Is A 2.0 Car Fast Enough? (Fully Explained For Beginners!)

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In years past, a 2.0L engine was considered quite at the high end of the spectrum outside of the huge V8 engines used in some SUVs and trucks.

Nowadays, however, 2.0L engines are quite ordinary and commonplace.

It’s a go-to setting for an increasing number of cars and is increasingly trending to become about the average engine displacement for cars in the future.

This article answers the question “Is A 2.0 Car Fast Enough?”…

Is A 2.0 Car Fast Enough?

If coupled with a turbo, you can expect a 2.0L car to be pretty fast, yes. In general, they are not slow and are used currently for cars of the mid-level tiers that are sportier than the more generic 1.4L or 1.6L models.

They are often marketed as sportier, more athletic machines, which naturally does help many of them to boast higher speeds.

It would be surprising to drive any car of 2.0L and find it to be objectively slow or sluggish.

2.0 Petrol Vs. 2.0 Diesel. Which One Is Faster?

From a standing start, the 2.0L diesel would get off much faster than the 2.0L petrol car.

The additional torque provided by the diesel engine, and the strong likelihood that a 2.0 diesel would also be paired with a turbo, all would mean that the diesel got off to a better start.

Having said that, though a slower starter, it’s likely that the 2.0L petrol would quickly catch up and then gain a better top speed overall than the 2.0L diesel.

So, the diesel is a quicker starter, but the petrol would have a higher top speed.

Is A 2.0 Turbocharged And 2.0 Supercharged The Same?

A turbocharger and a supercharger are two members of the same family but are not exactly the same thing.

It can be understood this way: all turbochargers are superchargers, but not all superchargers are turbochargers.

A supercharger is the more general term of the two, and it refers to any air compression device that is used to increase the pressure of air entering your car’s engine and/or provide more oxygen to burn.

The turbocharger is a subset of the supercharger world that does the above action using a turbine in the exhaust stream.

Minimum, Maximum, And Average Horsepower In A 2.0

Horsepower for 2.0L cars can be in the low 100s at one end of the spectrum, but over 300hp at the top end of the spectrum.

If we take a typical minimum of 120hp and a maximum of 310hp as fair, then the average would be around 200-210hp.

Minimum, Maximum, And Average Top Speed In A 2.0

As a minimum level for a 2.0L engine, you would expect around 130mph as a minimum speed level. The Hyundai Elantra boasts a top speed of around 132mph.

At the higher end, you have cars like the 2016 Audi S3 and the 2021 Honda Civic Type R, which accelerate very fast and have top speeds of about 180mph.

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

Valves are not necessarily directly connected with the speed of the car, but it’s fair to say that a 16-valve car will be a better performance machine than an 8-valve car.

This is because, for a 16-valve car, it’s much easier to take in air and expel the exhaust fumes.

That process of air intake and expulsion is a huge part of what makes a car fast.

When a car is better able to do that, it’s more likely to be a faster car.

Can A 2.0 Car Be 6 Cylinders?

There have been unconventional V6 engines made in the past.

For example, the Mazda K engine was made as a 1.8L six-cylinder model, so perhaps there’s no reason a 2.0L couldn’t be somehow engineered as a V6.

It’s not likely, however. Usually, a V6 would be 3.0L or more, and a 2.0L is four cylinders with a capacity of 500cc per cylinder.

What Is The Fastest 2.0 Ever Made?

In terms of acceleration, the 2016 Audi S3 was the faster 2.0L and 4-cylinder engine ever made. It managed 0-60mph in a very impressive time of just 4.7 seconds.

It’s a turbocharged engine and outputs 292hp and 280lb-ft of torque.

The powertrain is paired with a 6-speed DCT, and it gets not just the more athletic S exterior styling of its series, but also very stylish and comfortable interiors to match.

Top 3 Fastest 2.0 New Cars For Sale

1. 2021 Honda Civic Type R – MSRP: $37,895

It’s an expensive Civic, but the Type R can deliver 306hp and 295lb-ft of torque. It can get from 0 to 60mph in just 5 seconds, perhaps 5.3 seconds at the most conservative estimate.

