Indestructable: The Most Reliable Engines Ever Made

Yahoo

2 days ago

While some engines can be as fickle as the British weather in spring, others can take years of abuse without even batting an eyelid. From feisty four-pots to vigorous V8s, robust engines can be found across the board and feature in a plethora of cars, including a few of our all-time favorites, but what is it exactly that makes a motor reliable?
Well, to help answer that question, we've compiled a list of the most dependable engines to ever turn a crankshaft. Whether it be tiny two-cylinders or fire-breathing behemoths, every powerplant on this list is widely renowned for its reliability.
Over the years, automakers have produced thousands of different engines — each with its own quirks, strengths, and engineering philosophies. While no list can capture them all, there are certain engines that have earned their place in the reliability hall of fame.
By looking at key factors like longevity, mechanical simplicity, build quality, and the types of materials used, we can start to see what sets some powerplants apart from the rest. With insights drawn from trusted automotive sources and enthusiast communities, we're shining a spotlight on some of the most famously durable engines ever made. So forget calling the tow truck — these engines were built to last. Let's take a look under the hood.
Arguably the most legendary four-cylinder engine Toyota ever made, the 22R and its fuel-injected sibling, the 22RE, earned a reputation for being virtually indestructible. Found in Hilux pickups and early 4Runners, these 2.4-liter engines featured a simple SOHC design, cast-iron block, and overbuilt internals.
They aren't powerful by modern standards, but they'll survive anything, from off-road abuse to years of neglect. Many 22Rs have surpassed 300,000 miles with nothing more than oil changes and the occasional timing chain replacement. Whether crawling over rocks or hauling cargo, this engine just won't die.
It should come as no surprise that the first engine on our list is Japanese, and from whom else but Toyota? When it comes to reliability, they wrote the book — and then had it laminated. We could have picked any number of engines from the Japanese giant, but we decided on the 2JZ for its perfect mix of robustness and performance.
Introduced in 1991, the 2JZ is a 3.0-liter, inline six-cylinder featuring a cast iron block and aluminum head. Whether in stock form or tuned to near-unfathomable levels of performance, thanks to a strapping pair of turbos, CarBuzz says the 2JZ is arguably most famous for powering the legendary Supra.
The 5.9-liter 12-valve Cummins straight-six, known as the 6BT, is the holy grail of diesel durability. Found in Dodge Ram pickups from 1989 to 1998, this engine was designed for industrial use, and it shows.
With mechanical injection, a forged crankshaft, and a cast-iron block and head, it's a masterpiece of overengineering. These engines routinely hit 500,000 miles, and some go well beyond a million with basic care. Tuners love the 6BT for its simplicity and massive torque potential, but even stock, it's one of the longest-lasting powerplants ever installed in a pickup.
Over-engineered and under-stressed, BMW's M50, a renowned six-cylinder engine that featured in both the E34 5 Series and E36 3 Series (as well as being the basis for the high-performance S50 variant used in the M3), is rightly revered as one of the best to ever play the game.
Combining bombproof engineering with gobs of smooth power, the Home of Engines says the DOHC M50 remains a cornerstone of BMW's rich performance heritage. Available in multiple displacements, its legacy continues to define the ethos of what makes a great motor.
Found in the Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Series, the 4.5-liter 1FZ-FE inline-six is a smooth, torque-rich workhorse known for being almost impossible to kill. Built with overlanding and long-distance reliability in mind, it features a cast-iron block, aluminum head, and a reputation for running forever with just oil changes and coolant flushes.
While not the most fuel-efficient, this engine will get you across continents or through decades of daily driving without complaint. It's beloved by off-roaders and explorers for its ability to thrive in the harshest environments.
It's not just the Japanese and Germans that can churn out ultra-reliable power plants. No siree. America has been in on the act for decades, and the Ford 300 straight-six is a prime example. Debuting in 1964 and remaining in production for over 30 years, the fourth-generation six-pot 300 is primarily remembered as the beating heart of the Ford F-150.
