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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe 2025 WardsAuto list contains ten standout engines and propulsion systems, not a ranked top ten. It includes the 1,064-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 V8, hybrid and plug-in-hybrid systems from BMW, Ford, Honda, Lexus, and Mercedes-AMG, and electric propulsion systems in the Dodge Charger Daytona, Hyundai Ioniq 9, and Lucid Gravity. Because the award covers both mechanical engines and electric drive systems, “powertrain” is the accurate term.
There is no single winner in WardsAuto’s 2025 list—and the program does not rank the ten selections from first to tenth. Instead, it recognizes ten standout powertrains judged on performance, efficiency, refinement, technology, and value. The bigger story is that the modern “engine” list now includes electric propulsion systems, plug-in hybrids, conventional engines, and full hybrids in the same conversation.
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For this article, “the 10 best engines available in 2025” means the ten winners of WardsAuto’s 2025 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems program for the U.S. light-vehicle market. WardsAuto evaluated 28 nominees. Eligible powertrains had to be all-new, significantly improved, or returning winners.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Important terminology: A battery-electric vehicle does not have an engine in the traditional mechanical sense. Its propulsion system consists of components such as electric motors, a high-voltage battery, power electronics, software, and reduction gearing. WardsAuto now evaluates those systems alongside gasoline engines and hybrid powertrains, so “powertrain” is the more accurate term for the complete list.
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The 10 best engines and propulsion systems of 2025
| Vehicle | Powertrain | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 | 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged LT7 V8 | Extreme output from a flat-plane-crank combustion engine |
| BMW M5 | 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 plug-in hybrid | Performance and electric assistance in one system |
| Dodge Charger Daytona | All-electric propulsion system | Electric power applied to a modern muscle car |
| Ford F-150 | 3.5-liter PowerBoost full-hybrid V6 | Hybrid capability in a full-size pickup |
| Honda Civic Hybrid | 2.0-liter two-motor hybrid | Efficient, smooth everyday propulsion |
| Hyundai Ioniq 9 | Electric propulsion system | Three-row family-SUV practicality with EV power |
| Lexus LX 700h | 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid | Hybrid assistance for a luxury off-road-oriented SUV |
| Lucid Gravity | Electric propulsion system | High output in a large family-focused SUV |
| Mercedes-AMG E53 | 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six plug-in hybrid | Refined performance with electric assistance |
| Ram 1500 RHO | 3.0-liter high-output turbocharged inline-six | Downsized turbocharged performance for a truck |
Horsepower figures in the table below require careful reading. A figure may refer to the gasoline engine alone, the electric propulsion system, or total system output. Those numbers are not directly comparable, and a higher figure does not automatically mean a better vehicle for towing, commuting, off-road driving, efficiency, or long-distance travel.
1. Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged LT7 V8
The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is the list’s dramatic combustion-engine outlier. Its LT7 is a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft. Chevrolet rates the engine at 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb.-ft. of torque.
Those figures make the LT7 an extraordinary example of high-output internal-combustion development. The flat-plane-crank design, twin turbochargers, and high specific output are aimed at producing the response and top-end performance expected from an uncompromising sports car, rather than the low operating cost or relaxed torque delivery prioritized by a commuter hybrid.
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The ZR1 matters on this list because it shows how far engineers can still push a gasoline engine when packaging, sound, mechanical character, and maximum performance are the priority. It also provides an important contrast with the other winners: the Corvette does not rely on a hybrid motor or a battery-electric drive system to reach its headline output.
That does not make it the most practical or efficient choice. The ZR1’s output is an engine figure, and the vehicle’s mission is fundamentally different from that of a Civic Hybrid, F-150 PowerBoost, or three-row electric SUV.
2. BMW M5: 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 plug-in hybrid
The 2025 BMW M5 pairs a 4.4-liter M TwinPower Turbo V8 with an electric drive system. BMW lists 717 horsepower of total system output.
The crucial word is system. The M5 is not a 717-horsepower gasoline engine. Its performance comes from the coordinated operation of the V8, electric drive unit, battery, control electronics, and transmission. That added complexity allows the powertrain to do more than simply produce a larger peak number.
Electric assistance can fill in response before the turbocharged engine is fully delivering its output, support low-speed operation, and add another layer of control to acceleration. A plug-in-hybrid architecture also gives the vehicle the ability to operate electrically in suitable conditions, although the usable electric range and operating behavior depend on configuration, charge level, driving conditions, and market-specific specifications.
