Every year we’re looking forward to seeing which engines make WardsAuto’s 10 Best list. You’ll also notice that German automakers are absent and that the only luxury brands represented are INFINITI and Jaguar. The winners will receive their awards at a ceremony during the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month.

63,000 USD to be considered. The Bolt EV owes much of its success to its electric power unit. In addition to delivering strong torque and quick acceleration that makes the drive dynamic, it feeds off a battery allowing a range of 383 kilometres, more than any other EV not named Tesla. This combo is good for a total range of 900 kilometres including 53 kilometres in EV mode.

Real-world fuel consumption is in the 7.0L/100 km range. With most owners using their minivans to run errands and occasionally take a long-distance drive, WardsAuto calls it a stroke of genius. This EcoBoost engine impresses big time with near vibration-free idle, seamless stop/start functionality, quiet operation and of course plenty of spirit.

With 325 horsepower on tap, it convincingly moves the big truck on the road. No surprise it’s the best-selling engine in the F-150 lineup. Ford’s legendary 5.0L V8 has been thoroughly reworked for 2018. It is more powerful (460 hp) and revs higher than any Mustang GT before, plus its engine note can be adjusted via the all-new active valve exhaust system (optional).

It’s a shame this technology has yet to spread. Imagine, the Clarity FCEV can travel 589 kilometres with a full tank of hydrogen. The car runs smoothly and silently, with reasonable power (174 hp) to keep pace with traffic. Our compact sports car of the year also wowed the team at WardsAuto with its engine, the most powerful of any production Honda ever sold in North America. It develops 306 horsepower and naturally loves to rev high—like 7,000 rpm high. A slightly less powerful variant is available with the new Accord sedan.

This spectacular twin-turbo V6 produces up to 400 horsepower, putting INFINITI neck and neck with German sports sedans in the powertrain department. It’s silky-smooth, quiet when need be, and moderately thirsty with an average of 10.2L/100 km. Jaguar Land Rover’s new Ingenium engine family is working wonders. This one comes in two states of tune: 247 and 296 horsepower.

In each case, performance is impressive. While the automaker is busy preparing plug-in hybrid versions of key models, this advanced combustion engine should attract a lot of customers. No turbo six from BMW on this list, yet a twin-turbo V6 from Korea found a spot. Don’t be really. We love the Stinger’s 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, not to mention the fact it’s quiet and smooth at idle but willing to bellow like a big V8 under hard throttle. Net system output is now rated at 208 horsepower and average fuel consumption hovers around 4.9L/100 km. The interaction between the all-new 2.5L gasoline engine and the electric motor is refined and seamless. Plus, the battery has been improved.

This mill was developed by the Renault-Nissan Alliance and is shared with Mercedes-Benz based on an agreement that also saw the 1.5-liter diesel offered in compact car from the German company. Already available in the fourth-generation Renault Scenic, the four-banger is offered in two flavors in the A-Class. The base model generates 134 horsepower, while the mid-range version comes with 161 horses on tap.

Merc will also introduce a version of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that’s available in the hatchback, rated at a more appealing 188 horsepower. The power rating are somewhat similar to the BMW 1 Series Sedan, with the base 118i model rated at 136 horsepower and the 120i version good for 192 horses. However, Mercedes doesn’t offer a rival for the range-topping 125i, which cranks out 231 horsepower.

All engines are coupled to the company’s seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission as standard. There’s no word on performance figures yet. The A-Class is also the most advanced vehicle in its class safety-wise, borrowing many features from the S-Class. It even includes a semi-autonomous drive system. Although it doesn’t make the A-Class as autonomous as the big S-Class because it works just in certain situations, it still make the small sedan a novelty in this niche.