12 Japanese Cars Known For Their Bulletproof Engines
Japanese automakers have earned a reputation for building some of the most dependable engines ever to grace the automotive world.
These mechanical marvels often outlast their competition by hundreds of thousands of miles, becoming legendary among car enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike.
From economical commuters to high-performance sports cars, these Japanese vehicles prove that engineering excellence can create engines that just won’t quit.
1. Honda Civic with B-Series Engine
Forget diamonds—B-series Honda engines might be forever. These mechanical masterpieces powered countless Civics through the 1990s, creating a generation of devoted fans. With proper maintenance, 400,000-mile examples aren’t rare.
The B16 and B18 variants deliver remarkable performance alongside Toyota-rivaling durability, making them hot commodities in the tuner scene even decades after production.
2. Toyota Corolla AE86
Immortalized in the anime Initial D, this drift icon packs the legendary 4A-GE engine that refuses to fade away. Owners regularly clock 300,000+ miles without major repairs. The high-revving 1.6-liter powerplant delivers modest power but extraordinary reliability.
Even abused examples with countless redline shifts continue running decades later, cementing the AE86’s cult status worldwide.
3. Mazda RX-7 FD
Rotary revolution! While requiring more specialized care than piston engines, properly maintained 13B-REW twin-turbo rotary engines in the FD RX-7 are surprisingly robust. Enthusiasts who follow maintenance schedules religiously report 150,000+ miles of trouble-free operation.
The unique powerplant delivers silky-smooth performance and a distinctive banshee wail that no conventional engine can match.
4. Lexus LS400
Million-mile luxury doesn’t sound possible until you meet the 1UZ-V8 in the original Lexus flagship. Matt Farah’s famous “Million Mile Lexus” proved these engines are practically immortal. Engineers reportedly tested these V8s at full throttle for 24 hours straight without failure.
The overbuilt aluminum block, bulletproof internals, and conservative tuning created perhaps the most reliable luxury car engine ever manufactured.
5. Nissan Skyline GT-R R34
Godzilla earned its nickname! The legendary RB26DETT inline-six in the R34 GT-R was so overbuilt that tuners regularly extract double the factory horsepower without internal modifications.
Factory turbos were rated for 280hp due to Japan’s “gentleman’s agreement,” but the engine internals could handle far more.
Even with aggressive tuning, these engines regularly surpass 200,000 miles when properly maintained.
6. Toyota Supra Mark IV
The 2JZ-GTE might be automotive engineering’s crowning achievement. This inline-six has achieved mythical status for routinely handling triple its factory horsepower rating with minimal modifications.
Overbuilt from the factory with a cast iron block, forged internals, and sequential turbos, these engines laugh at abuse. Even heavily modified examples with 1000+ horsepower can maintain daily-driver reliability when properly built.
7. Toyota Hilux Pickup
Virtually indestructible! Top Gear famously tried drowning, burning, and dropping a Hilux from a building—yet it still ran. The 22R engine family powers these legendary trucks through apocalyptic conditions worldwide.
From African deserts to Arctic tundras, these simple, mechanically-injected engines keep chugging along with minimal maintenance. Many examples have crossed the half-million-mile mark while still performing daily work duties.
8. Mazda Miata MX-5 (NA/NB)
Tiny roadster, titanium heart! The humble BP-series engines in early Miatas might lack raw power, but they compensate with exceptional durability and character. These peppy four-cylinders routinely surpass 300,000 miles with basic maintenance.
Their timing belt design prevents catastrophic valve damage, while simple architecture makes repairs straightforward when needed—though they rarely are.
9. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
The 4G63T engine powering the Evolution IX represents the pinnacle of Mitsubishi’s turbocharged four-cylinder development. Despite high factory boost levels, these engines handle punishment extraordinarily well.
Cast iron blocks, forged internals, and sophisticated MIVEC variable valve timing create a package that delivers both performance and longevity.
Even with aggressive tuning, properly maintained examples regularly exceed 200,000 miles.
10. Toyota Century V12
Emperor-class engineering! Toyota’s ultra-luxury Century sedan houses the only V12 ever mass-produced by a Japanese manufacturer. The 1GZ-FE represents the absolute pinnacle of Toyota over-engineering.
These silky-smooth powerplants were designed for effortless operation over extremely long service lives. With normal maintenance, 300,000+ mile examples still deliver whisper-quiet performance.
Many continue serving as executive transportation decades after manufacture.
11. Honda S2000
The F20C engine in Honda’s legendary roadster holds records for specific output in a naturally aspirated engine, revving to a motorcycle-like 9,000 RPM. Despite these high-stress characteristics, these engines prove remarkably durable.
The precision engineering allows for sustained high-RPM operation without wearing components prematurely. Many examples have exceeded 200,000 miles while still hitting VTEC daily.
12. Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
Bulletproof brute force! The VG30DETT V6 in Nissan’s 1990s flagship sports car delivers impressive performance matched by surprising longevity. Though notoriously tight to work on, these engines reward proper maintenance.
The overbuilt block and internals handle boost increases gracefully. Even with the complex twin-turbo system, well-maintained examples regularly exceed 200,000 miles.
Their enduring popularity in the tuning community speaks volumes about their durability.