Difference Between 3 Cylinder and 4 Cylinder Engine

Published: 12 Jul 2025

When you look at cars, you hear about 3-cylinder and 4-cylinder engines. But what does that mean? The number of cylinders tells how many parts inside the engine make power. Let’s see the difference between these two engines.

3 Cylinder vs 4 Cylinder Engine: The Key Differences

3-Cylinder Engine

The 3-cylinder engine has 3 cylinders.
It fires every 120 degrees, often causing more vibration and a rougher feel.
It makes power less often, so it can shake more and feel slower.
It uses less fuel because they are smaller.
3-cylinder engines can be a bit noisy and shake more, but new engines are better now.
3-cylinder engines are smaller and lighter. This can make the car cheaper and leave more room inside.
Cars with 3-cylinder engines usually cost less.
It may feel slower, especially when you want to speed up quickly.
These are good for small cars and save gas.
It usually produces fewer emissions because they use less fuel.
3-cylinder engines can get hotter because they work harder per cylinder
It can wear out faster if pushed too hard for heavy tasks.
Commonly used in budget-friendly or urban vehicles.
These are appealing to buyers focused on low running costs and city use.
They are compact and lightweight, which helps reduce the car’s overall weight.
They are mostly used in small, city-friendly cars.

4-Cylinder Engine

A 4-cylinder engine has 4 cylinders.
4-cylinder engines fire every 90 degrees of crankshaft rotation, making power delivery smooth and steady.
It makes power more often, so it runs smoother and feels stronger.
They use a little more fuel but can be more powerful.
They are quieter and smoother.
They are bigger and heavier.
Cars with them cost more because of the extra parts.
They usually accelerate faster because they have more power.
They are good for bigger cars and more power.
With modern tech, they can also be clean and meet emission rules.
More cylinders help them stay cooler by spreading out the heat.
They tend to last longer if used for heavy or long-distance driving because power is shared.
There are more car models with 4-cylinder engines worldwide, offering wider choices.
Used cars with 4-cylinder engines often have higher demand because buyers want more power and smoothness.
4-cylinder engines are found in a wide range of cars, from small to medium size and some SUVs.

Conclusion

Both 3-cylinder and 4-cylinder engines have good points. If you want a cheap car that uses little gas, go for a 3-cylinder engine. If you want more power and smooth driving, pick a 4-cylinder engine. It depends on what you need and how you like to drive. Which one would you choose?