The best engines list is now largely EVs
These are the best engines and motors this year
Forget the 10 best cars, we want the 10 best engines! Except that this year three of Wards Auto’s 10 Best are actually EV drivlines and another three are hybrids. It’s ok, we love those too.
For the 2023 Wards 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems, Wards editors evaluated a total of 32 vehicles. 13 of those were internal combustion engines, 10 were EVs, and nine were hybrids. The hybrids were mixed between five PHEV models and four conventional hybrids. It’s open to any powertrain that is all-new or significantly improved from last year, and last year’s winners are eligible.
The 2023 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems Winners, listed alphabetically:
- BMW M2 – 3.0L Turbocharged 6-Cyl.
- Chevrolet Corvette Z06 – 5.5L V-8
- Dodge Hornet R/T – 1.3L Turbocharged 4-Cyl. PHEV
- Ford Mustang Dark Horse – 5.0L V-8
- Honda Accord Hybrid – 2.0L 4-Cyl. HEV
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 – Electric Propulsion System
- Lucid Air Touring – Electric Propulsion System
- Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 – 2.0L Turbocharged 4-Cyl.
- Nissan Ariya – Electric Propulsion System
- Toyota Prius Prime – 2.0L 4-Cyl. PHEV
“The market may be starting to cool when it comes to battery-electric-vehicle adoption, but automakers are forging ahead with constant innovation in BEVs that promise increased range and efficiency and ever-quicker charging systems,” says Bob Gritzinger, WardsAuto editor-in-chief.
“At the same time, no one is lifting off the internal-combustion pedal, with more than a dozen all-new or significantly upgraded ICEs on our nominee list, and two big, naturally aspirated V-8s making our winners’ list,” he notes. “We’re seeing the end of the ICE era, but those engines aren’t going out without making some noise.”
