Toyota engineers have come through again with the ’16 Prius, setting new benchmarks in drivability, efficiency and value.  

With the arrival of high-efficiency hybrids, there’s something comforting and nostalgic in an engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission that needs a giant hood scoop to pull in enough air to let the intercooler do its job. That’s...

Two diesels, the Nissan/Cummins 5.0L V-8 and General Motors’ 2.8L Duramax 4-cyl., were in the running for Wards 10 Best Engines but could not keep up with the Ram 1500’s 3.0L EcoDiesel V-6, which completes a three-peat of fairy-tale...

For more than 20 years, the Nissan VQ’s calling card has been its unmistakably creamy midrange. But the new version displays a lot more composure when pushed hard, even to the brink of the 6,600-rpm redline.

The Sonata PHEV is a sizable and stylish car that looks a lot more expensive than its $34,600 base price. To experience this world-class drivetrain brings quick realization that it’s a bargain.

Ford dismantled a perfectly good 5.0L V-8 and put it back together with more displacement, less friction and weight, a volumetric efficiency of 110%, higher compression, 100 more horsepower and the ability to spin at a jaw-dropping 8,250 rpm...

The Voltec propulsion system already was one of the most innovative powertrains ever mass produced. Now GM has made it significantly better in every way. There was no way we could not put it on the list this year.   

GM’s new 335-hp 3.6L direct-injection V-6 muscles its way onto this year’s list because it so powerfully completes the Chevy Camaro tandem. It’s the right hand to the V-8’s left. It’s so good that certain editors...

BMW’s B58 I-6, springing from a new EfficientDynamics modular family of 3-, 4- and 6-cyl. engines, has a larger turbocharger, all-new water-to-air intercooler, longer stroke, more horsepower and torque and several fuel-saving technologies.

When an editor lobbies for the powertrain that scores dead last in our competition (and shall remain nameless), it speaks volumes about the progressive leaps being achieved in noise attenuation, power delivery and drivability.