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Decoding the Powertrain Revolution: Inside the 2025 Wards 10 Best Engines List
The automotive landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, and nowhere is this more evident than in the evolution of the Wards 10 Best Engines awards. As we hurtle toward an electrified future, the criteria for what constitutes a winning powertrain are being stretched, redefined, and ultimately, reimagined. This year’s list of nominees for the 2025 Wards 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems reflects a thrilling, albeit sometimes contradictory, moment in automotive history. It’s a celebration of the internal combustion engine’s final, glorious chapter, a nod to the hybrid systems that bridge the gap, and an enthusiastic embrace of the battery electric vehicle (BEV) that promises to reshape our relationship with the automobile.
Having spent a decade immersed in the automotive sector, I’ve witnessed firsthand the anxieties and excitements that accompany these transitional periods. The shift away from gasoline-dominated lineups isn’t just about regulatory compliance; it’s about a fundamental reimagining of performance, efficiency, and the very definition of the driving experience. The Wards judges—a panel of seasoned journalists including Lead Editor Christie Schweinsberg, Editor Jim Irwin, and Contributing Editors Bob Gritzinger, Gary Vasilash, Drew Winter, and Dave Zoia—have the enviable, yet challenging, task of sifting through this complexity. They’re not just listening to exhaust notes; they’re evaluating software integration, thermal management, and the seamless blending of electric and combustion power.
The nominees themselves read like a time capsule of automotive progress. We see the traditional powerhouses—the V-8s, the turbo-sixes, the potent turbo-fours—sharing the stage with the silent, surging electric motors that are rewriting the performance playbook. This duality is the defining characteristic of the 2025 list. It’s a recognition that while the destination may be electric, the journey is paved with a remarkable diversity of engineering solutions.
The V-8 Renaissance: A Swan Song for Combustion Kings
For the purists, the sight of a V-8 on this list still elicits a certain reverence. These aren’t just engines; they are mechanical symphonies, legacies of an era when displacement equated to prestige. Yet, even these titans are evolving. The inclusion of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 5.5L twin-turbo V-8 is a testament to this evolution. This isn’t your grandfather’s Corvette engine. It’s a high-revving masterpiece, a testament to the engineering prowess that can still extract breathtaking performance from a combustion heart. The “twin-turbo” designation is key here. It signals that even in the realm of the V-8, forced induction is the price of admission for relevance in 2025.
Similarly, the BMW M5 4.4L twin-turbo V-8 PHEV represents the pinnacle of this hybrid-assisted combustion era. The “PHEV” (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) suffix tells the full story. This isn’t just a V-8 that occasionally sips electricity; it’s a sophisticated system where the electric motor augments the V-8’s torque, smoothing out power delivery and enhancing efficiency when cruising. For judges, evaluating such a system requires a nuanced ear. Does the transition between electric and combustion feel seamless? Does the added weight of the battery compromise the M5’s legendary agility? The answers to these questions will likely determine whether this engineering marvel earns a spot on the final list.
Even the legendary Nissan Armada NISMO 3.5L turbo V-6 (though the asterisk indicates it’s subject to testing and change) points to a broader trend. The move away from a V-8 in a vehicle like the Armada signals a shift toward more efficient, yet still potent, V-6 configurations, often enhanced with turbocharging. This is a strategic move by manufacturers to balance the demands of power-hungry consumers with the necessity of meeting stringent fuel economy standards. The days of the gas-guzzling behemoth are numbered, but the spirit of robust, reliable power lives on in these new V-6 iterations.
The Hybrid Bridge: Efficiency Meets Enthusiasm
If the V-8s represent the glorious past and the BEVs the aspirational future, the hybrids are the workhorses of the present. They are the technological bridge, proving that drivers don’t necessarily have to sacrifice performance for efficiency. The Wards judges have a long history of celebrating well-executed hybrid systems, and this year is no exception.
