Best Long Lasting Car Engines
What are the most reliable, long lasting engines that you can buy? I’m gonna share the most reliable, bulletproof, longest lasting engines made today that you can find in new 2024 or 2025 model year vehicles.
Most of these engines have been in production for over a decade now, and with just basic maintenance can easily run for 2 to 300,000 miles or half a million kilometers without having any major issues.
Subaru’s Reliable Boxer Engines ✅
Let’s get right into it, starting with the first engine, which is the Subaru FB 20 D and FB 25 D four cylinder boxer engines.
Mechanically, both of these engines are more or less identical.
The FB 20 D is a naturally aspirated two liter boxer engine found in the Impreza and Crosstrek.
The FB 25 D is a larger displacement 2.5 liter engine that’s available on the Crosstrek and standard on the Forester and Outback.
These are both extremely durable, well-made engines that can easily rack up major mileage with just basic maintenance.
Mechanical failures are very rare and the oil consumption and head gasket problems that used to be an issue with Subaru are no longer a concern.
These are direct injected engines, which means that carbon buildup could potentially be an issue in the long run, but it is by no means a major problem for the most part by any Subaru with either these engines and you are good to go.
Mazda’s Skyactive G Engines ✅
The Next engines on the list, which I’m also giving a tie, are Mazda’s two liter and 2.5 liter Skyactive G four cylinder engines.
Again, mechanically identical engines.
The two liter engine is now primarily used in the Mazda MX five, whereas the larger displacement 2.5 liter engine is now widely used across the Mazda lineup from the Mazda three all the way up to the CX 90.
These are both naturally aspirated four cylinder engines with direct injection, which Mazda has been producing for over a decade.
Mechanical issues with these engines are very rare and they seem to be able to handle very high mileage with just basic maintenance.
The 2.5 liter engine does combinate turbocharge version for those who want to have more power, but this variant does have some reported issues on some model years with oil consumption.
So sticking with the naturally aspirated version is the safer way to go. Buy any Mazda vehicle with these engines and you are golden.
Honda Long-Lasting V6 Engine ✅
The next engine is the first V six engine on the list and that is Honda’s J 35 3.5 liter V six engine.
Honda offers two variants of this six cylinder engine, a single overhead cam and dual overhead cam version, both found in Honda’s larger SUVs, the Ridgeline truck and the OdysseymMinivan.
This is a naturally aspirate engine with direct injection, which Honda has been producing for ages. It’s not perfect.
A batch of these engines were recalled for bearing issues at one point and it is a timing belt engine, which means that an expensive timing belt replacement will be required every a hundred thousand miles or 160,000 kilometers.
Despite these concerns though, these engines have a very good track record for reliability.
Owners are often able to rack up enormous mileage with just basic maintenance and not experience any major issues.
If you are looking for a larger-sized SUV or minivan, a naturally aspirated six cylinder engine is still the best way to go, and Honda is now the go-to option in that department.
Toyota’s Legendary V6 Engine ✅
Another great option for a six cylinder engine is Lexus and Toyota’s 3.5 liter V six two GR FKS engine.
This is a naturally aspirated 3.5 liter V six, but unlike Honda’s V six, this engine does have both direct and port fuel injection.
So carbon buildup is not a long-term concern and it is a timing chain engine which helps reduce long-term repair or maintenance items.
Overall, this is a very solid, well-designed engine that can easily handle very high mileage and abuse with ease.
It’s extremely reliable and quite a shame because Toyota has begun to phase out this engine across its lineup for 2025.
You can now basically only find this engine on a few Lexus models including the ES 350, the IS sedan and hybrid versions of the TX and LS.
So what that means is that if you want a super reliable luxury vehicle, Lexus is the way to go.
Honda and Toyota’s Reliable Hybrid Systems ✅
Next up on the list we have the first hybrid engine, which is the two liter four cylinder engine found in Honda’s two motor hybrid system.
Honda’s hybrid engine is available on the CRV, the Accord and the Civic.
It uses a naturally aspirated two liter Atkinson cycle four cylinder engine with direct injection which combines with two electric motors to deliver excellent fuel economy and performance.
