Horsepower - How much do you need?

When marketers and enthusiasts refer to performance, they almost invariably mean acceleration from a standstill to 60 miles per hour. But, does that really matter? Unless you're a police officer—or are attempting to escape from the law—when is it necessary to accelerate to 60 mph in neck-snapping haste?

Natural Selection
No, what's important is midrange acceleration: how long it takes to go from, say, 30 mph to 50 mph, or from 50 mph to 65 mph—speeds that you might need to reach quickly to pass or merge safely. Ability to traverse steep grades without strain is another useful measure.


Trucks typically offer plenty of engine choices. Many passenger cars have no alternative powertrain. Volvo is one exception. Buy an S60 sedan and you can choose from four engines, with a fifth one coming in the 2004 S60R. If you like the MINI, you can take a 115-hp engine, opt for the 163-hp Cooper S, or select the new John Cooper Works edition with 200 horses. Some family sedans still come with either a four-cylinder or a (bigger) V-6 engine. A larger, more powerful engine than you really need typically translates to less efficient gas mileage and more harmful emissions, though, not always—and the differences aren't always substantial.


For ordinary driving, only a few current vehicles might be considered seriously below par. If a pickup truck (or SUV) frequently carries heavy loads, especially through hilly terrain, a bigger, more powerful engine can indeed be the wiser choice. Struggling along with four cylinders under the hood of a heavyweight can produce unpleasant surprises in an emergency.


Mini-sized cars like the Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio may lag in passing response, especially if equipped with an automatic transmission. Automatics don't necessarily impair performance of larger automobiles, but in a mini-compact they can drain enough energy to make a manual shift a far more sensible choice. Kia installed bigger engines in its Rios this year, with 10-percent more power, especially welcome in the wagon. Hyundai dropped the least-powerful engine from its Accent lineup.