Does Honda make a 4-cylinder car?

Yes. Honda builds many four-cylinder cars today, and four-cylinder engines power most of its current lineup, including the Civic, Accord, CR-V, HR-V, and Insight, along with high-performance variants like the Civic Type R. A few larger models still rely on V6 powertrains.

What counts as a four-cylinder car?

In automotive terms, a four-cylinder vehicle has an engine with four cylinders. Honda uses four-cylinder engines across most of its passenger cars—gasoline, turbocharged, and hybrid configurations. There are exceptions where larger vehicles use a V6.

Honda's current four-cylinder lineup

Here's a snapshot of the models in Honda's US lineup that use four-cylinder engines in their standard gasoline or hybrid configurations as of the mid-2020s.

• Civic — four-cylinder gasoline engines, including turbocharged variants in many trims; Si and Type R are four-cylinder performance variants.


• Accord — four-cylinder options include turbocharged gasoline engines (and hybrid variants aside).


• CR-V — four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine in most trims; CR-V Hybrid uses a four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine paired with electric motors.


• HR-V — four-cylinder engine in its standard configuration.


• Insight — hybrid uses a four-cylinder engine paired with electric motors.


• Civic Type R — high-performance four-cylinder turbocharged engine.

Overall, Honda’s four-cylinder lineup emphasizes efficiency and modern engineering, with hybrid and turbocharged options across its mainstream models.

Models that use non-four-cylinder powertrains

Some larger models remain powered by V6 engines. This contrast helps illustrate the range of Honda’s powertrains today.

• Pilot — typically powered by a 3.5-liter V6.


• Ridgeline — traditionally offered with a V6.


• Odyssey — minivan with a V6 engine.

While the four-cylinder approach dominates the compact and midsize segments, Honda continues to offer V6 power for buyers seeking larger SUVs or family vans.

Historical notes

Honda’s history includes four-cylinder variants on performance and hybrid models, and the Clarity family (including a plug-in hybrid) used four-cylinder engines before the model line was reduced or discontinued in many markets. The current Clarity lineup is no longer widely available in the United States.

Summary

In 2025, Honda’s most common passenger-car engines are four-cylinders, powering the Civic, Accord, CR-V, HR-V, and the performance-oriented Civic Type R. A small number of larger models—such as the Pilot, Ridgeline, and Odyssey—continue to use V6 powertrains. For buyers prioritizing efficiency, fuel economy, and modern technology, Honda’s four-cylinder vehicles offer a broad and current range.

Is a 2.0 L 4-cylinder better than a V6?

A 2.0L 4-cylinder engine is generally more fuel-efficient and less expensive, while a V6 engine offers more power, smoother operation, and better performance for heavy loads. Modern turbocharged 4-cylinders can achieve power levels comparable to older V6s, but a V6 engine still provides more inherent power and torque for tasks like towing or high-speed driving. The choice depends on your priorities: economy and city driving for a 4-cylinder, or performance and hauling for a V6.
 
You can watch this video to learn about the performance comparison of 4-cylinder and V6 engines: 1mRedline ReviewsYouTube · Sep 30, 2017
2.0L 4-cylinder engine

• Pros:
  • Better fuel economy: Generally uses less fuel, leading to lower gas costs. 
  • Lower cost: Typically has a lower purchase price and potentially lower insurance premiums. 
  • Lighter and smaller: Has fewer parts and weighs less, which is beneficial for smaller vehicles and can improve handling. 
  • More accessible maintenance: Often has easier access to spark plugs and other components. 
• Cons:
  • Less powerful: Produces less horsepower and torque than a V6, which can lead to sluggish performance, especially in larger or heavier vehicles. 
  • More vibration: Can feel less smooth, especially at idle, though modern engineering has significantly improved this. 

V6 engine

• Pros:
  • More power: Delivers greater horsepower and torque, resulting in quicker acceleration and a more powerful feel. 
  • Smoother operation: The V6 configuration naturally results in a smoother, more balanced, and quieter ride. 
  • Better for towing and heavy loads: Provides the necessary power to pull trailers or carry heavy cargo without excessive strain. 
• Cons:
  • Lower fuel economy: Consumes more fuel, resulting in higher running costs. 
  • Higher cost: Usually has a higher initial purchase price and potentially higher insurance premiums. 
  • More complex and heavier: Has more moving parts, is heavier, and can be more expensive to maintain. 
  • Potentially higher maintenance costs: More complex engine designs can lead to more expensive repairs. 

Are Hondas 4-cylinder?

The Honda K-series engine is a line of four-cylinder four-stroke car engines introduced in 2001. The K-series engines are equipped with DOHC valvetrains and use roller rockers on the cylinder head to reduce friction. The engines use a coil-on-plug, distributorless ignition system with a coil for each spark plug.

Which 4-cylinder car is best?

Best 5 4 Cylinder Cars in India in 2025

Model	Price in New Delhi
Hyundai Venue	Rs. 7.90 - 15.69 Lakh*
Defender	Rs. 98 Lakh - 2.60 Cr*
Maruti FRONX	Rs. 6.85 - 11.98 Lakh*
Tata Nexon	Rs. 7.32 - 14.05 Lakh*

What are the disadvantages of a 4-cylinder engine?

The main disadvantages of a 4-cylinder engine are lower power and towing capacity compared to larger engines, and they can be less smooth or vibrate more, particularly in older models. Other drawbacks include potentially higher fuel consumption and emissions than smaller engines, and they can be more expensive to produce and maintain. 
This video explains why 4-cylinder engines can be less smooth: 47sScotty KilmerYouTube · Nov 30, 2018
Performance and refinement

• Less power: 4-cylinder engines typically produce less horsepower than engines with more cylinders, such as a V6. 
• Lower towing capacity: Their towing capacity is often limited compared to larger engines. 
• Increased vibration: They can feel less smooth or vibrate more, especially at idle, because of the less frequent power strokes compared to larger engines. Modern engines use balance shafts to mitigate this, but some vibration can still be noticeable, particularly at higher RPMs. 

Efficiency and emissions

• Higher fuel consumption: While more efficient than older, larger engines, they may consume more fuel than smaller 3-cylinder engines due to increased weight and friction. 
• Higher emissions: Due to their size and higher power output, they can produce higher emissions compared to smaller engines. 

Cost and complexity

• Higher cost: The manufacturing and complexity of 4-cylinder engines can make them more expensive to produce than smaller engines. 
• Higher maintenance costs: The additional moving parts in a 4-cylinder engine can lead to more potential points of failure, potentially increasing maintenance costs over time. 
• More complex design: Their design is more complex than some simpler engines, which can lead to higher maintenance costs. 

This video explains the complexity of V4 engines, a less common type: 1mScotty KilmerYouTube · Jun 11, 2023