Is a 2.4 Engine a 4-Cylinder?

Not necessarily. The “2.4” refers to the engine’s displacement in liters, not the number of cylinders. While many modern 2.4-liter engines are four-cylinders, manufacturers have also built 2.4-liter engines with five and even six cylinders. Understanding the distinction helps you identify what’s actually under the hood of a specific vehicle.

What “2.4” Actually Means

An engine labeled 2.4-liter has a total displacement of roughly 2,400 cubic centimeters—the combined volume swept by all pistons. Displacement is calculated from bore, stroke, and cylinder count, but the figure alone doesn’t specify how many cylinders the engine has or its layout (inline, V-shaped, or flat).

Why Many 2.4-Liter Engines Are 4-Cylinders Today

Automakers increasingly pair 2.4 liters of displacement with four cylinders for efficiency, packaging, cost, and emissions reasons. With turbocharging and hybridization, 2.4-liter four-cylinders can match or exceed the performance of older six-cylinders while using less fuel and producing fewer emissions.

Below are mainstream examples of 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines you’re likely to encounter on the road today and in recent years.

• Toyota/Lexus 2.4L turbo I4 (T24A-FTS): found in 2023–present Toyota Highlander, 2024–present Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Crown Hybrid MAX, Lexus NX 350 and RX 350 (varies by market/trim)
• Subaru 2.4L turbo flat-four (FA24): used in Ascent, Outback XT, Legacy XT, and 2022–present WRX
• Honda 2.4L I4 (K24 family): widely used in 2000s–2010s Accord, CR‑V, Civic Si, Acura TSX/ILX
• Hyundai/Kia 2.4L I4 (Theta II): Sonata/Optima, Santa Fe/Sorento, Sportage (primarily 2010s)
• GM 2.4L Ecotec I4: Chevrolet Malibu/Equinox, GMC Terrain, Buick Regal/LaCrosse (late 2000s–2010s)
• Stellantis (Chrysler/Jeep) 2.4L I4 “Tigershark”/MultiAir: Dodge Dart, Jeep Cherokee/Compass/Renegade
• Nissan 2.4L I4 (KA24): 240SX, early Frontiers/Pathfinders, various 1990s models

The prevalence of these engines explains why many drivers equate “2.4” with four cylinders—but that equation isn’t universally true.

Exceptions: 2.4-Liter Engines That Aren’t 4-Cylinders

Several manufacturers have produced 2.4-liter engines with more than four cylinders, particularly in European models from the 1980s through the 2000s. These examples show that displacement doesn’t dictate cylinder count.

• Volvo 2.4L inline‑five (petrol and “D5” diesel): common in S60, V70, XC70, XC90 across the 2000s
• Alfa Romeo/Fiat 2.4L inline‑five JTD/MJTD diesel: used in Alfa 156/159/Brera and Fiat Croma/Lancia models
• Fiat/Lancia 2.4L inline‑five petrol (20V): found in Stilo Abarth and Lancia Kappa
• BMW 2.4L inline‑six diesel (M21): fitted to 1980s E28 524td and E30 324d/td
• Audi 2.4L V6 petrol: offered in the late‑1990s to early‑2000s A6 (C5 generation) in select markets

These engines underline the point: 2.4 liters describes size, not configuration. A 2.4 can be an I4, I5, I6, V6, or even a flat‑four, depending on the design.

How to Tell How Many Cylinders Your 2.4-Liter Engine Has

If you’re unsure what your 2.4-liter engine actually is, these steps will help you verify the cylinder count for your specific vehicle.

1. Check the owner’s manual or the under‑hood emissions/engine label, which typically lists the engine family and cylinder count.
2. Look up the engine code (e.g., T24A‑FTS, FA24, K24, D5) in the manual or via the VIN (often digit 8 in North America) to confirm configuration.
3. Count ignition components: four spark plugs/coils generally means four cylinders; five or six indicates otherwise.
4. Visually inspect the layout: a single straight row suggests an inline engine; two cylinder banks indicate a V‑engine; a flat boxer has two low, opposing banks.
5. Consult reliable manufacturer documentation or a dealer service department for definitive confirmation.

These checks remove the guesswork and provide a clear answer for your exact model and year.