As EngineLabs reports, the reliability here comes from the engine's simplicity, and the 300 was chucked into everything from generators to farm equipment. Exceptionally easy to work on, it still enjoys excellent parts support today, making it a popular choice for the home mechanic.
Originally an AMC design, the Jeep 4.0-liter inline-six became one of the most dependable engines in American automotive history. Used in models like the Cherokee, Wrangler, and Grand Cherokee from 1987 to 2006, it combined strong low-end torque with legendary reliability.
Built with a cast-iron block and head, it could take high mileage, overheating, and even poor maintenance in stride. Engines with 300,000 or even 400,000 miles aren't uncommon, and many are still on the road today. It's a rough, old-school engine, but exactly the kind you want when failure isn't an option.
OK, so this is more of a family of engines rather than an individual model, but nevertheless, Chevrolet's small-block V8s are as hardy and as ubiquitous as they come. From its introduction in 1955 to the current crop of V8s still being built today, HotCars says these legendary engines are renowned for their accessibility and ease of modification, with many performance car builders opting to plonk one under the hood of whatever project they're currently working on.
They are truly iconic engines, and the fact that Chevrolet is still making them today speaks volumes as to their inherent reliability and, indeed, usability.
The ALH-code 1.9-liter TDI is one of the most beloved diesel engines Volkswagen ever made. Introduced in the late 1990s and used in the Golf, Jetta, and New Beetle, this inline-four diesel is known for its blend of fuel economy and longevity.
With proper timing belt replacements and regular oil changes, these engines regularly exceed 400,000 kilometers, and many go further. Featuring a simple turbocharger and mechanical-style injection, the ALH TDI is highly modifiable and surprisingly tough. It may be slow by today's standards, but in terms of durability, it's still unmatched in its class.
We're heading back east to Japan now with the Honda K-Series. The first four-cylinder unit on our list, the DOHC K-Series, was an evolution of the B-Series — an engine immortalized after appearing in one of Honda's most exciting models, the point and squirt EK9 Civic Type R.
Built from durable materials, the high-revving K-Series was made to last and remains popular with tuners craving a balance of performance and reliability. Available either as naturally aspirated (VTEC just kicked in, yo!) or with forced induction, Slashgear says Honda's prolific K-Series remains one of the most reliable engines ever produced.
Before the K-series became Honda's go-to performance engine, the B-series set the benchmark. Found in cars like the Civic Si, Integra GS-R, and Type R models, these DOHC VTEC inline-fours loved to rev, and didn't mind abuse.
With strong blocks and bulletproof engineering, the B16 and B18 earned cult status for lasting well over 200,000 miles, even with spirited driving. Tuners pushed them hard with bolt-ons and turbo kits, and the engines held together impressively well. The B-series combined reliability with performance in a way few engines have since.
If Ford has one, then you can bet your bottom dollar that Chrysler does, too, and when it comes to reliable engines, the Chrysler Slant-Six is where it's at. Also known as the G-engine, it was developed to replace the aging Flathead motor that Chrysler debuted way back in 1925.
According to CarBuzz, it was an economic and utilitarian cast iron block (aluminum versions came later) available in various configurations, and it would also go on to prove itself in high-performance applications. Praised for its heroic durability, it was used consistently to great effect across the Chrysler, Plymouth, and Dodge ranges.
A modern workhorse, the 3.0-liter Isuzu 4JJ1 diesel powers pickups and SUVs like the D-Max and MU-X. With a cast-iron block, common-rail injection, and forged internals, the 4JJ1 was built with endurance in mind. It's a favorite in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Australia thanks to its ability to run on poor-quality fuel and survive extreme heat, heavy loads, and minimal maintenance.
This engine routinely exceeds 500,000 kilometers, especially in fleet and commercial use. Quietly one of the toughest diesels of the 21st century, the 4JJ1 is a masterclass in reliability and real-world utility.
