2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines

Complete coverage of the 2013 Ward’s 10 Best engines, including detailed reports on the winners, with galleries, videos of test drives and the award’s ceremonies and more.

THE WINNERS
- Dec. 12, 2012
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  2013 Ward’s 10 Best Engines Showcase Efficiency Gains
  
  This year’s winners consist of five 4-cyls., four 6-cyls. and one V-8. Four honorees are turbocharged and two supercharged. Eleven electric vehicles or hybrids were evaluated among 40 powertrains, but none made the cut this year....More
- Jan. 7, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Technology Abundant in Ward’s 10 Best Engines
  
  From disappearing exhaust manifolds and piped-in engine sounds to a renaissance for conventional port-injection engines, this year’s competition identifies several powertrain trends....More
- Jan. 7, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  2013 Ward’s 10 Best Engines Quick Hits 3
  
  A concise pro-and-con summation of all 40 engines in the 2013 competition....More
- Jan. 7, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Audi 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 3
  
  This is how you eliminate a great V-8 without anyone complaining....More
- Jan. 7, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  BMW 2.0L N20 Turbocharged DOHC I-4
  
  It’s apparent why most 3-Series customers are picking the 4-cyl. and why the new car continues to pummel its competitors. The same creamy smoothness that enthralled us last year when this engine was all-new leaves us smitten once again....More
- Jan. 7, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  BMW 3.0L N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 1
  
  In the hands of a dangerous man like James Bond, the BMW 135is is a lethal weapon and the turbocharged inline-6 its blade, worthy of a third consecutive Ward’s 10 Best Engines win....More
- Jan. 7, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Chrysler 3.6L DOHC Pentastar V-6
  
  By 2014, the Pentastar V-6 is expected to account for more than a third of the powertrains in Chrysler’s vehicle stable. With this stout performance in the Ram 1500, it’s easy to see that percentage tilting higher....More
- Jan. 7, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Ford 2.0L EcoBoost DOHC I-4
  
  As strong as the Focus ST is, what clinched this year’s Ward’s 10 Best Engines trophy was the 2.0L EcoBoost’s unexpectedly robust performance in a car that is 741 lbs. heavier: the Taurus....More
- Jan. 7, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Ford 5.8L Supercharged DOHC V-8 5
  
  The engine’s prodigious output makes it the world’s most powerful production V-8, beating countless exotics costing many times the price of the GT500, as well as Ford’s cross-town rival, the Chevy ZL1....More
- Jan. 7, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  GM 2.0L Turbocharged I-4
  
  Yes, the new engine has 35 lb.-ft. less torque than its predecessor, but it actually does a better all-around job of transferring its abundant power to the pavement....More
- Jan. 7, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Honda 2.4L DOHC I-4
  
  Honda proves a bread-and-butter engine, its all-new 2.4L direct-injection 4-cyl. in the Accord, is more like a piled-high deli sandwich....More
- Jan. 7, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Honda 3.5L SOHC V-6
  
  We’ve always cherished this 60-degree titan as an unsung hero whose power surpasses the numbers on the spec sheet. The new 3.5L makes a convincing argument that modern engines do not need direct fuel injection....More
- Jan. 7, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Subaru 2.0L FA DOHC H-4 Boxer
  
  Subaru earns its third Ward’s 10 Best Engines trophy for its high-output boxer, a 2.0L 4-cyl. naturally aspirated gem that produces 100 hp/L and instills hope that cars of the future will not be appliances, void of passion and emotion....More
- Dec. 12, 2012
  
  gallery
  
  2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines Photos
  
  Gallery of WardsAuto 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines winners.
10 BEST ENGINES ON VIDEO
- Jan. 18, 2013
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Ward's 10 Best Engines Awards Cermony - Video Snapshot
  
  Video highlights from the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines awards ceremony, held Jan. 16 in Detroit. Full video from the ceremony, featuring acceptance speeches from the winning auto makers, will be posted to WardsAuto.com soon. Check back for the full program....More
- Jan. 7, 2013
  
  Video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013: Judges' Discussion
  
  WardsAuto editors explain their choices in this year's 10 Best Engines competition and discuss the rest of the field as well....More
- Jan. 4, 2013
  
  Video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Music To Our Ears
  
  This video montage captures exhaust notes and induction sounds from most of the 40 vehicles vying for 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines honors....More
JUDGE'S TAKE
- Jan. 4, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Judge's Take - Honeymoon Over With Electric Vehicles 7
  
  Short ranges, plug hassles and energy thieves dampen our enthusiasm for vehicle electrification....More
- Jan. 4, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Judge's Take - Transmissions in Transition
  
  We experienced both fabulous and disappointing transmissions that made all the difference in this year’s evaluations. A great engine needs a great transmission, in the same way a Hall of Fame pitcher needs an outstanding catcher....More
- Jan. 3, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Judge's Take - High-Output Engines Worth Singing About
  
  A market shift to smaller engines doesn’t mean auto makers have lost interest in making great V-8s....More
- Jan. 3, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Judge's Take - Industry Still Has Place for V-6 Engines
  
  The 6-cyl. engine option is being dropped from many key models in favor of smaller I-4s, but don’t write it off just yet....More
- Jan. 2, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Judge's Take - Fuel Economy Claims Prove Elusive
  
  Most of the vehicles tested by WardsAuto editors during the 10 Best Engines competition failed to meet numbers advertised by auto makers....More
- Jan. 2, 2013
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Judge's Take - Don't Get Me Started
  
