Fast Details to Know About V8 vs. V6
Which is best, a V6 or a V8? This query could appear outdated to some on this age of turbocharging, hybrids, and electrical automobiles. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless related, notably when purchasing for a truck or SUV. Furthermore, with gasoline prices fluctuating, gas economic system stays on our minds. Finally, we are able to’t inform you which is best as a result of it boils all the way down to your particular wants. What you wish to accomplish together with your automobile ought to decide whether or not a V8 or V6 fits you.
We intention to arm you with sufficient data to choose that most accurately fits your wants. Since this isn’t a basic dialogue of powertrains, we’ll focus on the V8 and V6, leaving out 4-cylinder engines and electrical powertrains. We are going to ignore V10s and V12s, as effectively.
Engine Anatomy: What Is the ‘V’?
The fundamental perform of an inner combustion engine (ICE) relies upon upon the movement of pistons to rotate a crankshaft, which in flip powers the wheels by way of a gearbox. Pistons could be of varied sizes, however every accomplishes its job inside the confines of a cylinder. In easy phrases, the extra pistons, the larger the ability potential. Consequently, after we discuss with the variety of cylinders in an engine, it’s actually in regards to the variety of pistons.
Engine designers can prepare the cylinders in a straight line (inline) or divide them into two parallel rows with an equal variety of cylinders. When divided into two rows, the cylinders have to be angled inward at their base to connect the pistons to the crankshaft working alongside the underside middle of the engine. In different phrases, the parallel rows of cylinders kind a “V” form.
Though you may discover inline-8 engines in a couple of fashions 60 or 70 years in the past, immediately, the inline association is confined to engines with six or fewer cylinders. These with eight or extra cylinders and most with six cylinders are within the V configuration.
The benefits and drawbacks of inline versus V are for one more time.
What Is a V8 Engine?
Two rows of 4 cylinders every comprise a V8 engine. Typically, V8 engines are bigger, heavier, extra fuel-thirsty, and extra highly effective than V6 engines.
Why You Want a V8
The explanations for selecting a V8 differ relying on whether or not it’s a automobile as a substitute of a truck or SUV. It additionally could depend upon if you happen to plan to tow with the automobile, or not.
Automobiles
No less than for now, a V8 is the selection for many drivers on the lookout for high-performance or horsepower and torque from a automobile. Whether or not a coupe, sedan, unique, or sports activities automobile, the V8 usually stays the go-to engine. Carmakers providing V8s usually reserve them for his or her top-end fashions.
Nicely-suited for efficiency vehicles, V8s provide the next energy ceiling and ship that energy in a easy, linear development. Furthermore, they emit a fierce growl that engines with fewer cylinders merely can’t duplicate.
Automobiles providing a V8 are a quickly shrinking slice of the automotive pie. Muscle vehicles and high-performance sports activities vehicles are a number of the final V8-equipped vehicles.
Take a look at these examples of high-performance V8 vehicles:
Vehicles and SUVs
Whereas the V8 vs. V6 debate for vehicles primarily revolves round efficiency, it’s extra about cargo-carrying capability and most towing limits in vehicles and SUVs.
Basically phrases, V8s carry the next capability for energy (energy ceiling). A V8 is extra succesful if you happen to want your truck to tug or haul heavy hundreds usually and for prolonged intervals. These extra two cylinders sharing the workload means the stress of pulling a heavy load over lengthy intervals will get lessened for all of the cylinders.
Though V6 engines are gaining floor, V8s nonetheless rule amongst full-size vehicles and SUVs. That is notably true when used for work and towing.
Take a look at these examples of vehicles and SUVs providing V8 engines:
What Is a V6 Engine?
In contrast to an inline-6-cylinder engine with all six cylinders in a single row, a V6 affords two rows of cylinders, three to a row. Typically, a V6 is lighter, extra fuel-efficient, much less dear, and offers higher dealing with than a V8.
Why You Want a V6
The V6 doesn’t have the cachet of the V8. Nonetheless, concerning practicality and effectivity, the V6 wins the day. Immediately’s V6s, particularly with turbocharging, are usually not only a smart V8 various however can rival V8s in efficiency and work ethic.
Consequently, the difficulty is much less about why you want a V6 and extra about why you’ll purchase a V8. In most purposes, a V6 can ship equal efficiency at a decrease price — each by way of the acquisition worth and gas prices.
