between a 1.2T and a 1.5L car engine are as follows: Different engines: The 1.5L is a naturally aspirated engine. Turbocharging is an advanced technology that makes the engine more fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly, and powerful compared to naturally aspirated engines. The 1.2T is a turbocharged, direct-injection engine. Turbocharging is an advanced technology that provides better fuel efficiency, environmental benefits, and stronger performance than naturally aspirated engines. Different fuel consumption and maintenance costs: Taking A-segment cars as an example, the 1.2T Corolla and the 1.5L Mazda3 both have a fuel consumption of slightly over 7L per 100 km. In terms of maintenance costs, there is not much difference between three-cylinder and standard four-cylinder engines. The main difference lies in the spark plugs—three-cylinder engines have one fewer than four-cylinder engines, making them significantly cheaper. The replacement cycles for other parts are basically the same for both three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines. Different horsepower: The 1.2T engine can provide around 100 horsepower, which is equivalent to the output of a naturally aspirated 1.6-1.8L engine. Additionally, the 1.2T is a turbocharged, direct-injection engine, while the 1.5L is a naturally aspirated engine. Turbocharging is an advanced technology that offers better fuel efficiency, environmental benefits, and stronger performance compared to naturally aspirated engines.

[DeAurora]

I've been driving for over ten years and feel the main difference between the 1.2T and 1.5L lies in the engine structure. The 1.2T is a small-displacement turbocharged engine. Don't let the small number fool you - once the turbo kicks in, the acceleration push is much stronger than the 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, especially when overtaking after 60 km/h. The 1.5L is a traditional naturally aspirated engine with power delivery as smooth as Dove chocolate, making it very comfortable for stop-and-go traffic in the city. In terms of fuel consumption, the 1.2T is really economical on highways - my car can achieve under 5L/100km, but it consumes more fuel with frequent starts in old urban areas. For maintenance, the 1.5L can use regular mineral oil from any roadside shop, while the turbocharged engine requires full synthetic oil to prevent carbon buildup. If you frequently drive on highways and care about fuel efficiency, I'd choose the turbocharged version; for mainly city commuting, the naturally aspirated engine is more worry-free and cheaper to maintain.

[ColinRose]

Last time I helped a friend choose a car, I carefully compared these two. First, let's look at the power: the 1.2T turbo is like installing a spring in the engine, with strong explosive force when stepping on the gas, and torque comes early, allowing you to zoom off at a red light. The 1.5L naturally aspirated engine is like a marathon runner, with smooth and sustained power output, especially stable when climbing ramps on elevated roads. I specifically checked the data—many 1.2T models can reach up to 130 horsepower, yet accelerate faster than 140-horsepower 1.5L models. The turbo really delivers. The experience with the AC on is also noticeably different: naturally aspirated engines have less power loss, while turbocharged ones feel like a chunk of power is drained when the AC is on. The difference in fuel consumption depends on road conditions. If you often drive on national or provincial highways, the fuel-saving advantage of turbocharging becomes apparent.

[AlexaRose]

Our company fleet has used vehicles with both types of engines and found significant differences in maintenance. The 1.5L naturally aspirated engine has a simpler structure with far fewer rubber hoses and sensors - mechanics love working on these, as changing spark plugs only costs about 200 yuan. The 1.2T turbocharged engine is completely different; the turbocharger operates at high temperatures, causing surrounding seals to age faster, requiring full synthetic oil during maintenance which costs 100+ yuan more each time than the NA engine. Once a colleague's car had oil leakage at the turbo intake, costing over 3,000 yuan to repair. In terms of longevity, naturally aspirated engines are more durable - it's common to see them running 300,000 km without major repairs. Regarding driving feel, turbocharged engines have slight power response lag - you need to anticipate about half a second when following traffic, while NA engines deliver power precisely according to pedal input.

[KayleeFitz]

Last month's test drive gave me a firsthand experience of the differences. Sitting in the 1.2T model, the moment I started the engine, I heard the distinctive whooshing sound of the turbo. At low speeds, the steering wheel was so light I could turn it with a single finger. When I stomped on the accelerator, it felt like someone pushed me from behind—an exhilarating sensation. Switching to the 1.5L naturally aspirated model, the engine sound was smooth and continuous, with acceleration as steady as riding an elevator. The heavier steering wheel provided a greater sense of security. Cabin space also had its nuances—the smaller 1.2T engine allowed for a shorter front end, giving the rear seats an extra half-fist of legroom. Turbocharged cars have an advantage over naturally aspirated ones in high-altitude, oxygen-deprived environments. Last year during a road trip in western Sichuan, the naturally aspirated cars in our convoy had to downshift and roar uphill, while the turbocharged ones overtook them effortlessly.