The V8 engine has become a staple of the automotive world since its introduction in the early 20th century. During its history thus far, it has come in all different sizes and aspirations ranging from the American V8, with a great big supercharger to add more power to the European V8 with twin-turbos for emissions regulations.

The V8 engine is a good choice for a car that requires more blatant grunt but still needs to be reliable and easy to maintain. V8s are usually chosen for work vehicles such as pick-up trucks and are tuned so that they deliver good performance and durability, however in most of today’s applications, the V8 can be found in higher-performance cars.

While the V8 engine isn’t as popular today with automakers as it once was (talking about you Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG), it can still be found in many higher-performance cars or can be swapped into cars to add some needed performance and sound.

Unfortunately, these engines are nearing their end with the never-ending war on internal combustion, but that hasn’t stopped people from creating some legendary power plants.

10 BMW 4.4

Bmw M5's Engine
Via: BimmerLife

The BMW S63 has had its fair share of reliability problems when it was launched, however, BMW has addressed those issues and since then, the 4.4-liter Twin-Turbo V8 has been quite reliable in BMW's M cars it has found itself in – from the X5M in 2010 to the new M5 CS, which is BMW’s most powerful production car to date.

1bmw_m5_comp_via_top_gear
Via Top Gear

Not only was the S63 BMW’s first turbocharged V8, but it was also the first turbocharged V8 engine to feature its turbochargers in the ‘hot-vee’ formation, meaning they are inside the ‘vee’ of the engine. This reduces turbo-lag and sharpens the throttle response for a sportier drive.

9 Mercedes 5.0/5.4

2a-look-back-at-the-legendary-m113-k-v8-one-of-the-best-engines-developed-by-amg-via-AutoEvolution
Mercedes-Benz

The Mercedes-Benz 5.0-liter M113 V8 engine is one of the most reliable German V8s out there, both in normal form and in AMG guise. The M113 was the last of the over-engineered Mercedes engines, meaning that it was durable and maintenance on it was minimal.

2Mercedes CLK55 AMG via DRIVE2
Via DRIVE2

The M113K AMG version of the engine had the same bore as the normal version, however, the stroke was increased, resulting in a slightly larger displacement at 5.4 liters. This engine was available in naturally aspirated and supercharged forms with both inheriting the excellent reliability of the original.

8 Ford 5.0 Coyote

3-ford-coyote-engine-via-DrivingLine
Via Driving Line

The Ford ‘Coyote’ engine is a big-displacement V8 used in models such as the Mustang and the F-150. It is praised for its performance and is more reliable than the turbocharged V6s or inline-fours due to its simpler design. The Coyote was introduced in the 2011 Mustang and has since had several modifications done to it, including the spawning of the Voodoo V8 in the GT350, the Predator V8 in the GT500, and Aluminator V8 reserved for Ford Performance vehicles.

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Via Ford

The Coyote is overall a good engine and can run for a long time, given one sticks to the recommended servicing intervals and use genuine Ford replacement parts for repairs.

Related: 8 Family Cars That Can Beat A Mustang GT350 In A Straight Line

7 Nissan 5.6

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Via Nissan USA

The Nissan VK56 5.6-liter V8 is found in models such as the Titan, Armada, Patrol, and the NV3500 van. It is reliable and durable and is available in big, family vehicles, making it an excellent choice for long-distance driving. Some owners have also rebuilt their massive vehicles to go off-roading.

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Nissan

The engine does suffer from minor electrical problems in some models, however, if it is maintained properly and serviced at the correct intervals, the engine should last a long time.

6 Hyundai 5.0

5-2018-genesis-g90-engine-via-Automotive-Addicts
Via Automotive Addicts

Hyundai is a brand renowned for making good family cars, so when they decided to make a luxury version of their brand, everyone was surprised. Since its introduction in 2008, Genesis has created luxury cars to rival that of the Europeans in terms of comfort and technology.

