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The 10 best engines and propulsion systems, as told by Wards

Lots of electrified powertrains here, but there's something for everybody.

sean-szymkowski-headshot
sean-szymkowski-headshot
Sean Szymkowski
2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray
1 of 20 Nick Miotke/Roadshow

Chevy Corvette Stingray

WardsAuto has named its 10 best engines and propulsion units of the year, and there's something for everyone -- including the latest Corvette Stingray.

Chevy Corvette Stingray's 6.2-liter LT2 V8 engine
2 of 20 Chevrolet

Chevy Corvette Stingray's 6.2-liter LT2 V8 engine

It's a 6.2-liter small-block V8 fitted in the middle of the sports car this time around.

2019-honda-accord-001
3 of 20 Honda

Honda Accord Hybrid

The Honda Accord Hybrid made the list with its powertrain.

Honda Accord Hybrid's 2.0-liter Atkinson inline-four
4 of 20 Honda

Honda Accord Hybrid's 2.0-liter Atkinson inline-four engine

The 2.0-liter Atkinson inline-four sips its way to efficiency with electrification to help.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE450
5 of 20 Emme Hall/Roadshow

Mercedes-Benz GLE450

The inline-six was very much in style this year.

Mercedes-Benz GLE450's 3.0-liter 48V inline-six engine
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Mercedes-Benz GLE450's 3.0-liter 48V inline-six engine

Daimler's new 3.0-liter inline-six with a 48-volt hybrid system was another award winner.

2020 GMC Sierra 1500
7 of 20 Emme Hall/Roadshow

GMC Sierra 1500

Another inline-six showing came in the GMC Sierra 1500.

GMC Sierra 1500's 3.0-liter Duramax diesel inline-six engine
8 of 20 GM

GMC Sierra 1500's 3.0-liter Duramax diesel inline-six engine

The Sierra's 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six was a peach.

2019-ram-1500-etorque-74
9 of 20 Jon Wong/Roadshow

Ram 1500 eTorque

The only V6 on this list was FCA's 3.6-liter 48-volt hybrid engine that it calls eTorque.

Ram 1500's 3.6-liter 48V eTorque V6 engine
10 of 20 FCA

Ram 1500's 3.6-liter 48V eTorque V6 engine

The eTorque engine is repeat winner from last year.

2019 Hyundai Kona Electric
11 of 20 Andrew Krok/Roadshow

Hyundai Kona Electric

Marking the only electric car on the list was the Kona Electric.

Hyundai Kona Electric's 150-kw propulsion unit
12 of 20 Hyundai

Hyundai Kona Electric's 150-kw propulsion unit

Its electric propulsion system was called "fun to drive."

2020 Hyundai Sonata - front three-quarter view
13 of 20 David Dewhurst/Hyundai

Hyundai Sonata

The latest Hyundai Sonata also found love.

Hyundai Sonata's 1.6-liter turbo-four engine
14 of 20 Hyundai

Hyundai Sonata's 1.6-liter turbo-four engine

Its 1.6-liter turbo-four was among just two four-cylinder engines sans electrification to earn the award.

2020-bmw-m340i-52
15 of 20 Nick Miotke/Roadshow

BMW M340i

Back on the performance side of things, another inline-six.

BMW M340i's 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine
16 of 20 BMW

BMW M340i's 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine

The M340i's turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six was a sweet-running sweetheart.

Nissan Altima 2019
17 of 20 Juan Garzon / CNET

Nissan Altima

Nissan's family sedan also made the cut for a repeat win.

Nissan Altima's 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo-four engine
18 of 20 Nissan

Nissan Altima's 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo-four engine

The wild variable-compression 2.0-liter turbo-four was a winner yet again.

2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost High Performance Package
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Ford Mustang EcoBoost High Performance

Ford's Mustang EcoBoost High Performance rounds things out.

2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost High Performance
20 of 20 Chris Paukert/Roadshow

Ford Mustang EcoBoost's High Performance 2.3-liter turbo-four engine

The high-performance engine makes a whopping 332 horsepower.

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