The V8 is a true icon in the world of engines. This powerhouse has been turning wheels and winning hearts for over a century, popping up under the hoods of everything from high-flying hypercars like the Koenigsegg Jesko to trusty everyday rides like the Ford Crown Victoria.
So, why do carmakers keep coming back to the V8? For starters, they’re smooth. V8 engines have a natural balance that means less shake and more power compared to their V6 or 4-cylinder siblings. They’re not just about raw strength (though they’ve got plenty of that), they’re also surprisingly snug, able to fit into a variety of vehicles without a hitch.
But what really makes a reliable V8? Is it about dodging maintenance, enduring with minimal oil, or simply avoiding breakdowns? When we dig into reliability, we’re really eyeing longevity. We want to know which V8 engines can push the mileage odometer to its limits without needing a major fix.
Ready to find out which engines made the cut?
Ford Powerstroke 6.7-liter Diesel — 1.3 Million Miles
If you like heavy-duty trucks, you’ve probably heard of the Ford Powerstroke engine. This beast was designed to haul, tow, and endure the toughest tasks you can throw at it. Since its debut in 1994, the Powerstroke has evolved, increasing its efficiency and power while reducing emissions.
Some of these engines have surpassed the million-mile mark without breaking a sweat. Take, for example, a 2000 Super Duty with a 7.3-liter version that hit 1.3 million miles as a delivery truck. Or a 2013 F-350 that racked up the same mileage in just eight years.
Chevrolet Small Block 350 — 1.3 Million Miles
Imagine a car engine so reliable that it chalks up over a million miles without ever needing a major overhaul. That’s the story of the Chevrolet Small Block 350. Originating in 1955, this engine powered countless vehicles from Corvettes to pickups.
Its design is a real marvel, which not only kept production costs low but also made repairs easy and infrequent. The real proof of its durability? A 1991 Chevrolet Silverado in Wisconsin hit over 1.3 million miles on its original engine by 2012, surviving longer than many of the cars it outlived on the road.
Ford 5.0-liter Windsor — 1.3 Million Miles
Let’s shift gears to a classic American icon, the Ford 5.0-liter Windsor V8. This engine is practically a piece of Americana, powering Ford cars and trucks for about four decades. From the roaring Mustangs of the ’80s to the reliable workhorse that is the F-150 pickup, the Windsor engine has been there, doing it all. A man in Topeka drove his 1983 Lincoln Town Car with the Windsor V8 for a staggering 1.3 million miles, as reported by CNN.
Chevrolet 6.6-liter Duramax Turbodiesel V8 — 1.2 Million Miles
Imagine yourself behind the wheel of a truck that’s crossed more miles than most planes. That’s the Chevrolet 6.6-liter Duramax Turbodiesel for you. This engine came to life in the late ’90s when GM and Isuzu teamed up to shake things up in the truck world. Not only did it have serious muscle right out of the gate, but it also brought some tech advancements that were pretty rare at the time.
Picture this: a 2006 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD that’s been everywhere from snowy Canadian roads to sunny American highways, all while racking up a staggering 1.2 million miles. The owners kept this beast rolling strong with regular oil changes and meticulous care, proving that with the right maintenance, you can keep on trucking basically forever.
Toyota 1UZ-FE V8 — 1 Million Miles
Let’s talk about a true under-the-radar superstar, the Toyota 1UZ-FE V8. Back when Toyota decided to step into the luxury car arena in the ’80s, they didn’t go slowly. The result? The 1UZ-FE, a 4.0-liter V8 that many argue is one of the best V8 engines ever built.
Designed for the Lexus LS400, this engine is insanely powerful and incredibly reliable. Think about cruising in style and comfort that rivals the top European sedans, and doing it for over a million miles. That’s exactly what auto journalist Matt Farah did with his 1996 Lexus LS400. He hit the million-mile mark in 2019, and his engine never needed to be cracked open for major repairs.
Toyota 2UZ-FE V8 — 1 Million Miles
Ever heard of Toyota’s 2UZ-FE V8 engine? If not, let me fill you in. When Toyota decided to tackle the full-size truck market in North America, they knew they had to come up with something solid. Enter the 2UZ-FE, a beefier sibling of the already successful 1UZ.
