Winners in Red
Acura
3.0L turbo V-6 355 hp (Acura TLX Type S)
+ State of the art V-6
- Relatively poor observed fuel economy
= Emulates German sixes at lower price point
Audi
Dual-Motor BEV 402 hp (Audi e-tron Sportback)
+ Enjoyable to drive without theatrics
- BEV platform on the way out
= Good BEV alternative for Audi enthusiasts
3.0L turbo V-6 349 hp (Audi SQ5)
+ Quick response, plenty of power, lots of good ear music
- Pricey for the power
= Makes great case for downsizing from V-8
BMW
2.0L turbo I-4 PHEV 288 hp combined (BMW 330e)
+ Amazing fuel efficiency while never wanting for power
- 22 miles of EV range is on the short side
= Thrilling in EV mode and still engaging even when the battery runs dry
3.0L turbo I-6 48V MHEV 382 hp (BMW M440i xDrive)
+ 48V stop/start smooth as silk
- Slight transmission hiccups, low rpm lugging
= Engine makes the car
Chevrolet
6.2L V-8 495 hp (Chevrolet Corvette Stingray)
+ Power to burn, but easy on fuel
- NVH might turn some off
= A heart-pumping joy to drive
3.0L diesel I-6 (Chevrolet Suburban)
+ Impressively quiet for a diesel
- Loses breath +80 mph
= Great fit for this large vehicle
1.3L turbo I-3 155 hp (Chevrolet Trailblazer)
+ Impressive power and torque density
- Fuel economy could be better
= The little engine that does
Ford
1.5L turbo I-3 181 hp (Ford Bronco Sport)
+ Higher hp/L than Chevy engine
- Drivability and NVH lacking
= Three bangers can replace four pots
3.5L twin-turbo V-6 HEV 430 hp combined (Ford F-150 Hybrid)
+ Unobtrusive gas-electric transitions
- Price premium for hybrid powertrain
= Clobbers V-8 for response and thrust
2.3L turbo I-4 High Performance Package 330 hp (Ford Mustang)
+ High-revving fun running through 6-speed manual
- Thrashy and loud at startup
= Efficient Mustang option packed with fun
Dual-Motor BEV 346 hp (Ford Mustang Mach-E)
+ Outperforms on miles vs. estimated range measure
- Whisper (Eco) mode drivability a downer
= Advanced EV without the “Tech Bro” baggage
Genesis
3.5L turbo V-6 375 hp (Genesis G80)
+ Competitive hp and efficiency numbers
- Annoying vibration in accelerator pedal
= Smooth, enjoyable engine (pictured below)
Honda
2.0L Atkinson I-4 HEV 212 hp combined (Honda Accord Hybrid)
+ Dual-motor hybrid system still competitive
- Hybrids ceding spotlight to BEVs
= Supremely smooth at all times
Hyundai
1.6L I-4 HEV 139 hp combined (Hyundai Elantra Hybrid)
+ Surprisingly responsive with remarkable real-world mpg
- Annoying powertrain transitions at low and mid speeds
= Low price makes it a great hybrid deal
Single-Motor BEV 201 hp (Hyundai Kona EV)
+ Incredibly fast and responsive
- Pulsating vibration in accelerator pedal
= Top value and efficiency in this return winner
1.6L turbo I-4 HEV 225 hp combined (Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid)
+ EV mode possible up to 50 mph
- Some lugging at low speeds
= Good price compared with non-hybrid midsize CUVs
2.5L turbo I-4 277 hp (Hyundai Santa Fe)
+ Shockingly punchy for a middle-of-the-road CUV
- Hyper response makes it hard to drive smoothly
= Engine helps Santa Fe stand out from the crowd
1.6L turbo I-4 180 hp (Hyundai Sonata/Kia K5)
+ Torquey thanks to world-first Continuously Variable Valve Duration
- Bad vibes at low rpm
= Past winner offers combo of efficiency, power in non-hybrid
Infiniti
2.0L VC-turbo I-4 268 hp (Infiniti QX55)
+ Variable-compression a technological marvel
- CVT a bit of a killjoy in this application
= Two-time winner nearly worthy of a three-peat
Jeep
2.0L turbo I-4 PHEV 375 hp combined (Jeep Wrangler 4xe)
+ 28-mpg observed is impressive for a Wrangler
