Citroen: 3.0 litres
Citroën’s entry is the first on this list and one of the only ones that runs on diesel. The 2720cc Peugeot-Citroën-Ford V6 engine that was first installed in the C5 and C6 saloon cars was increased to 2993cc in 2009, producing 237bhp and 332lb ft of torque, which is greater than many of the larger engines you’ll see later in the article. Additionally, Land Rovers and Jaguars made heavy use of it.
For those who are curious, Citroën’s SM grand tourer utilized a 3.0 liter V6, albeit with a somewhat smaller displacement of 2978cc.
Subaru: 3.6 litres
In contrast to several other Japanese automakers, Subaru has never invested in extremely large engines, opting instead to rely on turbocharging in situations where high power outputs are needed. The largest engine available is a 3.6-liter flat-six, which was introduced in 2010 and is found in the Tribeca SUV, Legacy, and Outback (also referred to as the Lancaster in its native market).
Although it was designed for Formula One and other motorsports purposes, Subaru also produced a 3.5-liter flat-12, which isn’t thought to be the company’s best creation.
Acura: 3.7 litres
The largest engine in the Japanese manufacturer’s V6 J-Series family is found in the RL and TL sedans, as well as the MDX and ZDX crossovers manufactured under the premium brand of Honda.
Initial capacity for that range was 2.5 liters, however the J37 had a 3664cc capacity. When it was first released, Acura claimed that the engine produced 300 horsepower and 270 lb ft, making it the most powerful the company provided; however, this claim has since been surpassed. It is not used by the MDX that is in use today, and the older models have been retired.
Honda: 3.9 litres
The fourth-generation Legend, the non-US version of the Acura RL, is also equipped with the same 3.7-liter V6 engine as the Acura RL, but it is not the biggest engine ever installed in a road car with the Honda brand. Honda debuted the Crossroad model in November 1993, with an engine displacement of 3946cc. This was the company’s first, and still its only, automotive V8.
The Crossroad was a first-generation Land Rover Discovery that Honda, then in conjunction with Rover, had constructed in Solihull. It was shipped to Japan under alternative emblems.
A later iteration bearing the same name was propelled by four-cylinder, smaller engines. Honda revealed in September 2023 that their first commercially produced V8 of its own design, with a 4952cc capacity, will only be suitable for naval applications.
Volvo: 4.4 litres
In the past, Volvo was a larger company that produced both cars and heavy-duty vehicles. The latter division, which is now independent of the car industry, had engines as big as 16.0 liters. Volvo’s largest internal combustion engine, designed in collaboration with Yamaha, is a 4414cc V8. It developed 311 bhp and 324 lb ft of torque and was installed in the S80 saloon and the XC90 SUV (shown).
A 4989cc version of the same engine, capable of producing up to 650 horsepower, was developed by Polestar Racing for use in an S60 silhouette racer that participated in the Australian V8 Supercars championship.
Lancia: 4.9 litres
Despite producing a number of high-performance vehicles, Lancia is not well-known for its large-capacity motors. At 4942cc, the capacity of a four-cylinder engine fitted to the Theta (1913–1918), an automobile that is renowned for being among the first in Europe to have electric lights and a starter, it holds the record for the longest time.
Additionally, Lancia designed and produced 6.0- and 7.2-liter narrow-angle V12 engines, but these were never installed in vehicles that were offered for sale to the general public. When far larger V12s were produced, they were exclusively utilized in aircraft.
Land Rover: 5.0 litres
Since 2009, Jaguars, Land Rovers, and Range Rovers have been equipped with a nearly identical 5.0-liter V8 engine. Although it’s not the biggest ever installed on a Jaguar, it is the biggest for the other two brands.
Although some Jaguar models have more power, the most powerful models, which are utilized in Range Rovers, have maximum power of 567bhp and peak torque of 513lb ft. One such model is the Sport SVR, which is pictured and is characterized by staff members as “widely admired yet not roundly loved.”
Infiniti: 5.6 litres
The parent firm Nissan created and manufactured the 5552cc V8, the largest engine ever installed in an Infiniti. It is the highest-capacity variant of a unit that was originally constructed at 4.5 liters.
It is the sole engine available in the two generations of QX80 (originally designated QX56) that have been produced so far, and it has been provided in the executive saloons M56 and Q70.
Nissan: 5.6 litres
As we just covered, the Infiniti 5552cc V8 is the largest engine ever installed in a Nissan that is offered for sale to the general public. It has been utilized in a number of competitive cars, the Armada, Patrol, and Pathfinder SUVs, and the Titan pickup truck.
Even bigger, at 6373cc, Nissan has also built a V8, although unless you are a member of Japanese royalty or closely related to one, you will not have driven a car powered by this engine.
Lexus: 5.7 litres
A 5663cc V8 engine was offered as an option for both the third-generation Lexus LX SUV and the Toyota Land Cruiser, which is the biggest engine ever installed in a vehicle from either company. Although supercharger packages were offered, the motor, designated 3UR-FE, had 383 horsepower and 403 pound-feet of torque in its base configuration.
The modern LX, which is propelled by a turbocharged engine with a smaller capacity, does not have the V8 engine.
Porsche: 5.7 litres
Porsche’s sole V10 engine is also the biggest engine ever installed in a production vehicle. It was first created for racing, but it was never used because of a rule change. Instead, it was employed in the mid-engine, carbon fiber monocoque Carrera GT sports car, which was produced between 2004 and 2006.
Porsche claims that modifying the 5733cc V10 for usage on public roads only required careful consideration of noise and emissions laws. In the absence of forced induction, the standard power and torque outputs were 604 bhp and 435 lb ft.