Four-cylinder trucks are growing in popularity in the United States. This has some people scratching their heads since large trucks traditionally have larger V8 engines (or at least V6 engines) meant to deliver towing and hauling power.
In theory, the more cylinders a vehicle has, the more power it can generate. However, the number of cylinders is not the only factor in how much power a truck has. Other factors include the truck's weight, whether the engine is diesel or turbocharged, and other design elements. With this in mind, are four-cylinder trucks worth it?
Why Some Buyers Prefer 4-Cylinder Trucks
Auto manufacturers are beginning to fit four-cylinder engines into full-size trucks. This, in essence, gives the truck owner the best of both worlds; power and fuel economy. If you are looking for a light to mid sized truck that can get the job done at relatively lower maintenance and operating costs, you can begin to see why more people are opting for these trucks.
Size
Large trucks can be difficult to operate in tight spaces, such as when driving on residential and urban streets. Parking too can pose a problem if you are driving a big truck. For this reason, smaller trucks help drivers to overcome these problems. This is especially good for fleet vehicles.
Fuel Economy
There is a link between size and fuel efficiency. One of the reasons the popularity of four-cylinder trucks is on the rise is that they offer an economical alternative to larger trucks. Light-duty and medium-sized trucks are great for truck buyers who need the ability to carry cargo but do not require a large truck to do so. For example, delivery companies that don't handle heavy loads may use these kinds of trucks rather than the large ones due to cost savings.
A 4-cylinder truck delivers the benefits of a truck, just to a lesser degree, and for a good price. The argument is that trucks are about power, so a truck with relatively limited power does not make sense. However, clever engineering makes four-cylinder trucks better at towing and hauling than before, so they can still get the jobs done that other vehicles can’t. Modern four-cylinder trucks are also safe, comfortable, and very reliable.
Reasons to Avoid 4-Cylinder Trucks
The main reason not to purchase a 4-cylinder truck is because you need the truck to deliver more power than a 4-cylinder truck is capable of delivering. Additionally since 4-cylinder trucks tend to be aimed at economy buyers they can often miss out on features and trim packages you need that more expensive variants may offer. In general, if you’re looking to use your truck for serious off-roading and heavy-duty hauling, then a 4-cylinder truck is usually not for you.
7 Popular Four-Cylinder Trucks
Having looked at some reasons why you would want to purchase a four-cylinder truck, here are some of the most popular four-cylinder trucks on the market.
1. Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma is uniquely one of the few trucks in this category that still comes with manual transmission. The standard engine is a four-cylinder 2.7 liter. While it may not be the best of the range when it comes to off-roading, the Tacoma comes with the quiet reliability that is characteristic of most Toyota vehicles. It also delivers an impressive 20 MPG in city driving and 23 MPG on the highway. The four-wheel version has a slightly lower 19 MPG in city driving and 22 MPG on the highway.
With 159 horsepower, and a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds., the four-cylinder Toyota Tacoma can get the job done. However, this truck has some acceleration and climbing-power lag.
For comparison, the more popular 3.5 liter V6 Toyota Tacoma delivers 278 horsepower and is capable of towing 6,500 pounds. The V6 version has more power and acceleration, but has slightly higher fuel consumption. Both versions can benefit from a Toyota backup camera for additional safety.
Toyota Tacoma 4-Cylinder Advantages
- A reliable engine makes it an excellent choice for a fleet vehicle.
- It has a high resale value, making it even more ideal as a fleet vehicle.
- It has good off-roading capabilities even without large tires. This results in a quiet ride.
Toyota Tacoma 4-Cylinder Disadvantages
- Not ideal for people looking to tow heavy loads.
- The interior design for the 2022 model is somewhat dated.
- The unrefined handling of the Tacoma (especially when not carrying any loads) will disappoint petrol heads.
2. Ford Ranger
The 2022 edition of the Ford Ranger comes with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that offers excellent towing capabilities. The Ranger delivers 270 horsepower and can tow up to 7,500 pounds, which is pretty impressive compared to the Tacoma. However, just like Tacoma, it may not offer great off-roading capabilities. In fact, if this is an essential aspect for you, you might want to go for the Tremor Edition, although you can probably get better off-roading capabilities from other truck models.
On fuel economy, the Ranger delivers 21 MPG in city driving and 26 MPG on the highway. This is undoubtedly much better than the Tacoma. The Ford Ranger offers the most value in various categories, including torque, towing capacity, and much more. Fuel consumption is a lot more standard across the board.
If you plan to use your Ranger for towing or hauling, consider installing a Ford backup camera.
Ford Ranger 4-Cylinder Advantages
- Great for people looking for a medium-sized workhorse.
- A quick and responsive engine makes for excellent ride dynamics
- Tech features, even in the base model, offer excellent value for your money.
Ford Ranger 4-Cylinder Disadvantages
- Not ideal for off-roading.
- Limited in-cabin storage.
