Special Report

Ward’s 10 Best Engines

Audi AG

2.0L I-4 turbo – A4

• + David to V-6 Goliaths
• − Where to next, Audi?
• = The model to follow

BMW AG

3.0L I-6 turbodiesel – 335d

• + The Anti-Hybrid
• − Pricey diesel fuel
• = Diesel’s best emissary

3.0L I-6 turbo – 135i

• + Big power, no lag, tons of fun
• − Hard not to redline in every gear
• = One of the best ever. Period

Chrysler LLC

5.7L Hemi V-8 – Ram/Challenger R/T

• + Multi-talented muscle
• − If Chrysler dies, so does Hemi
• = Decadence has its place

5.7L V-8 – Chrysler Aspen Hybrid

• + Yea, it’s got a Hemi
• − Why not a V-6 2-Mode?
• = We hardly knew ’ya

Daimler AG

3.0L V-6 turbodiesel – Mercedes R320

• + Ideal grunt for big CUVs
• − Lazy throttle response
• = BMW diesel spoiled the honeymoon

Ford Motor Co.

2.5L I-4 – Escape

• + Serves a small trucklet well
• − Too thrashy
• = Where’s the mute button?

2.5L I-4 HEV – Escape Hybrid

• + 46 mpg not that difficult
• − NVH can be improved
• = Eco-friendliness, without dorkiness

3.0L V-6 – Escape

• + Nothing lame about 80 hp/L
• − Wait, which Escape was this?
• = EcoBoost me, please

4.6L V-8 – Mustang Bullitt

• + Steve McQueen would dig it
• − Where’s the beef?
• = Great bark, needs more bite

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

2.5L H-4 turbo – Subaru WRX STI

• + Classic boxer growl, turbo power
• − Daily commutes aren’t rally stages
• = Another candidate for direct injection

General Motors Corp.

2.2L I-4 – Chevrolet Cobalt XFE

• + Decent way to move small cars
• − Didn’t even get 30 mpg
• = This is extreme fuel economy?

2.8L V-6 turbo – Turbo X

• + Sweet, smooth boost aplenty
• − Overpriced and too thirsty
• = A good turbo-4 works just as well

3.6L V-6 – CTS

• + Balanced, powerful and flexible
• − Can GM afford upgrades?
• = Deceptively effective

3.6L HEV – Vue 2-Mode

• + Tons of power for a hybrid
• − Is this what America wants?
• = Performance HEVs a hard sell

6.0L V-8 HEV – GMC Yukon 2-Mode

• + Seamless operation in big SUV
• − Price too high for 18 mpg
• = Superb engineering for questionable cause

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

1.5L I-4 – Fit

• + Nifty for the thrifty
• − Careful in the fast lane
• = Fine argument against hybrids

3.5L V-6 – Accord Coupe

• + Ain’t no secretary’s car
• − A little soft near redline
• = Loads of fun, yet practical

3.7L V-6 – Acura TL SH-AWD

• + 82 hp/L not too shabby
• − Shoulda had a V-8
• = More bored than stroked

Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd.

2.4L I-4 – Sonata

• + Has potential to be better
• − We’re waiting…
• = The plight of the World Engine

3.8L V-6 – Genesis

• + Solid all-rounder
• − Annoyingly average
  = Flying coach in first-class field

4.6L V-8 – Genesis

• + Purrs, then pounces
• − Volumes shamefully low
• = Welcome to the big leagues, H

Mazda Motor Corp.

2.3L I-4 turbo – Mazdaspeed3

• + Corruptively powerful
• − Runs out of steam at high revs
• = The future of muscle cars

2.5L I-4 – Mazda6

• + Delightfully peppy, fuel efficient
• − A tad too pedestrian
• = Great I-4 workhorse

Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

2.0L I-4 turbo – Evo X

• + Firecracker power surge
• − Turbo spools up at glacial pace
• = Awesome, for about 15 minutes

2.4L I-4 – Lancer GTS

• + Fun to thrash
• − Doesn’t reward with much
• = Not that impressive

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

3.7L V-6 – Infiniti G37S

• + Fast-revving, hot-rod gusto
• − Needs to attend NVH charm school
• = Come back and see us next year

Suzuki Motor Corp.

2.4L I-4 – Grand Vitara

• + Simple can be best
• − More noise than motivation
• = Merely adequate

Toyota Motor Corp.

1.8L I-4 – Corolla

• + It’s about efficiency, not power
• − Point A, meet Point B
• = Maybe GM still has a chance

2.7L I-4 – Highlander

• + Decent alternative to small V-6
• − Hardly gets the blood flowing
• = A smart play by Toyota

3.5L V-6 – Lexus IS 350

• + Swiss-clock precision, superb powerband
• − Needs vocal lessons
• = Technology tour de force

Volkswagen AG

2.0L I-4 turbodiesel – Jetta TDI

• + Urea aftertreatment unnecessary
• − Took 12 years for TDI to return to list
• = A great deal, even without $1,300 credit