  For this year's 10 Best Engines judging process, Judge Schweinsberg is vexed by vibration and flummoxed by figuring out how to disable scheduled charging....More
TEST DRIVE VIDEOS
- Dec. 13, 2012
  
  Video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Jaguar XF Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Jaguar XF, driven by Executive Editor Tom Murphy, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Dec. 7, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Ford Taurus Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Ford Taurus, driven by editor Byron Pope, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Dec. 5, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Dodge Ram 1500 Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Dodge Ram 1500, driven by editor Drew Winter, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Dec. 3, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid, driven by editor Christie Schweinsberg, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Nov. 30, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Cadillac ATS Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Cadillac ATS, editor Tom Murphy, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Nov. 28, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Mazda CX-5 Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Mazda CX-5, driven by editor Aaron Foley, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Nov. 26, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Honda Accord Sport Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Honda Accord Sport, driven by editor Tom Murphy, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Nov. 14, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  BMW 328i Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The BMW 328i, driven by editor Drew Winter, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Nov. 12, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Infiniti M35h Hybrid Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Infiniti M35h hybrid, driven by editor Aaron Foley, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Nov. 9, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Ford Fusion 1.6L EcoBoost 6 MT Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Ford Fusion 1.6L EcoBoost 6 MT, driven by editor Drew Winter, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Nov. 7, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Acura ILX 2.0L Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Acura ILX 2.0L, driven by Associate Editor Christie Schweinsberg, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Nov. 5, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Toyota Prius PHEV Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Toyota Prius PHEV, driven by editor David Zoia, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Nov. 2, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Mitsubishi "i" Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines
  
  The Mitsubishi "i", driven by Executive Editor Tom Murphy, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Nov. 1, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Toyota Prius c Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Toyota Prius c, driven by Associate Editor Aaron Foley, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Oct. 31, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Chevy Camaro ZL1 Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Chevy Camaro ZL1, driven by editor Byron Pope, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Oct. 30, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Ford Mustang Boss 302 Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Boss Mustang, driven by editor Tom Murphy, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Oct. 29, 2012
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Ford Shelby GT500 Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Ford Shelby GT500, driven by editor Steve Finlay, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
- Oct. 25, 2012
  
  Video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Subaru BRZ Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The Subaru BRZ, driven by Editor Tom Murphy, is one of 41 contenders for the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines competition....More
THE NOMINEES
- Nov. 1, 2012
  
  Article
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Ward’s 10 Best Engines Entries Sign of Rapid Change 2
  
  This year, 40 engines are being evaluated as part of the Ward’s 10 Best Engines competition, including 24 I-4s, 10 6-cyl. mills, three V-8s and three EVs. Specific outputs are climbing, as is fuel economy....More
THE AWARDS BANQUET
- Jan. 25, 2013
  
  gallery
  
  Images From Ward's 10 Best Engines Awards Event
  
  Almost 500 powertrain engineers and executives showed up to celebrate, network and collect trophies at the 19th annual Ward's 10 Best Engines Awards.
- Feb. 5, 2013
  
  Video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Awards Ceremony Introduction - Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013
  
  The introduction to the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines awards ceremony, held Jan. 16 in Detroit....More
- Jan. 16, 2013
  
  Video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Audi 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 - Award Acceptance
  
  Audi accepts its award at the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines awards ceremony, held Jan. 16 in Detroit....More
- Jan. 16, 2013
  
  Video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  BMW 2.0L N20 Turbocharged DOHC I-4 - Award Acceptance
  
  BMW accepts its award at the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines awards ceremony, held Jan. 16 in Detroit....More
- Jan. 16, 2013
  
  Video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  BMW 3.0L N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 - Award Acceptance
  
  BMW accepts its award at the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines awards ceremony, held Jan. 16 in Detroit....More
- Jan. 16, 2013
  
  Video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Chrysler 3.6L DOHC Pentastar V-6 - Award Acceptance
  
  Chrysler accepts its award at the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines awards ceremony, held Jan. 16 in Detroit....More
- Jan. 16, 2013
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Ford 2.0L EcoBoost DOHC I-4 - Award Acceptance
  
  Ford accepts its award at the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines awards ceremony, held Jan. 16 in Detroit....More
- Jan. 16, 2013
  
  video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Ford 5.8L Supercharged DOHC V-8 - Award Acceptance
  
  Ford accepts its award at the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines awards ceremony, held Jan. 16 in Detroit....More
- Jan. 16, 2013
  
  Video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  GM 2.0L Turbocharged I-4 - Award Acceptance
  
  General Motors accepts its award at the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines awards ceremony, held Jan. 16 in Detroit....More
- Jan. 16, 2013
  
  Video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Honda 2.4L DOHC I-4 - Award Acceptance
  
  Honda accepts its award at the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines awards ceremony, held Jan. 16 in Detroit....More
- Jan. 16, 2013
  
  Video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Honda 3.5L SOHC V-6 - Award Acceptance
  
  Honda accepts its award at the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines awards ceremony, held Jan. 16 in Detroit....More
- Jan. 16, 2013
  
  Video
  
  WardsAuto
  
  Subaru 2.0L FA DOHC H-4 Boxer - Award Acceptance
  
  Subaru accepts its award at the 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines awards ceremony, held Jan. 16 in Detroit....More

THE WINNERS

10 BEST ENGINES ON VIDEO

JUDGE'S TAKE

TEST DRIVE VIDEOS

THE NOMINEES

THE AWARDS BANQUET

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