The M5 demonstrates that electrification is not being used only to reduce fuel consumption. In a performance sedan, it can broaden the powertrain’s operating range and make a large, powerful engine more flexible in everyday driving.
3. Dodge Charger Daytona: electric propulsion system
The Dodge Charger Daytona brings battery-electric propulsion to a vehicle positioned around the muscle-car idea. WardsAuto’s award applies to the Charger Daytona’s electric propulsion system, not to a traditional gasoline engine.
Coverage of the award-winning Scat Pack system identifies output of 670 horsepower. As with the BMW, that figure describes the complete electric propulsion system rather than an internal-combustion engine. Electric motors deliver torque without the same combustion and turbocharger operating sequence required by a gasoline powertrain, giving the Charger a distinctly different response strategy.
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The Charger Daytona is important because it applies EV engineering to a body style and brand identity historically associated with large-displacement performance engines. That makes it a useful example of how electric propulsion can preserve an emphasis on acceleration and character even when the mechanical hardware is completely different.
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Do not confuse the 2025 award with later model-year expansion involving turbocharged “Sixpack” versions. The award discussed here concerns the electric Charger Daytona propulsion system.
4. Ford F-150: 3.5-liter PowerBoost full-hybrid V6
Ford’s 3.5-liter PowerBoost full-hybrid V6 is one of the most useful selections on the list because it places electrification in a full-size pickup rather than a small car or performance vehicle. Ford identifies the system’s output at 430 horsepower.
The PowerBoost combines a turbocharged V6 with an electric hybrid system. In a truck, that combination can serve several purposes at once: provide strong response under load, support towing and hauling use, reduce unnecessary engine operation in some conditions, and supply onboard electrical capability for work or recreation.
This is a good example of why hybridization should not be reduced to a fuel-economy discussion. A pickup buyer may care as much about low-speed control, load-moving capability, accessory power, and the way the truck behaves while towing as about its official fuel-consumption rating.
WardsAuto identified the F-150 hybrid system as a returning winner from 2024. Its repeat appearance suggests that the system remained competitive when judged across performance, observed efficiency, noise and vibration, technology, and value—not that it is the best choice for every truck buyer.
5. Honda Civic Hybrid: 2.0-liter two-motor hybrid
The Honda Civic Hybrid represents the efficiency-and-value end of the 2025 list. Its powertrain uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a two-motor hybrid arrangement. WardsAuto selected the system again after it won in 2024.
Honda’s two-motor layout allows the gasoline engine and electric motors to perform different jobs depending on speed and load. In some situations, the electric motors can provide propulsion or assistance; in others, the gasoline engine can operate in a way that supports efficient cruising or supplies energy to the system. The result is a powertrain designed around smooth transitions and everyday usability rather than a single spectacular output number.
The architecture has also earned Honda a notable run of recognition. WardsAuto honored the same basic system in the Accord in 2023 and then in the Civic in 2024 and 2025, giving Honda three consecutive awards for the architecture across those applications.
There is no single engine-horsepower figure that fairly summarizes the complete Civic Hybrid system without specifying the exact trim and market. The more useful takeaway is how effectively a relatively compact hybrid powertrain can combine electric low-speed operation, responsive acceleration, and conventional refueling for normal daily use.
6. Hyundai Ioniq 9: electric propulsion system
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 shows that award-worthy EV propulsion is not limited to sports cars, compact hatchbacks, or luxury sedans. It is a large, three-row electric SUV designed around family transportation, with an electric propulsion system selected by WardsAuto for 2025.
That application makes the Ioniq 9 significant. A large SUV must package substantial passenger and cargo space while managing the energy demands associated with its size and weight. Electric propulsion provides quiet operation, immediate motor response, and flexible packaging, but the relevant engineering challenge is delivering those benefits in a vehicle intended to carry people and equipment rather than simply set an acceleration time.
Hyundai has described the Ioniq 9 as its nineteenth Wards powertrain honor since the program began. The award recognizes the propulsion system, not a promise that every trim will have identical performance, charging behavior, or energy consumption.
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Model-year timing and availability can differ by geography. Buyers should verify the local launch status, trim walk, charging equipment, and official specifications rather than assuming that information from one market applies everywhere.
7. Lexus LX 700h: 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid
The Lexus LX 700h applies hybrid technology to a luxury SUV with an off-road-oriented mission. Its powertrain combines a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with a hybrid system.
