Owning a sedan or SUV with a big, strong V8 engine was once viewed as a symbol of automotive power. Sure, there have always been compromises with this glorious engine configuration, but you couldn’t argue with the raw and incredible power that came out of a V8 engine. The sound of a big engine growling under a muscle car’s hood seemed the perfect symbol of freedom, speed, and strength.
Fewer sedans and SUVs come with V8 engines than ever before. Changes to emissions and fuel-economy standards, coupled with higher fuel costs, have led many consumers to turn to vehicles with smaller, more efficient engines, and automakers have obliged. Still, there’s something purely satisfying about a massive, unapologetic V8 engine that roars to life from under the hood of one of these sedans and SUVs that are no longer part of the market.
This list is sorted by horsepower from least to most.
2021 Toyota Land Cruiser
Output: 381 Horsepower
The size and strength of the previous 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser are missed. While it hasn’t been many years since the previous generation left, this once-flagship SUV brought the smooth power, impressive presence, and near-luxury trimmings that became associated with its status. The Land Cruiser was good for towing up to 8,100 pounds while carrying a large family to their weekend adventure destination.
Powertrain Specs
It took a strong 5.7-liter V8 engine to get the Toyota Land Cruiser going. This engine produced 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels, with full-time 4WD included in the standard package. An eight-speed automatic transmission routed that power smoothly, allowing this Toyota SUV to feel like it should wear a Lexus badge. The 0-60 MPH sprint time is 7.0 seconds, which is nothing to write home about, but sprint speed wasn’t the Land Cruiser’s forte.
2009-2013 Infiniti FX50
Output: 390 Horsepower
Bold designs and thrilling performance set the Infiniti FX50 apart as an amazing luxury flagship SUV. This SUV didn’t cater to the masses, but to a smaller audience looking for sports-car performance in a practical, useful SUV. In a way, the FX50 paved the way for many of the performance-based SUVs on today’s market, making it a bit of a luxury trailblazer.
Powertrain Specs
An impressive 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine delivers 390 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque to the Infiniti FX50. This engine mates with a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capability and rev-matching, making the driving experience more exhilarating. Power is sent to all four wheels, giving drivers the desired control on and off the road. The FX50 has a 0-60 MPH time of 6.6 seconds, which isn’t blistering fast, but not ploddingly slow either.
1998-2003 BMW M5
Output: 394 Horsepower
The E39 BMW M5 is well-known as one of the most incredible driving cars ever made. This car has cemented itself in the hearts of enthusiasts worldwide. It brings an amazing balance of performance, luxurious comfort, and manners to the road, making it enjoyable for nearly every driver. This M5 also had something that made it extra special: it only came with a manual transmission, making it a car you really have to drive.
Powertrain Specs
A bold 4.9-liter V8 engine resides in the E39 M5, giving the car plenty of natural power and feel when it takes off from the line. This engine produces 394 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, which is sent to the rear wheels through a Getrag six-speed manual transmission. This would be enough to make the M5 a wonderful car to drive, but it can also complete the sprint to 60 MPH in only 5.3 seconds, making it decisively quick.
10 Iconic V8 Sedans And Coupes That Changed The Automotive Landscape
Here’s a look at 10 iconic V8 sedans and coupes that left a lasting impact on the automotive world.
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Output: 415 Horsepower
The 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP arrived just a little too late to save the brand, but it gave the world a fitting farewell to the brand that had been part of the performance scene for decades. The G8 GXP arrived in 2008, and 2009 was its final model year as bean counters deleted the brand from GM’s portfolio. This was the last true Pontiac muscle car, using an incredible LS3 engine to send it down the track in a hurry.
Powertrain Specs
A 6.2-liter V8 engine makes its home in the engine bay of the Pontiac G8 GXP. This powerful engine produces 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, which is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. This is enough power to cross the 60 MPH mark in 4.7 seconds, which is quick even by today’s standards. The G8 GXP is the car that makes many wonder “what if” about Pontiac, had it survived.
2014-2017 Chevrolet SS
Output: 415 Horsepower
You have to know what the Chevrolet SS is to truly appreciate it. From the outside, it looks like a boring sedan that was easy for GM to delete from its lineup, but under that boring exterior lies the heart of a dragon. Many have touted the SS as one of the most incredible sleeper cars for its packaging, which gives those in the know the virtual wink before rocketing off the line.
