Wards Annual Propulsion Awards Shift to EVs
If you needed a more definitive marker for the imminent end of the internal combustion engine, look no further than Wards 27th annual 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems. For almost three decades this automotive trade publication has evaluated new powertrains and highlighted the best based on horsepower, torque, NVH management, real world fuel economy and new technology.
The final point is the powertrain must “truly sell the car….(be) thrilling to drive and technologically relevant.” As they noted in announcing this year’s revolutionary list, this is “more about charting where the automotive powertrain world is going, not where it’s been.”
The list of powertrains (note we can’t say engines anymore) was fairly exhaustive—39 vehicles were evaluated with 18 of those electrified models. It is comprised of powertrains that are all-new or significantly improved from previous versions. In addition, the previous year’s 10 winners are also eligible for ongoing consideration (spoiler alert—the only return winner was the Hyundai Kona BEV, which now is a three-peat). The final tally included 14 four-cylinder engines, 11 six-cylinder engines, 10 hybrids (a mix of full and mild—48-volt versions), three plug-in hybrids, seven battery electric vehicles one fuel cell electric vehicle. The range from A to V spanned the Acura TLX Type S 3.0L turbo V6 through the Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge battery-electric powertrain.
The 10 finalists are not ranked in any order. As Wards says, “all 10 in our eyes are equally deserving.” While electric powertrains have been included in the past Top 10 lists, this is the first time they’ve dominated the final rankings.
Down to 10
When the dust settled Wards 10 Best list included four battery-electrics (BEV), a hydrogen-powered battery-electric fuel cell, two plug-in hybrids and a full hybrid, along with two turbocharged internal combustion engines. The final list recognizes the shift the auto industry is making towards electrification, which is currently encompassing all of the pathways recognized in the list.
The 10 Best include (we’ve linked to some of our stories on the cars/powertrains; we’ll be linking to some of the rest soon):
- BMW 330e Plug-in Hybrid 2.0L Turbo four-cylinder
- Chevrolet Trailblazer 1.3L Turbo three-cylinder
- Ford F-150 Hybrid 3.5L Turbo V6
- Ford Mustang Mach-E BEV
- Hyundai Kona BEV
- Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5L Turbo four-cylinder
- Jeep Wrangler 4xe Plug-in Hybrid 2.0L Turbo four-cylinder
- Polestar 2 BEV
- Porsche Taycan 4S BEV
- Toyota Mirai Fuel-Cell EV
Missing the mark were some other well-respected powertrains such as the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray’s 6.2L V8, the Honda Accord Hybrid, Porsche 911 Turbo’s 3.8L six-cylinder boxer engine and the Volkswagen ID4 BEV.
Several of the also-rans scored well on the test while not making the cut for the top of the list, according to Wards judges, many of whom have been a part of the program for the past 27 years. /winners will be honored in a program on Nov. 15 during Informa’s Automotive Tech Week at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, MI.
