The V8 engine is a staple of American car culture.  
The loud sound, large power numbers and versatility have helped keep the big motors around for more than a century. Due to car companies moving toward smaller-displacement engines, stricter emissions standards and electrification, V8s aren’t as common as they used to be. Even though there are many 8-cylinder vehicles still being made, there are many fewer to choose from these days.  
Here are some of the remaining V8 engines that you can still buy new from American car makers for the 2026 model year. 
The CT5-V Blackwing uses the same 6.2-liter V8 that can be found in other GM vehicles. This supercharged car takes it to another level as it reaches 668 horsepower. If you really want to experience what this car can do, consider the six-speed manual version. 
The Escalade has been using a V8 since its debut in 1999 and nothing has changed for its current generation. If you want more excitement from your luxury SUV, then consider the Escalade-V. It’s supercharged and has an exhaust note louder than most muscle cars. 
A V8 not being inside of a Corvette just wouldn’t feel right.  
Now there seems to be a new powertrain for the C8 generation coming out fairly often. The Stingray uses the basic 6.2-liter V8, the Z06 opts for a 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8, the e-Ray uses hybrid assistance and the ZR1 is twin-turbocharged. Sitting above all of them in performance is the ZR1x, which takes the twin-turbo setup and hybrid system to reach 1,250 horsepower. 
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These two utility vans are basically the same vehicle, and they have been for many years as they have received limited exterior updates over the years. While the V8 in these vans isn’t performance-based or luxury cruising oriented, it’s still an 8-cylinder option. 
Automakers often share powertrains with their sister companies for vehicles built on the same platform. Most engines that the Silverado gets, the GMC Sierra will also get, including the V8. 
Since the Suburban is just a larger version of the Tahoe, they both have the same V8 engine. The basic trims come with a 5.3-liter V8 while the top of the line High Country variants receive the 6.2-liter V8.
Dodge has been known for large block V8 engines and still is. For the 2026 model year, all Durango models will come standard with a hemi V8. The RT comes with a 5.7-liter V8 while the SRT 392 trim has a 6.4-liter V8. The Hellcat Durango is still around and uses the iconic supercharged V8 with 710 horsepower. 
The bestselling vehicle in America has many powertrain options to choose from. You can opt for the 5.0-liter V8 or the supercharged variant with the Raptor-R. 
The Mustang and V8 go together like bread and butter. The new S650 generation of Mustangs has a V8 available in the GT and Dark Horse trims. The stick shift is an option for them as well. 
The GMC Yukon duo comes standard with a 5.3-liter V8 but can also be optioned for a 6.2-liter V8 on the AT4 and Denali trims. The Ultimate trims come with a 3.0L inline-six DURAMAX turbo-diesel engine. 
The 6.4-liter HEMI was added to the Wrangler in 2021; it’s coming to the Gladiator next year. The truck and SUV pair will have 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. 
Ram trucks still have hemi options available for those who want one. Including the Hellcat powered TRX, which will be returning in 2026. 
Keenan Thompson is a car culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Keenan at kthompson@freepress.com. Follow him on Instagram at @keenanautos. To sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber. 

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