Current Events > 2.5L I4 vs 2.7 L V6 engine

(+) Yeah! (+)

I'm aware the 2 engines I listed aren't spectacular engines, but these are the 2 engines I'm looking at for a new (technically used) car.

Which engine is better overall when factoring longevity of the engine, cost to repair, and acceleration speed?

Google has provided me mixed results, so curious what this board thinks.

Longevity: any modern combustion engine (easily the past twenty years) should last 200k+ miles. That is the engine block, pistons, crankshaft, camshaft, valve cover, and valves. Gaskets fall under routine maintenance. The valves are the weakest and most vulnerable component, but as long as youre doing routine maintenance and not trying to drive with a misfire, that 200k figure is easily achievable.
The V6 might have a slight edge due to likely lower average RPM.

Cost: Costs should be nearly identical in general. That being said, more cylinders means more components.
The I4 will have a slight edge due to less components.

Acceleration: From a general standpoint, youre comparing a small V6 to a very large I4, and so despite being technically smaller, the I4 isnt having to waste as much energy cycling the two extra cylinders.
I would give the I4 the win here, and my experience with small V6 would say a 2.7L would feel very sluggish.

Im assuming both options are FWD and weight appropriately the same. I havent worked on cars in a long time, but as an incredibly generalized statement for Japanese cars they do a solid I4 and a good enough V6, and American tends to do better with a V-block over Inline. Anything European should be fine either way.

Is either engine turbocharged and do both take 87 gas?

@BDSMKane
Thanks!

@tankboy
My fault for not specifying. I am currently looking at 2 cars/trucks right now.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz SE with the 2.5L I4 engine (Crossover Truck?)
The Dodge Charger SE with the 2.7 L V6 engine. (Sedan)

The Cruz isn't turbocharged, but haven't found one on the market under 25k and turbo yet in my area.

Was technically looking at 3 (The Chevy Silverado) but this one is like an extra 10k which is out of my planned budget. Trying to pay less than 25k.

I like both for different reasons. But ultimately for shallow reasons, im looking at which isnt a complete turtle on acceleration, that isnt a complete money drain (has a bad history of needing expensive repairs.)

Those 2.7 Dodge engines are completely shit

I'd have to drive the Santa Cruz to see how acceleration feels, but I'd lean toward that. I weirdly like the look of them and I aint gettin no charger unless it's a V8. lol

Im still not first hand familiar with Hyundai, but Id lean towards agreeing with Heineken14.

My fault for not specifying. I am currently looking at 2 cars/trucks right now.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz SE with the 2.5L I4 engine (Crossover Truck?)
The Dodge Charger SE with the 2.7 L V6 engine. (Sedan)

Do you actually know what you want? You're cross shopping an econo-CUV with a large RWD sedan. You're comparing apples to pistachios.

Your credit must be awful if you're considering those vehicles. Just keep saving and buy a proven reliable car.

Appreciate all of the inputs thus far. Leaning hard on the Hyundai based on the input.

Heineken14 posted...

I'd have to drive the Santa Cruz to see how acceleration feels, but I'd lean toward that. I weirdly like the look of them and I aint gettin no charger unless it's a V8. lol

I'm weirdly feeling the look of the Santa Cruz as well. It's kind of sporty, and act as a light truck, which I like.

Granted I also like the Charger, but it's not a V8, and it's out of my planned budget for a V8. :(

Trumpo posted...

Your credit must be awful if you're considering those vehicles. Just keep saving and buy a proven reliable car.

Credits fine, I'm just cheap. Not proud of it, but I can definitely be cheap. I absolutely hate debt. I'm going against my principles spending even the 25k as I refuse to dip into my savings for this.

TheSuperSilver posted...

Do you actually know what you want? You're cross shopping an econo-CUV with a large RWD sedan. You're comparing apples to pistachios.

I know =/
I'm just eyeballing both options since I like the look of both cars that:

• Isn't over 4 years old
• Isn't a complete snail accelerating (despite my planned budget)
• Isn't an economic drain (needing constant repairs, or expensive repairs)
• Doesn't have over 50k mileage.
• Looks a lil sporty

Are you in the US? Another thing you may need to consider is insurance costs. Hyundai (and Kia) have become a lot more expensive to insure the last couple years due to how easy it is to steal older models. New ones like the Santa Cruz are no easier to steal than any other car but idiots will see the badge and smash windows in so insurance companies are raising premiums.

Just a US issue afaik though since the lack of an immobilizer in older models was only a thing here because it wasn't required legally.

littlebro07 posted...

Are you in the US? Another thing you may need to consider is insurance costs. Hyundai (and Kia) have become a lot more expensive to insure the last couple years due to how easy it is to steal older models. New ones like the Santa Cruz are no easier to steal than any other car but idiots will see the badge and smash windows in so insurance companies are raising premiums.

Just a US issue afaik though since the lack of an immobilizer in older models was only a thing here because it wasn't required legally.

That's disheartening.....

I'm in the US. The Santa Cruz I'm eyeballing is a 2024 Santa Cruz SE

The Huyundai would also come with a 10 year 100k warranty that you should get the remaining balance of and I would stay away from any Stellantis products unless you have money for repairs.

LightningThief posted...

That's disheartening.....

I'm in the US. The Santa Cruz I'm eyeballing is a 2024 Santa Cruz SE

Just do some insurance quotes, it may not be that bad. My premium for my 2021 Sorento went up by like $15 a month.

Cars... Safer than phones?