To believe a BMW is worthy of its blue-and-white roundel only if an inline-6 is under the hood is a bit like medieval scholars claiming the world is flat.
The Pentastar returns to the Ward’s 10 Best Engines list for the second year in a row after impressing editors in two disparate applications: Chrysler’s flagship 300S sedan and Jeep Wrangler SUV.
Ford has the right idea at the right time: The Edge with EcoBoost 2.0L is rated at 30 mpg (7.8 L/100km) on the highway, making it ideal for long commutes and family road trips.
Fuel efficiency has become more important in Ward’s 10 Best Engines judging, but we will never forsake engines that ooze testosterone and conjure images of smoking tires and parachutes pulled taut from a reinforced rear bumper.
The High-Output Ecotec is one of three 2.0L turbo engines making this year’s Ward’s 10 Best Engines list, and it trumps them all on the power scale, even the unit in the more-expensive BMW Z4 and 528i.
The 1.6L GDI Gamma 4-cyl. in the Hyundai Accent stands out like welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in a room full of club fighters when it comes to power, advanced technology and efficiency.
The Infiniti M35h’s hybrid powertrain produces 360 hp, but most of that comes from an engine that needs little introduction for long-time readers of Ward’s 10 Best Engines: Nissan’s heralded VQ V-6.