Wards Engine Awards Adds Propulsion to Name

To reflect the growing trend toward electrified vehicles, WardsAuto’s annual 10 Best Engines Awards is being renamed Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems.

The switch will be implemented with the 2020 awards. For the past two years, electrified powertrains have accounted for 40% of the winners. The first such powertrain to make the list was the Toyota Prius hybrid-electric system in 2001.

Wards launched the competition in 1995. This year’s awards were presented Wednesday in conjunction with the Detroit auto show.

Wards editors selected the winners from a field of 34 new or significantly improved engines in U.S.-sold 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.