The roar of a naturally aspirated engine giving its all has been one of the oldest automotive delights that enthusiasts have enjoyed since the invention of the automobile. With the popularization of turbocharging, many engines, even in sports cars, don’t need to rev as high now that they’re assisted. Even though naturally aspirated engines aren’t as common as they used to be, there’s still plenty in production in 2026. These 10 sound the best.
For this list, every vehicle must have a naturally aspirated engine, sound good, and be available to buy new in 2026. The quality of a sound is subjective, but these are ranked based on the distinctiveness of the powerplant and its noise-producing characteristics, such as a high redline. We are grouping by automaker for this list, which is why there are nine sections but 10 engines. The Corvette offers two completely different N/A engines.
Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ
2026 Toyot GR86/Subaru BRZ
Engine
2.4-liter Boxer-4
Horsepower
228 hp
Torque
184 lb-ft
Redline
7,000 rpm
Transmission
6-speed manual / 6-speed automatic
The Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ twins start this list. Compared to the more impressive stuff later on this list, a 7,000 rpm redline from a somewhat guttural-sounding boxer-four-cylinder engine certainly wouldn’t take the top prize. But for us mere mortals that can’t afford the sweeter-sounding high-dollar offerings, these two still give drivers the satisfaction of a higher-than-average redline and a naturally aspirated motor that moves these lightweight models pretty well. And with a little aftermarket help, it can sound even better.
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Mazda MX-5 Miata
2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Engine
2.0-liter Inline-4
Horsepower
181 hp
Torque
151 lb-ft
Redline
7,500 rpm
Transmission
6-speed manual / 6-speed automatic
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is another affordable sports car with a great-sounding, naturally-aspirated engine. Despite being less powerful than the Subaru/Toyota twins, the Miata’s engine is a bit more special. The 2019 model received an upgrade, providing more horsepower and, arguably, more importantly, a 7,500-rpm redline. Combined with short gearing and a light flywheel, the MX-5’s engine is a delight to wring out and sounds nice in the process. Like the Toyota and Subaru, it can be improved with aftermarket help, but even from the factory, this is basically affordable sports car perfection.
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Lexus LC 500
2026 Lexus LC 500
Engine
5.0-liter V8
Horsepower
471 hp
Torque
398 lb-ft
Redline
7,300 rpm
Transmission
10-speed automatic
There’s just one Lexus left with the sonorous, naturally aspirated V8 that’s been singing its song for 19 years now, originally introduced in the IS F. The LC 500 is possibly the best vehicle ever to utilize the powerplant. It’s a decently potent unit, too. For those who just enjoy an exhilarating sound without feeling the need to go extremely fast, the LC 500 experience is ideal.
This application also benefited from being paired with a quicker 10-speed automatic rather than the slower 8-speed transmission used in other models with this engine, including the IS 500 F Sport Performance, which departed last year. The other big perk is that it’s probably the most reliable powerplant on this list. For folks who don’t want to spend a fortune on maintenance down the road, this Lexus V8 is one of the best ever.
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Ford Mustang GT/Dark Horse
2026 Ford Mustang GT/Dark Horse
Engine
5.0-liter V8
Horsepower
480-500 hp
Torque
418 lb-ft
Redline
7,500 rpm
Transmission
6-speed manual / 10-speed automatic
The “Coyote” 5.0-liter V8 that powers the Ford Mustang GT and Dark Horse offers a special experience. The powerplant has a 7,500-rpm redline, and the upper half of the rev range is where it really comes alive, all while still having respectable torque. The fact that it’s still so accessible, with a new starting price of $46,560 in 2026 before incentives or discounts, makes the engine even more appealing. Pair it with the excellent Tremec six-speed manual in the Dark Horse, with 20 hp more than the GT, and the optional active exhaust, for an even better experience. No matter how you spec it, any V8 Mustang sounds incredible with this engine.
Chevrolet Corvette
2026 Corvette Stingray
2026 Corvette Z06
Engine
6.2-liter V8
5.5-liter V8
Horsepower
495 hp
670 hp
Torque
470 lb-ft
460 lb-ft
Redline
6,500 rpm
8,600 rpm
Transmission
8-speed dual-clutch automatic
8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Corvette Stingray
The Corvette Stingray’s engine has a very average commuter-car redline of 6,500 rpm and falls 5 hp short of the Mustang Dark Horse, which needs 1.2 liters less displacement to hit the 500 hp mark. However, the 6.2-liter V8 is torquey and still sounds great, especially with the optional performance exhaust included with the Z51 package. Since naturally aspirated V8s are a dying breed these days, this one still deserves to be savored, even if the Z06’s powerplant feels far more special.
