3-Cylinder Engines Are Quickly Gaining Market Share In The U.S.
Since 2019, sales of 3-cylinder engines, which were previously non-existent, have surged to over 6 percent of the market, while 6- and 8-cylinder engine sales have been declining
The automotive landscape in the United States is shifting gears, and it's not just about the cars themselves—it's what's under the hood. Recent data unveils an interesting trend: the ascendancy of three-cylinder engines, while the reign of the six- and eight-cylinder powerhouses is facing a slowdown.
Prior to 2019, the share of new car sales in the U.S. for vehicles with three-cylinder engines was essentially zero. However, the penetration of three-pots has increased every quarter since Q1 2019, climbing to 5.6% at the end of Q2 2023 and approaching 6.2% through part of Q3. According to the associate director for loyalty solutions and industry analysis at S&P Global Mobility, Tom Libby, this is because of rising demand for 'subcompact-plus' utility vehicles like the Buick Encore GX, Ford Bronco Sport, and Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Indeed, data published by S&P Global Mobility has found that personal registrations for new subcompact-plus vehicles in the U.S. reached 589,026 through July compared to 123,033 registrations for new subcompact vehicles. On average, consumers looking to get into a subcompact-plus vehicle will have monthly payments averaging around $462, a $40 increase from average subcompact monthly payments.
Read: BMW M Says It Won't Downsize To 4-Cylinder Engines Like Mercedes-AMG Did
Four-cylinder engines remain the most popular powertrain in the U.S. In fact, their share of the market has increased to 57.2% over the past year. Meanwhile, demand for six-cylinder vehicles has fallen with them now accounting for 26.8% of sales, down from 28.6% last year. The share of eight-cylinder engines has also fallen from 11.5% in 2022 to 10.9% this year.
Libby notes that the fall in sales of eight-cylinder models can be largely attributed to car manufacturers now offering more powerful six-cylinder engines that are also more fuel-efficient. A clear example of this is the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer which have ditched their available naturally-aspirated V8s and are now only sold with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six.