The Honda Civic Hybrid 2.0L I-4 HEV (a returning winner from 2024) is a prime example of this category done right. Honda has long been a master of the hybrid powertrain, and their system in the Civic is renowned for its seamless integration. The electric motor doesn’t just assist the gasoline engine; it often takes the lead at lower speeds, providing instant torque that makes the Civic feel surprisingly peppy. For the judges, the key evaluation point here is the refinement of the system. Does the engine cut in and out jarringly? Is the regenerative braking smooth and intuitive? A well-executed hybrid should make the driver forget they’re driving a hybrid at all, simply enjoying the smooth, efficient ride.
The Toyota 4Runner 2.4L turbo 4-cyl. HEV represents a particularly interesting case. The 4Runner is a legacy nameplate, a symbol of rugged, off-road capability. Adding a hybrid system to this icon is a bold move. It speaks to the broader trend of electrifying SUVs and trucks, not just for urban commuters, but for those who demand capability in their daily drivers. The “turbo” designation here is also noteworthy. It suggests that Toyota is looking to extract more power and efficiency from its four-cylinder engines, leveraging turbocharging to compensate for the loss of displacement.
Another returning winner, the Toyota GR Corolla 1.6L turbo I-3, offers a different perspective on hybrid performance. This is not your typical fuel-sipping hybrid. It’s a rally-bred machine where the electric motor is used to enhance performance, providing instant torque for better launch control and acceleration. This demonstrates that hybrid technology isn’t just about saving gas; it’s a versatile tool that can be used to optimize performance in a variety of applications. The judges will be looking for how well this system integrates with the GR Corolla’s otherwise raw, unfiltered driving character. Does the electric assist enhance the fun, or does it dilute the experience?
The Electric Surge: BEVs Command the Stage
Perhaps the most striking feature of the 2025 Wards 10 Best Engines list is the sheer volume of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). From luxury marques like Cadillac Escalade IQ BEV, Lucid Gravity BEV, and Volvo EX90 BEV to performance icons like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N BEV (a returning winner) and the Rivian R1T Quad Max BEV, electric propulsion is no longer a niche offering—it is the vanguard of automotive innovation.
The judges face a unique challenge when evaluating BEVs. Without the familiar sound of an engine, they must rely on other metrics to assess the driving experience. Acceleration is obviously a key factor, but in 2025, the focus has shifted beyond mere 0-60 mph times. The judges are looking for powertrain refinement. How smooth is the power delivery? Is the torque application linear and predictable, or does it feel jerky? In a world where electric vehicles are becoming more powerful, the ability to manage that power effectively is a mark of true engineering excellence.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N BEV (a returning winner) is particularly interesting in this context. Hyundai has been aggressively pushing the boundaries of electric performance, and the Ioniq 5 N represents their commitment to creating an EV that enthusiasts can truly love. The judges will be scrutinizing its ability to maintain performance during spirited driving. Can it handle repeated acceleration runs without overheating? Does the software provide the driver with the level of control they expect from a performance vehicle? These are the questions that separate the truly great EVs from the also-rans.
The presence of luxury BEVs like the Lucid Gravity BEV and Volvo EX90 BEV on the list signals a broader trend. Electric propulsion is no longer just for sporty compact cars. It is being integrated into the largest, most luxurious vehicles on the market, challenging the long-held notion that large vehicles require large combustion engines. The judges will be evaluating the NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) characteristics of these vehicles. In a luxury EV, silence is golden, but the engineers must also ensure that the vehicle feels substantial and planted. The ride quality, the isolation from road noise, and the overall sense of refinement will be critical factors in their evaluation.
The Polestar 4 BEV, a relative newcomer in the luxury EV space, also represents an interesting case. Polestar has positioned itself as a design-forward, performance-oriented electric brand. The judges will likely be looking for how well the Polestar 4 delivers on this promise. Is it fun to drive? Is the user interface intuitive? Does it offer a compelling alternative to the established luxury brands? The success of Polestar, and indeed the broader EV market, hinges on its ability to answer these questions with a resounding “yes.”
The Compact Powerhouses: Efficiency in a Smaller Package
While the headline-grabbing V-8s and the revolutionary BEVs often dominate the conversation, the Wards judges also have a keen eye
