Every engine cylinder arrangement has its own special history. BMW is well-regarded for its long-time use of the inline-six, GM knows a thing or two about V8s, and Porsche is so synonymous with the flat-six that, well, we can’t imagine one without the other. But what about the often unsung hero of durability, practicality, and high-performance, the V6?
Nissan
VW/Audi heads surrender their sanity to it in twin-turbo 2.7 form, as well as put on massive meets that celebrate the delicious roar of the brand’s naturally aspirated 3.2. But some folks might not realize that Nissan has championed the V6 more than most—and continues to do so in 2026. Remember that twin-turbo monster under the hood of the Z32-generation 300ZX? The sixes powering today’s Frontier, Armada, Pathfinder, and Z are an ode to the refinement and progress that the brand has heavily invested in since. Their killer combo of durability and practicality benefits everything from trucks to sports cars. This year, a new holiday celebrates two banks of three cylinders sitting across from each other, taking a bow at everyone they pass by. Nissan has coined “V6 Day,” and it’s happening this May. ¡Viva la combustión!
The Art of Packaging: Why Six is the Magic Number
While some automakers have bounced around between platforms and pivoted to buzzy turbo four-cylinders, the V6 has, and still continues to, prove its worth. One can’t deny its compact, power-rich, and smooth formula over an inline-four.
Firstly, V6s adorn an engine compartment well. T …
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Author: Peter Nelson
