SUVs: Bigger Bodies, Smaller Engines — The Surprising Reason Isn’t Just About Fuel Economy

• Large SUVs now come with downsized engines as they've swapped out their traditional V8 and V6 powerplants for more compact ones.
• Compact turbocharged motors enjoy enhanced fuel efficiency and increased torque in the middle range.
• However, turbocharged engines might seem less smooth and could potentially become less dependable over time.

In the last year, I have driven over two dozen SUVs And right away, it was clear: their engines have significantly decreased in size compared to before.

Ford initiated the present trend of engine downsizing about ten years ago when its " The "EcoBoost" V6 engines started taking the place of V8 engines. In their popular F-Series pickup trucks and Expedition SUVs, this trend has spread throughout the automotive sector due to the widespread adoption of these features. hybrid technology , more advanced turbocharged powertrains , and more stringent fuel efficiency standards.

With engine sizes decreasing, cars have become larger and more massive instead. Vehicles from the early 2000s such as the Hummer H1 and Ford Excursion stood out significantly back then due to their imposing presence among other traffic participants; however, today’s SUVs now often match or even surpass those dimensions.

“I believe this is somewhat an unavoidable aspect of manufacturing cars today,” said Joseph Yoon, a consumer insights analyst at Edmunds, speaking to Business Insider.

Why do we downsize engines, and how is it done?

The approach to engine downsizing may vary based on the specific kind of vehicle involved.

In most cases, this process entails substituting a big naturally aspirated engine with a compact one that uses forced induction techniques or auxiliary devices like turbochargers powered by exhaust gases or superchargers driven by belts to draw in more air and generate additional horsepower.

For example, the new Infiniti QX80 The Lexus LX600 full-size SUVs now feature twin-turbos paired with a V6 engine rather than the former V8 configuration. Similarly, midsize SUVs such as the Chevrolet Traverse, Infiniti QX60, and others also adopt this trend towards using turbocharged V6 powerplants over older V8 setups. Toyota Highlander All have recently replaced their V6 engines with turbocharged four-cylinder ones.

I have also come across some compact SUVs, such as the Nissan Rogue, that have downsized Their four-cylinder engines have been replaced with turbocharged three-cylinder engines.

Nevertheless, the outcomes of reducing an engine’s size may vary unpredictably for buyers.

The news isn't entirely negative.

For automobile manufacturers, shifting to smaller, turbocharged engines offers numerous advantages, with the primary benefit being increased power output while using less fuel typically.

The updated V6-equipped QX80 received an additional 50 horsepower along with a 13% increase in EPA fuel efficiency. In contrast, the LX600 boasts 26 extra horsepower and an impressive 36% enhancement in fuel economy over the previous V8-based LX570.

Meanwhile, the four-cylinder Traverse saw an increase of 18 horsepower along with a 9.5% improvement in fuel efficiency.

More crucial than sheer power is the fact that turbocharged engines usually offer greater mid-range torque compared to naturally aspirated ones. This means drivers experience smoother and more effortless acceleration, according to Gabe Shenhar, who serves as the associate director of the auto test program. Consumer Reports , told Business Insider

Ultimately, adopting smaller, more efficient engines enables automakers to comply with stricter emission and fuel efficiency standards. This allows manufacturers to offer more internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles as alternatives for those wary of electric vehicles (EVs) in the market.

"Many individuals experience considerable anxiety when attempting something novel, particularly if they aren't located in major metropolitan areas with easy access to charging facilities," Shenhar told Business Insider.

However, there are drawbacks to reducing size.

Even with their benefits, contemporary turbocharged engines come with downsides for buyers, such as uneven power distribution and a "lack of overall smoothness," according to Shenhar and Yoon’s conversation with Business Insider.

Shenhar mentioned that "Occasionally, turbocharged engines exhibit inconsistent throttle reaction. There tends to be a slight lag at first followed by a sudden delayed feedback."

This indicates that you might need time to adapt to your new powertrain, as there could be a steep learning curve for accelerating smoothly.

For instance, the newly turbocharged four-cylinder engine in a 2025 model. Infiniti QX60 I recently found that it doesn’t just sound inexpensive and metallic but also provides power in inconsistent bursts.

And those potential improvements in fuel efficiency promised by turbocharging might not become evident during regular use.

For instance, the forced-induction, triple-cylinder Nissan Rogue Should have shown a three MPG improvement over the naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine it superseded. However, during our tests at Consumer Reports, both the three and four-cylinder Rogues delivered the same fuel efficiency numbers.

This is related to how turbocharged engines generate power and how you modulate the throttle.

When cruising steadily, turbocharged engines operate with remarkable efficiency. Nevertheless, the moment you floor the accelerator and increase the boost significantly, their fuel economy drops considerably.

Therefore, each instance the driver forcefully accelerates while driving, they "undermine the improvements in fuel efficiency," according to Shenhar.

Concerns over long-term reliability might exist.

Supercharged engines generate power by forcefully pushing extra air into the combustion chamber, leading to a stronger explosion. Consequently, this puts greater stress on engine parts, potentially making them less durable over time compared to those of non-supercharged engines.

Historically, turbochargers were employed primarily in sports cars and vehicles aimed at car aficionados. However, this marks the first time we see them extensively utilized in everyday family vehicles that require consistent and reliable transportation between locations.

I believe we're venturing into somewhat unexplored areas regarding how turbocharging will impact performance," noted Yoon, an Edmunds automotive analyst. "Auto enthusiasts understand that boosting power typically means sacrificing certain aspects such as smoothness or durability; some trade-off is inevitable.

Nevertheless, Shenhar and Yoon state that there isn't sufficient evidence to draw a definitive conclusion at this time.

Shenhar points out, according to Consumer Reports information, that over the long term reliability will rely more on each specific car manufacturer rather than anything else.

If you liked this tale, make sure to follow Business Insider on MSN.