The Type R has a top speed of 169mph, but if you get the Limited Edition, it can go up to 180mph.

2. 2020 Toyota 86 – MSRP: $27,060

The Toyota 86 is powered by a 2.0L DOHC four-cylinder Boxer engine that delivers very high-performance credentials.

It gets up to 205hp and 156lb-ft in torque.

It’s quite well known, in fact, for use in drifting. It’s a sport-tuned car with a stunning exterior and interior design.

At the same time, it’s also surprisingly affordable for all it can do. Its top speed is 140mph and it can do 0-60 in just 6.1 seconds.

3. 2021 Hyundai Veloster N – MSRP: $33,245

It’s a lot pricier than the turbo R-Spec, but it also has the more powerful 2.0L engine that helps this be a real performance machine.

It has track-like credentials but is also surprisingly practical.

The 2.0L engine can output 275hp and 260lb-ft of torque, and will get 22mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 25mpg combined.

It can cover 0 to 60mph in just 5.1 seconds and the quarter-mile in just 13.7 seconds. Its top speed is 139mph.

Top 3 Cheapest 2.0 New Cars For Sale

1. 2021 Kia Forte FE – MSRP: $19,785

At under $20,000 with a 2.0L and combined fuel consumption rate of just 35mpg, the Forte is a great all-around compact sedan that gives real affordability as well as reliability.

The Kia name is well-established with its generous warranty, great array of interior features, comfortable seats, attractive and modern looks, and modern compatibility.

It’s a great and affordable package with a neat, 2.0L 4-cylinder engine driving you along.

2. 2021 Hyundai Elantra – MSRP: $20,655

The Elantra 2.0L inline-4 gasoline car can generate 147hp and 132lb-ft of torque.

It not only has a good base price of just over $20,000 but also has a pleasing fuel economy so it’s cheaper to run.

The Elantra 2.0L will get 33mpg in the city, 43mpg on the highway, and 37mpg combined.

It’s also reliable so you’ll be able to make additional savings on maintenance costs.

3. 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid – MSRP: $31,710

This model seems a lot more expensive than the Elantra, but you are also getting a lot more of a car.

As a thoroughly modern and advanced crossover SUV, the CR-V is great value for money, especially with a hybrid powertrain.

You get extraordinary efficiency to keep running costs low.

The CR-V Hybrid will deliver 40mpg in the city, 35mpg on the highway, and 38mpg combined.

Top 3 Reliable 2.0 New Cars For Sale

1. 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid – MSRP: $27,565

It’s hard to beat the Accord on reliability but this one is also quite affordable, which is nice.

The reliable Accord Hybrid gets you 48mpg in the city, on the highway, and combined.

It also has a combined power rating of about 212hp.

The interior and exterior finishes are pleasing, done in typical Honda fashion to a somewhat sportier degree than their Toyota competitors usually manage.

The Accord Hybrid 2.0L will offer many years of great driving.

2. Lexus NX – MSRP: $36,720

Toyota’s luxury wing has been busy creating this gem of reliability and it’s undoubtedly one of the best and most reliable SUVs anywhere on the market.

Its capable 2.0L engine outputs 235hp. There’s also a 2.5L hybrid version available.

It has a great mixture of refinement and style, which isn’t always something you get on “reliable” cars. That’s a great bonus for this Lexus.

3. 2020 Buick Regal – MSRP: $25,370

A great sedan car, and not necessarily from a brand you immediately think of when it comes to awesome reliability.

The Buick Regal has a 2.0L variant, the 2.0L Regal TourX Sportback model, and it’s a great one for a smooth ride and lots of cargo space.

The only downside on this one is that it doesn’t get good fuel consumption, but it’s not too bad sitting at 31mpg combined, but still better than the Veloster N.

What Is The Average Gas Consumption In A 2.0?

If you include hybrid cars in the mix, then it’s quite possible for 2.0L cars to reach as high as 48mpg like the Honda Accord Hybrid.

On the low end, you have the Veloster N which only manages about 25mpg combined.

Taking those as the highs and lows, it should be expected that a 2.0L car achieves an average of between 35 and 38mpg combined. That would be a good benchmark.

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