Is a 2.4‑Liter Engine Always a 4‑Cylinder?

No. A 2.4‑liter rating describes an engine’s total displacement, not the number of cylinders. While many 2.4‑liter engines are four-cylinders, there are also 2.4‑liter five- and six‑cylinder engines on the market and in automotive history. Understanding the difference helps decode spec sheets and avoid a common misconception.

What “2.4 Liter” Actually Means

Displacement is the combined swept volume of all cylinders in an engine. A 2.4‑liter engine displaces roughly 2,400 cubic centimeters of air-fuel mixture each full cycle. Automakers often round for marketing, so a “2.4 L” could be, for example, 2,341 cc (Porsche 911 of the early 1970s), 2,393 cc (Toyota’s modern turbo-four), or 2,435 cc (Volvo’s classic five-cylinder). Displacement influences potential torque and power, but it does not specify layout or cylinder count.

Does 2.4 Liter Equal 4‑Cylinder?

Not inherently. Cylinder count is a separate design choice. A 2.4‑liter four‑cylinder has about 0.6 liters (600 cc) per cylinder; a 2.4‑liter six‑cylinder has roughly 0.4 liters (400 cc) per cylinder; a five‑cylinder is around 0.48 liters (480 cc) per cylinder. Automakers pick layouts based on packaging, smoothness, emissions targets, cost, and intended vehicle use.

Common 2.4‑Liter Four‑Cylinders You’ll See

Most modern 2.4‑liter engines in mainstream vehicles are fours, thanks to their balance of efficiency, size, and cost. Here are notable examples across eras and brands:

• Toyota/Lexus 2.4‑liter turbo inline‑4 (T24A‑FTS), powering models such as the Toyota Highlander (2023+), Tacoma (2024+ i‑FORCE), and Lexus NX 350.
• Subaru 2.4‑liter turbo flat‑4 (FA24), used in the Ascent, Outback XT, Legacy XT, and WRX (2022+).
• Honda 2.4‑liter inline‑4 (K24 series), widely used in Accords, CR‑Vs, Elements, and Acura TSX through the mid‑2010s.
• Hyundai/Kia 2.4‑liter inline‑4 (Theta II), found in Sonatas, Optimas/K5s, Santa Fes, and Sorentos up to around 2019–2020.
• GM Ecotec 2.4‑liter inline‑4 (LE5/LEA), used in various Chevrolet, Pontiac, Saturn, and Buick models (mid‑2000s to mid‑2010s).
• Chrysler/Fiat “Tigershark” 2.4‑liter inline‑4, seen in Dodge Dart, Jeep Cherokee, and Chrysler 200 (2010s).
• Nissan 2.4‑liter inline‑4 (KA24DE), found in models like the 240SX and earlier Frontier/Pathfinder.

These engines dominate the 2.4‑liter landscape in everyday cars and crossovers because they deliver adequate torque and power with reasonable fuel economy and manufacturing efficiency.

Not Just Fours: 2.4 Liters in Five‑ and Six‑Cylinders

Several well‑known 2.4‑liter engines use other cylinder counts, proving displacement and cylinder number are independent choices.

• Volvo 2.4‑liter inline‑5 (e.g., B5244S gasoline; D5 diesels at 2.4 L), featured across S60, V70, and related models for years.
• Fiat/Lancia 2.4‑liter inline‑5 (2.4 20V), used in vehicles like the Fiat Coupé and Lancia Kappa/Thesis.
• Audi 2.4‑liter V6 (e.g., in early‑2000s A4/A6), a smooth, naturally aspirated six.
• Porsche 911 “2.4” flat‑six (1972–1973), the classic air‑cooled F6 in T/E/S variants.
• Ferrari Dino 246 2.4‑liter V6 (late 1960s–early 1970s), a storied mid‑engine sports car powerplant.

From premium sedans to icons of sports‑car history, 2.4‑liter engines span inline‑5, V6, and flat‑6 layouts, underscoring that displacement alone doesn’t dictate cylinder count.

How to Confirm Your Engine’s Cylinder Count

If you’re trying to determine whether your specific 2.4‑liter engine is a four‑cylinder or something else, these practical checks will give you a definitive answer.

1. Owner’s manual or window sticker: The quickest, most straightforward source.
2. VIN lookup: Use a manufacturer site or reputable VIN decoder; the engine code embedded in the VIN will specify the layout and cylinder count.
3. Under‑hood emissions/engine label: Often lists displacement and sometimes cylinder count or engine family.
4. Engine code reference: Search the engine code (e.g., “T24A‑FTS,” “FA24,” “K24A2”) to see its configuration.
5. Visual check: Count coil packs or spark plugs; you’ll typically see four on a four‑cylinder, five on a five‑cylinder, etc.
6. Service records or dealer database: A service department can identify the engine by VIN.

