Is A 1.6 Car Fast Enough? (Fully Explained For Beginners!)

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A “1.6” car refers to a car with an engine that has a 1.6L displacement.

On many cars, a 1.6L would indicate something more powerful than a more standard 1.4L or smaller 1.0L, but not quite as powerful as a 2.0L car.

They are often placed in mid-level vehicles or low-level premium cars.

This article answers the question “Is A 1.6 Car Fast Enough?”…

Is A 1.6 Car Fast Enough?

How fast the 1.6L car depends a lot on how well the engine is constructed. There are some 1.6 engines that are well-tuned and paired with a neat turbo that makes the cars very fast indeed. Some other 1.6L cars are more lackluster in performance.

On the whole, one would expect a 1.6L to be above-average in speed, with so many smaller or slower cars offering 1.2L or 1.4L as a displacement.

1.6 Petrol Vs. 1.6 Diesel. Which One Is Faster?

A 1.6 diesel, especially with a turbo, will be faster off the mark than a 1.6L petrol because of its superior torque.

However, a well-engineered 1.6L petrol car can expect a very good top speed that could edge out a diesel overall.

A 1.6L diesel would be a better performer on hills and steep gradients than a 1.6L petrol car.

Is A 1.6 Turbocharged And 1.6 Supercharged The Same?

These two are related but don’t mean quite the same thing.

First, a supercharger refers to any air compressor that is used to increase air pressure or air density entering the engine and provide more oxygen to burn fuel faster and boost speed.

A turbocharger is a kind of supercharger, but one that uses a turbine in the exhaust stream.

So, all turbochargers are superchargers, but not all superchargers are turbochargers.

Minimum, Maximum And Average Horsepower In A 1.6

The highest horsepower can be found in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec, with 201hp and 195lb-ft of torque.

This outdoes the previously most powerful which was the Ford Fiesta ST with its 1.6L EcoBoost.

The Kia Seltos only boasts 113hp, making it the lowest for a 1.6L engine with a pretty lackluster kind of performance.

On average, then, you could expect a 1.6L car to offer about 150-160hp as an average point.

Minimum, Maximum And Average 0 – 60 MPH Speed In A 1.6

The slowest speed known in a 1.6L car belongs to the Kia Seltos, which boasts a 0-60 speed of 11.7 seconds.

The highest known speed in a 1.6L car is the Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec which can cover 0-60 in just 6.2 seconds, putting it alongside many high-specification vehicles.

Taking these as the extremes, it would be about normal for a 1.6L car to finish 0-60mph in about 8-9 seconds.

8 Or 16? Does The Number Of Valves Make It Faster?

If you are prioritizing performance, then 16 valves is better because the 16-valve engine is more able to take on air and expel the exhaust fumes, which are key details in making the car go faster.

It’s not to say that there are no fast 8-valve cars, but if you are looking for a car with better performance potential, then 16 valves is better.

What Is The Fastest 1.6 Ever Made?

The Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec boasts a top speed of 155mph, making it the fastest production model with a 1.6L engine to date.

In fact the Veloster has a faster, more athletic sibling, the Veloster N, but that runs on a 2.0L engine.

Top 3 Fastest 1.6 New Cars For Sale

1. 2021 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec – MSRP: $23,450

It’s not as quick as the Veloster N, but then again the Veloster N is more expensive and doesn’t have a 1.6L engine.

The Veloster Turbo R-Spec is powered by a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine outputting 201hp and 195lb-ft of torque, and delivering a top speed of 155mph

2. 2021 Hyundai Sonata – MSRP: $25,800

This Hyundai Sonata comes in a range of engine sizes, but the 1.6L is only really beaten in horsepower by its hybrid sibling.

This Sonata gets up to 180hp and has a top speed of 130mph.

3. 2019 Ford Fiesta ST – MSRP: $22,195 (when new)

The Ford Fiesta ran on the company’s much-lauded 1.6L EcoBoost engine and could get from 0 to 60 in under 7 seconds.

Its engine outputted 197hp and 177lb-ft of torque, making it one of the fastest compact cars anywhere on the market with a top speed of 144mph.