- Not sure Wrangler buyers are looking for a PHEV
= Pure EV driving at 70 mph is amazing
6.4L V-8 470 hp (Jeep Wrangler 392)
+ Big, wicked engine with neighbor-waking growl
- Might be too much power for this vehicle
= Enjoy it before V-8s are extinct
Land Rover
3.0L I-6 MHEV 395 hp (Land Rover Defender 90)
+ Mild hybrid system is saving grace on mpg
- Unnerving complete vehicle shutdown at long stops
= Plenty of oomph makes this a pleasure to drive
Lexus
3.5L V-6 HEV 354 hp combined (Lexus LC 500h)
+ Super-intelligent transmission optimizes fuel economy
- Some whine when thrashed
= Sophisticated Multi-Stage Hybrid system performs flawlessly
Mazda
2.5L turbo I-4 250 hp (Mazda CX-30)
+ Full torque at just 2,000 rpm
- Touchy tip-in requires gentle throttle inputs
= Engine is a perfect match for this vehicle
Mercedes-Benz
2.0L turbo I-4 305 hp (Mercedes-Benz GLA 35)
+ Sport mode and manual shift mode make this a ton of fun
- Some turbo lag hurts linear power delivery
= Rewarding for the aggressive driver – 0-60 mph in 5 seconds
3.0L EQ Boost turbo I-6 429 hp (Mercedes GLE 53)
+ EQ Boost adds 21 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque
- AMG powertrain may be a mis-fit in large CUV
= Cruiser with a proper growl when pressed
4.0L EQ Boost bi-turbo V-8 483 hp (Mercedes-Benz GLS 580)
+ Makes a large vehicle feel nimble
- Painful fuel economy numbers
= Smooth operator with a slick stop/start
Polestar
Dual-Motor BEV 408 hp (Polestar 2)
+ Surprising ability to retain battery charge
- Lack of ignition button can create confusion
= Lithe and quick, fun and easy to drive
Porsche
3.8L turbo flat-6 572 hp (Porsche 911 Turbo - pictured above)
+ All you need is – a turbo flat-6 from Stuttgart
- Gritty flat-engine sounds not for everyone
= Pinnacle of Porsche internal combustion as brand pivots to EVs
Dual-Motor BEV 522 hp (Porsche Taycan 4S)
+ State-of-the-art 800V system and fast-charging ability
- High price tag should bring more range
= Capable of wresting performance crown from ICE brethren
Ram
3.6L V-6 48V eTorque 305 hp (Ram 1500 Rebel)
+ eTorque mild-hybrid system a winner
- Observed fuel economy well below EPA rating
= No longer as cutting edge in increasingly electrified field
6.2L supercharged V-8 702 hp (Ram 1500 TRX)
+ Can be subtle until – bam! – when you floor it
- Too big to be this quick
= Collector’s item for lovers of monster V-8
Toyota
2.5L I-4 HEV 243 hp combined (Toyota Highlander Hybrid)
+ Beats or exceeds EPA fuel economy of 35 mpg combined
- Excessively loud and rough, poor NVH
= Compact car fuel economy in a large, 3-row CUV
Single-Motor Fuel-Cell BEV 182 hp (Toyota Mirai)
+ Superb proof of concept for a propulsion system of the future
- Runs through hydrogen range faster than miles
= Lack of hydrogen refueling infrastructure hurts viability
2.5L I-4 PHEV 302 hp combined (Toyota RAV4 Prime)
+ Torquey EV response at lower speeds
- Feels weak at higher speeds
= Great package offering up to 42 miles of EV range
2.5L I-4 HEV 219 hp combined (Toyota Venza Hybrid)
+ Tried-and-true, capable and efficient hybrid propulsion
- Hard to achieve pure EV-mode driving
= Great for those who want electrified efficiency in a simple package
Volkswagen
Single-Motor BEV 201 hp (Volkswagen ID.4)
+ Smooth response rather than hyper-aggressive
- Relatively mild torque rating as BEVs go
= The people’s BEV – an electric car for the masses
Volvo
Dual-Motor BEV 408 hp (Volvo XC40 Recharge)
+ Gives up longer range for higher performance
- Lacks some of the unique features of the Polestar
= Proves the Swedes are all-in for BEVs (pictured below)
