Audi
3.0L TFSI supercharged V-6 333 hp (S5)
+ Smooth as 12-year-old Scotch
- Some argue engine about as old
= We got your back, Audi S5
3.0L turbodiesel V-6 240 hp (Audi A6 TDI)
+ Advanced compacted graphite iron block
- 2 mpg behind BMW diesel in our tests
= Hard keeping this one off list
BMW
2.0L N20 DI turbo I-4 245 hp (328i xDrive Sport Wagon)
+ Thanks for extra 5 hp
- Can’t match diesel efficiency
= Tough differentiating 2.0L turbos
2.0L N47 turbodiesel I-4 181 hp (328d)
+ 36.6 mpg staff average over 339 miles
- Numerous complaints about NVH
= Chevy Cruze much better value
3.0L N55 DI turbo I-6 302 hp (435i)
+ Excellent update to stop/start system
- We’re spoiled. Need more updates.
= Loses 18 hp, gains 4 mpg
3.0L N57 turbodiesel I-6 255 hp (535d)
+ Lightweight all-aluminum construction
- Legislators, keep your mitts off diesels
= Who needs a BMW hybrid?
Chrysler
24-kWh battery-electric 111 hp (Fiat 500e EV)
+ Does much to quell range anxiety
- Still basically for two adults
= Hyper-milers reaching 120 miles per charge
2.4L Tigershark I-4 184 hp (Dodge Dart GT)
+ MultiAir tech very cool
- Why make us wait for this engine?
= We had high hopes
3.0L turbodiesel V-6 240 hp (Ram 1500 Crew Cab)
+ Available in pickup for just over $30,000
- Really, expected diesel take-rate of just 15%?
= Finally, diesel marries light pickup
3.2L Pentastar V-6 271 hp (Jeep Cherokee)
+ First 9-speed transmission
- Would like better fuel economy
= Quiet, enjoyable, good fit for Jeep
3.6L Pentastar V-6 300 hp (Dodge Charger SXT/Ram ProMaster)
+ ProMaster yet another great application
- Car thief stole Charger’s chances
= Thanks for good run, Pentastar
Ford
1.0L EcoBoost I-3 123 hp (Fiesta)
+ Unlike any 3-cyl. we’ve driven before
- NVH still needs some work
= Even math-challenged can figure 123 hp/L
1.6L EcoBoost I-4 197 hp (Fiesta ST)
+ Loves 4th gear at 4,500 rpm
- Sophomoric exhaust note
= Hey Einstein, this one makes 123 hp/L too!
2.0L EcoBoost I-4 252 hp (Focus ST)
+ Never at a loss for power
- Torque steer mildly annoying
= EcoBoost everywhere. When’s the IPO?
5.8L supercharged V-8 662 hp (Shelby GT500)
+ Mine is bigger than yours
- Really needs lane-keeping assistant
= Fun ’til Daddy takes GT500 away
General Motors
21-kWh battery-electric 140 hp (Chevrolet Spark EV)
+ Whopping 400 lb.-ft. of torque
- Doesn’t feel 3X thrustier than 500e
= Great package, good price
2.0L DI turbo I-4 272 hp (Cadillac CTS)
+ Cycles smoothly through gears
- $54k base price for 4-cyl. Cadillac
= Better fit for ATS than CTS
2.0L turbodiesel I-4 151 hp (Chevrolet Cruze)
+ Beats rated highway fuel economy
- Hopes to eat Jetta TDI’s lunch
= GM’s smartest play in years
2.5L DI I-4 196 hp (Chevrolet Impala)
+ Gets upgraded intake valve lift for efficiency
- Engine more compelling last year in ATS
= 21/31 mpg impressive for Impala’s size
3.6L DI twin-turbo V-6 420 hp (Cadillac CTS Vsport)
+ Bold move against BMW turbo V-8
- Slid under $60k price cap by 5 bucks
= Overshadowed by other GM engines
4.3L LV3 OHV DI V-6 285 hp (Chevrolet Silverado)
+ Certainly better than old truck V-6
- Weak specific output
= Bigger siblings are better
5.3L L83 OHV DI V-8 355 hp (Chevrolet Silverado)
+ Can handle the volume…
- While 6.2L takes the glory
= Big brothers can be such a pain
6.2L L86 DI OHV V-8 420 hp (GMC Sierra Denali)
+ Runs in 4-cyl. mode an awful lot
- What, no 8-speed, GM?
