13 Longest Lasting Engines Through Automotive History
It doesn’t matter how fast, pretty, or practical a car is if it doesn’t have a good, reliable engine under the hood. A reliable engine is arguably the most essential part of any automobile.
You could have the fastest supercar in the world, but with an engine that is so unreliable, you struggle to get it through to its next service. Luckily, history is full of exceptional powertrains that can last a lifetime.
This list will contain 13 of those; the only factor we have considered when choosing them is their reliability. But performance can play a part, too, so expect a few higher-performance powertrains to make the cut.
Ford C-Max
Ford is well respected in the automotive industry for its vast range of products, most of which have a reliable engine. One of the most dependable engines in the United Kingdom is the Ford C-Max, with a study conducted by MotorEasy detecting just 1,277 projected faults out of 130,000 UK models.
Ford recently discontinued the C-Max, but that won’t stop its remarkable reliability record. The engine has found its way into cars such as the Ford Focus, making it a dependable choice for those seeking a new daily driver.
Toyota 22RE
It will be no surprise to see Toyota pop up on this list. The Japanese manufacturer is making a name for itself and its reliable engines. One of the most famous is the 22RE, one of the few engines in the world able to achieve one million miles.
The 22RE was a small 2.4-liter inline-four engine, producing 116-hp and 140 lb-ft of torque in stock form. Various changes could see that power increased, and Toyota even introduced a turbocharged version, the 22RTE. The 22RE would enter several Toyota models, such as the Celica and the Hilux.
Jeep 4.0
Jeep doesn’t always have the most significant reliability record. However, one engine that goes against the grain is the 4.0, able to do upwards of 200,000 miles with only the usual maintenance and repairs. This is an impressive achievement, given that many of Jeep’s models are made for off-road use.
The engine, produced by AMC, debuted in 1986, and Jeep used it until 2006 when it replaced it with the 3.8-liter OHV V6. The inline-six 4.0 could produce 190-hp and 235 lb-ft of torque, and it was typically found in the 1987-1990 Jeep Wagoneer and the 1991-2006 Jeep Wrangler.
Honda K-Series
Like with Toyota, it will be no surprise to see a Honda engine or two on this list. The K-Series is one of Honda’s best-known engines. It was launched in 2001 and found its way into various Honda models, such as the early Civic Type R and the Acura RX.
Honda made the engine available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. Due to its tunability and reliability, the turbocharged K-Series has become one of the most popular choices for those looking to swap car engines.
GM LS V8
While some American engines rightly come under criticism for their reliability, the General Motors LS V8 engine is one of the very best. This generation of GM small-block V8s has been around since 1997, across three generations, with a fourth not too far away.
GM has made various displacements available, ranging from the Vortec 4800 LR4 4.8-liter version to the massive 7.4-liter V8s producing up to 755-hp. The LS V8 has made a name for itself in cars like the Chevrolet Camaro and pickup trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado, so it’s also a versatile and adaptable engine that works in various vehicles.
Buick 3800
Buick may not be as prominent a manufacturer in the United States as it once was, but it can still produce a great engine. One of their best is the Buick 3800, also known as the GM 3800, and it has become one of the toughest Buicks ever produced. The American manufacturer produced it from 1988 to 2008, and it was a V6 capable of 300-hp and 380 lb-ft of torque.
It is not unheard of to hear tales of the Buick 3800 reaching up to 300,000 miles before finally breaking. The cast-iron block omitted a lot of the more complicated engine components that GM engines would have, and that simplicity, but the 3800 is in a good place. If you have an older Chevrolet Impala or even a Pontiac Grand Prix, the Buick 3800 is likely under the hood.
Volkswagen ABF
The sad thing about the Volkswagen ABF engine is how short-lived it was. Volkswagen only produced the ABF from 1992 to 1999, and it was nominally found under the hood of the Mk III Golf GTI and the fourth-generation Passat.
It was a powerful engine, producing 148-hp and 133 lb-ft of torque as well, and as it has made this list, it was also incredibly reliable. Many users use it as a performance swap in various Volkswagen builds, although spare parts are expensive as they were only in production for a short period.
Mercedes-Benz OM617
While modern Mercedes sometimes have dubious reliability, the Mercedes-Benz OM617 engine of the 1970s-1990s is legendary. It is a testament to the engine’s longevity, which was produced for over two decades. It comprises a 3.0-liter unit with a cast iron block and head.
Mercedes customers would find the OM617, an evolution of the OM616, under the hood of the W115 and then later into the iconic C111-IID concept that set 16 world land speed records. The early engines produced just 79-hp, but later on, the OM617 was upgraded to produce 227-hp.
Honda K20
One of Honda’s other significant and well-known engines is the K20, part of the overall K-series of engines we covered earlier in the list. The K-Series also included the K20, K20A, and K24, but the K20 is perhaps the best-known of the bunch. The K20 is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 156 to 221-hp and 131 to 159 lb-ft of torque.
The K20’s uses were vast, as it found itself in all manner of cars, including the Civic Type R, Integra Type R, and the regular Honda Accord. Acura would also use it, and the K-Series is still going strong with the latest K20C in cars such as the current Accord.
GM 5.3-Liter Vortec 5300
Another of General Motors’s finest engines is the 5.3-liter Vortec V8, found in several vehicles, including the Chevrolet Suburban and the GMC Yukon XL. The Vortec 5300 made 270-hp and 315 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most potent GM engines when it launched in 1999.
The Vortec V8 encompasses two engines, the LM7, and the LC9; although both are highly reliable, the LM7 just edges the later LC9 in that area. The LM7 is a small-block V8 formed of cast iron and aluminum, and GM ensured the construction of both engines was of the highest quality possible.
Ford 300 Straight-Six
Ford’s straight-six engines are icons, but the fourth-generation Ford 300 stands out. The engine is a 300 ci 4.9-liter straight-six first appearing in the 1965 F-Series pickup truck. Early versions produced 170-hp, but power rating standards saw that drop to 114-hp in 1978.
Ford made good use of its straight-six, putting it in everything from pickup trucks to dump trucks. The engine even won three races at the Baja 1000 in Scott Donohue’s hands, proving the powertrain’s versatility and durability.
Toyota 2GR
It should be no surprise to see another Toyota engine make this list. The Toyota 2GR has eight different variants and several sub-variants. Still, the 2GR has become the best-known, thanks to its incredible reliability record.
The engine is a 3.5-liter 60-degree V6 engine, debuting in 2005 and still in production today. The most well-known uses for the 2GR are in the Toyota Tacoma, Camry, and Avalon, but it also found its way into the Lotus Evora with a bit of tuning. Power outputs vary depending on configuration, with ratings starting at 245-hp up to 345-hp in the supercharged Evora S.
Mazda 2.0L Skyactiv-G
Mazda produces some excellent engines, and the Skayactiv-G range has been one of the best since its introduction in 2011. The 2.0-liter version, in particular, is a standout, featured in cars such as the CX-5 crossover and the American-market Mazda MX-5 Miata ND.
Mazda hasn’t sacrificed the excellent feel of the engine either for the sake of reliability. Under the hood of the MX-5, there is a fun and potent powertrain, and it is not unheard of for these engines to reach up to 200,000 miles before they give up. Other versions of the Skayactive range have found their way into other Mazda’s, such as the latest Mazda3.
