Driving a brand new car is a privilege in itself. Nothing beats the scent of a new car smell and nothing comes close to the feeling of being enshrouded in the latest modern gadgets and in-car technology.

However, cost will be a critical factor in the car shopping experience. It is a common fact that new car prices are slated to increase each year (not entirely the fault of the car maker as they, too, will need to compensate for the rising costs of parts and raw materials.)

And we don’t mean the cost of the car alone, but running costs as well. What’s the use of buying or leasing a brand spanking new Cadillac Escalade if you will have to sacrifice grocery money for fuel expenses? It is pointless!

Choose a V6 or 4-Cylinder Engine?

Popular midsize sedans such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord all come with 4-cylinder engines on the base model. Both have the option of a more powerful yet thirsty V6 engine. Some will argue that the V6-powered Honda Accord is a better option as the fuel economy is almost the same as the smaller 4-cylinder.

True. The 4-cylinder Honda Accord can produce 33mpg/city and 34mpg/highway readings while the V6 model is able to produce 20mpg/city and 30mpg/highway. But consider the cost between the two models: the base model Accord, which is already sufficient for the average car buyer, is only $21,380. The V6 model is $27,280. You pay more money for the V6 and evidently get less fuel mileage as well.

The Chevrolet Malibu comes with the same option as well although the upcoming 2013 Malibu only comes with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine as standard. Chevrolet realizes that bigger is not necessarily better, and focuses instead on how to come up with small, powerful and fuel efficient 4-cylinder engines that produce ALMOST the same amount of power and torque as a lumbering V6.

We will talk more about this topic in the next post. In the meantime, try to find out exactly what you want in a new car so that you can determine whether the added option of a V6 is right for your needs. Of course, there are those who would rather have a lot of power on tap rather than have an under powered and underwhelming 4-cylinder.

Technology seems to provide the answer to all our automotive needs. Modern 4-cylinder engines will surprise you not only in the actual drive but in terms of fuel economy as well.