Car enthusiasts will overlook design, comfort, and features just as long as they have a solid engine. V8 engines have been a staple in the performance world. Their large displacement and early motorsports reputation has made them a perfect platform in stock form, or upgraded. While the saying "there is no replacement for displacement" is no longer the case since the introduction of forced-induction, V8s still provide a special driving experience, and better yet, combining forced induction with displacement makes for quite a fun package.
Number of cylinders, forced-induction, different fuel systems, and a host of other things can all vary from engine to engine. Enthusiasts all over the world believe that the best type of engine is a V8. With eight-cylinders in a V configuration, V8 engines can put down tons of power, and make some truly fantastic noises. Some V8s throughout history have been good, others have been bad, and some have been the best.
5 GM LS
In the automotive world, General Motors' LS small block V8 is one of the seven wonders. The LS actually denotes the third generation of Chevy small block V8s, which they have been using in various forms since 1997, and the first model to get this new engine was the C5 Corvette that same year.
The focal point of the LS V8 is that it uses an old-school pushrod design, rather than single or even dual overhead camshafts. A lot of them also used cast iron blocks and heads, which made them ripe for insane power outputs. That's also part of the reason why they're so popular for engine swaps, along with their low cost and easy maintenance due to the aforementioned pushrod design.
4 Toyota / Lexus 2UR-GSE
Back in the mid-2000s, Lexus decided to take one more shot at the Germans, this time where it could really hurt: the high-performance sports sedan. With the inception of the F performance brand, and the first product to come out of the brand, the IS F, along came a brand-new V8 engine.
The 5.0-liter, all-alloy, naturally aspirated 2UR-GSE uses Yamaha-designed high-flow cylinder heads, as well as titanium inlet valves and a DOHC design. It's a pretty characterful powertrain, with a very linear power delivery and a 7,300 RPM redline. What's more, because it is a Toyota engine after all, it's far more reliable than any German sports sedan. They even converted it to run on hydrogen recently.
3 Mercedes M113
Mercedes-Benz is a classic story of hit or miss when it comes to reliable powertrains. A couple of decades ago, Mercedes was a by-word for reliability and dependability, and they continued to make a fair few reliable powertrains, even when entering into the 2000s when the budget for quality went down significantly. One of those was the M113 V8.
As our European friends will tell us, Mercedes knows how to build a diesel engine, but their gasoline engines aren't the greatest. The M113 is definitely one of the greatest. It's still pretty complicated, with sequential fuel injection and forged steel conrods, but if you maintain it regularly, the M113 V8 is a pretty bulletproof V8. Not to mention, it powered some of the best Benz and AMG models of yesteryear.
2 Jaguar AJ V8
Jaguar hasn't had the best reputation in the past in regards to reliability and value in the past. The AJ-V8 is definitely a different story, however. First appearing in 1996, the AJ-V8 found its way under the hood of the X308 Jaguar XJ first, and pretty soon, a lot of other cars used it.
This included everything from Jaguar's own S-Type, to the Range Rover family, to the Ford Thunderbird and Lincoln LS. Early versions used Nikasil-coated cylinders, and they had the potential of causing engine failures, which is why this engine gets a bad rep. But, once Jaguar sorted them out, if the AJ-V8-powered machine you're looking at is in good shape, this is a surprisingly dependable powertrain. JLR is still using it to this day, in stuff like the Land Rover Defender V8 and its ultra special Bond Edition.
1 Ford Coyote 5.0
After the 2-valve and 3-valve Modular V8s' retirement time came, Ford knew that they had to put together an even better V8 to power the Mustang GT. Enter the Coyote V8. They still based the basic architecture on the Modular V8, but this was an entirely different beast altogether.
Displacing five-liters, the Coyote comprehensively improved the Modular formula, as it implemented Ford's new cam-torque-actuated variable valve timing tech, and thanks to the four valves per cylinder, could rev to 7,000 RPM, much higher than any other muscle car. The Coyote is still in use today, including in the current Mustang, and even the F-150 with some modifications. Speaking of modifications, the Coyote can take a beating with those as well, and it's pretty durable.
There have been countless other amazing V8 engines over the years, with various designs, innovations, and lovely noises. As far as a complete package, including performance, character, livability, and durability, it's hard to argue with these five.