Photo Gallery: Wards’ 10 Best Powertrains of 2026

Every year, Wards Auto publishes its list of the 10 best powertrains available in a new vehicle in North America. The 2026 list, published earlier this week, is the first in the company’s history to feature exclusively electrified powertrains, with four fully electric vehicles, four conventional hybrids, and two plug-in hybrids.

The powertrains that feature on this list are selected for their performance, their refinement, their efficiency, and their innovation.

Here are the 2026 models that feature on the Wards 10 best powertrains list, in alphabetical order:

 

BMW M5 Touring – 4.4L twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid

The BMW M5 Touring brings high-performance electrification to the long-roof format, pairing a motorsport-derived powertrain with the practicality of a wagon. Under the hood sits a 4.4-litre M twin-turbo V8 producing 577 hp, supplemented by a fifth-generation permanently excited synchronous electric motor integrated directly into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. Together, the M Hybrid setup unleashes a massive 717 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque.

A patented pre-gearing stage boosts the electric motor’s effective input torque to 332 lb-ft, delivering razor-sharp throttle response off the line before the twin-scroll turbos hit full stride. Backed by an underfloor 14.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, the wagon can cruise up to 40 km on pure electricity or rocket from 0 to 100 km/h in an estimated 3.6 seconds. Drive is channelled via the rear-biased M xDrive all-wheel-drive system and Active M Differential, seamlessly blending zero-emission usability with serious track capability.

 

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X – 5.5 L twin-turbo V8 hybrid

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X elevates America’s sports car into true electrified hypercar territory. At its core is the hand-built 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged LT7 V8, equipped with a flat-plane crankshaft and innovative “maniturbo” integrated exhaust housings, sending 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Supplementing the combustion engine is an electrified all-wheel-drive system powered by a front-mounted electric motor that contributes 186 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. Energized by a track-proven 1.9 kWh structural spine battery pack, the front drive unit operates up to 257 km/h without a mechanical link to the rear axle. This hybrid synergy produces mind-bending traction and instant throttle response, propelling the ZR1X from 0 to 96 km/h in under two seconds and through the quarter-mile in under nine seconds.

 

Hyundai Palisade Hybrid – 2.5L turbo inline four hybrid

The Hyundai Palisade Hybrid earns its spot among the Wards 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems by bringing electrified efficiency to a full-size, three-row flagship SUV. Beneath the hood lies a 2.5-litre turbocharged inline-four paired with two electric motors and a smooth six-speed automatic transmission, generating a combined 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque.

Additionally, the electrified setup integrates with Hyundai’s mechanical HTRAC all-wheel-drive system, ensuring sure-footed traction in challenging weather without compromising towing capability, rated at an estimated 4,000 lbs. Beyond its muscular output and combined average fuel consumption of 8.1 L/100 km, the Palisade Hybrid boasts an estimated driving range of almost 1,000 km on a single tank. Innovative touches like Stay Mode—which powers climate control and infotainment from the battery while parked—deliver a quiet, EV-like ownership experience with long-haul endurance.

 

Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4Matic Electric – Dual motor EV

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4Matic Electric captures a spot on the Wards 10 Best list by showcasing the brand’s next-generation electric architecture. Its dual permanently excited synchronous motors produce a combined 483 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-100 km sprint in 4.3 seconds. A key engineering highlight is the rear axle’s two-speed transmission—employing an 11:1 first gear for punchy low-speed acceleration and towing, paired with a tall 5:1 second gear that maximizes high-speed cruising efficiency.

Up front, a disconnect unit decouples the front motor to conserve energy under light loads, while silicon carbide inverters deliver an impressive 93-percent battery-to-wheel efficiency. Energy comes from a modular 94-kWh lithium-ion battery packing an advanced silicon-graphite anode chemistry. Supported by an 800-volt electrical architecture, it achieves up to 563 kilometres of range and accepts DC fast charging up to 330 kW—replenishing 10 to 80 percent charge in just 22 minutes.

 

Nissan Rogue e-Power – 1.5L turbo inline three hybrid

Marking the North American debut of Nissan’s e-POWER technology, the 2027 Rogue e-Power secures a Wards 10 Best award by reimagining the compact crossover powertrain. Rather than driving the wheels directly, the 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine operates strictly as a generator with an exceptional 42% thermal efficiency, feeding power to an onboard 1.67 kWh battery pack and twin electric motors.

