Best Sounding V10 Cars

V10 engines are only put into badass cars and trucks. That’s the law. So it might be a bit of a shock to some when looking for a vehicle on the new or used markets factory equipped with a V10, as there are so few out there.

This is even more surprising considering the benefits of the layout, as the V10 offers higher revs than a V8, and quicker revs and a more compact design compared to a V12. In the past, these bonuses were offset by extreme vibrations, leaving V10s only to race cars. Balance shafts eventually sorted out most of the vibrations, so the V10 has seen a small surge in popularity over the last decade or so. If you’re looking, here are the best, based on the most important consideration; sound.

Dodge Viper

Chrysler group’s halo car has used a V10 since its introduction way back in 1992. It’s been as “small” as 8.0 liters making 400 hp, but the current version is an 8.4 liter making a stout 640 hp. While it originally was criticized for an odd exhaust note under heavy throttle, Chrysler worked on the pipe design, and the current one sounds pretty good. Plus, this V10 was designed by a guy named Dick Winkles who wins our award for best name ever.

Toyota/Lexus LFA

Yeah… The LFA is not what you expect when you hear “Lexus.” Just 500 copies of this $400,000 supercar hit the streets, spanning just 2010 to 2012. The 4.8 liter V10 is a 553 hp work of art. Toyota pulled from their F1 heritage and went a little overboard, even making the connecting rods out of forged titanium. It even sounds a bit like an older F1 car, as it spins from 0 to 9,000 in just a half second, which is absolute insanity. Toyota went for an angry F1 racer sound, and mostly succeeded.

Lamborghini Gallardo

For a decade, the Gallardo was the “entry-level” model for Lamborghini. A quarter million bought you a mid-engine exotic, with looks that brought the company into the 21^st century. The 5.0 liter V10 Horsepower varied over the years, starting out at 493, and ending production at 562. A modified version would find its way into the back of the Huracán. While it is not the most powerful car on this list, it does have the proper high-end Euro supercar sound, and you can tell from the exhaust note that it is more expensive than a Viper. (starts at 0:34)

Audi R8 V10

The Audi R8 looks like a million bucks, but costs only a tenth that price. That buys a competent 4.2 liter V8, which sounds nice and goes decent enough. Plunk down one-semester-at-Harvard’s worth of cash to get the new 5.2 liter V10, making 610 hp at a roaring 8,250 rpm. That’s good enough for 205 mph top speed. Keep checking the options boxes and this car gets expensive for its performance, but surprisingly, it’s not all about the engine. The R8 is probably the single most well rounded sports car on this list.

Dodge Ram SRT-10

Okay, not a car, and the engine has already been listed. I get it. But the Ram SRT-10 is just too awesome not to include. It was made for only one generation, from 2004 to 2006. Back then the rivalry with Ford Lightning fans was heated, but Dodge captured the title of World’s Fastest Pickup with a Guinness verified 155 mph. Sure, it’s not the prettiest thing out there, but depreciation and a lack of real work ability has destroyed the resale value of these trucks, making them a cheap way to get into a V10 for not a lot of commitment. Think of it as the Viper’s fat redneck cousin.

BMW M5 (E60)

Back before gas prices spiked over a ludicrous $3.00 a gallon in the US, not a single person gave a thought to gas mileage. BMW sure didn’t, as they dropped a 5.0 liter V10 into their M5 sedan. While the M5 was not the most practical commuter, it certainly was fun, and 500 hp and 380 lb/ft definitely gets the job done, even if it does only achieve negative 5 mpg. The same engine ended up in the M6, but a six-figure coupe is a little more expected than a sedan. Either way, it sounds like power, with just enough of that V10 rasp.

Porsche Carrera GT

Just under 1,300 of these supercars were made, so getting your hands on one outside of a Need For Speed game is a tricky task. Resale value is kept high due owners not wanting to sell, just because of how fantastic it is. It’s the last non-hybrid supercar from Porsche. It’s a 918, without the electrics. The V10 is a 5.7 liter unit making an impressive 612 hp. Since the car weighs in at just 3,000 lbs, 0 to 60 takes just 3.8 seconds, the quarter mile is very low 11s, and it’ll top out over 200 mph. Plus it just sounds angry.

Audi RS6

Yeah, another Audi. While it does have the R8-derived V10 powerplant, this one is a bit different. From 2008 to 2010, if you wanted Audi’s most powerful engine, you didn’t buy an R8. The RS 6 Quattro was an all-wheel drive sedan sporting that honkin’ V10 under the front hood. It made a staggering 571 hp, and 479 lb/ft. All stuffed into that relatively stealthy sedan body. Ditch the badges, and this is a rhino stuffed into a monkey suit. Play with unsuspecting cars, wondering why a family sedan is trying to play with a supercar. Until you floor it.

Volkswagen Phaeton

Bet you’re surprised to see this one on this list. Even stealthier than the RS6, the Phaeton was meant to be VW’s luxury announcement to the world. Instead, it was a sales disaster, mainly due to the sticker shock of an $80,000 VW. This 5.0 liter V10 made 309 hp. Think that is low? It also made 553 lb/ft at just 2,000 rpm. Yes, that’s a diesel V10. While it is the slowest car on this list, it is also the one that can tackle Pike’s Peak with aplomb. Plus, when it gets old, you can gut the emissions and make it roll coal.

Audi R15 LMP1

The R10 won races and fans, and the R15 continued the trend. Being a Le Mans prototype race car, the R15 sports an engine as crazy as its looks. The 5.5 liter V10 is turbocharged and burns direct injected diesel. The result was 590 hp, and a very solid 774 lb/ft. The V10 was located more amidships than the previous car, and weighing under 2,000 lbs, the R15 just flat out ripped. It won 3 races in one season, before being replaced by the closed-canopy V6 powered R18.

Those are the best sounding V10s ever made. What did you think of that ear candy? There aren’t too many V10 vehicles missing from this list, so instead of asking what you would add, I’d like to ask what vehicle you think needs a V10 on the options list. F-Type? Corvette? Civic? Let us know.