Four-cylinder engines are becoming more and more common as we move into a new age of efficiency. Gone is the age of V-6s and V-8s, where performance was judged by engine displacement. Now forced induction, mainly through the use of turbochargers, has made four-cylinder engines king.

While this is a sad tale for some, these four-cylinder engines are excellent examples of the way automotive engineering has progressed. Even high-performance cars are capable of putting out more power with smaller turbocharged engines than they ever could when using big V-shaped engines. On top of increased performance, fuel economy has also skyrocketed. Other than engine noise, you aren’t really losing anything.

We’ve taken a look at some of the best new cars on the market that feature a four-cylinder engine. From small commuter cars to high-octane performance behemoths, we detail just how much power the four-cylinders are putting out, from least to most, as well as how efficient they are.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including HotCars and Car And Driver. All fuel economy figures were sourced from the EPA. Cars are ranked from least to most powerful.

10 2024 Subaru BRZ

Horsepower: 228

When it comes to affordable sports cars, you can't do much better than the Subaru BRZ. Produced in partnership with Toyota, who produced its twin, the GR86, the BRZ is a godsend for motoring enthusiasts. It's lightweight, agile, and incredibly rewarding to drive.

Performance Specifications

The Subaru manufactured flat-four engine in the bay of the BRZ and the GR86 produces just enough power to make it feel fast when you put your foot down. Combine that with its standard six-speed manual transmission and some of the most analog and enjoyable driving dynamics in any modern vehicle, and you have one of the best modern sports cars ever made.

9 2024 Mazda 3

Horsepower: 250

Mazda's compact sedan/hatchback is one of the most underrated cars in recent times. Mazda has managed to make the affordable commuter car both comfortable and exciting to drive. Its interior is classy and when you put the foot down around windy roads, you feel more enjoyment than you would in most cars at this price point.

Performance Specifications

The base Mazda 3 comes with a respectable naturally aspirated inline-four that puts out 191 horsepower. However, the Turbo models are capable of outputting up to 250 horsepower. This figure is assuming that you fill up on 93 octane fuel. When filling up with regular fuel, the Mazda 3 still puts out a decent 227 horsepower.

8 2024 BMW 3-Series

Horsepower: 255

Perhaps one of the most iconic luxury performance sedans ever created, the 3-Series is still going as strong as ever. It finds the sweet spot between comfort, styling, and performance, and it rides that line perfectly. Its base model comes with an overachieving four-cylinder that feels much more powerful than figures might suggest.

Performance Specifications

The base 330i is the model that comes with the turbocharged four-cylinder. While it's not as powerful as the M models, its 295 pound-feet of torque and its finely tuned handling make it one of the most engaging sedans that you could ever drive. On top of that, it also achieves some impressive day-to-day fuel economy figures.

7 2024 Hyundai Elantra N

Horsepower: 276

The Hyundai Elantra N is one of the best performance cars you can get if you're on a budget. It hasn't been around for long, but it has already garnered itself a brilliant reputation for performance. The 2024 model also received some slight changes that helped make it more striking than ever.

Performance Specifications

Hyundai has equipped their boy-racer compact sedan with a turbocharged inline-four capable of outputting 276 horsepower. It is also one of the few modern cars to feature a manual transmission alongside its brilliant eight-speed automatic. Interestingly, the manual Elantra N is actually more efficient than the automatic version.

6 2024 Kia K5 GT

Horsepower: 290

The K5 is one of the most impressive looking family cars on the market right now. Its aggressive styling and long list of standard equipment make it excellent value. If you're looking for even more excitement, K5s wearing the GT badge get a big boost in power along with some other unique equipment.

Performance Specifications

Kia has made the humble compact family sedan exciting with the K5 GT. Its incredible 290 horsepower engine combines with its eight-speed dual-clutch transmission to produce an experience that can rival some of its European competitors. It is also impressively efficient given how much horsepower it outputs.

5 2024 Genesis G80

Horsepower: 300

Genesis, as a brand, has been strongly challenging key players in the European luxury car world for a little while now. The G80, in particular, offers a comfort that makes it stand out as more of a budget version of a Rolls-Royce or Bentley rather than a competitor to the likes of BMW and Audi, while being more affordable regardless.

Performance Specifications

While the available V-6 caters to those wanting sports car levels of acceleration, the perky inline-four better aligns with the luxury car's identity. It also isn't slow by any means. Its ride is smooth and comfortable and its shifts are seamless, everything about the G80 just oozes class.

4 2024 Honda Civic Type R

Horsepower: 315

The golden age of hot hatchbacks has long-since come to a close. However, one bastion remains unwavering, the Civic Type R. This incredible mark of engineering has withstood the test of time and remains some of the most fun you can have on four wheels. It is also one of the best cars if you're looking for a daily that you can occasionally take to the track.

Performance Specifications

The Type R is a dedicated driver's car in a number of ways, key among which is that it only comes with a six-speed manual transmission. It is, however, one of the most new-driver-friendly cars out there, with things like rev-matching reducing the skill gap between an average driver and a skilled one, as far as changing gears under high performance conditions. Despite its impressive performance, it also manages to remain pretty efficient.

3 2024 Ford Mustang

Horsepower: 315

Where other muscle cars have been falling like flies, with both the Dodge Charger and Chevrolet Camaro being killed off, the Ford Mustang stands tall. The Ford pony car has recently entered a brand-new generation and looks cooler and faster than ever before. At its heart also beats an upgraded EcoBoost inline-four.

Performance Specifications

The EcoBoost Mustang is the base offering, and it is up 5 horsepower from the outgoing model. While it's not quite as powerful as the five-liter V-8, it produces enough power to give the coupe some impressive acceleration, especially given its low price point. In fact, the Mustang is the fastest accelerating turbocharged car under the $40,000 mark.

2 Acura Integra Type S

Horsepower: 320

The spiritual successor to the legendary Integra Type R, the 2024 model Type S takes the performance of the premium compact sedan and turns it up a notch. It uses a similar powerplant to the one found in the Civic Type R, along with a smooth shifting six-speed manual transmission.

Performance Specifications

The Integra Type S is one of the most affordable premium sports sedans on the market. At its heart is a powertrain that outputs 120 more horsepower than the standard Integra. Its braking and cornering prowess are where it really shines though and, in the right hands, it is an absolute track weapon.

1 2024 Porsche 718

Horsepower: 350

Porsche has long been the benchmark for performance. While for some the 911 is the ultimate sports car, for those looking for a more analog experience, the 718 is an incredible sports car. The Boxster convertible and the Cayman coupe are untouchable in terms of visceral driving experience.

Performance Specifications

The Cayman and the Boxster both have a two-liter flat-four as the base powertrain offering. However, the S variants come with an upgraded 2.5-liter version that outputs 50 more horses. While the Cayman is not the most fuel efficient car on this list, it is rated as the most reliable four-cylinder car on the market today.