Summary

A 2.4 engine is not automatically a 4‑cylinder; 2.4 denotes displacement, not cylinder count. Most modern 2.4‑liter engines in mainstream vehicles are four‑cylinders, especially with today’s turbo and hybrid setups. However, automakers have also built 2.4‑liter five‑cylinders and even six‑cylinders. To know what you have, reference your vehicle’s documentation, engine code, or under‑hood labels.

Is a 2.4 a 6 cylinder or 4-cylinder?

A 2.4-liter (2.4L) engine can be either a 4-cylinder or a 6-cylinder engine, as the “2.4L” refers to the engine’s total displacement (volume), not the number of cylinders it has. While 4-cylinder engines frequently have displacements in the 1.5–2.5 liter range, some 6-cylinder engines are also designed to be small and fall into this displacement category, like the original Nissan 240Z’s 2.4L inline-6. 
How to tell the difference:

• Check the vehicle’s owner’s manual: This is the most straightforward way to find out. 
• Look under the hood for the nomenclature: The engine compartment may have a label stating the cylinder count. 
• Use a VIN decoder: A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) decoder online can provide the exact specifications of your vehicle, including engine type. 
• Count the spark plugs: If it’s a gasoline engine, you can typically count the number of spark plugs. 

How do I know if my car is 4 or 6 cylinder?

To find out if your car has a 4- or 6-cylinder engine, check under the hood to count the spark plugs or ignition coils, find the information sticker on the hood or engine cover, consult your owner’s manual for vehicle details, or check the VIN for a definitive answer. A 4-cylinder engine will have four spark plugs, while a V6 engine will have six and often a “V6” badge. 
1. Check Under the Hood 

• Count Spark Plugs or Wires: Opens in new tabLook for the spark plug wires or ignition coils leading to the engine. A 4-cylinder engine will have four, and a V6 will have six. 
• Look for a “V6” Badge: Opens in new tabMany V6 engines have a “V6” badge on the engine cover, which makes identification easy. 
• Count Exhaust Manifolds: Opens in new tabA 4-cylinder engine typically has one exhaust manifold, while a 6-cylinder engine may have two, one for each bank of cylinders. 

This video demonstrates how to locate and identify engine components like spark plugs to determine if your car has a 4 or 6 cylinder engine: 59sHelpful DIYYouTube · Apr 3, 2021
2. Check for Information Stickers 

• Under the Hood: Opens in new tabThere is often a sticker on the underside of the hood, or on the engine cover itself, that lists the engine size in liters (e.g., 2.5L is typically a 4-cylinder, while 4.0L is usually a 6-cylinder).
• Engine Code: Opens in new tabIf the sticker shows an engine code or name (e.g., “3.8L V6”), you can quickly identify the engine type.

3. Consult Vehicle Documentation 

• Owner’s Manual: The most direct method is to check your owner’s manual, which contains detailed information about your vehicle’s specifications, including the engine. 
• VIN Decoder: You can also enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into an online VIN decoder or on websites for auto parts stores like Advance Auto Parts or AutoZone to get the exact engine information. 
• Vehicle Title or Registration: The cylinder count or engine size may be listed on your vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance documents. 

What does 2.4 L engine mean?

A 2.4L engine signifies its engine displacement, which is the total internal volume of all its cylinders combined. The “L” stands for liters, so a 2.4L engine can hold 2.4 liters of air-fuel mixture per cycle. This measurement indicates the engine’s physical size, with larger displacements generally producing more power but often consuming more fuel. 
Key Aspects of Engine Displacement

• Volume, Not Power: Engine displacement is a measure of size, not an absolute indicator of power or fuel efficiency. 
• Total Cylinder Volume: It represents the combined volume of all the engine’s cylinders at the bottom of the piston’s stroke. 
• Impact on Performance: A larger displacement means the engine can burn more fuel and air, which generally results in more power. 
• Modern Technology: Advanced technologies like turbocharging and direct injection allow smaller displacement engines to produce significant power, blurring the traditional correlation between size and performance. 
• Cylinders and Displacement: While often associated with 4-cylinder engines, a 2.4L engine could also be a 5-cylinder or 6-cylinder (V6) engine, as the displacement is the total volume, not the number of cylinders. 

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.