15 Least-Expensive V8-Powered Vehicles

Although V-8 engines aren't as prevalent as they were in the 1960s to 1980s, a number of mainstream vehicles are still available with the classic American powerplant. And not all of those are from American brands. We put together this list of the 15 least expensive V-8-powered vehicles available in the U.S. Only two models crest the $40,000 mark, and five models are available for less than $30,000. Check out the most affordable base models with a V-8 engine in our list here.

2015 Toyota Sequoia SR5 2WD - $45,320


The rear-drive 2015 Toyota Sequoia SR5 is powered by a 5.7-liter V-8 rated at 381 hp and 401 lb-ft. A six-speed automatic sends power to the rear wheels. With three rows of seating, the Sequoia offers room for eight occupants. Standard features include cloth seats, three-zone climate control, underbody skidplates, and 18-inch alloy wheels (www.wheelertoyota.com).

2015 Dodge Durango R/T RWD - $40,790


If you want a Hemi in your SUV, the rear-drive 2015 Dodge Durango R/T is your least expensive option. The standard 5.7-liter V-8 makes 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic sends power to the rear wheels. Standard features included HID headlights with LED daytime running lights, Beats by Dre audio system, 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen, leather seating, and a lowered suspension. A Durango Limited with the optional Hemi is $95 more. The three-row Durango is also $295 less than the two-row 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2 with the available Hemi engine.

2015 Nissan Armada SV 4x2 - $39,055


 For those who want a body-on-frame SUV with V-8 power, the 2015 Nissan Armada SV 4x2 is the least expensive offering. Mated to a five-speed automatic, the 5.6-liter V-8 is rated at 317 hp and 385 lb-ft. The Armada can tow up to 8,200 pounds. Standard features include rear backup sensors, heated mirrors, an eight-way power driver's seat, a four-way passenger seat, fold-flat second and third rows, running boards, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

2015 Chrysler 300S Hemi RWD - $38,890


Now that the high-performance Chrysler 300 SRT is no more, the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is the most powerful engine offered in the premium sedan. The 2015 Chrysler 300S with the available ($3,000) Hemi is rated at 363 hp and 394 lb-ft. An eight-speed automatic with Sport mode sends power to the rear wheels. The 300S model features black exterior trim in place of other models' chrome bits and rides on Hyper Black-finished 20-inch alloy wheels. Other unique pieces include new lower side sills and a small decklid spoiler.

2015 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS - $34,500




(2015 Chevy Camaro 2SS #1719 shown, www.airportchevy.com)


Powered by a 426-hp, 6.2-liter LS3 V-8, the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS (with 1LE package) won our most recent muscle car comparison (a non-1LE Camaro SS is shown here). With 420 lb-ft, the big V-8 and six-speed manual helped that car hit 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. Standard features include a limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes, 20-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats, and a Chevrolet MyLink with a 7-inch diagonal color touchscreen. An all-new Chevrolet Camaro is expected for the 2016 model year. That car will be powered by the Corvette Stingray's 6.2-liter LT1 V-8. www.airportchevy.com

2015 Dodge Charger R/T RWD - $33,990


The 2015 Dodge Charger R/T is the least expensive V-8-powered sedan available. In the Charger R/T, the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 makes 370 hp and 395 lb-ft. That's 7 hp and 1 lb-ft more than the Chrysler 300S for nearly $5,000 less. The engine features a four-cylinder mode to save fuel. An eight-speed automatic sends power to the rear wheels. Standard equipment includes projector headlights and LED foglights, 20-inch by 8-inch alloy wheels, and a dual-climate zone system.

2015 Ford Mustang GT - $33,125


(#64194, 2015 Ford Mustang Coupe V6 Shown, MSRP: 38,163 www.butlerford.com)

Now in its sixth generation, the original ponycar is still one of the most affordable ways to get into a V-8 coupe. The 2015 Ford Mustang GT is powered by a 435-hp, 400-lb-ft, 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic. In our testing, the new Mustang GT with the available Performance pack reached 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Standard performance features on the Mustang GT with manual include launch control and an electronic line lock. www.butlerford.com

2015 Dodge Challenger R/T - $32,490


Not only is the 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T the most affordable muscle car available, but it's also the least expensive V-8-powered car currently on sale. In the Challenger R/T, the 5.7-liter Hemi makes 375 hp and 410 lb-ft, more power than its more expensive Mopar siblings. The Challenger is also the only Hemi car with a six-speed manual transmission. An extra cost eight-speed automatic is available, though the power drops to 372 hp and 400 lb-ft with the slushbox. The Challenger R/T comes standard with 20-inch alloy wheels.