= King of light-duty truck engines
6.2L LT1 DI OHV V-8 460 hp (Chevrolet Corvette Stingray)
+ Compact, efficient, cost-effective, smart
- Still pushrod detractors out there
= Muscle-car engine for the ages
Honda
2.0L I-4 HEV 196 hp total (Accord Hybrid)
+ 37 mpg nothing to sneeze at
- Weak at highway speeds
= On par with Fusion HEV; lags Chevy Volt
2.4L DI I-4 189 hp (Accord Sport)
+ Efficient, fun and loves to rev
- NVH disappointing for some
= Still benchmark among naturally aspirated I-4s
3.5L V-6 278 hp (Accord Touring)
+ Great value, plus 28 mpg
- Specific output underwhelming
= Honda V-6 wins for 8th time in 12 years
3.5L DI V-6 310 hp (Acura RLX)
+ Accord V-6 adds power, GDI
- But efficiency trails Accord badly
= Sure-footed, quiet, cylinder deactivation
Hyundai
2.0L DI I-4 173 hp (Elantra GT/Kia Forte)
+ Three editors topped 31 mpg
- Doesn’t feel all that torquey
= Great engine for high-volume applications
3.8L DI V-6 311 hp (Kia K900)
+ Pleasant, powerful new flagship
- Barely improved from last year’s Azera
= Stacks up well against other V-6s
Mazda
2.5L DI Skyactiv I-4 184 hp (Mazda3)
+ Gotta love 13.0:1 compression ratio
- Geared for fuel economy
= Hope for future of naturally aspirated engines
Mercedes
2.0L DI turbo I-4 208 hp (CLA250)
+ New Mercedes carries $29,900 base price
- …But $43,570 sticker
= Outmatched by even non-luxury 2.0L turbos
2.0L DI turbo I-4 355 hp (CLA45 AMG)
+ Outrageous 178 hp/L on paper
- …But doesn’t feel like it
= Breakthrough styling not matched by powertrain
2.1L turbodiesel I-4 195 hp (E250/GLK250 Bluetec)
+ Great torque for big car
- MPG lags both BMW, Chevy Cruze diesels
= Hoping Mercedes can return to 10BE list
Mitsubishi
1.2L 3-cyl. 74 hp (Mirage)
+ Available with CVT
- Thrashy and slow with any gearbox
= Not a showcase for downsizing
Nissan
2.5L supercharged HEV I-4 250 hp total (Pathfinder Hybrid)
+ Amazing how easily 4-cyl. moves 7-passenger CUV
- Struggled to reach 20 mpg
= Once again, good effort, Nissan
3.5L V-6 HEV 360 hp total (Infiniti Q50 Hybrid)
+ Carries over from M35h, plus updates
- M35h highway mileage rating was higher
= Nice to see our old friend, the VQ
Porsche
2.7L DI H-6 boxer 275 hp (Cayman)
+ Feels like so much more than 213 lb.-ft.
- Must tear apart car to see engine
= But worthwhile, like unearthing lost artwork
Subaru
2.0L FA DI/MPI H-4 200 hp (BRZ)
+ Absolutely thrilling to drive
- NVH challenges overwhelming this year
= Sorry Subaru, one and out
2.0L FA turbo DI/MPI H-4 250 hp (Forester)
+ Sport and Sport Sharp modes transformative
- CVT way too whiny
= Looking forward to driving this in WRX
2.0L H-4 HEV 160 hp total (XV Crosstrek Hybrid)
+ Not bad for a first hybrid
- Strains at times under modest acceleration
= 25 mpg well below stated fuel economy
Toyota
1.8L I-4 140 hp (Corolla Eco-Plus)
+ Valvematic valve control boosts efficiency
- Not exactly a scintillating ride
= Toyota will sell a lot of these engines
Volkswagen
1.8L EA888 turbocharged I-4 184 hp (Jetta)
+ Wonderfully refined, plenty powerful
- How capably will it move larger Passat?
= This turbo-4 stands taller than the rest
2.0L EA888 turbocharged I-4 210 hp (Beetle GSR)
+ Sport exhaust sounds like Beetle of old
- Can’t VW switch to aluminum block?
= More power, but takes backseat to 1.8L sibling
