Diversity Marks Ward’s Best-Engine List

For the second year in a row, electrified powertrains accounted for four of WardsAuto’s 10 Best engines.

The electrified systems include two hybrid-electric architectures (teamed with 4-cylinder engines), a pure electric system and a fuel cell-electric powerplant. Among the other winners are a turbocharged 4-banger, three six-cylinder engines (a V-6 diesel and gasoline I- and V-6s) and a pair of V-8s.

The stand-alone 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (right) in the Infiniti QX50 crossover vehicle is the industry’s first production application of a variable-compression-ratio engine. Infiniti boasts that the engine matches the power of the 3.5-liter V-6 it replaces, while improving fuel efficiency by 27%.  

Ford and Hyundai each had two winning powertrains, with both of Hyundai’s winners being electrified systems. Ford’s 5.0-liter V-8 was the only repeat winner from last year.

Three of the engines are used in pickup trucks—a first in the awards’ 25^-year history. Ford and BMW are tied for the all-time lead during this time with 28 winners each.

Wards notes that the diversity of this year’s winners reflects the contrasting demands to improve fuel efficiency while maintaining or boosting power.  

The winning powerplants and the vehicles in which they were tested are:

• 3.0-liter DOHC turbocharged I-6 (BMW X5)
• 6.2-liter OHV V-8 with DFM cylinder deactivation (Chevrolet Silverado)
• 5.0-liter DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang GT/Bullitt)
• 3.0-liter DOHC diesel V-6 (Ford F-150)
• 2.0-liter DOHC Atkinson i-VTEC 4-cylinder/HEV (Honda Accord Hybrid)
• 120-kW fuel cell/electric propulsion system (Hyundai Nexo)
• 150-kW propulsion system (Hyundai Kona EV)
• 2.0-liter DOHC VC-turbo 4-cylinder (Infiniti QX50)
• 2.0-liter DOHC Atkinson 4-cylinder/HEV (Lexus UX 250h)
• 3.6-liter DOHC Pentastar eTorque V-6 (Ram 1500)

WardsAuto editors selected winners from a field of 34 new or significantly improved engines, plus all of last year’s winners, in vehicles priced no higher than $64,000. Engines were scored on horsepower, torque, comparative specs, noise attenuation, observed fuel economy and the application of new technology.

The awards will be presented at a banquet next month in conjunction with the Detroit auto show.