Top 3 Cheapest 1.6 New Cars For Sale

While quite often there are premiums that come with purchasing a car with a 1.6L engine, there are other times when you can find a real bargain.

Below are three models that represent the most affordable 1.6L cars on the market today:

1. Kia Rio – MSRP: $17,015

The Kia Rio comes with a CVT transmission and its 1.6L engine outputs 120hp.

The gas mileage on this Kia is also very impressive, garnering 33mpg in the city and 41mpg on the highway.

The estimated annual fuel cost is cheap too at just $900.

The Rio is protected by Kia’s generous 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty for the original owner.

The limited warranty is 5 years or 60,000 miles, which is above the normal offering.

2. Nissan Versa – MSRP: $17,425

The Nissan Versa comes with a smaller sticker price than the Hyundai Accent below, but the fuel will cost more and the warranty offering is not as generous.

The 1.6L 122hp powertrain is paired with a CVT, and it gets 32mpg in the city and 40mpg on the highway.

The limited basic warranty only stretches to 3 years or 36,000 miles, which is less generous than its Korean counterparts.

The car received a refresh in 2020 and now has a sportier look similar to a Honda Civic.

3. Hyundai Accent – MSRP: $17,490

The Hyundai Accent comes with a CVT transmission and the 4-cylinder 1.6L engine outputs up to 120hp in total.

It manages 33mpg in the city and 41mpg on the highway.

Hyundai offers the same generous warranty as Kia, and the fueling of the Accent is just as affordable as the Rio.

The main difference is in the exterior styling and MSRP.

Top 3 Reliable 1.6 New Cars For Sale

Below we have listed three incredibly reliable models that all boast a 1.6L engine.

1. Hyundai Elantra Sport – MSRP: $19,300

Hyundai built the Elantra originally to challenge the supremacy of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

Most Elantra cars actually come with a 2.0L engine, but in fact, the Elantra Sport comes with a 1.6L engine.

The Elantra engine is smaller but very powerful, outputting 201hp. There’s also an Eco model that gets a 1.4L engine.

It has excellent features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

2. Kia Sorento Hybrid – MSRP: $33,590

This offering from Kia is very impressive, delivering 39mpg in the city, 35mpg on the highway, and 37mpg combined.

The 1.6L engine outputs a very impressive 258lb-ft of torque and 177hp.

It has impressive proportions without being too large or difficult to manage.

Better yet, it’s protected by Kia’s generous warranty and ranked very highly with fellow Kia brand vehicles for its overall reliability.

3. Nissan Kicks – MSRP: $20,165

For those wanting a reliable crossover SUV with a healthy dose of a sporty coupe to it, this offering from Nissan is perfect.

The 1.6L engine outputs 122hp and is paired with a CVT.

The Kicks will get 31mpg in the city and 36mpg on the highway, which isn’t as efficient as Kia, but for a car of this scale with a 1.6L engine, it’s very respectable.

What Is The Average Gas Consumption In A 1.6?

In the United States, a 1.6L engine is about the national average, and the average gas mileage for this type of car in the United States is about 25mpg combined.

There are plenty of models that manage to buck this trend, however.

For example, some 1.6L sedans from Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia can get as much as 41mpg on the highway and 33mpg in the city for a combined rating of about 37mpg.

How Many Miles Does A 1.6 Car Last?

Engines with a 1.6L displacement are typically placed in sedans and smaller cars of high-quality brands.

Though it’s about the average in terms of number, it’s usually sold as an upgrade to a more typical “base-level” 1.4L engine, or even a 1.2L engine on a small compact car.

A 1.6L engine is among the longest-lasting, big enough to endure longer journeys and tougher driving styles, but simple and sturdy enough for owners to easily maintain and keep it healthy.

Owners shouldn’t have any engine problems at all in the first 100,000 miles if they maintain their engine properly.

If they keep up with maintenance and remain more vigilant while north of 100,000 miles, there’s no reason a 1.6L car couldn’t last for 200,000 miles or more.

Indeed, many sedans from Japanese and Korean companies do last this long, and longer.

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