5 of the Best V12 Cars You Need to Check Out Now [2023]

Last Updated on October 30, 2023 by Calvyn Ee

As car enthusiasts, it’s hard not to be in constant awe of the power and performance that some of the best V12 engines bring to the table. These engines, with their twelve cylinders arranged in a V-shape, have become synonymous with luxury, exhilaration, and even cool confidence. Most of these V12 cars come with extravagant price points that make them unattainable for the average Joe, but even being able to see one in the flesh can make for quite a memorable experience. Rare though such an experience may be, here are a few of the best V12 cars that will have you turn your head in eager excitement whenever one passes in your area.

How We Rate Cars

Appearance

These V12 cars really steal the spotlight with various aesthetic choices, from regal-like stylings to luxurious interiors and beyond.

Performance

V12 engines give drivers an intriguing balance of performance power and refined comfort. This is accentuated by solid handling that pushes the car’s performance even further.

Features

Many of these powerful cars have their fair share of unique offerings that are sure to impress, from high-tech features to advanced safety aids.

Admire the Extravagance of the Best V12 Cars Available Today

2023 Aston Martin DBS (from $333,686)

The DBS is a true masterclass in power and class, with its refined appearance and exquisite cabin. It sports a 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 engine which, in its base form, churns out an amazing 715 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque; the 770 Ultimate models – the highest trim – offer a more potent engine with extra horsepower. This wildcat of a car is able to sprint to 60mph in only 3.5 seconds, offering an exhilarating taste of its incredible agility. It also handles very well, even when navigating corners, helped greatly by its sharp and accurate steering, though it is a little on the heavy side. Transmission tuning feels like it could be better, as it feels a little lacking in terms of responsiveness. Even so, you’ll still be blazing a trail once you’ve gotten used to its charms. Variable drive modes also help to add more flavor to your drives, with Sports Plus mode sharpening its senses to offer up a zesty drive that’ll have you wanting more. Let’s not also forget how grand the DBS looks on the inside and outside. Truly a finely crafted masterpiece!

2023 Ferrari 812 GTS (from $433,765)

Equipped with a refined 6.5-liter V12 delivering 789hp and 530 lb-ft of torque (paired with a competent seven-speed dual-clutch automatic), the Ferrari 812 GTS convertible is another extravagant sports car that easily duals as a luxury city runner and a blisteringly fast sports car. Get behind the wheel of this charmer, and you can easily hit 60 in just 3 seconds or less, given its Superfast heritage and impressive engineering. It’s also capable of hitting a top speed of 211mph, with a rousing engine wail as you take it to higher speeds. Even with all that power ready to be unleashed, the 812 GTS is still able to be handled with incredible finesse that it almost feels impossible. The ease of its drivability is a little daunting at first, but once you ease into it, it’ll feel like second nature. Even when you’re driving within the speed limits, something about the 812 GTS feels so sublime. And when you do put the pedal to the metal, it almost feels like a transcendental experience. The noise the V12 makes will also liven up the car enthusiast in you; what’s more, the existence of a “noise window” is just proof of that – even when the hard top is on, you can lower the rear screen so you can appreciate the beauty of the music the engine makes.

2023 Mercedes-Maybach S680 4Matic (from $230,150)

This grand vehicle is part of Mercedes-Maybach’s luxurious S-class lineup, being the highest trim available to buyers (if you don’t consider the two limited edition models introduced later). It sports the 6.0-liter V12 that makes a formidable 621hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, lending it a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds or so. It may not be as blindingly fast as the previous two V12 cars, but the S680 can still go fast when it needs to. The V12 might not be there to lend true racing power to the car, but it still complies with adding smoothness and effortless power delivery. Mode presets are also available to tune out your rides even further while still emphasizing maximum comfort and quietness. There’s also the opulent ride quality to be had as well, as well as standard air suspension and active sound cancellation to make for an incredibly cozy and quiet ride. What the S680 might lack in the speed department, it more than makes up with its pure lavishness on the inside. The near-silent cabin is a shocking bonus, ensuring that you’ll be riding in style without all the frustrations of noise pollution on the road.

2022 BMW M760i (MSRP: $158,795)

It’s quite a shame that BMW retired the use of V12 engines; the 2022 BMW M760i (with the xDrive all-wheel drive system) is the last Bimmer to make use of the vaunted engine. Packing a twin-turbo V12 that makes 601hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, the M760i races from 0 to 60 in an astonishing 3.7 seconds or so – for something this big and heavy, you’d never expect it’d be able to sprint. There’s the same feeling you get driving this bad boy as when you’re driving the 812 GTS: blindingly fast? Absolutely. Feelings of mortal danger when you’re pushing it hard? Quite so. But the luxe interiors of the M760i almost make it a little more pronounced, especially when you’re wrapped up in its comfortable seats and near-quiet cabin. At the very least, you’re still getting a good deal from driving it: a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission, great maneuverability with the xDrive system, variable drive modes, and a compliant ride that absorbs most road imperfections (as long as you’re not plowing down the road at top speed). The host of tech features, including advanced safety aids, also adds bonus points to its score.

1994 McLaren F1 (from $1.0 million)

It might not be the newest, nor is it easy to get, but there are good reasons why we’re suggesting this mighty supercar in the first place. First of all, the normally aspirated, 6.1-liter V12 puts out 618hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. It might not seem like much today, but in its prime, it could outpace nearly every sports car in existence. Even today, it’s still no slouch, giving even the newest supercars a run for their money. Then, there’s the 240mph top speed that it boasts; this is the car that won the 1995 LeMans race, even if it was in its GTR variant built for racing. It nonetheless took a long time before other supercars could even hope to surpass the McLaren F1’s top speed. And, of course, there’s the whole driving aspect to it. Many a reviewer have praised it for the immense acceleration and sheer fun (and partial terror) of driving it around a track; one reviewer even said that Mars could be reached in the F1. Everything about the F1 was built with pinpoint precision, a testament to the marvelous capabilities of its engineers – especially its principal designer, Gordon Murray. If you ever had the opportunity to take one for a spin, even if it’s only for a while, you should take it; it’ll be worth the time spent.

Have the Time of Your Life with a V12 Car

V12 cars are becoming a rarer sight as we transition to an EV landscape, but you’ll still be able to find a few V12 cars up for sale in various places. We’ve also covered the cheapest V12 cars you can find in the auto market, which may help you identify a great V12 car to go with. Given that the featured models here can go for some ridiculous prices, you’d do well to save up for something that’s more within your reach – especially since auto loan rates are still at their highest levels in a long while.

Be sure that you take extra precautions if you’re looking to buy a used V12 car. Make sure you have a vehicle history report in your hands before you go used car shopping. The report gives you comprehensive records of a particular car’s usage for all of its previous (and even current) owners. You’ll have vehicle specifications, odometer readings, and even accident records and salvage titles. You’ll be able to spot possible red flags in a deal – say, mismatched odometer readings – and lodge a report to the authorities. Don’t put your finances and peace of mind at risk: get a vehicle history report today!