# Most Police Cars No Longer Have V8 Engines

> Police fleets shift from V8s to efficient V6s after fuel costs and performance tests.
- Title: Most Police Cars No Longer Have V8 Engines · Jalopnik
- Summary: Police fleets shift from V8s to efficient V6s after fuel costs and performance tests. U.S. police departments now use V6 engines in most patrol cars due to…
- Keywords: police cars, ford police interceptor, v6 engine, v8 engine, fuel economy, police fleet, cars, culture, Most, Police, Longer, Engines
- Source: Jalopnik — https://jalopnik.com/2285367/most-common-police-car-engine-v6-not-v8
- Author: Marko Mikulic
- Published: 2026-10-17T22:25:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: police cars, ford police interceptor, v6 engine, v8 engine, fuel economy, police fleet, cars, culture
## V8s in Police Cars Decline
Most U.S. police departments no longer use V8 engines in patrol cars.
## Ford Crown Victoria Production Ended
Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor production ended in 2011, with its Taurus-based successor ending in 2019.
## Fuel Costs Drive V6 Adoption
V8s burn more fuel when idling, costing departments up to $150,000 annually in savings with hybrids.
## Ford Police Interceptor Utility
Ford Police Interceptor Utility comes standard with a 318 hp 3.3-liter hybrid V6 engine.
## Performance Tests Show V6 Advantage
2025 Ford Police Interceptor Utility V6 reached 148 mph and lapped Grattan Raceway in 96 seconds.
## V8s Still Exist But Are Rare
Chevy Camaro SS 1LE with 6.2-liter V8 is now in California Highway Patrol fleet as its final Camaro cruiser.
## Ford Dominates Police Fleet
In Q3 2025, Ford police vehicles accounted for 60.6% of the police vehicle segment.
## Key takeaway

U.S. police departments now use V6 engines in most patrol cars due to better fuel economy and performance metrics.