The movement toward electric vehicles has caused an interesting change in vehicles, with smaller and more powerful four-cylinder engines in many SUVs.
Can you take your family where you need to go, get everything done that you want to, and have enough power when your vehicle only has four cylinders? Many people might think of this small engine size being reserved for sedans and small cars, but more SUVs are now equipped with smaller engines than ever before.
With that in mind, here are some of the best four-cylinder SUVs in the market today.
BMW X1 – Small, Athletic, and Luxurious
As long as you remember that luxury doesn’t always mean a large and spacious cabin, the BMW X1 can be a good choice for you to drive. If you want a little fun and a tossable SUV that has enough room for you to carry plenty of gear, this little Beemer can be a great option. The X1 uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 241 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This engine mates to a 7-speed automatic transmission and returns 25 city/34 hwy mpg.
Mazda CX-30 – Zoom Zoom Still Exists
The Mazda CX-30 is the smallest Mazda SUV, and it has two versions of the same engine for your driving pleasure. Packed with premium materials and updated technology, this little Mazda is one of the best four-cylinder SUVs in the market. Power comes from a 2.5-liter engine that produces 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Add turbocharging, and this engine delivers 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque for the drive. This engine mates to a 6-speed automatic transmission and returns 26 city/33 hwy mpg in the base model.
Hyundai Tucson – A Top Choice for Small Families
The Hyundai Tucson is an impressive choice among the compact SUVs in the market. It won two awards in 2023, the Best New Car for Teens and the Best Compact SUV for Families, which was awarded by US News. The Tucson uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission to send 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. This SUV returns 25 city/32 hwy mpg and can tow up to 2,000 pounds.
Lincoln Nautilus – Comfortable Driving
If you’re looking for one of the most comfortable four-cylinder SUVs available, the Lincoln Nautilus should be somewhere near the top of your list. This useful, high-quality SUV has an incredible interior and rides like a cloud over the roughest parts of the road. Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Nautilus is set up with AWD and produces 250 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque while returning 21 city/24 hwy mpg.
Hyundai Kona – Two Different Versions
The Hyundai Kona is one of the most active and enjoyable subcompact SUVs in the entire market. This little Hyundai can be had with two different 4-cylinder powertrains. The base system gives you a 2.0-liter engine and a CVT to produce 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. This model returns 29 city/34 hwy mpg and is great for city driving. The more powerful option gives you a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain produces 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque while returning 24 city/26 hwy mpg.
Mazda CX-50 – More Space But Plenty of Zoom
The Mazda CX-50 is larger than the CX-30, but it uses the same two powertrains to handle the drive. This compact SUV has incredible style, impressive handling, and a full cabin of upscale interior features that make it one of the most attractive SUVs in the compact SUV class. Among four-cylinder SUVs, this could be the top choice for many drivers. The non-turbo models can tow up to 2,000 pounds, and the turbocharged model can pull up to 3,500 pounds, making the CX-50 a useful SUV.
Genesis GV80 – Luxurious Driving with a Small Engine
The Genesis GV80 makes it easy to enjoy a comfortable ride in an SUV that’s packed with sophisticated features. This SUV has five seats, standard AWD, and it’s part of the midsize SUV class. The base powertrain gives you a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain produces 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The GV80 returns 20 city/24 hwy mpg, and it can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
These are seven of the top choices among four-cylinder SUVs, giving you several great options for size, power, performance, and quality. Which of these SUVs will you drive?
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