This is a very reliable hybrid system which Honda has now been producing for over a decade and problems with it are considered extremely rare.
Honda is definitely an expert on hybrid technology, so if you want a fuel efficient hybrid that’s also extremely reliable, this is a great option.
The leader when it comes to hybrids however is Toyota, which is why the next engine on the list is Toyota’s two motor hybrid system.
When it comes to hybrids, no automaker has more experience than Toyota.
They are the leader of hybrid technology and make some of the best ones available. Although there are now a few different variants.
Top Reliable Cars Beyond Toyota and Honda
Toyota’s original Hybrid system remains their very best.
This is a two motor hybrid design which uses an ECVT planetary gear type transmission, which combines with a naturally aspirated Atkinson cycle four cylinder engine.
It uses a 1.8 liter and two liter engine on the Corolla and the Prius and a larger 2.5 liter engine on the Camry, the RAV4.
Any few other models, even Mazda has begun offering this exact same hybrid system on the Mazda CX 50 like Honda’s hybrid system.
This is a very straightforward low service setup that just requires simple maintenance and it will easily run for two to 300,000 miles without having any major issues.
There is a good reason why these Toyota hybrids are the go-to choice for many taxis they run forever and tolerate major abuse With these.
Of course, you can also get the same amazing reliability in the non-hybrid versions of these exact same engines,
Toyota’s Dynamic Force Engines ✅
The next engines on the list are Toyota’s two-liter and 2.5 liter four cylinder engines.
These are known as Toyota’s Dynamic Force engines.
Both are naturally aspirated four cylinder engines with both direct and port fuel injection.
The two liter engine is used on the Corolla and Corolla cross, whereas the 2.5 liter engine can be found in the RAV4 and some Lexus models.
Toyota has been producing these engines for several years now and they are very well sorted.
Both are extremely reliable and repair issues with either one are very rare,
Honda K20C2 Engine: Built to Last ✅
There is one other four cylinder engine that you can buy that’s arguably even more reliable, solid and robust, and that is Honda’s two liter four cylinder engine, otherwise known as the K 20 C two.
This engine can be found in the Civic and HRV. It is a naturally aspirate engine with traditional port fuel injection.
So there are not only no turbo concerns but no carbon buildup concerns either.
It is just a simple straightforward engine design that is built to last.
This engine is absolutely legendary for its ability to go extremely high mileage with just basic maintenance and sometimes with even less than great maintenance.
In terms of basic Honda reliability, this really represents classic Honda at its very best.
There’s just nothing you can really fault this engine with. It is a real gem.
Toyota’s 4.0L V6: The Most Reliable Engine ✅
Now I’m going to have a few honorable mentions to share in just a moment, but before I do, there is one more engine I have to share, which is arguably the most reliable engine that you can buy in a brand new vehicle in 2024.
Arguably able to go 300, 400, maybe even half a million miles without having any major issues and that engine of course is Toyota’s four liter V six, otherwise known as the one GRFE used in the fifth generation Toyota four runner.
Toyota’s four liter V six is an absolutely legendary engine, arguably the most robust overbuilt time-tested engine available in a regular everyday vehicle.
There are just no stories with this engine. It has been in production so long that every possible concern has now been sorted ages ago.
It’s also a shame because this engine is going outta production and will no longer be available after 2024.
So if you wanna get the last and very best, get one while you still can.
Honorable Mentions
Now as mentioned, there are other engines in production today that are fairly well known for their solid reliability.
These include Nissan’s 3.5 liter and 3.8 liter naturally aspirated V six engines used on their larger SUVs and the Frontier truck.
There’s also Ford’s five liter naturally aspirated V eight used in the F-150 and of course there’s the five liter V eight engine used in the Lexus lc 500.
We also have Mitsubishi’s 2.4 liter four cylinder engine used on the Outlander plugin hybrid and to a certain degree even BMW’s B 58 inline six cylinder engine, which is also fairly robust and reliable.
There are engines out there that have fairly well proven track records, but if you wanna play it on the safe side, going with one of the engines on this list is the safest way to go.