Ford, Honda and Electrified Powertrains Top Wards’ Best Engine List

Electrified propulsions systems accounted for four of WardsAuto’s 10 Best Engines this year—the most in the award’s 23-year history.

The group includes the all-electric system in the Chevrolet Bolt, hybrid systems in the Chrysler Pacifica minivan and Toyota Camry, and the fuel cell-electric unit in the Honda Clarity. The Pacifica Hybrid and Infiniti’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine were the only repeat winners from last year.

Honda and Ford each placed two winners on this year’s list. Jaguar and Kia powertrains made the cut for the first time ever.

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

• 150-kW electric propulsion system (Chevrolet Bolt EV)
• 3.6-liter Pentastar DOHC V-6/plug-in hybrid (Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid)
• 2.7-liter Twin Turbo DOHC V-6 (Ford F-150)
• 5.0-liter DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang GT)
• 130-kW Fuel Cell/Electric Propulsion System (Honda Clarity)
• 2.0-liter VTEC Turbocharged DOHC 4-cyl. (Honda Civic Type R)
• 3.0-liter Turbocharged DOHC V-6 (Infiniti Q50)
• 2.0-liter Turbocharged DOHC 4-cyl. (Jaguar XF)
• 3.3-liter Turbocharged DOHC V-6 (Kia Stinger)
• 2.5-liter Atkinson DOHC 4-cyl./hybrid (Toyota Camry Hybrid)

WardsAuto editors evaluated 32 engines and electric propulsion systems, including 22 all-new or significantly improved units and last year’s top 10. Only systems in vehicles with a base price at or below $63,000 were eligible for consideration.

Editors rated the powertrains on horsepower, torque, comparative specs, noise attenuation, observed fuel economy and the application of new technology. The awards will be presented at a banquet later this month in conjunction with the Detroit auto show.