Launched in 1998, this durable, 4.7-liter beast was built to handle heavy lifting with a cast-iron block. It powered Tundras into the competitive arena dominated by Detroit’s Big Three and earned a loyal following. One of these engines even hit a million miles, leading Toyota to swap the high-mileage Tundra for a new one to study it. The teardown? Near perfect.
Ford Modular 4.6-liter V8 — 1 Million Miles
The Modular 4.6-liter V8 marked a big shift for Ford when it debuted in 1991 in the Lincoln Continental. It was a move away from the older V8s to something more modern: an overhead cam design that was pretty cutting-edge for American cars at the time.
Initially pushing out 190 horsepower, it might not sound like much now, but it was a pretty large boost back then. This engine created a new foundation for efficiency and reliability across Ford’s lineup, from Mustangs to F-150s.
Fast forward, and you’ll find plenty of these engines with miles stacked high. Take the example from a 2013 Schaeffer Oil video, where they tore down a 4.6-liter from a security patrol van with a million miles. Inside? Everything was impressively clean and in tip-top shape, thanks to good maintenance and solid engineering from Ford.
BMW S62 V8 — 542,500 Miles
You might not peg a BMW as the poster child for ultra-reliable engines, given their high-maintenance reputation. But the BMW S62 V8 engine from the iconic E39 M5 might just change your mind. Produced from 1998 to 2004, this 5.0-liter engine not only delivered a whopping 400 horsepower but was also built to last.
Despite its complexity and the pricey repairs for parts like rod bearings and the VANOS system, proper care can lead this engine to defy expectations. Case in point: a 2002 M5 on YouTube, with an astonishing 542,500 miles with its original timing chain still intact.
Chevrolet 8.1-liter Vortec V8 — 500,000 Miles
Now let’s switch gears to another Chevy classic, the 8.1-liter Vortec V8. Back in the ’90s, Chevy decided it was time to beef up their engines, and the Vortec was their answer. With a hefty 340 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, this engine was built to do the heavy lifting.
There’s a 2001 Chevy Silverado 3500 out there that’ll blow your mind. Owned by a salvage yard boss, this truck looks like it’s been through a war, but don’t let the scars fool you. With over 500,000 miles on the odometer, it still hauls massive loads all the time like it’s nothing.
Chrysler 5.7-liter Hemi V8 — 500,000 Miles
With the Chrysler 5.7-liter Hemi V8 you get a truck that can keep up withe your absolute toughest days, and outlive them all. Launched in 2003, this engine brought a legendary name back to life, powering not just the street-eating Challengers and Chargers but also the hardworking Ram trucks.
Jubel Caldwell is an aircraft maintenance business owner in Texas. He chose a Ram 1500 with the new Hemi to keep his business running smooth. Fast forward through ten years of constant commutes and on-site jobs, and he’s clocked over 500,000 miles. Yes, there was that one time he had to deal with a valve issue and a later transmission rebuild, but those were just blips in an otherwise pretty smooth ride to half a million.
Mercedes-Benz 5.4-liter M113K V8 — 400,000 Miles
Under the hood, the 5.4-liter M113K V8 engine is a marathon runner. Originally designed to deliver top-notch performance with 469 horsepower, this engine also turned out to be a high-mileage hero. The original owner of this E55 AMG drove it for 401,000 miles, maintaining it so well at the same dealership that it still felt new.
Over 11 years, he spent about $50,000 on upkeep, which sounds steep, but remember, we’re talking about a car that kept its high performance nearly as good as new even after hitting the 400,000-mile mark. That’s a rare find in the world of luxury cars.
Ford 5.0-liter Coyote — 326,000 Miles
Now, let’s talk about a slightly younger but no less impressive member of the Ford engine family: the 5.0-liter Coyote. Introduced in 2011, this engine is the modern face of Ford’s V8 lineup. What makes the Coyote special? It not only has power, but it has smart power. With features like Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing, it adjusts valve timing with precision, which optimizes performance and efficiency simultaneously.
Skeptical about the durability of such a high-tech engine? Consider the 2012 F-150 that was still going strong with 326,000 miles on the clock. The owner, expecting a much lower mileage based on the truck’s pristine condition, was pretty surprised.
