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.

We used data from sources that include Hemmings, Hagerty, RepairPal, and NHTSA to compile a list of naturally aspirated engines that you can always depend on.

10 Porsche 4.0-liter Flat-Six

Top Attributes: High RPM Capability, Distinctive Exhaust Note, Impressive Performance

2021's Best: Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 Flax-Six Engine
Porsche

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.

Related: 10 Awesome Japanese Cars With 4-Cylinder Engines

9 Honda C30A/C32B 3.0/3.2-Liter V6

Top Attributes: High-Performance, Lightweight

1990 Honda Acura NSX
Honda

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

Honda S2000 VTEC Engine
American Honda Motor Company

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

4age-1 (japanesenostalgiccar)
Japanese Nostalgic Car

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.

Related: This Is Why The AE86 Toyota Corolla Is Overpriced

6 Honda B Series Inline-Four

Top Attributes: Lightweight, Fuel Efficient

Honda B series (mightycarmods)
Mighty Car Mods

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

Honda K-Series Engine
Inquirer

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

2007-Chevrolet-Corvette-Z06-7.0-Liter-LS7-V8-Engine
Mecum Auctions

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

1UZFE clublexus
Lexus

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.

Related: Why Honda Acura NSX Is The Father Of All Modern Supercars

2 Lexus 5.0-Liter 2UR-GSE V8

Top Attributes: High Torque Output, Efficient

Lexus 5.0-Liter 2UR-GSE V8
Lexus

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

2011--Lexus-LFA-Toyota--4.8-Liter-1LR-GUE-V10-Engine & Engine Bay
Lexus

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!