2015 Nissan Titan King Cab S Short Box 5.6L 4X2 - $30,735


Although ponycars and muscle cars are affordable ways to own a V-8, there is an often-overlooked segment that undercuts their price by a noticeable amount. The rear-drive 2015 Nissan Titan King Cab S with 6.5-foot box is the first two-wheel-drive half-ton pickup on our list and comes standard with the same 317-hp, 385 lb-ft, 5.6-liter V-8 as the Armada SUV. Standard features include air-conditioning, 18-inch steel wheels, a removable tailgate, and four-wheel disc brakes (a higher trim is shown here).

2015 Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Regular Wheelbase WT RWD - $30,550


Another overlooked segment is the full-size van. In this category, cargo models undercut passenger models by a significant amount. The 2015 Express 2500 Cargo Regular Wheelbase WT RWD is powered by a 4.8-liter V-8 rated 285 hp and 295 lb-ft. A six-speed automatic sends power to the rear wheels. A less creepy passenger version starts at $33,185, and the mechanically identical GMC Savana Cargo and Savana Passenger start at $30,550 and $33,185, respectively. www.airportchevy.com

2015 Toyota Tundra SR Regular Cab 8-Foot Bed 5.7L 2WD - $29,460




(#066706 Access Cab Shown, MSRP: $24,935 www.wheelertoyota.com)


A two-wheel-drive 2015 Toyota Tundra SR Regular Cab pickup with the 8.1-foot bed and 5.7-liter V-8 is the most affordable configuration (a Double Cab model is shown). Mated to a six-speed automatic, the 5.7-liter V-8 is rated 381 hp and 401 lb-ft. Those needing more interior space and less power can opt for a Tundra SR Double Cab with the 6.5-foot bed and 4.7-liter V-8 for $29,610. The 4.7-liter is rated 310 hp and 327 lb-ft. www.wheelertoyota.com

2015 Nissan NV 2500 Cargo Van - $29,435



If cargo vans are your thing but the Chevrolet Express is down on style and power, then Nissan has your answer. The 2015 Nissan NV2500 Cargo Van with a 5.6-liter V-8 rated 317 hp and 385 lb-ft undercuts the Express by just over $1,000. A five-speed automatic sends power to the rear wheels. The NV has enough space inside to haul two 40-by-48-inch pallets in tandem, standard 8-by-4-foot sheets of drywall, 10-foot pipes, and plenty more. An NV Passenger Van with room for up to 12 occupants starts at $35,005.

2015 Ford F-150 XL Regular Cab 6.5-Foot Box 5.0L 4x2 - $28,590


(SuperCab Shown. Stk: 54326 $53,990 www.butlerford.com)

With the Ford F-Series being the best-selling vehicle in the U.S., it's no surprise it's also one of the three least expensive vehicles available with a V-8 engine. The available 5.0-liter V-8 in the 2015 Ford F-150 XL Regular Cab with a 6.5-foot box is rated 385 hp and 387 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic sends power to the rear wheels. Although the base F-150 undercuts the Mustang GT in price, it rides on 17-inch steel wheels and makes do without modern conveniences such as power windows, locks, and mirrors (an F-150 with more equipment is shown here). Those options plus many others are available at an extra cost. www.butlerford.com

2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT Regular Cab Short Box 5.3L 4x2 - $28,560



Bow Tie fans can get their hands on a V-8 powered Silverado 1500 for $30 less than a Ford F-150 5.0. The rear-drive 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT Regular Cab with 6.5-foot box is available with a 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 rated at 355 hp and 383 lb-ft (a Rally Edition model is shown here). A six-speed automatic sends power to the rear wheels. Like the F-150, the base Silverado features 17-inch steel wheels and manual windows and mirrors. The Silverado WT does, however, come with power locks and a rear-step bumper standard. www.airportchevy.com

2015 Ram 1500 Tradesman Regular Cab Short Box 5.7L 4x2 - $25,915


The 2015 Ram 1500 Tradesman Regular Cab Short Box 4x2 with the available 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is the least expensive V-8-powered vehicle available in the U.S. With 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, the Ram 1500 Hemi is not only the most affordable vehicle available with a V-8; it is also the most powerful truck engine here (the 1500 Tradesman Regular Cab is shown here in EcoDiesel form). In fact, only the Camaro's larger 6.2-liter V-8 makes more horsepower and torque than the Ram 1500's Hemi (+31 hp, +10 lb-ft). The Mustang's 5.0-liter engine makes 40 hp more but 10 lb-ft less. Although a six-speed auto sends power to the rear wheels in the most affordable variant, an eight-speed auto is available for $2,340. At $28,255, the Ram 1500 Hemi with eight-speed auto undercuts the second-place Chevrolet Silverado by $305.