Engine Displacement and Fuel Economy

The largest engines fitted onto cars have a displacement of between 6.5 to 8.4 liters. The one you need, however, is more or less half the amount.

While engine displacement is an acceptable indication of power, it's also a measure of fuel economy. If the biggest engine in the market, the V10 in an SRT Viper supercar, has an 8.4-liter displacement, it means it would consume around 8.4 liters of gas in one cycle. Each of its ten cylinders would eat up 0.84 liters or 84 cc of fuel.

Compare that with a 2012 Chrysler 200, featuring a 2.4-liter inline-four engine. Each of its four cylinders would consume about 0.6 liters or 60 cc of fuel every cycle. If you can travel farther while saving 24 cc of fuel per cycle, then it's clear which of the two you need to drive to work or pick up the kids from school.

While engine displacement is a clear indicator of fuel economy, basing your decision on this fact alone is ill-advised. Fuel economy tends to create rather confusing views about which engine is fuel-savvy and which is not. Other factors such as torque and horsepower also come into play. For a clearer idea, get help from a reliable used car dealer who can help you find the vehicle that you need.