What is the difference between three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines?
2 Answers
The main difference between three-cylinder and four-cylinder cars is that one engine has three cylinders while the other has four cylinders. For the same model, the engines are different. Specific details are as follows: 1. The four-cylinder engine is the most commonly used engine by car owners. The four-cylinder engine works separately, offsetting the force generated by the engine's operation (the cancellation of action and reaction forces), significantly reducing engine vibration. 2. The three-cylinder engine cannot achieve the force cancellation during operation like the four-cylinder engine (due to the missing cylinder, the forces are unbalanced), so three-cylinder engines generally vibrate more intensely. However, they consume less fuel. From the BMW X1 adopting a three-cylinder engine, to the Buick Excelle switching to a three-cylinder engine last year, and even domestic brands like Geely also adopting three-cylinder engines, it seems that three-cylinder engines may become a trend in the future.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I have a deep understanding of the differences between three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines. The three-cylinder engine is like the small-displacement version of my old Ford—it has only three cylinders, is compact and lightweight, and is particularly fuel-efficient on city roads—allowing you to go farther on a single tank, saving money and being eco-friendly. However, the drawbacks are obvious: it vibrates noticeably at idle or during acceleration, with slight seat tremors and a buzzing noise, making long-distance driving more fatiguing. In contrast, the four-cylinder engine in my current Honda operates more evenly, providing smoother acceleration, quieter and more comfortable highway performance, and stronger power output, making hill climbs or overtaking much easier. That said, the four-cylinder is heavier and slightly less fuel-efficient. The choice depends on personal circumstances: for city commuting and fuel savings, a three-cylinder suffices; if you frequently drive on highways or prioritize driving refinement, a four-cylinder is a must. Some new hybrid models pair three-cylinders with electric motors to enhance efficiency—this is the future trend.
