The 22 inline-six engines with the best sound are music to our ears, and these powerplants are known for their inherent balance, their smooth power delivery and, of course, their impressive sound.

BMW M1

The BMW M1 is notable for several reasons, including the fact that it was the first mass-produced BMW mid-engined car. But don’t forget that the six-cylinder M88 powerplant that drives the BMW M1 is also legendary. A modified version even made its way into the first BMW M5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Sm6KwPsmLw&feature=emb_logo

Jaguar E-Type

Possibly the most beautiful sports car ever produced, it’s easy to focus on the incredible looks and shine of the Jaguar E-Type above everything else. But while you can now buy one with a V12 engine, the E-Type was originally powered by one of the greatest six-cylinders ever built. And it sounded wonderful. This one is painted a beautiful shade of green, and you can buy it now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa6MW68xO_k&feature=emb_logo

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

There is an almost endless list of good things you can say about the 300 SL. But if you get past the magnificent design, the iconic gullwing doors and the arguable status as the first supercar, you still have to talk about the engine. The M198 offered a big power increase over the M186 it was based on, and it also made a wonderful noise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVFvOQo9h5Y&feature=emb_logo

BMW 3.0 CSL

BMW has been building wonderful inline-six engines for decades, so expect to see many of them on this list. The one sitting under the hood of this BMW 3.0 CSL is particularly charming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG50xaUaj7c&feature=emb_logo

Aston Martin DB5

The Aston Martin DB5 is famous for its incredible looks and its role as a James Bond car, but its engine is a gem too. This four-litre inline six isn’t as loud as modern cars, but it still sounds amazing. Here’s one for sale now for around 730,000 euros.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxkvjYT-lF0&feature=emb_logo

BMW M3 (E46)

There are plenty of legendary BMW M3s, and there are plenty of legendary BMW inline sixes too. But perhaps the best combination was the E46 M3 with its naturally aspirated S54.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZFjabHJMuQ&feature=emb_logo

TVR Sagaris

The TVR Sagaris looks absolutely ridiculous, it is very hard to drive, and it was built by a company that no longer exists. There’s no logical reason to own one, but listen to the sound of the Speed Six engine and you can’t help but want one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCOGJ2r7Xv4&feature=emb_logo

Datsun 260Z

The Nissan S30 had a lot going for it. It looked incredible, it drove well and it was competitively priced. But it was also powered by the excellent six-cylinder engines of the Nissan L-series. Plenty of good things can be said about the L24 and L28 versions, but it turns out we prefer the L26. This 260Z has been fully restored, and it is now for sale on eBay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRn4iFpNAXg&feature=emb_logo

Ford Falcon

The Ford Falcon in the Australian market could be had with an inline-six engine, and it sounds wonderful, especially when turbos are attached. This combination of factors demonstrates its capabilities very well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PiBYbFpo3Q&feature=emb_logo

Austin-Healey 3000

People love the Austin-Healey 3000 for its looks, but it should also be praised for the noise it makes. That great six-cylinder has a wonderful growl that is hard to stop listening to. Here’s one for sale on eBay right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HRaR6edOIA&feature=emb_logo

Volvo V60 Polestar

It may be mounted transversely, but the inline six-cylinders of the Volvo V60 Polestar still sound very good. It has exhaust valves that can open and close so you can make the most of the engine without waking your neighbours in the morning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS6U1MpBpYE&feature=emb_logo

Nissan Skyline C10 “Hakosuka”

The Nissan has a long history of building spectacular inline-six engines. The first GT-R is no exception. The addition of that intake growl means it could arguably be the best of them all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfalHNYSUrY&feature=emb_logo

Jaguar Mk. 2

The E-Type was not the only Jaguar to have a great inline six-cylinder. The Mk. 2 also made a fantastic sound. It sounds best at full speed on a race track. Here’s one for sale right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l98-mTz7QA&feature=emb_logo

Maserati 3500 GTi

The first successful grand tourer from Maserati was the 3500 GT and the later 3500 GTi. The model looked incredible, and the engine didn’t disappoint either. Its mechanically fuel-injected inline six-cylinders still sound outstanding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ_6qk1aFnQ&feature=emb_logo

Mercedes-Benz C36 AMG

BMW may be the car maker most commonly associated with inline six-cylinders, but Mercedes-Benz also used them for years. The rare six-cylinder of the C36 AMG sounds especially good. This one on eBay needs some work, but with a little love it could be back on the road in no time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0ZwPI5IYiU&feature=emb_logo

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32)

Enthusiasts in the United States still have to wait a little longer to get their hands on the R34, but let’s not forget you can already import an R32. They definitely gain more than the advertised 276 horsepower, and they also sound wonderful if you can find one that has been relatively available. This one is for sale now on eBay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMjoFQgDRhA&feature=emb_logo

Maserati 250F

Maserati introduced the 250F as its Formula 1 entry from 1954. Although it eventually got a V-12, we love the sound of these early inline-six models. Just look at that exhaust output.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMiAvsFYSU8&feature=emb_logo

Mk IV Toyota Supra (2JZ)

Speaking of models that are a nightmare to find in near-stock condition, the Mk IV Supra is also on this list. Thanks to the 2JZ‘s ability to handle boost, all of them (apparently) now produce at least 1000 horsepower. Now that I think about it, the 2JZ may be the best inline-six engine ever built. This twin-turbo unit could be yours for 80,000 euros.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov0HPzfZoDc&feature=emb_logo

Toyota 1JZ

As iconic as the 2JZ is, its predecessor, the 1JZ, should not be overlooked. It can handle similar amounts of power and produces an almost identical sound. We can never get enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiGw7cKrcBA&feature=emb_logo

Toyota-Yamaha 2.0 litre

Of course, the Toyota JZ engine line were not the only great straight-six the company built. There was also the 2.0-litre engine that powered the legendary 2000GT. Developed together with Yamaha, it used no turbo and made a really fantastic noise.

https://youtu.be/hiCCtd7DVQI

Honda CBX

Okay, fine, it’s not a car, but we couldn’t leave it out. The late-1970s Honda supermike used a twin-cam 1000 cc inline six-cylinder with four-valve heads, and it sounded glorious. With a six-into-one aftermarket exhaust, it sounds like an old F1 single-seater.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGOOxgbi0v8&feature=emb_logo

BMW M2

When it comes to turbocharged inline six-cylinders, BMW knows how to make some gems. Not all of them sound good, however, but the N55 engine manages to make good power and a great noise at the same time. Here it is flexing its muscles in the M2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIbQaCvbAbA