Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2015 Announced

Each year, WardsAuto evaluates and determines its top 10 best engines and this year, its editors evaluated 37 all-new or improved powertrains before choosing its favorites.

When all the dust settled, WardsAuto released its final list consisting of a hydrogen-powered fuel cell, a battery-electric vehicle, a pair of three-cylinder turbo engines, three four-cylinder turbo engines, a diesel V6 and two V8s. These are the results listed in alphabetical order.

The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray’s V8 makes a returning appearance, having been named one of WardsAuto‘s top 10 best engines last year. Providing 455 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, the Stingray can also have its power boosted slightly to 460 hp with a performance exhaust option. The LT1 V8 is the “heart and soul of the seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette,” as WardsAuto puts it and it’s a powertrain that we’ve been more than satisfied with on occasions.

The addition of Dodge’s new SRT Hellcat engine onto the top 10 best engines list shouldn’t really come as a surprise with the 6.2L V8 providing a massive 707 hp that brings a whole new meaning to the words American muscle. What makes the SRT Hellcat’s V8 even more special is its two-stage fuel pump and engine controller that’s programmed to upshift the eight-speed automatic transmission as quickly as possible. The result is an awesome sports car that can actually be somewhat fuel efficient – at least as fuel efficient as you can get with 707 hp.

Another returning engine to the list is Ford’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder engine that can be found in the Fiesta. Despite its small size and cylinder count, the 1.0-liter turbocharged engine provides 123 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque that gives the Fiesta impressive acceleration and adequate power on the freeway. Ward’s Auto called Ford’s compact engine “fuel-efficient, lightweight and fun to drive” and we’re inclined to agree.

A newcomer to the list of Hyundai’s first entry into the hydrogen fuel-cell market with its Tucson FCV which debuted last year. The five-passenger crossover is powerful and quiet with zero emissions and instant torque. Providing 134 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, the Tucson FCV is helping usher in a new generation of fuel-cell vehicles like the recently revealed Toyota Mirai.

Over the past 21 years, MINI has won a pair of Ward’s 10 Best Engines trophies with its four-cylinder engines, but this time around, it’s the Cooper’s new three-cylinder with 134 hp that will be taking home a trophy. The turbocharged engine also helps the compact Cooper maintain respectable fuel economy figures and with a starting price of under $20,000 a fun compact hatch isn’t out of most people’s reach.

The fourth returning engine from last year’s list is Volkswagen’s 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 170 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. Considering that WardsAuto tested 15 turbocharged four-cylinder engines this year, three of which were new from VW, seeing an engine return on the list is an admirable feat. Best of all, the four-cylinder helps transform the Golf into a fun-to-drive hot hatch, that is until the even hotter Golf R400 finally arrives.

Last, but not least, is another turbocharged four-cylinder engine but this time it’s from Volvo. From the Swedish automaker’s new Drive-E engine family is the 2.0-liter T5 engine that can be found in the S60 sedan. Delivering 240 hp, the T5 wasn’t the only engine from Volvo that WardsAuto was impressed with. The more powerful (302 hp) turbocharged and supercharged T6 engine, which is also a 2.0-liter four-cylinder plant, also did well but the publication preferred the simpler, high-efficiency package from the T5.