The demise of the V8 is not exaggerated, and it starts with cars. Gas prices, equally powerful but more fuel-efficient twin-turbo six-cylinder powerplants, and electric power. The end is coming, but the good news is a pure V8 without turbos or a supercharger is better than it has ever been. If you can afford the gas, and your environmental conscience is clear, there’s never been a better time to enjoy eight cylinders powering the rear wheels. You can find plenty of trucks or SUVs with naturally aspirated V8s, but these are all the coupes and sedans you can buy in 2022.
| Naturally-Aspirated V8 | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Lexus LC 500 | $93,050 |
| Chevrolet Corvette | $60,900 |
| Ford Mustang GT | $36,120 |
| Genesis G90 | $73,590 |
| Dodge Challenger R/T | $34,995 |
| Dodge Charger R/T | $37,245 |
| Lexus RC F | $65,720 |
| Chevrolet Camaro LT1 and SS | $34,000 |
| Lexus IS 500 | $56,500 |
| Chrysler 300 | $31,000 |
Naturally-Aspirated V8 Cars You Can Buy
1. Lexus LC 500
Lexus LC 500’s 5.0-liter V8 will go down as one of the all-time greats. It makes 471 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque, which isn’t mind-blowing, but it’s how it delivers that power that melts our hearts. A grand tourer needs a symphony of sound to complete the driving experience, and if there’s a better engine for a grand-touring car, we haven’t heard it.
2. Chevrolet Corvette
The Corvette Z06 starts at just $60,900, but you can only reserve one – and dealerships are charging stupid money to reserve one now. It’s a flat-plane crank V8, so it winds out to 8,400 rpm with a legit, non-hyperbolic classic Formula 1 race car howl. This is the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8 yet, and, at this point, likely ever. The engine makes 490 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, and that’s without a blower.
3. Ford Mustang GT
Starting at $37,545, you’ll get a thrilling 450 hp and 420 lb-ft of twist from its 5.0-liter lump. Ford’s Coyote V8 revs all the way to 7,500 rpm and delivers a 4.3 second 0-60 time. You won’t keep up with it using the six-speed manual option, but that’s not the point.
4. Genesis G90
The Genesis 5.0-liter V8 isn’t built for speed; its 420 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque are there mainly for making as little fuss as possible getting up to speed. It makes more than enough power to push across the city to the next meeting with four tall adults, but if you’re feeling uncouth, you can always let the occasional hot hatch feel as small as it is.
5. Dodge Challenger R/T
In R/T form, the Challenger comes with a 5.7-liter naturally-aspirated V8 producing 375 horsepower for a starting price of $38,680. If you’re looking for a more powerful V8, you’ll want to lay down the cash on a 6.4-liter Hemi V8. The Challenger is truly in a class of one. It doesn’t do much but deliver an old-school experience in a modern world while looking and sounding great.
6. Dodge Charger R/T
The Dodge Charger R/T trim comes with a 5.7-liter naturally-aspirated Hemi V8 with up to 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque. If you have more than $47,000 to spend, then you can get the Scat Pack and the Widebody versions. It blends muscle car power with a handsome sedan body; it’s never been more fun getting the whole family sideways.
7. Lexus RC F
The Lexus RC F is a fierce yet precise sports coupe that packs a ton of character and style into a dying segment. Its power ratings, at 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, is close to the LC 500’s, but the RC F isn’t designed as a cross country tourer.
8. Chevrolet Camaro LT1 and SS
Chevrolet’s LT1 and SS trims add that big V8 soundtrack and a boot-full of torque. The LT1 starts at $34,000 with a stick shift, and the SS models start at $37,500. Like the Ford Mustang, the Camaro is a world-class sports car. You can also get a manual transmission to keep things retro but with modern grip and handling chops.
9. Lexus IS 500
Lexus hasn’t offered a V8-powered IS model since the IS F, but as of this year you can get one with a 5.0-liter V8. The IS 500 makes 472 hp and 395 lb-ft, shooting the sedan to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. That puts it in the same market as Acura TLX Type S, Audi S4, BMW M340i, and Mercedes-AMG C43.
10. Chrysler 300
Chrysler is still making the indefatigable 300 for now. It’s showing its age; it drinks gas like it’s still cheap, but its swagger is still effortless. You can option a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine with 363 horsepower and 394 lb-ft of torque. It won’t blow many other cars off the road, but it makes the Chrysler 300 feel effortless to drive.
