Smaller engines and electric-only powertrains make Wards 10 Best list

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Small is big, and a battery’s a benefit, according to Wards. The auto industry analyst company has named its 2020 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems, which contains four electrified powertrains and only a single V8.

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The company said “this year’s list of winners reflects an industry that is trying to do it all with heart-pounding fire-breathers, capable pickups that don’t need V8s, family cars that don’t need V6s, and a battery-electric CUV that is fun to drive.”

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Wards has listed its 10 Best Engines each year since 1995, but with more electrified vehicles coming to market, renamed it this year to include propulsion systems as well.

In alphabetical order by automaker, the winners are the:

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The editors at Wards chose the winners after testing 26 all-new or significantly-improved engines during everyday driving in Detroit in October and November. Nominees from previous years are eligible. Each is scored on power, torque, comparative specs, NVH management, observed fuel economy and new technology. The vehicles must have a base price that doesn’t exceed US$65,000.

The BMW, FCA, Honda, Hyundai electric and Nissan engines were repeat winners from 2019.

“We’ve had years with several luxury brands making the list, but this year there were only two,” said Drew Winter, Wards senior content director.

“It’s important that our winning picks remain within reach for American consumers, and represent a wide range of internal-combustion and electrified propulsion sources.”