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Corvette Z06
The glorious flat-plane-crank V8 in the Corvette Z06 emits a shriek as it rips its way to its 8,600 rpm redline. Plus, the model starts at a reasonable-for-the-performance $122,795, which is a fraction of the price of the other cars later in this list. Beyond the sound, the car performs like a proper supercar, with fantastic mid-engine handling, a 2.6-second 0-60 mph time, and a quick-shifting 8-speed dual-clutch automatic. It’s pretty incredible that Chevrolet even managed to pull this off at this price in a production model. If you can afford it and want a special-sounding engine, this may be one of the best values of the bunch.
Porsche 911 GT3/GT3 RS
2026 Porsche 911 GT3/GT3 RS
Engine
4.0-liter Flat-Six
Horsepower
502-518 hp
Torque
331-342 lb-ft
Redline
9,000 rpm
Transmission
6-speed manual + 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
The Porsche 911 GT3 and GT3 RS provide a unique naturally aspirated sound experience with their 9,000-rpm redline flat-six engine mounted at the rear of the car. If you want a naturally aspirated sports car to be wrapped in a more high-end package than a Chevrolet and don’t mind paying roughly double what the Z06 costs (while going slower), this potent Porsche is likely the best answer. The car is especially alluring if you enjoy manuals, which the Z06 doesn’t offer, and the GT3 does. Meanwhile, the GT3 RS offers an even more track-focused experience but is available only with a dual-clutch gearbox.
Lamborghini Revuelto
Lamborghini Revuelto
Engine
6.5-liter V12 PHEV
Horsepower
1,001 hp
Torque
1,044 lb-ft
Redline
9,500 rpm
Transmission
8-speed dual-clutch automatic
The Lamborghini Revuelto’s qualifications for this list were a little iffy, given its electrification. However, we included it due to the naturally aspirated Italian V12 that still makes 814 hp on its own and stampedes to a 9,500 rpm redline, sounding awesome along the way. The Revuelto’s V12 returns to the pre-Aventador firing order, which helps it sound even better than the Aventador’s 12-cylinder. The acoustic ability of this one is also helped by the fact that the powerplant is right behind your head.
Ferrari
Purosangue
12Cilindri
Engine
6.5-liter V12
6.5-liter V12
Horsepower
715 hp
819 hp
Torque
528 lb-ft
510 lb-ft
Redline
8,250 rpm
9,500 rpm
Transmission
8-speed dual-clutch automatic
8-speed dual-clutch automatic
12Cilindri
The Ferrari 12Cilindri has its own magical 6.5-liter V12 inherited from the 812 Competizione. It reaches an even higher 9,500 rpm redline and has a higher-pitched tone that, in this writer’s opinion, makes it sound even better than the Lamborghini. Unlike the Revuelto, there’s no electrical assist, just pure V12 propulsion. Here, the powerplant sits up front, with power going solely to the rear wheels, allowing more tail-out antics than the all-wheel-drive, mid-engine Revuelto.​​​
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Purosangue
The Ferrari Purosangue is the other Prancing Horse that currently uses the V12. While the model has a substantial 104 hp less and a lower redline, it still sings to 8,250 rpm. Unlike the other cars on this list, you can comfortably bring three other people along to enjoy the experience. Aside from the Lamborghini, it’s the only other one with all-wheel drive, meaning you can enjoy that sweet engine all year round, even in snowy climates.
Gordon Murray Automotive T.33
GMA T.33
Engine
3.9-liter V12
Horsepower
607 hp
Torque
332 lb-ft
Redline
11,100 rpm
Transmission
6-speed manual
Lastly, the epicGordon Murray Automotive T.33 is the far-and-away champ. The T.50 that came before it is the more impressive one of the two, but it ended production in 2025. The T.33 still uses the same small-ish Cosworth-built 3.9-liter V12 that positively screams to an astronomical 11,100-rpm redline. Compared to the others on this list, itonly makes 607 hp, but because the car only weighs 2,400 lbs dry, roughly the same as a Miata, it’s enough to propel the T.33 to a 0-60 mph time of around 3.0 seconds.
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Aural pleasure comes easily with these powerful machines.
Because of the low weight, the rest of the experience is just as magical. Unlike the T.50, the T.33 also has a Spider version, which lets owners hear not only the exhaust more clearly but also the intake noise from the roof scoop, which sits just slightly above and behind their ears. I’m sure that experience is worth every penny of the $2.35 million price tag.
Sources: Toyota, Subaru, Mazda, Lexus, Chevrolet, Ford, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, GMA