Less Is More
Opting for a smaller engine does not always mean you get a lesser product. We take a look at three cars where less might actually be best
Typical logic suggests that bigger is always best, and more is, well, more. But here are three cars which proves that going for the ‘lesser’ option might not be such a bad deal at all.
Honda Accord 2.0
Honda’s new Accord is acknowledged as one of the best mid-sized Japanese sedans available right now, but it was only available with a tax-unfriendly 2.4-litre engine when it was launched about a year ago. Not any more though, as local Honda dealer Kah Motor has now introduced a smaller, 2.0-litre engine for the Accord.
Despite the downsized powerplant, the Accord 2.0, which produces 155bhp, 20 horses down from the 2.4, is no less enjoyable to drive. The unit is sparkly, energetic, and provides plenty of responsive go. If anything, it makes you feel like you’re driving a sportier car, and if you’re a family man who hankers for your youthful past, then a dose of Accord driving should do the trick.
And it’s not like you get a lot less for your money, because the Accord 2.0 still comes fairly well-equipped. The innovative blind spot system, which uses a camera integrated under your wing mirror to show what’s coming behind you when you flick your left indicator on, is taken straight from the 2.4 model, while things like front and rear parking sensors, electric front seats, keyless entry and hill start assist are all standard features as well.
READ MORE: Honda Accord 2.0 review
Volkswagen Golf 1.2
The Golf 1.2 offers yet more evidence that going for an entry-level variant need not mean sacrificing driving fun and enjoyment. Yes, the base model of Volkswagen’s popular hatchback might be lacking a few toys, with only automatic headlights and wipers, climate control and a 5-inch touch screen for you to play with, but if you only need a basic hatchback to drive around in, then there’s few better for the job than this car.
In fact, the Golf 1.2 may be all the car you need if you’re doing mostly urban commuting (and let’s face it, we all do urban commuting in Singapore), because the unit, which produces 105bhp and 175Nm of torque, is a lively little thing that revels in being punted around in traffic. As a result, the car feels well-suited to city driving, with a decent sense of urgency in between the lights.
But arguably the Golf 1.2’s greatest appeal might be its price. At time of writing, the car is selling for $$118,800, inclusive of COE. For that kind of money the Golf has few rivals, and certainly not many of them offer the same sense of driving enjoyment and solid engineering that this car can offer.
READ MORE: Volkswagen Golf 1.2 review
Audi Q3 1.4
Audi has been quietly going about bolstering its product line-up in Singapore recently, in an attempt to offer more choices for its customers, and assert its presence here. One of the new additions to its range is the Q3 1.4, a compact crossover SUV that was previously only available with 2.0-litre powerplants.
Crossovers are all the rage in recent times, and Audi is not about to lose ground to key rivals such as Mercedes-Benz (who recently introduced their own GLA crossover here), and so the Q3 1.4 is designed to attract new buyers to the brand who are looking for a practical entry-level model with a premium badge.
The Q3 1.4 makes do without Audi’s Quattro four-wheel-drive system, but its turbocharged engine, which produces 150bhp and 250Nm of torque, offers plenty of pull, certainly enough for day-to-day driving anyway. It also drives decently well for an SUV, and is remarkably refined, as you’d expect from an Audi. If you’re a young couple with an active lifestyle who need a practical car for your weekend activities, then a Q3 1.4 may just fit the bill nicely.
READ MORE: Audi Q3 1.4 review