For this type of vehicle, electric assistance is relevant because the LX is heavy and may be used for towing, rough terrain, steep grades, and all-weather travel. Hybrid torque support can help the powertrain respond under load while the gasoline engine remains available for sustained driving and refueling flexibility.
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The LX 700h is not equivalent to a battery-electric SUV. Its hybrid system supplements a combustion engine rather than replacing it, and its advantages should be considered in the context of the vehicle’s intended use. A buyer who regularly travels far from charging infrastructure or needs a conventional refueling pattern may value that distinction; a buyer prioritizing silent electric driving will be evaluating a different type of system.
Its place among the winners also expands the definition of performance. In an off-road luxury SUV, a successful powertrain must be judged by controllability, load management, refinement, and usable torque—not merely by peak horsepower.
8. Lucid Gravity: electric propulsion system
The Lucid Gravity is the high-output large-SUV entry on the electric side of the list. WardsAuto reported that the tested Gravity propulsion system produced 828 horsepower.
That figure illustrates the power density available from a modern electric drive system, especially when installed in a family-oriented SUV body rather than a low, lightweight sports car. The Gravity’s significance is therefore about more than acceleration. It is also a demonstration of how electric motors, battery packaging, software, and power electronics can deliver substantial output without requiring a large mechanical engine compartment.
However, the reported 828 horsepower should not be treated as a universal specification for every Gravity. EV output, range, charging performance, and efficiency can vary with trim, wheel and tire package, battery state, software, test conditions, and market. A careful buyer should compare the exact configuration being considered.
Lucid Gravity and Hyundai Ioniq 9 also show two different approaches to the large electric SUV: both make EV propulsion relevant to family use, but the award discussion does not turn them into identical products or establish which one is better for every driver.
9. Mercedes-AMG E53: 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six plug-in hybrid
The Mercedes-AMG E53 uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six paired with a plug-in-hybrid system. It represents a different performance-hybrid strategy from the BMW M5, using an inline-six rather than a V8 and applying electric assistance in a performance-luxury sedan or wagon.
The E53’s appeal is the combination of smoothness, response, and everyday usability. Electric assistance can help provide immediate response while the turbocharged inline-six supplies sustained power, and the plug-in architecture adds the possibility of electric operation in appropriate driving conditions.
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This is also why maximum horsepower alone is a poor way to compare the E53 with the Corvette ZR1 or an EV. The Mercedes is trying to combine performance with refinement and daily-driver flexibility, while the Corvette is an extreme combustion sports car and the electric systems deliver power through a fundamentally different drivetrain.
10. Ram 1500 RHO: 3.0-liter high-output turbocharged inline-six
The Ram 1500 RHO is the performance-truck entry. Its 3.0-liter high-output turbocharged inline-six returned to the Wards list after being recognized in 2024.
The RHO demonstrates the continuing role of turbocharged downsizing in performance vehicles. An inline-six with forced induction can deliver a strong power and torque character while occupying a different mechanical and packaging position from the larger-displacement engines traditionally associated with high-performance trucks.
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The RHO’s inclusion is valuable because it shows that the 2025 list is not an EV-only statement. Turbocharged combustion engines remain relevant when they deliver the response, capability, refinement, technology, and value the judges are looking for.
What WardsAuto’s 2025 list says about powertrain technology
The main conclusion is not that a 1,064-horsepower V8 is objectively better than an electric SUV or a compact hybrid. It is that the definition of a leading powertrain has broadened.
WardsAuto’s published 2025 announcement describes the program as its most electrified in 31 years, reporting that nine of the ten winners were at least partly electrified. It also describes five hybrid or plug-in-hybrid winners and four fully electric propulsion systems. The individual winner descriptions used for this feature identify the Charger Daytona, Ioniq 9, and Lucid Gravity as the clearly named full-EV entries, while the Ram 1500 RHO is described as a turbocharged inline-six without a hybrid system. Because those broad totals and the vehicle-level descriptions do not align perfectly, the safest interpretation is the larger one: electrified powertrains dominate the award, but the list should not be treated as a precise engineering census without consulting the original award documentation.
Looking at the individual vehicles, the selections fall into three useful buyer-oriented groups:
- Combustion-led performance: the Corvette ZR1 and Ram 1500 RHO show two very different ways to develop a high-output gasoline engine—one for an extreme sports car and one for a performance truck.
- Hybrid and plug-in-hybrid versatility: the BMW M5, Ford F-150 PowerBoost, Honda Civic Hybrid, Lexus LX 700h, and Mercedes-AMG E53 use electric assistance to change how combustion power is delivered. Their goals range from efficiency and smoothness to towing capability and outright performance.