We could hardly compile a list of reliable engines and not mention Volvo now, could we? Legendarily bombproof with stories of million-mile accomplishments, the Swedes really got it right with the Redblock.
Nicknamed for obvious reasons, the B21, as it is officially known, along with its derivatives, is a slant-four that first appeared in the 200 Series cars. It later went on to power the 700 and 900 series models as the B23. Incredibly hardy and able to handle huge amounts of power, these engines continue to enjoy a healthy tuning scene, especially in turbo format.
The M113 V8, available in displacements from 4.3 to 5.5 liters, is often considered Mercedes-Benz's most reliable modern V8. Found in models like the E430, SL500, and even the AMG E55 (as the supercharged M113K), this engine delivered strong performance and near-luxury smoothness with surprisingly few mechanical issues.
Built with a single-overhead-cam design, aluminum block, and cast-iron liners, it resists the typical gremlins that plagued later Mercedes powerplants. With proper maintenance, M113s can easily surpass 400,000 miles. It's a refined brute that's fast, durable, and capable of quietly outlasting everything around it.
Ford's second entry on the list is the Windsor V8, and most car enthusiasts will be familiar with at least one application where this staunchly reliable engine has been utilized. AutoCar says it's been used in anything from kit cars to race builds, meaning the small-block Windsor V8 is a bit of an institution.
Appearing in everything from the fourth-generation Ford Fairlane in 1962 to the Le Mans winning GT40 and beyond, the Windsor V8 has proven itself time and again, and while it's been missing from production cars for over two decades, you can still buy versions in crate form from places like Summit Racing, ensuring this particular legend will continue to live on.
The Toyota 1NZ-FE is a small but mighty 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine found in vehicles like the Yaris, Echo, and early Prius models. Despite its modest output, this engine is a marvel of efficiency and reliability. With an aluminum block and timing chain (instead of a belt), it's engineered to go the distance with minimal maintenance.
It's not uncommon for these engines to pass 500,000 kilometers in taxi and fleet use, especially in markets like Southeast Asia and Africa. The 1NZ-FE isn't glamorous, but in terms of real-world longevity, it's one of Toyota's finest.
There's a reason why so many taxi drivers have historically chosen the Mercedes-Benz W123 as their steed of choice, and that reason, ladies and gentlemen, is the OM617 engine under the hood. As reported by Slashgear, this 3.0-liter cast-iron, five-cylinder diesel has propelled many a Benz to fantastical feats of mileage with minimal maintenance.
The OM617 isn't particularly shouty, nor does it have a big ego. It just works. Period. As the BBC says, if you were to visit Africa today, you'd still find old W123 Mercedes-Benzes in droves, and most of them will be powered by this really rather robust and well-built engine.
The 1.9-liter XUD9 diesel engine from Peugeot and Citroën is a forgotten hero of European motoring. Found in models like the 405, 309, and BX, it became a favorite among budget-conscious drivers, farmers, and taxi operators alike. Known for its ability to run forever with minimal care, the XUD9 used indirect injection, a cast-iron block, and tough-as-nails internals.
These engines routinely clocked up hundreds of thousands of kilometers, often with neglected service schedules. Slow and noisy, yes, but if you're looking for an engine that can run on dirty diesel and never quit, this is it.
Book-ending the list with another Toyota engine, albeit this time under the Lexus moniker, we have the 4.0-liter 32-valve quad-cam 1UZ-FE V8. Known for powering not only Toyotas but also its luxury line of Lexus models — including the LS400 — this unit has proved itself as a powerful, refined, and innately reliable motor.
In fact, it's so reliable that it was included in Ward's 10 Best Engines list for three years running in 1998, 1999, and 2000.
This is just a taste of the myriad of motors out there revered for their reliability, and while most new engines nowadays are inherently reliable, such is the nature of modern technology and engineering. We all have the iconic powerplants of the past — like those listed above — to thank for that.
They ran so we could fly, and their legacy lives on in the way manufacturers build and test engines today. So, to all the bulletproof engines of days gone by, we salute you.