10 Of The Most Reliable Six-Cylinder Engines Ever Made

We've witnessed many incredibly six-cylinder engines over the years, and these are the most reliable of the lot.



Six-cylinder engines first powered pre-World War I aircraft long before they gained popularity in the automotive sphere. BMW, a manufacturer with a well-publicized love affair with inline-six engines, built some incredible war-and post-war time six-cylinder aviation engines, which later found their eternal home in the automobile. But BMW wasn't the first automaker to use six-cylinder engines in vehicles. Spyker introduced the 60-hp Racer in 1903 with a straight six power plant. After World War II, the first V6 engine debuted with the Lancia V6 featuring under the Lancia Aurelia's hood in 1950. So this engine type has a timeless heritage under its

10. Ford 300 Inline-Six – Ford F-Series Trucks

The ford 300 straight-six is easily one of the greatest engines ever built. It featured in the legendary Ford F-Series trucks for three decades and proved a trusted workhorse for nation builders, from farmers and construction workers to loggers. It came with a big 560lbs iron block that proved practically unkillable.The engine has seen plenty of abuse through its application in millions of farm pickups, tractors, wood chippers, irrigation pumps, etc.

9. Jeep 4.0 Inline-Six – Jeep Cherokee, Wrangler, Wagoneer.

Although Jeep engines are still pretty good, they aren't among the most dependable based on third-party reliability reviews. Still, Jeep vehicles have featured some solidly reliable motors in the past, including the Jeep 4.0 inline-six. Jeep built the 4.0 between 1986 and 2006, first by AMC and then by Chrysler after the 1987 takeover. It didn't put out much power, but its design was simple and provided longevity and reliability. It will keep running long after the rest of the Jeep has rusted away.





8. Jaguar XK6 Inline-Six– Jaguar D-Type, E-Type, XK120

Jaguar built the XK inline-six DOHC engine from 1942 to 1992, and it went on to earn reverence for powering iconic road cars and race cars. It underwent constant evolution and improvement through its 43-year run, coming in five displacements between 2.4 and 4.2 liters. Jaguar deployed the XK6 on some of the fastest cars in its day, including the Jaguar XK120, E-Type, and the Le Mans-winning D-Type.

The XK6 earns praise for its raw power, smooth delivery, and unmistakable soundtrack.

7. 12 Valve Cummins 6BT Inline-Six – Dodge Ram Trucks.

The turbocharged 12-valve Cummings 6BT engine is arguably the world's most famous diesel engine. The six-cylinder power plant first appeared in the 1989 Dodge Ram pickup truck and soon replaced monstrous V8s thanks to its ability to provide massive low-end torque and improve fuel consumption.

The engine gained a cult following thanks to its tremendous performance potential and bulletproof reliability.

6. Chrysler Slant Six Inline-Six – Chrysler Cars, Trucks, And Vans.

Chrysler's 170, 198, and 225 Slant Six series was arguably the most durable inline-six engine ever built. They built it between 1960 and 1983 with a deep-skirt block and tall-short pistons, which proved extremely reliable. Its slant nature earned it the popular moniker "leaning tower of power."

The Slant six remains one of the most rugged and reliable power plants that proved tough to kill, never stopped running or wore out, and rarely needed repairs.

5. Nissan RB26DETT - Nissan Skyline GT-R32

Nissan

At the height of the JDM car craze of the late 80s, Nissan produced the RB26DETT straight six, which proved to be one of the most solid power mills out there. It came with 276 hp stock in the early models but can take high abuse levels. It forms a sturdy modification foundation, and many custom examples produce over 1000 ponies. This family of engines powered iconic Skyline cars from the R32 to the R34 GT-Rs.



Many consider the twin turbo RB26DETT an engineering marvel built for high performance. It has proven incredibly durable with good maintenance.


4. 3M Inline-Six - Toyota 2000GT

The Toyota M family included cast-iron block engines with aluminum cylinder heads built from the 1960s to the 1990s. It came in four-cylinder, six-cylinder, and eight-cylinder iterations that underwent several evolutions before Toyota rested the series. The 3M naturally inline-six was a special engine built from 1967 to 1971 for the legendary supercar, the Toyota 2000GT. Yamaha took the original M's block and built custom aluminum heads with a hemispherical shape and 79o valves.

Today the 2000GT is one of the most valuable and iconic Japanese cars ever, thanks partly to the durable 3M engine under the hood. It instantly proved its sturdiness when it set thirteen FIA records for endurance and speed after undergoing a 72-hour test at the Yatabe proving ground.

3. Honda J35 V6 – Honda Accord, Odyssey & Ridgeline

It powers everything from the sporty Honda Accord coupes to the Ridgeline pickups and Odyssey minivans.

The SOHC J35 V6 offers silky smooth power delivery with quick revs and notable VTEC changeovers. Also, it comes with bulletproof reliability, making it one of the greatest V6 engines, which is why it has been going strong since 1996.

2. Honda C30A/C32B V6 – Honda/Acura NSX

The C-Series is yet another notably reliable engine from Honda. It was the brand's first production V6, built in various iterations between 1985 and 2005. The C30A and C32B were the most complex and costly variants, so Honda reserved them for the Honda and Acura NSX sports cars.

1. 2JZ-GTE Inline-Six – Toyota Supra

Toyota has built some incredible, including the high-revving Lexus LFA's V10, but their 2JZ-GTE inline-six engine found on the A80 Supra is among the most desirable. For over twenty years, the 2JZ proved nearly indestructible. Toyota built it for enthusiasts, making it a legendary power plant in the tuner community.

Proud Honda fan

How come no Engine from any of the three Giant German Automakers i.e. Benz, BMW and VW made the list?

kernniejay:
How come no Engine from any of the three Giant German Automakers i.e. Benz, BMW and VW made the list?

I wonder bro

kernniejay:
How come no Engine from any of the three Giant German Automakers i.e. Benz, BMW and VW made the list?

Haha lev that guy abeg

That Honda V6 engine is indestructible I hear. Never driven or used a Honda sadly.


Notable mention: 1MZ-FE 3.0L V6

If Volvo's 3.2l 6cyl NA engine ain't on the list, then it's bogus 👍🏾

valarinz:
If Volvo's 3.2l 6cyl NA engine ain't on the list, then it's bogus 👍🏾

They are talking about 1980s engines that are still waxing strong in 21st century you dey mention indomie generation engine
Very
Odd
Looking
Unidentifiable
Vehicular
Object

nurey:


They are talking about 1980s engines that are still waxing strong in 21st century you dey mention indomie generation engine
Very
Odd
Looking
Unidentifiable
Vehicular
Object

Sir, are you in pains sifia pains?

Did a Volvo splash mud on you while you're sweating it out on your bike today?🤣

Accept our condolences✌🏾

valarinz:


Sir, are you in pains sifia pains?

Did a Volvo splash mud on you while you're sweating it out on your bike today?🤣

Accept our condolences✌🏾

Here in france we don't do Voluvo

nurey:


Here in france we don't do Voluvo

what is 'U' doing in Volvo? 😡😡🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

nymphomaniac:
That Honda V6 engine is indestructible I hear. Never driven or used a Honda sadly.


Notable mention: 1MZ-FE 3.0L 3MZ-FE 3.3L V6

nurey:


Here in france we don't do Voluvo

🤭

Here in emilokan Lagos, we do it a lot

Enjoy your weekend, use helmet next week, make Unidentifiable Object no send you where you never ready go oo 😂😂