Automobiles
For a lot of fashions, a V6 provides the thrust for the top-end trim stage. The V8 has all however disappeared from the engine arsenal of vehicles for many mainstream manufacturers, leaving the V8 to reign supreme for muscle vehicles and a few luxurious fashions.
Furthermore, some type of a V6 even provides the go for a rising variety of efficiency vehicles.
Take a look at these vehicles with a V6 on the high of their engine meals chain:
Vehicles and SUVs
Typically, there may be little output distinction between a V6 and a V8. For instance, the Ford F-150’s 5.0-liter V8 produces 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. Its 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generates 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque.
As for towing, the V6 outshines the V8 within the above instance. The V6 can tug as much as 14,000 kilos, whereas the V8’s most towing capability is 13,000 kilos. Nonetheless, as a result of V8’s larger measurement and weight, we’re again to that sustained energy benefit V8s typically provide over V6s.
So, until your truck or SUV goes to be an actual workhorse, you’ll most likely respect the decrease working and restore prices of a V6. Additionally, you will nearly all the time pay much less at buy for a V6. Take a look at the examples beneath of vehicles and SUVs with a V6 engine.
What Is the Distinction Between V8 and V6 Engines?
The first distinction is the variety of cylinders: a V6 has six and a V8 has eight. Due to this, a V6 is lighter and burns much less gas than a V8. Nonetheless, most V8s can haul and tow greater than most V6s.
In summarizing the variations, we typically discover that V8s, in relation to V6s, price a bit of extra at buy, burn extra gas, weigh extra, and normally can tow and haul extra, enduring much less stress.
By comparability, V6s price much less at buy, burn much less gas, and weigh much less. For instance, the 2025 Audi Q7 55 comes with a 335-hp V6, will get 18/23/20 mpg metropolis/freeway mixed, weighs 5,049 kilos, and begins at $66,995. The 2025 Audi SQ7 has a 500-hp V8, will get 15/21/17 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed, weighs 5,291 kilos, and begins at $92,590.
Do You Actually Want a V8, or Can You Purchase a V6?
The very important half of the above query is, do you actually need a V8? Normally, you’ll search for a V8 if you happen to have been shopping for a muscle automobile or another high-performance automobile. In any other case, eight out of 10 instances, the reply is not any, you don’t want a V8. With all of the engine expertise developments, together with advances in turbocharging, a V6 will normally fulfill your wants. Many efficiency vehicles, just like the Kia Stinger and Nissan GT-R, get their thrust from a V6. Nonetheless, a V8 is the engine of selection for truck and SUV patrons meaning to tow or haul heavy hundreds, together with a camper. That’s the place the V8 brings a slight edge. Nonetheless, for many truck and SUV purposes, a V6 will greater than get the job accomplished.
With ever-tightening authorities mileage mandates, the V8’s days are possible numbered. This appears counterintuitive because the market relentlessly marches towards vehicles and SUVs. Even in these segments, although, the V6 has made enormous inroads.
Nope, until you’re purchasing for a high-performance automobile or a towing and hauling workhorse, you’ll find a V6-powered automobile, truck, or SUV that can do every part you want.
RELATED: 4-Cylinder Engines Immediately Are as Highly effective as V8s Have been in 2001
Editor’s Be aware: Despite the fact that the choice between a V6 and a V8 is rational, generally we make automobile choices for different causes. As an example, I’m a giant fan of the Toyota 4Runner. I’ve owned three through the years (a second-generation 1993 Restricted, a third-generation 1997 SR5, and a fourth-generation 2005 Restricted), and my favourite by far was the 2005 — as a result of it had a V8. I liked the best way it sounded and the best way it doled out its energy. After I offered my 2005 (massive mistake), I thought-about shopping for a fifth-generation 4Runner, however I couldn’t pull the set off — as a result of Toyota discontinued the V8 within the 4Runner starting in 2008. Despite the fact that the 2008 V6 outperformed the 2005 V8, I’m on the market attempting to find a fourth-gen 4Runner. Rational? Probably not. — Senior Editor Jason Fogelson.
Which Is Higher: A V8 or V6?
Choosing between a V8 and a V6 is determined by how you utilize the automobile and what you need it to do. Normally, V8s are the go-to engine for hauling or towing heavy hundreds. A V8 is extra of a need than a necessity for nearly every other software. The best-performance muscle-car fashions just like the Dodge Charger Hellcat and Chevrolet Camaro SS depend on V8 engines. Nonetheless, as a result of V6 engines are lighter and extra fuel-efficient, they’re usually the higher selection for many drivers.
