WardsAuto has announced its 2026 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems winners, and for the first time since the program began in 1995, every honoree uses some form of electrification. Announced Oct. 13, the list includes four battery-electric vehicles, four conventional hybrids and two plug-in hybrids. Gasoline engines still have a substantial presence, but this year, every winning one has an electric partner.
The awards recognize the propulsion systems that power the vehicles, with winners ranging from family crossovers to high-performance sports cars. Here is the complete list, grouped by propulsion type.
BATTERY-ELECTRIC WINNERS
• Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4Matic Electric: A dual-motor battery-electric propulsion system.
• Rivian R2 Performance: A dual-motor battery-electric propulsion system.
• Subaru Trailseeker: A dual-motor battery-electric propulsion system.
• Volvo EX60 P10 AWD: A dual-motor battery-electric propulsion system.
HYBRID WINNERS
• Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X: A 5.5-liter turbocharged V-8 paired with electric propulsion.
• Hyundai Palisade Hybrid: A 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain.
• Nissan Rogue Hybrid: A 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder hybrid powertrain.
• Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid: A 3.6-liter flat-six hybrid powertrain with an electrically assisted turbocharger.
PLUG-IN HYBRID WINNERS
• BMW M5 Touring: A 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8 plug-in hybrid powertrain.
• Toyota RAV4 PHEV GR Sport: A 2.5-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain.
HOW WARDSAUTO CHOOSES THE WINNERS
According to WardsAuto, judges evaluated 26 nominees in real-world driving conditions. Eligibility includes all-new or significantly improved powertrains, along with returning winners from the previous year. That allows newly introduced technology to challenge systems that have already earned recognition.
Judges score each entry on horsepower, torque, noise, vibration and harshness management, observed efficiency, and innovative technology. In everyday language, they consider how strongly a vehicle accelerates, how smoothly and quietly its propulsion system operates, how efficiently it uses energy, and whether its engineering brings something meaningful to the driving experience.
After completing their evaluations, judges review the combined scores and consider a central question: Does the engine or propulsion system give someone a compelling reason to buy that vehicle? The process considers the experience behind the wheel alongside the engineering specifications.
Several winners illustrate how those criteria work in practice. WardsAuto’s evaluation of the Rivian R2 Performance highlighted its combination of output, efficiency and value. Its two motors deliver 656 horsepower and 609 pound-feet of torque, while its EPA-estimated range is 330 miles. WardsAuto reported that its driving experience supported that range estimate.
The publication also praised Rivian’s compact drive units, which integrate the motor, inverter and gearbox, and cited a starting price of $59,485 for the Performance version. That is considerable muscle for a midsize crossover with room for the groceries.
Subaru’s Trailseeker earned praise for smooth operation, acceleration and range. According to Subaru, its two electric motors produce a combined 375 horsepower, with standard all-wheel drive and a driving range of up to 281 miles. WardsAuto program manager and judge Robin Warner praised its immediate response and how well its range estimates held up during actual driving, including interstate travel.
Porsche demonstrates another application of electrification. Its T-Hybrid system uses an electric motor between the engine and transmission, plus an electrically assisted turbocharger that can build speed independently of exhaust pressure. According to Porsche, this improves response and reduces turbo lag.
Under appropriate conditions, the turbocharger also generates electricity to recharge the battery or help power the electric motor. In this case, electrification serves the familiar sports-car goals of sharper response and sustained performance. The winning technology shows how electric assistance can enhance the driving experience in everything from a family SUV to a sports car.
To read more about the awards, visit WardsAuto.
Photo: Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid. Porsche.
