From turbocharged Hurricane I6s to hybrid small-block V8s, there’s something for every car enthusiast among the winners of Wards 2024 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems. And it’s not just the diversity of powertrain configurations that makes the 2024 list notable, but also the broad cross-section of manufacturers represented. On the flip side of the same coin, we see a few notable absences. Let’s dive in.
V8
Yes, in the year of our electrons, 2024, there’s a V8 on the Wards 10 Best list – and a American V8 then. It is the 6.2-liter V8 that is under the hood of the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray. Okay, in this case it’s part of a hybrid powertrain, but the fact that GM managed such a well-executed hybridization of its iconic performance model on the first lap is impressive nonetheless. Speaking of hybrids…
Hybrids
Technically, the E-Ray’s V8 should be there, too. It’s no wonder Wards has dubbed 2024 the “Year of the Hybrid.” Six of the 10 winners are battery-electric models, though we’d note that the mix still dramatically favors standard hybrid configurations over heavier, more expensive plug-ins. Only BMW’s I6 PHEV made the cut in the latter category. This category is also home to the two most affordable cars on this list: the Honda Civic Hybrid And Toyota Camry XSE.
Turbos
Like the Hybrid category, this one is bigger than our list suggests. Three of this year’s hybrid selections are based on turbocharged gasoline engines. The Stellantis “Hurricane” I6 is one of two 3.0-liter inline-sixes on this year’s winners list, and they’re joined by Porsche’s 3.0-liter V6. The 3.0-liter turbocharged six seems to be the sweet spot for premium gasoline engines in 2024. Shout-out to Toyota for the GR Corollas 1.3 liter turbo three. That car is an absolute gem.
Electric
Korea took home the all-electric award this year. Out of 11 eligible nominees, only two battery electric cars made the 2024 winners list.
Notable absences
- Old-fashioned, naturally aspirated, non-electrified engines
Count them: zero.
All four of these manufacturers had at least one eligible finalist in 2024 (Nissan in the form of the 2024 Infiniti). QX80), but all ended up with goose eggs. Both of VW’s nominees were battery-electric offerings; Audi was nowhere to be found.