10 Best Awards
2026 Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX Winners: OEMs look to redefine the in-cabin experience
From February to April 2026, WardsAuto evaluated 28 new models and ultimately selected 10 vehicles that excelled in interior design and user experience. The winning models span in price from $35,000 to $250,000, commonly featuring physical controls, comfortable seats, and convenient ADAS features, while also reflecting a cooling trend in the market for fully electric vehicles.
Hyundai dual-motor propulsion system makes Ioniq 9 quick, long-distance family hauler
The dual-motor powertrain in the Hyundai Ioniq 9 three-row crossover, delivering 422 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, overturns the stereotype of underpowered family vehicles. This system not only earned the 2025 Ward's 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems award but also, with its 311-mile (501 km) range and 20-minute DC fast-charging capability, becomes an ideal choice for long-distance family travel.
ZR1 V-8 earns Corvette a rare three-peat win
The LT7 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine in the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has helped the Corvette win the Wards 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems award for the third consecutive year. Developed from the Z06's naturally aspirated LT6 V-8, this engine produces 1,064 horsepower, setting a new record for American production V-8 power.
Leaf propulsion system more electrifying than ever
The 2026 Nissan Leaf has been named to the 2025 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems thanks to its new third-generation electric drive system. This system delivers 214 horsepower and 354 Nm of torque, a significant improvement over the first generation, while achieving vibration and noise reduction and efficiency optimization through innovations such as a compact 3-in-1 design and a six-segment skewed rotor. In testing, energy consumption was as low as 3.4 miles per kWh, with a range of 250-300 miles and a starting price of around $30,000, combining performance and affordability.
Honda two-motor hybrid powertrain a well-balanced execution
The Honda dual-motor hybrid system has been named to the Wards 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems list for the third consecutive year, with its fourth-generation powertrain featured in the Civic Hybrid earning unanimous praise from judges for its balanced performance and accessible price. The system intelligently switches between pure electric drive and direct engine drive, balancing power response and fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA combined fuel economy of 49 miles per gallon (4.8 liters per 100 kilometers).
Charger Daytona propulsion system redefines the muscle car
The dual-motor propulsion system in the Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack, delivering 670 horsepower, 627 lb-ft of torque, a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 11.5 seconds, has been named to the 2025 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems list. The system simulates the roar of a V-8 engine through synthetic exhaust sound, and uses a nickel-cobalt-aluminum lithium battery with front and rear drive module design, achieving zero emissions while maintaining muscle car performance characteristics.
Big V-8, powerful motor make BMW M5 electrifying
The seventh-generation BMW M5's plug-in hybrid system skillfully integrates a 4.4L V-8 engine with an electric motor, producing a combined output of 717 horsepower and 1,001 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, while offering up to 35 miles of pure electric range. With its outstanding engineering integration and performance, the system won over the judges and was selected for the 2025 Top 10 Powertrains list.
Hybrid powertrain impressively propels diverse Lexus LX
Lexus has introduced a hybrid system into its flagship SUV LX 700h, which has earned the Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems award thanks to a powertrain design that balances luxurious highway cruising with demanding off-road scenarios. Reviews indicate strong acceleration and excellent smoothness of the hybrid system.
Lucid Gravity propulsion system proves resistance is futile
The all-electric drive system of the Lucid Gravity excels in range, efficiency, and performance, earning recognition as one of Wards' 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems for 2025. Its dual motors paired with a 123-kWh battery deliver 828 horsepower, a range exceeding 430 miles, and compatibility with the Tesla Supercharger network. Review editors praise the system for combining efficiency with driving enjoyment, positioning it as a technological benchmark in the large electric SUV segment.
Staying power: Ford’s F-150 hybrid system remains a winner
The Ford F-150's PowerBoost hybrid system has won the Ward's 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems award for the second consecutive year. With a combined output of 430 horsepower, exceptional NVH performance, and real-world fuel economy exceeding 22 miles per gallon, the system demonstrates the competitiveness of hybrid technology in the full-size pickup segment.