
The 1.0-liter turbocharged engine of the Excelle is codenamed LJ1, and the 1.3-liter turbocharged engine is codenamed L16. The Excelle is a compact sedan under the Buick brand, equipped with two three-cylinder turbocharged engines. Here are the relevant details: 1. The 1.0-liter turbocharged engine delivers 125 horsepower and a maximum torque of 170 Nm. This engine reaches its maximum power at 5600 rpm and its maximum torque between 2000 and 3600 rpm. It features multi-point fuel injection technology and uses an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block. This engine is paired with either a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission. 2. The 1.3-liter turbocharged engine produces 163 horsepower and a maximum torque of 230 Nm. It achieves maximum power at 5500 rpm and maximum torque between 1800 and 4400 rpm. This engine also features multi-point fuel injection technology and uses an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block. It is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission (6AT).

My 2018 Buick Excelle is equipped with a 1.3T three-cylinder engine, model LI6. It delivers quite sufficient power during daily driving, making overtaking effortless. However, my buddy’s older model has a 1.5L naturally aspirated L2B engine, which he says is extremely durable and cheaper to maintain. If you’ve just bought a 2021 or newer model, it might have switched to a 1.5L four-cylinder engine, and the model number has changed again. I suggest you pop open the hood and check the nameplate, usually located near the battery, which displays the specific model and manufacturing date. There are significant differences in configurations across different years, and the used car market pays close attention to this parameter since it affects the price. If you use full synthetic oil, you can extend the maintenance interval a bit. For this model, it’s recommended to check the spark plugs every 5,000 kilometers.

Over the years of repairing cars, I've come across quite a few Buick Excelle models. Here are the common variants: The older 1.5L naturally aspirated engine is the L2B, commonly seen in pre-2017 models. The 1.3T three-cylinder engine, model LI6, was used in 2018-2020 models and is prone to vibration issues caused by deteriorating engine mounts. The current new 1.5L four-cylinder engine is called L2C, which offers better stability. The most straightforward way to identify them is by checking the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at the bottom left of the windshield - the 8th character indicates the engine type: 'R' for 1.3T and 'B' for the new 1.5L engine. For maintenance, I recommend using 5W-30 oil as these small-displacement engines are particularly sensitive to incorrect viscosity, which can lead to increased fuel consumption.

After researching the engine replacements for the Excelle, the early 1.5L models used the GM L2B cast-iron engine, which was mature in technology but had relatively high fuel consumption. Starting in 2018, it was replaced with three-cylinder engines: the 1.0T model LJI and the 1.3T LI6, featuring direct injection technology, boosting horsepower to 163, though the three-cylinder structure was controversial. The latest models have reverted to a four-cylinder 1.5L L2C, with a balance shaft design to improve smoothness. To check the engine model, open the fuel tank cap—the specific parameters are printed on the inner label—or use the vehicle registration certificate to query the traffic management system for the most accurate information. For city driving, the 1.5L version is recommended, while the turbocharged models may be more suitable for frequent highway driving.