5-hyundai-genesis-2015-via-ConsumerGuide
Via ConsumerGuide

With the Genesis sedan – later renamed the G80 – Hyundai launched its first V8 engine, called the Tau. The 5.0-liter unit produced 427 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, on par with its European rivals. For the 2020 model year, Genesis was named the ‘most dependable brand’ in North America.

Related: The Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec Is A Bargain V8 Korean Cruiser

5 Chrysler 6.4

6-2020-Dodge-Challenger-Widebody-392-Scat-Pack-6-via-Muscle-Cars-and-Trucks
Via Muscle Cars & Trucks

The Chrysler 6.4-liter HEMI V8 – also known as the 392 – is an engine available in the SRT range of models, from the Dodge Challenger and Charger SRT to the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and RAM models. It offers more power and torque than that of the 5.7 HEMI found in R/T models.

White 2012 Chrysler 300C SRT8 being driven in front of a bridge
Chrysler

In the months after its introduction in 2011, some engines had reliability problems in the form of faulty lifters causing an engine ticking and the Multi-Displacement System causing reduced lubrication on the deactivated cylinders. Those issues have mostly been remedied and the engine is still going strong and being sold in SRT models today.

4 Toyota/Lexus 4.0

1989_Toyota_1UZ-FE_Type_engine_rear_via_Wikimedia_Commons
Via Wikimedia Commons

The Toyota 1UZ-FE is a legendary V8 renowned for its reliability and durability. It first debuted in the Lexus LS400 and went into each ‘400’ Lexus model engine bay. According to reports, the engine was over-engineered to such an extent that examples of the engine easily last past 300,000 miles.

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Via Lexus Pressroom

The 1UZ-FE is not only considered one of the most reliable V8s ever made, but it is also one of the most reliable engines ever made.

Related: What Makes The Lexus LS400 Special

3 Chevy LS3 6.2

8-Chevy-LS3-via-CorvSport
Via CorvSport

The modern Chevrolet LS3 engine first appeared in the C6 Corvette and has since been inducted into the motoring hall of fame for engines. It is part of Chevrolet’s more modern Small Block engine range which took the automotive world by storm in 2008.

8-Chevrolet-SS-via-Future-Motoring
Via Future Motoring

It is a versatile engine with a good old American V8 character and a favorite of custom shops to swap into classic American cars. It is easily supercharged and due to its simple pushrod design, it is reliable in most driving conditions.

Related: 10 Coolest Mods For Your Chevy SS

2 Chrysler 5.7

Chrysler 5.7L HEMI
Stellantis

The Chrysler 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is a brute of an engine, delivering low-down grunt, good mid-range torque, and all that whilst growling its way down the road. This engine has been in cars from the Dodge Challenger and Charger to the Chrysler 300C HEMI and even the RAM 1500.

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Via Adrenaline Motors

It is quite a versatile engine, as it feels at home both in work vehicles on dusty construction sites and luxury vehicles which never leave the city limits. The 5.7-liter HEMI can easily last beyond 200,000 miles, given proper maintenance and taking into consideration the type of work it's doing.

1 Chevy Small-Block 350

10-Chevy-350-via-Top-Classic-Cars
Via Top Classic Cars

The Chevy Small-Block is a legendary engine in its own right. It holds the record as the most widely produced V8 engine in automotive history with over 100 million units sold in different forms since 1955. Throughout its life, it has changed size from 265cui all the way to 400cui with the 350cui being the most well-known. The fuel management system was also changed during its production run from carbureted to direct-injected.

10-1969-Chevy-Camaro-SS-via-WallpaperDog
Via Classic Car Showcase

While GM themselves have not produced the engine since 2003, a subsidiary located in Missouri still produces crate engines and manufactures brand-new parts under the ‘GM Genuine Parts’ name. With the versatility of this engine, it has become a favored engine swap for hot-rod and classic muscle car enthusiasts alike, when building their car of choice.

As a testament to this engine’s durability, in 2008 a man from Wisconsin stated that his 1991 C10 pick-up truck had logged over a million miles, without any major repairs to the engine apart from the recommended maintenance.