Electrified powertrains made up 90% of 2025 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems winners.
Only the Corvette ZR1 V8 won without electrification in a field of 28 contenders.
Honda and Ford returned with winning hybrid systems from previous award years.
Electrified powertrains accounted for nine out of ten winners on the 2025 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems list, marking the fewest internal-combustion-only winners in the program’s 31-year history.
This year’s only standard ICE winner is the 5.5L twin-turbocharged V8 in the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. All other winners employ either full electrification or hybrid systems, including plug-in, mild, and conventional hybrid configurations.
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Wards editors evaluated 28 powertrains for the 2025 program, with 20 featuring electrification. Of these, 10 were battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and 10 were hybrid variants. The hybrid field included six standard hybrids, three plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and one mild hybrid. Most of the hybrid nominees featured 4-cylinder configurations, although two had V6S, and one, the BMW M5 plug-in hybrid, had a V8.
Electrification’s presence continued last year’s trend, with five hybrid or plug-in hybrid systems making the final list, alongside four battery-electric propulsion systems. Honda’s 2-motor hybrid system was recognized for a third consecutive year, this time featured in the Civic Sport Touring hatchback. The Ford F-150 hybrid also returned to the winners’ list after recognition in 2024.
Among the 10 fully electric models tested, five delivered more than 600 horsepower. High-output BEVs included the Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack (670 hp), Lucid Gravity (828 hp), Cadillac Escalade IQ, Jeep Wagoneer S, and Rivian R1T Quad Max. The Charger and Gravity were among this year’s honorees.
Non-electrified internal combustion entries numbered eight, including models like the Toyota GR Corolla, which uses a 1.6L 3-cylinder turbocharged engine rated at 300 hp and features a manual transmission. Despite the presence of two V8s and three 6-cylinder engines in the ICE group, only the Corvette ZR1’s V8 received a trophy.
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Powertrain evaluations were based on criteria such as output, torque delivery, noise and vibration control, fuel efficiency, and technical innovation. Only all-new, significantly revised, or returning winning systems are considered.
Winners will be profiled beginning Oct. 9, with an invitation-only award ceremony scheduled for Oct. 23 in Dearborn, Michigan.
2025 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems – Winning Vehicles (Alphabetical Order):
- BMW M5 – 4.4L Turbocharged V8 Plug-in Hybrid
- Cadillac Escalade IQ – Electric Propulsion System
- Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 – 5.5L Twin-Turbocharged V8
- Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack – Electric Propulsion System
- Ford F-150 – 3.5L Turbocharged V6 Hybrid (2024 Returning Winner)
- Honda Civic Hybrid – 2.0L I4 Hybrid (2024 Returning Winner)
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – Electric Propulsion System (2024 Returning Winner)
- Kia EV9 GT Line – Electric Propulsion System (2024 Returning Winner)
- Lucid Gravity – Electric Propulsion System
- Mercedes-AMG E53 – 3.0L Turbocharged I6 Plug-in Hybrid