This series-hybrid architecture delivers the uninterrupted, linear throttle response of a pure electric vehicle with zero plug-in requirements. Standard dual-motor all-wheel drive produces a combined 225 horsepower, distributing torque seamlessly between axles to optimize all-weather stability. Refinement is further elevated by e-Pedal one-pedal regenerative braking and Smooth Stop modulation, which eliminates head-toss during deceleration. Paired with an estimated combined rating of 6.2 L/100 km, the Rogue Hybrid blends electric smoothness with effortless long-distance utility.

 

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid – 3.6L eturbo flat six hybrid

The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS earns its Wards 10 Best award by blending performance electrification into the iconic rear-engine sports car formula. At its core is an enlarged 3.6-litre boxer flat-six paired with an innovative, wastegate-free electrically assisted turbocharger (eTurbo). An integrated electric motor spools the turbine shaft instantly to eliminate turbo lag, while also acting as a generator producing up to 15 hp (11 kW) from excess exhaust energy.

Furthering this motorsport-derived synergy, a permanently excited synchronous motor integrated directly within the reinforced eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission contributes up to 53 hp and 110 lb-ft of instant torque. Energized by a lightweight, front-mounted 1.9-kWh 400-volt battery pack, total system output climbs to 532 horsepower and 449 lb-ft of torque—peaking under 2,000 rpm. The resulting powertrain delivers immediate, linear thrust, propelling the GTS off the line with urgency.

 

Rivian R2 Performance – Dual Motor EV

The Rivian R2 Performance receives a Wards 10 Best award by condensing the brand’s rugged adventure capability and high-output electric engineering into an accessible midsize platform. Utilizing an advanced dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain, this flagship trim generates a potent 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque. Power delivery is immediate across all surfaces, rocketing the SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in as quick as 3.8 seconds and enabling a rapid 80-to-113 km/h passing burst in just 1.55 seconds.

Engineered for serious versatility on and off the pavement, the R2 pairs its dynamic chassis with long-distance endurance, providing an estimated driving range of up to 531 km. By marrying sports-car acceleration with legitimate all-terrain capability and practical real-world efficiency, Rivian’s dual-motor configuration sets a new benchmark in the competitive midsize electric segment.

 

Subaru Trailseeker – Dual Motor EV

The Subaru Trailseeker earns its place among Wards 10 Best propulsion systems by translating the brand’s rugged go-anywhere DNA into an electrified dual-motor format. Delivering a robust 375 horsepower, the Trailseeker sprints from 0 to 96 km/h in just 4.3 seconds—making it the quickest production model in Subaru history.

A newly refined electric Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system employs front and rear dynamic load acceleration sensors, actively fine-tuning torque distribution side-to-side and front-to-rear alongside a variable regenerative braking split for sure-footed control across challenging terrain. Underneath, a 74.7-kWh lithium-ion battery delivers a Natural Resources Canada-estimated range of 444 km. Equipped with a native NACS charge port, it supports DC fast-charging speeds up to 150 kW, replenishing 10 to 80 percent charge in 28 minutes to keep adventurous drivers moving forward.

 

Toyota RAV4 PHEV GR Sport – 2.5L inline four plug-in hybrid

The Toyota RAV4 PHEV GR Sport secures its Wards 10 Best recognition by injecting motorsport attitude into an established electrified benchmark. Developed with input from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the GR Sport pairs enhanced chassis rigidity, GR-tuned suspension, and recalibrated electric power steering with Toyota’s next-generation plug-in hybrid architecture. Under the hood, an efficient 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine works in concert with electric drive motors to produce an impressive combined system output of 324 horsepower—a 22-hp boost over the outgoing generation.

Equipped with standard electronic all-wheel drive, the RAV4 PHEV delivers immediate traction alongside improved everyday usability, offering a manufacturer-estimated all-electric range of up to 80 kilometres on a full charge. Finished with an aggressive GR Functional MATRIX grille and 20-inch alloy wheels, the RAV4 PHEV GR Sport blends zero-emission daily commuting with spirited, dynamic versatility.

 

Volvo EX60 P10 AWD – Dual Motor EV

The Volvo EX60 P10 AWD enters the Wards 10 Best circle as the debut model built on Volvo Cars’ modular SPA3 electric architecture. Underpinned by an 800-volt electrical backbone, the EX60 pairs in-house developed front and rear electric motors to generate a muscular 503 horsepower and 524 lb-ft of torque. Structural cell-to-body integration, a new battery cell design, and rear megacastings shed excess weight while enhancing chassis rigidity, helping the midsize SUV achieve a low carbon footprint matching the compact EX30.

Efficiency is a key priority, earning a Natural Resources Canada range certification of up to 531 kilometres on a single charge with standard wheels. Recharging is also rapid: the high-voltage system can charge from 10 to 80% in just 18 minutes.