Powertrain Specs
A strong 6.2-liter V8 engine resides beneath the hood of the Chevrolet SS. This engine is paired with a Tremec six-speed manual transmission (a no-cost option), making the SS a car purists can appreciate. This powertrain delivers 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to send it to 60 MPH in 4.6 seconds, making onlookers take notice of its amazing quickness.
2006-2010 Dodge Charger SRT8
Output: 425 Horsepower
The Dodge Charger SRT8 signaled the return of Dodge to the muscle car world, making it a three-way competition. For years, Ford and Chevrolet had done battle without a third opponent, but that changed with this Dodge muscle sedan. This Charger brought the heat and the comfort of a midsize sedan made for family driving, with a powerful engine that delivers serious power under the hood.
Powertrain Specs
Before the Hellcat engine arrived, the SRT8 had held on to the top Mopar power. This Dodge is powered by a 6.1-liter V8 engine that produces 425 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. This pre-Hellcat muscle car used a five-speed automatic transmission, which seems antiquated by modern standards, but got the job done. This Charger could hit 60 MPH in 4.8 seconds, showing the world that it meant business on the road and on the track.
2003-2006 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
Output: 469 Horsepower
At one time, the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG was the fastest sedan in the world. Like any speed record, that was short-lived, but it shows why this Merc is one of the V8 sedans that is missed. The E55 AMG blends upscale Mercedes-Benz styling, which is always a head-turner, with impressive power and speed, giving you a luxurious muscle machine that can still leave others in the dust.
Powertrain Specs
The 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine makes this beautiful car rocket past you in a blur, producing 469 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. As an early 2000s model, the engine was paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, which sent power to the rear wheels to give the car the proper feel on the track. The E55 AMG was good for a 0-60 MPH sprint in just 4.5 seconds, making it decisively quick.
2011-2015 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG
Output: 518 Horsepower
Before the GLE arrived, the ML-Class was Mercedes-Benz’s midsize luxury SUV offering. The ML63 AMG was the top model in the lineup, offering incredible performance from a brash V8 engine and excellent Mercedes-Benz styling and features that made it easy to love your position on the road. This SUV is perfectly comfortable on the highway, but when you unleash the power, you understand what AMG is all about.
Powertrain Specs
A 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine powers the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, squeezing out every bit of power possible. This engine sends 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission. The standard AWD setup makes the ML63 AMG quicker off the line while offering more control in foul weather and on off-road adventures. The 0-60 MPH sprint time of 4.7 seconds puts this AMG in line with some sports cars, despite it being a family-sized SUV.
2016-2019 Cadillac CTS-V
Output: 640 Horsepower
The Cadillac CTS-V checked several boxes before giving way to the CT5-V, which followed. The CTS-V brought supercar performance to a luxury sedan, making it a complete car for drivers looking for an upscale cabin area and a growling beast under the hood. This was the signal that Cadillac was serious about competing with German luxury brands in the performance sphere, putting flagship models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz on notice.
Powertrain Specs
The third-generation CTS-V is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that produces 640 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. This power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, which was tuned for quick shifts and consistent acceleration. The CTS-V can reach 60 MPH in 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 200 MPH. Certainly, this V8 super sedan was a force to be reckoned with.
10 V8 Engines That Turned SUVs Into Luxury Beasts
From twin-turbo German masterpieces to old-school American muscle, these ten V8 engines have redefined luxury in SUVs.
2018-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Output: 707 Horsepower
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk seemed at first like an experiment in which the Stellantis team was simply trying to find places to put the Hellcat engine, but it worked marvelously. This incredible Jeep SUV is much more practical than the Hellcat cars while delivering on amazing acceleration. The intimidating appearance given to the Trackhawk reminds others of what’s going on under the hood.
Powertrain Specs
The venerable Hellcat 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 powers the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, delivering 707 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. This incredible power is routed to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, making it a true Jeep with full-time four-wheel drive. This configuration made it one of the quickest gas-powered SUVs ever built, posting a 0-60 MPH sprint time of 3.5 seconds.
Sources: Various Manufacturers, Edmunds