I personally would want a vehicle lasting forever hence the reliability is the number one thing to me. Like a member has said in another thread, “I find it very exciting that we’ll have a compact CUV in this segment that has over 200 horsepower, naturally aspirated, doesn't need SPCCI, doesn't need a turbo, doesn’t need a cylinder deactivation, doesn’t use a CVT but uses an 8 speed step-automatic.”
Improving thermal efficiency on an ICE for more power and fuel efficiency is the way to go.
In fact that’s the reason why I bought a CX-5 in 2015 although the maximum horsepower had not reached to 200 yet.
Now, turbo’s, super chargers, CVT’s can be improved by better quality parts on longevity as the meatrial technology improves, but cylinder deactivation is the one can’t be improved on long-term reliability from any efforts due to the natural of design. Variable displacement automobile engine technology on cylinder deactivation simply doesn’t make sense for longevity.