This year’s list sees the return of the fuel cell and the V8, half the winners are turbocharged, Jaguar and Kia win their first trophies, and Toyota wins for a hybrid that’s not a Prius.
Ford and Honda each earned two ‘Best Engines’ trophies for 2018, while Jaguar and Kia land on the list for the first time in a year dominated by mainstream brands.
WardsAuto editors chose the winners after spending October and November evaluating 32 engines and electric propulsion systems during routine commutes in metro Detroit. It’s the 24th year for Wards 10 Best Engines.
Other notable trends this year: No German automakers are among the winners, and the only luxury brands represented are Infiniti and Jaguar. Also, four electrified powertrains are honored for the first time in a single year.
This year’s winners:
- 150-kW Electric Propulsion System (Chevrolet Bolt EV)
- 3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6/PHEV (Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid)
- 2.7L Twin Turbo DOHC V-6 (Ford F-150)
- 5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang GT)
- 130-kW Fuel Cell/Electric Propulsion System (Honda Clarity)
- 2.0L VTEC Turbocharged DOHC 4-Cyl. (Honda Civic Type R)
- 3.0L Turbocharged DOHC V-6 (Infiniti Q50)
- 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC 4-Cyl. (Jaguar XF)
- 3.3L Turbocharged DOHC V-6 (Kia Stinger)
- 2.5L Atkinson DOHC 4-Cyl./HEV (Toyota Camry Hybrid)
