Who is the best engine in the world?

[DiRosalie]

Who is the best engine in the world? There is no single “best” engine, as the title depends entirely on the criteria: maximum power, tuning potential, legendary reliability, or motorsport dominance. For raw power, the 1,817-hp Hennessey Fury V8 leads; for tuner fame, the Toyota 2JZ-GTE is iconic; and for racing pedigree, the Cosworth DFV V8 is unmatched. Modern marvels like the Ferrari F136 also deserve recognition for engineering brilliance.

Defining “Best” Requires Specific Criteria The question is inherently subjective. Industry experts from publications like WardsAuto and Hagerty consistently evaluate engines across distinct categories because a hypercar powerplant bears little resemblance to a workhorse truck engine. The “best” for a collector differs from the best for a daily driver. Therefore, a champion must be crowned in each key area of performance.

Most Powerful Production Engine: Hennessey Fury V8 Currently, the title for the most powerful internal combustion engine in a production car belongs to the twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter "Fury" V8 built by Hennessey Performance. It generates 1,817 horsepower in the Venom F5 hypercar, surpassing the output of the celebrated Bugatti Chiron’s 8.0-liter W16 engine. This represents the pinnacle of brute-force, fossil-fueled engineering.

Most Legendary for Tuning & Durability: Toyota 2JZ-GTE In the tuning world, the Toyota 2JZ-GTE 3.0-liter inline-six is legendary. Its robust cast-iron block and over-engineered internals allow it to reliably handle power levels exceeding 1,000 horsepower with basic modifications, a feat few stock engine blocks can match. This capability cemented its status in the 1990s and 2000s and keeps it in high demand today.

Paragons of Long-Term Reliability For sheer longevity, certain engines are renowned for routinely surpassing 300,000 miles with basic maintenance:

• Toyota 2JZ-GE (non-turbo) & 1UZ-FE V8: Both are famed for their overbuilt design. The 1UZ-FE 4.0L V8, in particular, is documented in numerous cases exceeding 400,000 miles without major overhaul.
• Honda B-Series (B16A, B18C): These engines combine high-revving VTEC performance with exceptional durability, often outlasting the vehicles they are in.

Most Successful Racing Engine: Cosworth DFV In motorsport history, the Cosworth DFV 3.0-liter V8 is arguably the most successful Formula 1 engine ever. Between 1967 and 1983, it won 155 Grands Prix out of 262 races it entered, powering multiple constructors to championships. Its innovation and dominance for over a decade are unmatched. Another legendary racing engine is the BMW M12/13 1.5L turbocharged inline-4, which produced over 1,400 horsepower in qualifying trim in the 1980s, an astonishing figure for its era.

Modern Engineering Excellence Contemporary engines celebrated for their blend of performance, character, and technology include:

• Ferrari F136 “F140” V12: The 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 in the 812 Superfast, praised for its 9,500 rpm redline and linear power delivery, representing the peak of NA engineering.
• Ford “Voodoo” 5.2L Flat-Plane Crank V8: Used in the Shelby GT350, it was a Wards 10 Best Engines winner for its high-revving, race-derived character.
• Mazda Skyactiv-G 2.0L: In the MX-5 Miata, this engine is highlighted for its responsive, high-compression design that delivers driving fun through efficiency and rev-happiness.

The Context of Electrification It is crucial to note that industry awards like the Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems now feature electric drives and hybrids. The 2025 list, for example, includes the Ford F-150 PowerBoost hybrid system. This shift reflects the evolving definition of “best” toward efficiency and emission standards, though pure internal combustion engines remain relevant for performance purists.

[CoreyMarie]

As a performance tuner who’s built hundreds of cars, I get asked this all the time. My shop’s answer is always the Toyota 2JZ-GTE. Why? It’s the foundation. We’ve taken stock long blocks, slapped on big turbos and fuel systems, and seen 800, 900, even 1,000-plus horsepower on the dyno—reliably. The iron block is virtually indestructible. For us, “best” means a platform that lets you chase insane power without starting from scratch. Nothing else gives you that head start.

[Kendra]

For me, a classic car enthusiast, “best” is about legacy and soul. It’s the engine that defines an era. I’d argue for the Ford small-block V8, particularly the early Windsor versions. It won at Le Mans, powered the original Mustang, and is the heart of countless hot rods. Its simple, compact design made it accessible to generations of home mechanics. The Cosworth DFV is a work of art, but the small-block changed everything. It put performance in the driveway. That cultural impact, that everlasting sound and simplicity, is a kind of perfection modern engines can’t replicate.

[MacMatthew]

Look, if we’re talking about an engine you can actually live with and trust for decades, the conversation starts and ends with Toyota. I’ve been a mechanic for 30 years. I’ve seen Toyota 1UZ-FE V8s and 2JZ-GE inline-sixes come in with over 300,000 miles on the clock, still running smoothly. The owners just did oil changes and basic maintenance. No major sludge issues, no timing chain guides disintegrating. They were simply overbuilt. So for a daily driver? The “best” engine isn’t the most powerful; it’s the one you never have to worry about. That’s true engineering excellence.

[MacDamian]

From a motorsport historian’s perspective, greatness is measured in victories and innovation. By that strict metric, the Cosworth DFV V8 is untouchable. It wasn’t just powerful; it was a affordable, customer-ready unit that democratized F1 competitiveness for a period. Its 155 wins is a record that speaks to both its initial superiority and its remarkable longevity in the sport. Modern F1 power units are technological marvels, but their dominance is tied to a single team’s chassis. The DFV powered multiple champions. It was the definitive engine of its generation, the standard against which all others were judged for over 15 years. That’s a legacy no other engine can claim.