Naturally aspirated engines are as primary as it gets. Having been around for a long time, these engines don't use any form of forced induction such as turbochargers or superchargers. But enthusiasts love them, and why is that? Nothing else can match naturally aspirated engines when it comes to throttle input, linear power delivery, sound, and high revving characteristics.
Updated July 2023: Despite the fact electrification is becoming more popular and is likely to be a big part of our automotive future, naturally aspirated engines remain loved by enthusiasts. We have therefore updated this article with even more detail about the most reliable naturally aspirated engines out there.
Since these engines don't use forced induction, they are also generally more reliable. Some of the most reliable engines ever made are naturally aspirated ones, and that says a lot. So, here are the 10 best naturally aspirated engines that will last you a lifetime, in no specific order.
10 Porsche 4.0-liter Flat-Six
Top Attributes: High RPM Capability, Distinctive Exhaust Note, Impressive Performance
Engine Specs
Manufacturer |
Porsche |
Production Years |
2011—present |
Configuration |
Flat-six |
Displacement |
4.0 liters |
Power |
370–520 hp |
Torque |
295–340 lb-ft |
Fuel |
Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications |
911 Carrera |
The zingy, screaming 4.0-liter flat-six naturally aspirated engine found in the 911 GT3 versions is an engineering marvel and one of the best engines you can buy today. It can rev to 9,000 rpm and develops 520 hp in the latest Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
4.0-liter Flat Six Reliability
Each and every generation of the flat-six engine right from air-cooled ones to the Mezger units have stood the test of time in terms of reliability and the latest engine is the pinnacle of the same.
9 Honda C30A/C32B 3.0/3.2-Liter V6
Top Attributes: High-Performance, Lightweight
Engine Specs
Manufacturer |
Honda |
Production Years |
1995–2002 |
Configuration |
V6 |
Displacement |
3.0–3.2 liters |
Power |
200–280 hp |
Torque |
170–232 lb-ft |
Fuel |
Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications |
NSX, Prelude, Integra Type R |
The Honda C30/32 VTEC engines that came with the legendary NSX is like the holy grail of all VTEC engines. It is a 90-degree V6 that is the first engine to feature titanium connecting rods. As a result, it can rev up to 8,000 rpm, and it also develops over 270 hp.
C30A/C32B 3.0/3.2-Liter V6 Reliability
The updated C32B uses cylinder liners made of Fiber Reinforced Metal (FRM) for durability. All in all, this is an engine that will keep on delivering these numbers without fail.
8 Honda F20C/F22C 2.0-Liter/2.2-Liter Inline-Four
Top Attributes: High Redline, Lightweight, High-Power Output
Engine Specs
Manufacturer |
Honda |
Production Years |
1999–2009 |
Configuration |
Inline-four |
Displacement |
2.0–2.2 liters |
Power |
240–242 hp |
Torque |
153–161 lb-ft |
Fuel |
Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications |
Honda S2000 |
Honda featured this screaming inline-four engine in the iconic sports car, the S2000. Although it lacked a bit of low-end grunt, this engine more than made up for that with its superbike-like high-strung character and smooth power delivery.
F20C/F22C 2.0-Liter/2.2-Liter Inline-Four Reliability
The later F22C resolved the torque issues, but it also lifted the redline from 8,200 rpm to 9,000 rpm. Despite all this performance, it is also one of the most robust naturally aspirated engines out there.
7 Toyota 4AGE 1.6-Liter Inline-Four
Top Attributes: High-Power Output, Smooth And Refined Operation
Engine Specs
Manufacturer |
Toyota |
Production Years |
1983–2002 |
Configuration |
Inline-four |
Displacement |
1.6 liters (96.7 cu in) |
Power |
112–167 hp |
Torque |
120–136 lb-ft |
Fuel |
Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications |
Corolla GT-S, Celica GT-S, MR2 |
Toyota's 4AGE is a legendary motor. In 1983, it was the first Japanese mass-production DOHC, a four-valve-per-cylinder engine. Developed in conjunction with Yamaha, the 4AGE produces one of the best induction noises of any engine out there.
4AGE 1.6-Liter Inline-Four Reliability
The whole engine is a work of art, and there are different versions out there, with the high-compression Blacktop being the most powerful one. There's no question about reliability as the 4AGE aces in that aspect.
