The Naturally Aspirated V6 Is Going Extinct

Photo: Andy Kalmowitz / Jalopnik

I’ve owned four cars in my lifetime. Every single one of them had six naturally aspirated cylinders, and three were V6s. I suppose you can I’ve got a pretty strong affinity for that type of engine layout, and that’s why I’m so worried right now.

You see, I recently came to the realization that the naturally aspirated V6 was dying, and almost always in favor of inline-4 engines with turbos or hybrids. It’s a damn shame. For years, V6s have sort of been the backbone of the automotive landscape, but those days are coming to an end. This has all made me take stock of just how many vehicles still have naturally aspirated V6s, and unfortunately, it’s not a lot.

I spent a whole lot of time looking through the websites of every mainstream automaker, and only seven different companies make an NA V6 motor: Honda, GM, Stellantis, Ford, Kia/Hyundai, Toyota and Nissan. Between them, there are just 20 vehicles on sale right now with that type of engine. That may sound like a bunch, but when you consider there are hundreds of different vehicle models out there for sale right now, that number is downright small.

Sure, turbocharged four-cylinders and hybrids are usually going to be more efficient and powerful than NA V6s but who cares? These motors are about vibes! Anyway, let’s check out the lone survivors of the great naturally aspirated V6 purge. Also, I better not see anyone bring up Porsche in the comments, because they do not make a V6 with no turbos.