Combine at least two of these methods—such as VIN decoding plus a visual check—for confidence when buying, selling, or ordering parts.

Why Automakers Often Use 2.4 Liters for Fours

For mainstream vehicles, around 2.0–2.5 liters is a sweet spot for four‑cylinder engines, balancing torque, drivability, emissions compliance, and manufacturing cost. Increasingly, turbocharged 2.4‑liter fours (Toyota, Subaru) are replacing larger V6s, delivering V6‑like torque with better efficiency and packaging in crossovers and pickups.

Summary

A 2.4‑liter engine is not inherently a four‑cylinder—displacement measures total swept volume, not cylinder count. While many modern 2.4‑liter engines are fours (especially in mainstream cars and crossovers), there are well‑known 2.4‑liter five‑ and six‑cylinders. To know your vehicle’s exact setup, check the owner’s info, VIN, or engine code and, if needed, verify visually under the hood.

Is a 2.5 liter engine a 4-cylinder?

Yes, a 2.5 liter (2.5L) engine is very often a 4-cylinder engine, as the “2.5L” refers to the engine’s displacement, which is the total volume of all its cylinders, and “4-cylinder” specifies the number of cylinders. While other cylinder counts are possible for a 2.5L engine (though less common), a 2.5L designation for a 4-cylinder engine is a very typical configuration seen in many vehicles, like those made by AMC, Jeep, and Mazda.
 
What the “2.5L” and “4-Cylinder” mean:

• 2.5L (Liters): Opens in new tabThis refers to the engine’s total displacement—the combined volume of all its cylinders. 
• 4-Cylinder: Opens in new tabThis indicates the engine has four individual cylinders, which are the chambers where combustion takes place to create power. 

Example
A common example of a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine is the AMC straight-4 engine used in Jeep and other AMC vehicles for many years, according to Wikipedia.

How many cylinders does a 2.4 liter have?

4 cylinder
It is an inline 4 cylinder that produces 164 – 182 hp and about 172 lb-ft of torque.

Is a 2.4 liter engine a 4-cylinder?

Yes, a 2.4-liter (2.4L) engine is often a 4-cylinder engine, but the “2.4L” refers to the engine’s total displacement and not its cylinder count. For a 2.4L engine to be a 4-cylinder, each of the four cylinders would have a displacement of 0.6 liters (2.4 L / 4 cylinders = 0.6 L). However, it is possible to have other cylinder configurations, such as a 6-cylinder engine with a smaller displacement, or a 4-cylinder engine with a larger displacement that results in a 2.4L total.
 
What “2.4 Liter” means: 

• Engine Displacement: Opens in new tab”2.4L” specifies the total volume of air the engine can pump through its cylinders in one complete revolution of the crankshaft.
• Not a Cylinder Count: Opens in new tabDisplacement doesn’t directly tell you the number of cylinders an engine has.

Why it’s often 4-cylinder:

• Common Configuration: Many modern inline-four engines have a total displacement in the 1.5–2.5 L range, making 2.4L a very common size for a four-cylinder engine. 
• Specific Examples:
  • The 2022 Acura ILX features a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine. 
  • The 2022 Lexus NX uses a 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. 

What does a 2.4 litre engine mean?

A “2.4L engine” refers to its engine displacement, which is the combined volume of all the cylinders in the engine, measured in liters. A 2.4L engine has a total cylinder volume of 2.4 liters, which is equivalent to 2,400 cubic centimeters (cc). This measurement indicates the engine’s capacity to burn fuel and air, and it generally correlates with power, with larger engines typically producing more power and using more fuel. 
Key aspects of engine displacement:

• Volume: The “L” stands for liters, and the “2.4” signifies 2.4 liters of combined air and fuel volume. 
• Calculation: Engine displacement is calculated by multiplying the volume of a single cylinder by the number of cylinders in the engine. 
• Power and Fuel Consumption: A larger engine displacement generally allows for more power and torque but also leads to increased fuel consumption. 
• Modern Technology: With modern technologies like turbochargers, smaller engines can achieve higher power outputs than in the past. 
• Not a Cylinder Count: A 2.4L engine doesn’t necessarily mean the engine has 2.4 cylinders or a specific number of cylinders; it can be a 4-cylinder or a 6-cylinder engine, for example.