Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.

As the auto industry transitions from the internal-combustion engine to electrification, Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems awards are undergoing transition as well. This year’s awards went to three battery-electric vehicles, two plug-in hybrids, one hybrid  and four internal-combustion-engine vehicles. Without trying, the judging panel captured a group of vehicles representative of where auto sales are today by propulsion-system segment.

Wards judges – WardsAuto Editor-in-Chief Bob Gritzinger, Editorial Director Dave Zoia, Editor Jim Irwin, Senior Editor David Kiley and Wards contributing editor Drew Winter  – gathered at the AutoTech: Electrification conference to present the awards to the winners.

Kiley moderated a panel comprising the judges to give some behind-the-scenes thoughts and details about how the 2023 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems winners were chosen out of 32 vehicles assessed. Our podcast this week shares the discussion with our listeners.