These Enjoyable New Automobiles All Have 3-Cylinder Engines

Three-cylinder engines have their execs and cons, however loads depends upon how they’re used. Thanks to advances in turbocharging, for instance, a few of these tiny mills could make extra horsepower than motors with twice as many cylinders. That means you’ll be able to take pleasure in downright brisk acceleration in sure three-cylinder rides — not that pure pace all the time issues: keep in mind the outdated saying that you would be able to have extra enjoyable driving a sluggish automotive quick than driving a quick automotive sluggish. 

With that in thoughts, we have provide you with a group of three-cylinder automobiles that may all put a smile in your face while you get behind the wheel. Included are the Ford Bronco Sport, Chevrolet Trax, and Buick Encore GX for adventurous house owners, and the Toyota GR Corolla and Morgan Super 3 for true three-cylinder thrill rides.

In truth, that kick-ass Corolla is likely one of the most fun-to-drive vehicles on sale at the moment no matter cylinder depend — as effectively it must be. Though the GR Corolla relies on the rather more mundane Toyota Corolla Hatchback, these first two letters inform you it is also been closely massaged by the automaker’s Gazoo Racing crew to assist warmth up the hot-hatch section. Even higher, Toyota tuned up the automotive even additional for 2026, introducing the track-ready GRMN Corolla. It boasts new, custom-tailored aerodynamics, a revised chassis, and seven further pound-feet of torque over the usual GR Corolla. 

The GRMN model now boasts 300 horses and 302 lb-ft of torque, all routed by a six-speed guide transmission and high-performance AWD. It could also be tougher to purchase than it’s to catch, nevertheless. Toyota has bought 57 million Corollas since 1966, however solely 730 GRMN Corollas will be part of that record.

These could look like two radically several types of automobiles — and they’re — however they do have just a few issues in frequent. Both of those automobiles could be a blast to drive, and each are backed by the identical Ford engine. The distinction comes from how these motors breathe.

The 2026 Bronco Sport comes commonplace with a turbocharged 1.5-liter EcoBoost I3 able to delivering 180 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque, and what’s extra essential for at the moment is that you would be able to order three-cylinder Bronco Sports with both Ford’s Black Diamond Off-Road Package or the Sasquatch Package. Each can unlock trail-friendly driving enjoyable, the previous with metal underbody safety, molded bumpers, and entrance restoration hooks, the latter with all that plus an off-road suspension with superior four-wheel drive, a twin-clutch rear drive unit, and one-pedal driving.

As for the Morgan Super 3, it was modernized in 2022. Part of the method concerned ditching its uncovered V-twin engine for a model of Ford’s 1.5-liter I3 — and shifting the latter beneath the automotive’s bodywork. Now, that is really a de-turboed model of Ford’s mill within the Bronco Sport, so output is a meager-sounding 118 horses and 110 pound-feet of torque. Don’t be fooled by these numbers, although. With a 1,400-pound dry curb weight and a five-speed Miata-sourced guide, the Super 3 runs to 60 mph in 7 seconds that you’re unlikely to ever neglect. After all, whereas its motor is now not uncovered, the driving force definitely is. You sit proper out within the components protected solely by a small windshield and a big smile.

The Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore GX could not be capable to sustain with the opposite entries right here, however they’ll a minimum of present a touch of driving enjoyment enhanced by turbocharged motors and somewhat further cargo house.

For occasion, the Chevrolet Trax will not get you too removed from the pavement, however we had good issues to say about its driving expertise once we received our arms on one in 2024. Of course, serving to issues are the 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque supplied by its 1.2-liter I3 turbo. The Trax’s SUV-style design additionally means there’s room for gear if you happen to take pleasure in getting energetic and house for packages for a enjoyable journey to the mall.

Additionally, if you happen to like the final concept of the Trax however would fairly drive one thing a bit extra premium, you’ll be able to try the Buick Encore GX. Built on the identical platform because the Trax — and the Chevrolet Trailblazer — the infant Buick boasts somewhat extra of nearly all the things. The Encore GX upsizes to a 1.3-liter I3 turbo, boosting output to 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, and in contrast to the front-drive-only Trax, it is out there with all-wheel drive. And you then’ve received a smattering of the model’s deluxe particulars, too. When you set all of it collectively, it is no marvel we stated the Encore GX may be probably the most underrated small SUV beneath $30,000.