- Long term reliability of the turbo V4 is TBD.
3. GMC Canyon
The GMC Canyon is a four-cylinder mid-size truck offering much better off-road capabilities than the other trucks we have covered. The Canyon comes standard with a 2.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower, although, like other trucks in this category, V6, and diesel variants exist. Fuel economy is slightly lower here than in the Ranger. With the Canyon, you can expect to get 20 MPG in city driving and 30 MPG in highway driving. This is for the rear-drive version. The four-wheel Canyon delivers less fuel economy but is much more rugged. Towing capacity is at 7,700 pounds, putting it at par with the Ranger. Make sure your Canyon is equipped with a GM backup camera and GM front and side cameras in the event you need to get out of a tight spot.
GMC Canyon 4-Cylinder Advantages
- Highly reliable engine, especially the Duramax diesel variant. Ideal for a fleet vehicle.
- Plenty of legroom in the back makes the double-cabin version a good people-carrier
- Tech features such as the Teen Drive System makes it an ideal choice for parents.
GMC Canyon 4-Cylinder Disadvantages
- Lacks manual transmission
- The interior of the GMC Canyon is somewhat dated relative to its competitors.
4. GMC Sierra 1500
The GMC Sierra has many more features than most competitors in this category. This might be the best way to go for those looking for more comfort in a mid-size truck. The 2022 Sierra, for example, comes with a feature known as Super Cruise, which allows the Sierra to be driven hands-free. The engine is a 2.8-liter Duramax engine that delivers 310 horsepower, and can tow about 7,700 pounds.
Fuel consumption here is on the higher side, however. Drivers of the Sierra can expect about 20 MPG in city driving and about 23 in highway driving for the rear-drive variant. The four-wheel variant delivers 19 MPG in urban driving and 22 MPG on the highway.
GMC Sierra 4-Cylinder Advantages
- Great for people looking for a medium-sized workhorse.
- A quick and responsive engine makes for excellent ride dynamics
- Tech features, even in the base model, offer excellent value for money
GMC Canyon 4-Cylinder Disadvantages
- Not ideal for off-roading
- Limited in-cabin storage
5. Chevy Silverado
The Chevy Silverado offers a unique take on four-cylinder engines, as it has mated this with a full-size body. The Silverado has many features, and its turbocharged 2.7-liter engine with 310 horsepower is pretty impressive by all standards. It delivers 20 MPG in City driving while delivering 23 MPG in highway driving, and 6,900 pounds in towing capacity.
Chevy Silverado 4-Cylinder Advantages
- The Silverado combines the best of both worlds. A full-size truck with a four-cylinder engine
- The four-cylinder turbocharged engine delivers surprisingly good performance.
Chevy Silverado 4-Cylinder Disadvantages
- The Silverado is still a large truck with all the maneuverability and parking downsides of full-size trucks that benefit from a backup camera.
6. Chevy Colorado
This mid-size truck is tailored for truck drivers looking for a compact four-cylinder truck with better fuel economy than the Silverado. The Colorado has a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that can tow up to 3,500 pounds with 200 horsepower. This is much less than most of the other trucks we covered here, apart from the Tacoma. Fuel consumption is also average, delivering about 20 miles per gallon in city driving and 26 miles per gallon in highway driving.
Chevy Colorado 4-Cylinder Advantages
- Excellent handling and ride quality makes it a fun truck to drive
- Great exterior aesthetics give the 2022 Colorado a premium look
- Features one of the best infotainment systems compared to the competition
Chevy Colorado 4-Cylinder Disadvantages
- The four-cylinder (2.5-l) engine can be very noisy
- Limited driver-assist technology compared to its rivals
7. Nissan Frontier
The Frontier has a 2.5-liter engine that delivers 19 miles per gallon in urban driving and 23 miles per gallon in highway driving. Towing capacity is average, coming in at just 3,800 pounds maximum capacity with 152 horsepower.
Nissan Frontier 4-Cylinder Advantages
- The relatively low purchase price makes it ideal for buyers on a budget
- Lots of tech, even on the base model, offers buyers value for money
Nissan Frontier 4-Cylinder Disadvantages
- Double cabin versions have limited legroom at the back.
- The biggest drawback about the Nissan Frontier is that it is not offered in four-wheel drive. For those looking for off-road capabilities, this is a severe problem.
- You can snag some great deals on used frontiers, but buyers need to consider the long term stability of the brand and concerns around parts availability into the future.
Equip Your Four-Cylinder Truck with A Backup Camera from Camera Source
Light and mid-sized trucks are certainly worth purchasing. They deliver value when it comes to fuel and maintenance costs. If you want to increase the value and features of your truck, you can install a backup camera.
Backup cameras are essential when it comes to the safe operation of your truck. Due to the vehicle's raised profile, seeing the space behind you or in front of the vehicle may not be easy. Our backup cameras are easy to install and highly durable. Visit our online store or contact us to check out the best camera for your truck.
