V6s Rev Up Demand

Changing Hearts on the Highway

There was once a time when the deep, rumbling roar of a V8 engine was just about the most American thing one could imagine. It was the very heartbeat of our roads, particularly when it came to muscle cars and beefy pickup trucks. But as the pages of the calendar turn, it seems the demand for V8s is shifting gears. Folks are leaning more towards turbocharged V6 engines, and this isn’t just a whisper on the wind—it’s backed by the latest sales data.

Where Did All the V8s Go?

Take a look at the numbers: In 2020, a solid 64.6% of half-ton trucks registered in the U.S. were V8s. Fast forward to 2024, and that number has dropped like a lead balloon to just 38%. Meanwhile, full-size trucks powered by six cylinders have gone from making up 32.8% of registrations in 2020 to 47.6% in 2024. What’s going on here?

There are a couple of theories to chew on. V6 engines are not what they used to be—they’re more powerful and efficient, and thanks to advancements like Ram’s Hurricane six-cylinder engines, they’ve got some serious punch. It’s like choosing a Swiss Army knife over a machete; versatility and efficiency are winning the day.

Truck Makers Step Back

V8s disappearing from new models is another story playing out. Case in point: The 2025 Ram 1500 ditched the V8 for their turbo inline-six, though backlash has brought the V8 Hemi roaring back for the 2026 edition. Toyota’s waving goodbye to V8s in its Tundra series, as have others. Ford’s sticking with a nostalgic nod to the past; their F-150 still offers a V8. However, if power and efficiency are king, then their EcoBoost V6 engine is ready for the crown.

General Motors also keeps a couple of V8s in the lineup for their Silverado 1500, but its four-cylinder is surprisingly popular, accounting for a solid 36% of sales. It’s like there’s some electric shift happening in the air, where smaller engines are no longer giving up ground in performance.

The Drive Experience

For all you gearheads and speed demons, how does one even compare these newer six-cylinder engines with the iconic V8s? Driving today’s turbo V6 isn’t exactly like cruising in a fine-tuned classic V8, but it’s no slouch either. The V6 feels tight and capable, with ample power and a responsiveness that makes it easy to love. Compare this to older V8s, which while muscular and authoritative, often struggled with a certain thirstiness that just doesn’t mesh with today’s tighter fuel budgets.

As technology moves forward, the choice seems less about “sound and fury” and more about “power and efficiency.” But, knowing what to drive is often a personal choice, a mix of tradition and practicality. There’s still room for an old-school rumble in today’s trucks, but the winds of change are strong, and turbo sixes are here to stay. What will the landscape look like in four more years? Only time will tell.