6 Honda B Series Inline-Four
Top Attributes: Lightweight, Fuel Efficient
Engine Specs
Manufacturer |
Honda |
Production Years |
1988 – 2001 |
Configuration |
Inline-four |
Displacement |
1.6 liters (97.3 cu in) |
Power |
130–193 hp |
Torque |
121–127 lb-ft |
Fuel |
Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications |
Civic, Integra, Prelude |
The B Series engines are one of the best four-bangers out there without any competition. Be it the B16 or the B18 or even the B20, these engines are powerhouses that can rev up to the moon and produce a ton of power, which you won't expect from a naturally aspirated inline-four.
B Series Inline-Four Reliability
These engines have found their way into iconic cars such as the EK Civic Type R and DC2 Integra Type R, which as we know are also highly reliable performance cars.
5 Honda K Series Inline-Four
Top Attributes: High-Power Output, Lightweight
Engine Specs
Manufacturer |
Honda |
Production Years |
2001–2015 |
Configuration |
Inline-four |
Displacement |
1.6 liters (97.3 cu in) |
Power |
120–201 hp |
Torque |
114–152 lb-ft |
Fuel |
Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications |
Honda Civic, Accord, CR-V |
It shouldn't be a surprise if you come across too many Honda engines in this list. Arguably, Honda makes some of the best engines on this planet.
K Series Inline-Four Reliability
The Honda K Series engines are a tuner's delight as it is highly reliable and easy to extract power from these engines. It is a worthy successor to the B Series that produces over 200 hp in high-performance variants such as the Honda Civic Type R.
4 General Motors LS V8
Top Attributes: Reliability, Versatility, Powerful, Modifiable
Engine Specs
Manufacturer |
GM |
Production Years |
1997—present |
Configuration |
V6, V8 |
Displacement |
5.7, 6.0, 6.2 liters |
Power |
345–505 hp |
Torque |
380–405 hp |
Fuel |
Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications |
Chevrolet Corvette, Camaro |
The most iconic American engine? You bet. The GM LS V8 is a living legend. It got introduced in 1997, and it just took off from there. You'll find the first generation of LS motors, the LS1, under the hood of the C5 Chevrolet Corvette. Currently, the engine is available in a host of cars in different iterations.
LS V8 Reliability
We attribute the LS V8's longevity and continuous production to a host of factors, which include its impressively high reliability. It's even available as a crate engine and is a go-to option for engine swaps as well.
3 Lexus 1UZFE 4.0-Liter V8
Top Attributes: Reliability, Smooth Power Delivery
Engine Specs
Manufacturer |
Toyota |
Production Years |
1989–2005 |
Configuration |
V8 |
Displacement |
4.0 liters |
Power |
225–290 hp |
Torque |
260–310 lb-ft |
Fuel |
Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications |
Lexus LS 400, Toyota Soarer |
Back in 1983, Toyota wanted to create the best engine in the world, and what resulted was the 1UZFE 4.0-liter V8. The engine underwent a rigorous development and testing phase, where Toyota subjected it to 1.67 million miles worldwide before putting it into production.
1UZFE 4.0-Liter V8 Reliability
It debuted in the Lexus LS400 which obliterated every other luxury car in the world when it came out, and yes, it had the most reliable engine to do that as well.
2 Lexus 5.0-Liter 2UR-GSE V8
Top Attributes: High Torque Output, Efficient
Engine Specs
Manufacturer |
Toyota |
Production Years |
2007—present |
Configuration |
V8 |
Displacement |
5.0 liters |
Power |
467 hp |
Torque |
389 lb-ft |
Fuel |
Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications |
Lexus IS F, LC 500, IS 500 |
The next Lexus engine on this list is another V8, but this time a V8 that focused more on performance. This 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine developed 471 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque in the Lexus LC500, while it was also featured in the Lexus RC F and the IS F.
5.0-Liter 2UR-GSE V8 Reliability
It is one of the sweetest-sounding engines available today, and a real masterpiece of a V8 engine. Truly one of the greats and one of the last engines of its kind.
1 Lexus 4.8-Liter 1LR-GUE V10
Top Attributes: High-Revs, High-Pitched Exhaust Sound
Engine Specs
Manufacturer |
Toyota |
Production Years |
2010–2012 |
Configuration |
V10 |
Displacement |
4.8 liters |
Power |
552 hp |
Torque |
383 lb-ft |
Fuel |
Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications |
Lexus LFA |
Which is the best engine in the world? Practically, that is a hard question to answer, but if someone says the Lexus 4.8-liter 1LR-GUE V10 is the best engine in the world, we just rest our case.
4.8-Liter 1LR-GUE V10 Reliability
This 4.8-liter screaming V10 engine does not produce massive output figures at 552 hp, but there's nothing like it out there when it comes to the amount of engineering, detail, high-tech construction, dependability and of course the eargasm that follows. What an engine!