The idea of a car with a 3-cylinder engine may be unusual to people who are unfamiliar with the concept. After all, the most common models on the road these days typically have four or more cylinders in them.
But dig a little deeper and you’ll find that 3-cylinder cars are pretty popular among those in the know. A segment of car buyers drives up the demand for such vehicles, and manufacturers are more than happy to cater to this market segment.
So, in this article, we’re going to dive a little deeper into what a 3-cylinder car may have to offer to prospective buyers like you. Hopefully, you’ll finish this short read with a clearer idea about the 3-cylinder engine and whether it is what you want or not.
Why Do Manufacturers Make 3-Cylinder Cars?
Interestingly enough, the pros and cons of 3-cylinder cars don’t just apply to consumers who buy and drive the vehicle. The truth is that there are benefits on the manufacturer’s side of things as well, which is why even top carmakers like BMW (with the BMW i8) have at least one model carrying a 3-cylinder engine in their lineup.
Producing a 3-cylinder car offers manufacturers a double benefit in terms of manufacturing costs and improved design.
Lower Manufacturing Costs
First and foremost, an engine with one less cylinder will cost a lot less for a manufacturer to produce. That’s because there’s less raw material necessary and fewer engine components to include.
Remember: Car manufacturers mass-produce the cars that they make. It means that when they’re able to cut down the cost of one engine, it translates to significant cost reduction in the long run.
Still, the choice to produce a 3-cylinder engine doesn’t mean sacrificing performance. One of the things that make a 3-cylinder car so impressive is that, a well-built engine these days can produce the same amount of power as a 4-cylinder engine!
Improved Design
Here’s something that benefits both the manufacturer and the car buyer. With one less cylinder, that frees up a significant amount of space in the engine bay. As a result, carmakers can improve their cars’ design to allow for much more cabin space than ever before.
So, not only is the car buyer getting a cheaper and lighter car, but they’re also getting one that’s got much more room on the inside!
What Are the Pros and Cons of a 3-Cylinder Car?
Now, let’s get to the most significant bit: what are the pros and cons of a 3-cylinder car?
Pros
Simply put, the pros of driving a 3-cylinder car include better fuel efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and a more extensive interior.
Better Fuel Efficiency
This point is pretty straightforward. As mentioned before, a 3-cylinder car has one less cylinder than usual, which means a lighter car overall. Like any other vehicle, less weight means more fuel efficiency, as the vehicle will require less fuel to move forward.
Lower Maintenance Costs
Here, fewer parts and an overall smaller engine also mean that your maintenance costs over the long term will be much lower. Think of it this way: among other things, the engine will use less engine oil and have one less spark plug that needs replacing when you take your car in for its regular maintenance.
Larger Interior
As mentioned before, a 3-cylinder car will have a smaller engine and, therefore, much more space for a more extensive interior. For the average car owner, that means more legroom and extra comfort, especially if they’re driving their family around. If need be, that also means that you can fit more bags or boxes in the car.
Cons
Sadly, the drawbacks of driving a car with a 3-cylinder include the likes of excess noise and vibrations, rough idling, and sluggish movement at low RPMs.
Excess Noise and Vibrations
A 3-cylinder engine will have a different crankshaft rotation than the 4-cylinder engine that most people are used to. So, switching over to a 3-cylinder car could take a bit of getting used to, especially since there are a little more noise and vibration than what you’d consider being ‘normal’.
Rough Idling
One instance where you’d notice those excess vibrations is when a 3-cylinder car is idling. Unfortunately, the same engine design that leads to better fuel efficiency also causes noise and vibrations that are harder to ignore when the vehicle isn’t moving.
That is somewhat related to the next point, where the engine’s a little bit rough at lower RPMs.
Sluggish Movement
In a 3-cylinder car, the engine needs a little bit of momentum before it can deliver power smoothly. That’s why at low RPMs, when you’re just starting to move, you’ll notice that the car is somewhat sluggish at first.
Still, once the car moves and those RPMs increase, everything will start to feel much smoother.
3-Cylinder Engine or 4: Which Is Better?
Deciding which one is better than the other will depend on your personal preferences. For someone who prioritises fuel efficiency and prefers a smaller car, choosing one with a 3-cylinder engine is a fantastic choice.
A 3-cylinder car offers better fuel efficiency while providing power similar to one with a 4-cylinder engine. However, there are some tradeoffs to be made. Excess noise and vibration, rough idling, and sluggish movement at low RPMs might discourage some buyers. However, once you’ve adjusted to those traits, you may find that the 3-cylinder car is worth the sacrifice.
Still, some buyers may prefer the benefits of a more standard 4-cylinder car. These cars are becoming increasingly fuel-efficient these days while also providing high comfort levels that equal or surpass anything that a 3-cylinder vehicle can offer.
My Personal Take on the 3-Cylinder Car
If you ask me, I will go for a 3-cylinder car just because I prioritise cost savings and fuel efficiency. I don't mind a little bit of noise or vibrating if it means that I'll be spending less on petrol, maintenance, and repairs in the long run.
Plus, living in the city as I do, a smaller car that makes navigating and parking so much easier will be more responsive to my needs.
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By Ray Hasbollah