[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/big-cars-with-very-small-engines\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/big-cars-with-very-small-engines\/","headline":"Big Cars With Very Small Engines","name":"Big Cars With Very Small Engines","description":"Sometimes, a big engine just isn\u2019t necessary. These small-engined cars prove it. As much as we love a roaring V8 or a powerhouse V12, it\u2019s time to show some appreciation for the little engines. Enthusiasts may look to overzealous, high-displacement engines for an example of automotive innovation but in reality, bigger isn\u2019t always better. For instance, is the 6.5-litre V12 in a Lamborghini Murci\u00e9lago better than the 3.5-litre V6 in the Ford GT? Well, on paper, the GT\u2019s V6 produces […]","datePublished":"2021-12-10","dateModified":"2025-10-22","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mercedes-Benz-GLB-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mercedes-Benz-GLB-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/big-cars-with-very-small-engines\/","about":["Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS","SUV"],"wordCount":627,"keywords":["Big Cars","small-engine"],"articleBody":"Sometimes, a big engine just isn\u2019t necessary. These small-engined cars prove it.As much as we love a roaring V8 or a powerhouse V12, it\u2019s time to show some appreciation for the little engines.Enthusiasts may look to overzealous, high-displacement engines for an example of automotive innovation but in reality, bigger isn\u2019t always better. For instance, is the 6.5-litre V12 in a Lamborghini Murci\u00e9lago better than the 3.5-litre V6 in the Ford GT? Well, on paper, the GT\u2019s V6 produces around the same amount of horsepower (depending on the model year) as the Murci\u00e9lago\u2019s engine that\u2019s essentially double the size.One could argue that the Ford GT\u2019s engine is much more modern and therefore has the benefit of modern-day technology and engineering advancements but the thing is, the Jaguar XJ220 also had a very potent 3.5-litre V6 that produced 542 hp. And this was back in the early 90s.So, what is the point of \u2018big\u2019 engines? Is it just so the owner can brag about the displacement or the number of cylinders? We\u2019ve found a few examples of big cars that are produced with small engines and while the results are not always as impressive as the Ford GT\u2019s or the Jaguar XJ220\u2019s small V6, a smaller engine still usually results in improved fuel efficiency.Mercedes-Benz GLB (and GLA) – 1.3-litreBoth the Mercedes GLB SUV and GLA crossover are available with a 1.3-litre engine, developed by Renault and Nissan. With 4 cylinders and producing around 160hp, this is certainly a small engine in a large car. This kind of tiny engine in a luxury SUV makes us wonder if it is simply used to entice people into dealerships to then be sold on a more expensive model with a larger engine.Skoda Karoq – 1.0-litreWith just 113 horsepower to play with, we can\u2019t say that buying a 1.0-litre Karoq is a good idea. The Karoq is also sold with larger engine sizes and considering the car is pretty large, especially for a \u2018small SUV\u2019, the tiny 3-cylinder engine finds itself in a place it really shouldn\u2019t be.Ford Mondeo – 1.0-litrePeople may not like it but the EcoBoost engine is really proving itself these days. You can buy an EcoBoost Ford GT, an EcoBoost Ford Mustang and so obviously it makes sense that an EcoBoost Mondeo exists. A saloon that\u2019s the size of a BMW 3 Series, including all four doors, is powered by a 123 hp 3-cylinder 1.0-litre engine. Incredible.Peugeot 5008 – 1.2-litreThe 5008 is a real full-size SUV with 7 seats and despite having a tiny 1.2-litre engine, it arguably has the most impressive performance of all the cars mentioned so far, given its sheer size. Capable of sprinting from 0-62mph in just 9.9 seconds, the 5008 proves that you don\u2019t need a big engine for adequate performance.Performance carsOne honourable mention that is a little more exciting than the average car is the Koenigsegg Gemera. Although this may be cheating as the Gemera is mostly an electric-powered vehicle, the minuscule 2.0-litre engine produces a whopping 600 horsepower through pure engineering magic.Another car to consider is the upcoming AMG One, which will use a modified version of the V6 from the Mercedes F1 cars. The engine will produce a staggering 748 horsepower and will redline at 11,000 rpm.Engines do not have to be big to do their job and in many cases, everyday cars are using engines that are simply overkill for what they’re used for and these big cars with small engines prove that big power units aren\u2019t all that necessary!Let us know your thoughts, in the comments.If you enjoyed this, you may also like: \u2018Bentley Hybrid Covered 455 Miles On Biofuel\u2019"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Big Cars With Very Small Engines","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/big-cars-with-very-small-engines\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]