Is a 2.4-litre engine a 4-cylinder?

Not necessarily. A 2.4-litre engine describes the engine’s total displacement, not how many cylinders it has. While many modern 2.4-litre engines are indeed 4-cylinders, there are notable 2.4-litre engines with five or six cylinders. The only way to be sure is to check your engine’s specifications, code, or documentation.

What “2.4 litres” actually means

Engine size in litres refers to the total volume swept by all pistons inside the cylinders—2.4 litres means 2,400 cubic centimetres of displacement. This figure does not dictate the number of cylinders or their arrangement (inline, V-shaped, or flat/boxer). Automakers can achieve 2.4 litres with different combinations of cylinder count and bore/stroke dimensions.

Why so many 2.4-litre engines are four-cylinders

In current mass-market vehicles, 2.4 litres is a popular displacement for efficient, torquey four-cylinder designs. It balances fuel economy, packaging, and performance—especially with modern technologies like turbocharging, direct injection, and variable valve timing. That’s why you’ll commonly see 2.4-litre four-cylinders in midsize SUVs, crossovers, and sedans.

Common 2.4-litre four-cylinder examples

The following examples illustrate how widely 2.4-litre four-cylinder engines are used across brands and vehicle types.

• Toyota 2.4T (T24A-FTS) inline-four: Turbocharged unit in vehicles such as the Toyota Tacoma and Highlander (varies by market/model year).
• Subaru FA24 boxer-four: Turbocharged 2.4-litre in the Ascent, Outback XT, and WRX (market-dependent).
• Honda K24 inline-four: Naturally aspirated performance/economy staple used across Accords, Civics (Si/Type R variants differ), and Acura models in the 2000s–2010s.
• GM 2.4 Ecotec inline-four: Found in Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, and Saturn models (e.g., Malibu, Equinox, Terrain) in the late 2000s–2010s.
• Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep 2.4 “Tigershark” inline-four: Used in models like the Jeep Compass and Dodge Dart.
• Hyundai/Kia 2.4 Theta II inline-four: Widely used across Hyundai and Kia sedans and crossovers.

These engines show why many buyers associate 2.4 litres with four cylinders: it’s a prevalent, practical setup across mainstream brands.

Not just fours: 2.4-litres with five or six cylinders

Displacement doesn’t lock in cylinder count. Several manufacturers have built 2.4-litre engines with more than four cylinders, especially in performance or European applications.

• Volvo 2.4 inline-five (gasoline and diesel variants): Used widely across the S60/V70/XC70 era; the 2.4 D5 diesel is especially well-known.
• Alfa Romeo 2.4 JTD inline-five diesel: A torquey unit featured in various Alfa and Fiat Group models.
• Porsche 911 “2.4” flat-six (early 1970s): Classic air-cooled six-cylinder around 2.3–2.4 litres, commonly referred to as the “2.4.”
• Ferrari Dino 246 2.4 V6 (historic): A legendary 2.4-litre V6 sports car engine.
• Mercedes-Benz M112 E24 2.4 V6: Offered in certain markets (e.g., early 2000s C-Class) as a compact-displacement six.
• Nissan RB24 straight-six (limited/market-specific): A 2.4-litre variant of the RB series in certain regions.

These examples underscore that 2.4 litres can span multiple architectures and cylinder counts, from workhorse diesels to iconic performance powerplants.

How to confirm your engine’s cylinder count

If you’re unsure whether your 2.4-litre engine is a four-cylinder, you can verify it quickly with a few checks.

1. Check the owner’s manual or window sticker/spec sheet: The cylinder count and layout (I4, V6, H4, etc.) are typically listed.
2. Look up the engine code: Codes like “K24,” “FA24,” or “T24A” often signal a 2.4-litre four; others (e.g., “M112 E24”) indicate different layouts.
3. Decode the VIN: Many manufacturer websites or third-party decoders map the VIN to exact engine specs.
4. Inspect the engine bay: An inline-four usually has a single bank of cylinders; a V6 has two banks; a boxer-four has opposing cylinder heads on either side.
5. Ask a dealer or consult a service manual: Especially if your model had multiple engine options in the same year.

Using one or more of these methods will definitively identify whether your 2.4-litre engine is a four-cylinder or something else.

Bottom line

A 2.4-litre engine is often—but not always—a four-cylinder. Displacement measures size, not cylinder count. Given the wide variety of 2.4-litre designs on the market and in automotive history, it’s best to verify using your vehicle’s documentation or engine code.

Summary

2.4 litres refers to engine displacement. Many modern 2.4-litre engines are 4-cylinders (inline or boxer), but there are well-known 2.4-litre five- and six-cylinder engines, too. Check your manual, engine code, or VIN to be certain which one you have.

What does 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. 

Is a 2.4 L engine a V6 or V4?

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 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 engine a 4-cylinder?

No, a “2.4 engine” does not automatically mean it’s a 4-cylinder; 2.4 refers to the engine’s displacement (2.4 liters), which is the total volume of air and fuel the engine processes. While many 2.4L engines are indeed 4-cylinders (like the Honda CR-V’s engine), others can have a different number of cylinders, such as a 6-cylinder engine, as seen in some Ferrari and Datsun/Nissan models, or even 5-cylinder diesels. 
Here’s a breakdown of what the “2.4L” designation means:

• Displacement: The number “2.4” in “2.4L” refers to the engine’s displacement – the total volume of air that each cylinder can hold when a piston moves from its lowest to its highest point. 
• Not a Cylinder Count: Displacement does not directly tell you the number of cylinders in the engine. 
• Common Configurations:
  • 4-Cylinder: A 2.4L 4-cylinder engine is common, as it means each cylinder is approximately 0.6 liters in size, which is a standard size for many modern 4-cylinder engines. 
  • 6-Cylinder: A 2.4L 6-cylinder engine would have smaller cylinders, displacing about 0.4 liters each, and would offer a different power and smoothness profile. 

Therefore, to know if a 2.4L engine is a 4-cylinder, you must also check the engine’s configuration, which is often explicitly stated in the vehicle’s specifications (e.g., “2.4L 4-Cylinder,” “2.4L V6”).