Our love for cars extends beyond their appearance and speed. A significant part of our emotional connection to them lies in the way they sound.
Whether it’s the sunlight reflecting off polished sheet metal or the scent of warm leather on a hot summer day, driving is a sensory experience and sound plays just as crucial a role as sight and touch.
Some of the most legendary cars in history secured their status thanks to their breathtaking engine notes.
If you’re searching for a car that delivers an unforgettable auditory experience, check out these top picks that will be music to your ears. And don’t forget to share your favorites with us!
1. Ford Mustang GT
The 2024 Ford Mustang GT features the latest iteration of the 5.0-liter Coyote V8, available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a ten-speed automatic.
The sound it produces is nothing short of exhilarating, and opting for the available Active Valve Performance Exhaust elevates the experience even further especially if you choose the convertible version to fully immerse yourself in the intoxicating V8 roar.
But the benefits extend beyond just an incredible soundtrack; the active exhaust also delivers a slight performance boost, increasing the Mustang GT’s power output from 480 horsepower to 486.
While cross-plane V8s may not always be considered the most melodious, the Coyote engine is an exception that never fails to impress.
2. Audi R8 GT
The R8 GT serves as Audi’s final tribute to the era of V10 supercars, and what a spectacular send-off it is.
This model pushes the emotional and adrenaline-fueled aspects of driving to new levels, producing an exhaust note that is nothing short of spine-tingling exactly what you’d expect from a 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10.
For drivers in the U.S., the experience is even more pronounced, as looser emissions regulations allow the engine’s full potential to shine.
Delivering 602 horsepower, the R8 GT stands as Audi’s most powerful rear-wheel-drive model ever, and it certainly sounds the part.
When we had the chance to drive it on a track during its global debut, the sheer auditory presence of the V10 reminded us why we hold this engine in such high regard. There’s simply nothing like it.
3. Chevrolet Corvette Z06
The Corvette Z06 delivers an unmistakable soundtrack, thanks to its cutting-edge exhaust technology and a 5.5-liter V8 engine producing 650 horsepower the largest flat-plane crankshaft V8 available today.
Equipped with four distinct exhaust modes (Weather, Tour, Sport, and Track) and two sets of valves that modulate the exhaust note, the Z06 offers its driver unparalleled control over the car’s sound profile.
But the auditory experience isn’t just for those outside the car; the Z06 is designed to channel the exhaust sound back into the cabin, ensuring the driver can fully appreciate every exhilarating note reminiscent of a classic Ferrari at full throttle.
4. Lexus LC500
The Lexus LC500 strikes a masterful balance between tranquility and excitement, featuring a well-insulated cabin that minimizes road noise while still delivering an electrifying exhaust note.
At its heart is a 5.0-liter, naturally aspirated V8 producing 471 horsepower an engine that has been acoustically fine-tuned by Yamaha’s sound specialists to create an unforgettable auditory experience.
Unlike many modern performance cars, Lexus engineers have ensured that the LC500’s exhaust note is an authentic highlight, enhancing the car’s character without relying on artificial enhancements.
For those seeking an even more aggressive look and sound, the “Inspiration Series” variant of the LC500 offers a road-going vehicle that channels the essence of a race car.
5. Gordon Murray Automotive T.50
The next car on this list stands apart from the rest.
A modern successor to the legendary McLaren F1, the T.50 marks Gordon Murray Automotive’s first foray into the world of supercars, arriving as an ultra-exclusive, limited-production masterpiece only 100 units were built, each carrying a staggering $3 million price tag.
The driving experience in the T.50 is truly surreal, amplified by GMA’s “Direct Path Induction Sound” system, which channels the raw howl of the naturally aspirated V12 directly into the cabin.
That V12 is nothing short of an engineering marvel a 3.9-liter, Cosworth-designed powerhouse delivering 656 horsepower, with one of the highest rev limits ever seen in a road-legal car.
6. Jaguar F-Type
Jaguar is preparing for a new era as it transitions to an all-electric lineup by 2025, marking the end of an era for its iconic internal combustion engines.
But how does a brand renowned for some of the most evocative engine sounds especially its remarkable supercharged V6 bid farewell?
Rather than focusing on its V6, Jaguar instead celebrates the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 found in its F-Type sports car, preserving the engine’s unmistakable roar in the British Library for future generations to experience.
In the high-performance F-Type R, this supercharged V8 generates up to 567 horsepower figures that don’t fully capture the visceral thrill of its exhaust note, capable of sending shivers down your spine.
7. Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Powered by a Ferrari-derived engine, the Giulia Quadrifoglio delivers one of the most exhilarating V6 soundtracks in the automotive world.
With a twin-turbocharged V6 producing 505 horsepower, this high-performance sedan roars and shrieks through its quad-pipe exhaust system offering an auditory experience that rivals the character of any true Ferrari.
In post-2019 models, Alfa Romeo enhanced the car’s exhaust tuning to meet the demands of enthusiasts. Previously, the full intensity of the exhaust note was only accessible in Race mode.
However, after strong feedback from prospective buyers, Alfa made the dual-mode exhaust available in Dynamic mode as well, allowing drivers to fully appreciate the engine’s glorious soundtrack across more driving conditions.
8. Chevrolet Camaro
Though officially discontinued this month, the Chevrolet Camaro remains one of the most beloved muscle cars ever built, largely due to the unmistakable roar of its 6.2-liter LT1 V8.
Producing 455 horsepower and paired with either a six-speed manual or a ten-speed automatic transmission, the Camaro delivers the deep, guttural rumble that defines an all-American V8-powered muscle car the perfect way to bid farewell to this legendary nameplate.
For those who crave even more power and sound, the Camaro ZL1 takes things up a notch. Equipped with a supercharged version of the same V8, it cranks output up to 650 horsepower and an equally staggering amount of torque, making its exhaust note even more ferocious.
9. Dodge Challenger/Charger
The year 2023 marked the end of the internal combustion era for the Dodge Challenger and Charger, with a special series of “Last Call” models produced as a final tribute before Dodge fully transitions to electrification.
True to the brand’s identity built on raw, straight-line power these muscle car icons are making their exit with an explosive farewell rather than a quiet departure.
Each Last Call edition is more outrageous than the last, culminating in the barely road-legal, 1,025-horsepower Challenger SRT Demon 170, which delivers an appropriately thunderous soundtrack.
The Hemi V8 is anything but ordinary in a world of increasingly uniform engine configurations. Its unmistakable rumble and deep, throaty roar instantly captivate anyone who hears it.
While it may not have the refinement of its European V8 counterparts, the Hemi remains unapologetically American and that’s exactly why we love it, in every one of its forms.
10. Audi RS3
This list isn’t just about V8s, V10s, and V12s it also includes a distinctive engine configuration that only Audi still produces: the inline-five.
Under the hood of the RS3, this unique 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder doesn’t let forced induction dampen its character.
In fact, the RS3 sings with such an enthusiastic warble that, if you weren’t paying close attention, you might mistake it for the V10 found in the R8.
Producing 402 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, the RS3 channels its power through Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system and a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission.
It even features a rear differential with a drift mode for added excitement. With a 0-60 mph time of just 3.6 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, the RS3 is every bit as thrilling as it sounds.
