Originally Posted by 97teg
I think that there are really two different arguments here.
1. Why dont hondas make much torque relative to other engines? This is mostly just physics. They choose to make engines that make less torque but can keep it up to a lot farther out in the rev range.
2. Which is better? As my teacher would say "yeah". How much an engine characteristic impacts how fast the car is dependends on a lot of other factors.
Your teacher is right. There is no "better". There is only what you prefer. Big engines make mad torque but can be about as efficient as a pile of poop(not good gas mileage). Small engines make no torque, but can be just at fast if you are willing to wait until the powerband hits. They also get better gas mileage.