In order to find the winners, 34 vehicles from 13 automakers were tested in normal driving cycles. The jury awarded points for horsepower, torque, refinement, technical relevance and comparative data. The engines taken into consideration were all new, had significant upgrades or were one of last year’s winners. Another significant aspect is that the car containing the engine must not cost more that $54,000, the average cost of a new car.
The Best 10 Engine chart goes like this:
- 2.0L TFSI Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Audi A4)
- 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi S4)
- 3.0L DOHC I-6 Turbodiesel (BMW 335d)
- 2.5L DOHC I-4 Hybrid (Ford Fusion Hybrid)
- 3.5L EcoBoost Turbocharged DOHC V-6 (Ford Taurus SHO)
- 2.4L Ecotec DOHC I-4 (Chevrolet Equinox)
- 4.6L Tau DOHC V-8 (Hyundai Genesis)
- 2.5L Turbocharged DOHC H-4 (Subaru Legacy 2.5GT)
- 1.8L DOHC I-4 Hybrid (Toyota Prius)
- 2.0L SOHC I-4 Turbodiesel (Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI)
"This year's list epitomizes how the industry is responding to demands for higher fuel economy and lower emissions without shortchanging performance,” Ward’s AutoWorld Editor-in-Chief Drew Winter says. “Auto makers are using innovative designs and advanced technology to boost horsepower and torque while downsizing engines and increasing efficiency.”
“In coming years, we will be testing extended-range electric vehicles, pure electric vehicles, diesel-electric hybrids and numerous other types of powertrains. So much so that we likely will have to soon change the name of the Ward’s 10 Best Engines to Ward’s 10 Best Powertrains,” added Winter.
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