- Battery-electric propulsion: the Dodge Charger Daytona, Hyundai Ioniq 9, and Lucid Gravity apply electric motors to three very different vehicle missions: muscle-car performance, three-row family transport, and high-output luxury-SUV performance.
These groups are not interchangeable. A gasoline engine can be refueled quickly and may suit drivers who regularly travel beyond charging networks. A full hybrid can add electric assistance without requiring routine plug-in charging. A plug-in hybrid can provide electric driving for suitable trips while retaining a combustion engine for longer journeys. A battery-electric vehicle offers a different operating experience, but its practicality depends on charging access, route planning, temperature, trim, and usage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose between them
Choose combustion performance if character is the priority
The Corvette ZR1 is the clearest choice for a reader who values the sound, mechanical engagement, and extreme output of a combustion engine. The Ram 1500 RHO serves a different buyer who wants a high-performance truck with a turbocharged inline-six. Neither should be selected solely because of a number on a specification sheet; the vehicle mission matters just as much.
Choose a hybrid for capability without abandoning conventional refueling
The Honda Civic Hybrid is the efficiency-focused option. The F-150 PowerBoost is the practical truck option. The Lexus LX 700h brings hybrid assistance to a luxury SUV with off-road and towing considerations. The BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E53 use plug-in hybridization as a performance and refinement tool.
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Those are five distinct applications, even though they all use some form of hybrid technology. A hybrid powertrain in a compact sedan is not automatically comparable with one in a heavy pickup or performance sedan.
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Choose an EV if smooth response and electric propulsion fit your routine
The Charger Daytona is the performance-identity choice, the Ioniq 9 is the three-row family choice, and the Lucid Gravity is the high-output luxury-SUV choice. Before buying, compare the exact vehicle’s charging options, local availability, trim specifications, route requirements, and access to home or workplace charging.
Horsepower is not a common currency
The figures in this article mix several kinds of output:
- Engine output: the Corvette ZR1’s 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb.-ft. of torque describe its LT7 V8.
- Total hybrid-system output: BMW’s 717-horsepower M5 figure describes the combined powertrain, not the V8 by itself.
- Electric-system output: the Charger Daytona’s reported 670 horsepower and Lucid Gravity’s tested 828 horsepower refer to electric propulsion systems.
- Vehicle-specific system output: Ford’s 430-horsepower PowerBoost figure applies to the specified F-150 hybrid system and should not be used as a generic figure for every F-150 powertrain.
Acceleration, towing, efficiency, range, noise, durability, and driving feel cannot be inferred from peak horsepower alone. WardsAuto’s criteria are broader for exactly that reason.
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For the same reason, a diagnostic code should not automatically be interpreted as a failed engine or motor. Codes identify a monitored fault or abnormal condition; proper diagnosis still requires checking wiring, sensors, software, power supply, mechanical components, and the manufacturer’s service information.
Before you shop
- Confirm the market: the WardsAuto program is a U.S.-market light-vehicle award. Availability, trim names, output figures, and launch timing can differ in other countries.
- Confirm the model year: a powertrain recognized for 2025 may not be offered unchanged in a later model year.
- Check the exact configuration: wheel size, battery state, body style, trim, and equipment can affect performance and efficiency.
- Match the system to the job: towing, off-road driving, commuting, long-distance travel, family seating, and track performance place different demands on a powertrain.
- Separate engine output from system output: do not compare a gasoline-engine figure with a hybrid or EV system figure as though they were measured the same way.
- Verify service requirements: turbocharged, hybrid, plug-in-hybrid, and battery-electric systems have different maintenance and diagnostic needs.
If one of these vehicles fits your use case, the next step is to configure the vehicle in your market and compare current pricing, equipment, charging or refueling needs, and dealer availability. The award is a useful starting point, not a substitute for checking the exact version you can actually buy.
Scope note: This is an editorial comparison of WardsAuto’s 2025 U.S. selections, not a universal ranking of every engine sold worldwide. WardsAuto’s process uses editor evaluation against criteria including horsepower, torque, noise-vibration-harshness management, observed efficiency, new technology, and value; it is not presented as an instrumented laboratory ranking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the ten best engines ranked from best to worst?
No. WardsAuto’s 2025 program selected ten winners without ranking them from first to tenth. The judges considered horsepower, torque, NVH, observed efficiency, technology, and value.
Why are electric vehicles included in an engine list?
Yes. WardsAuto’s current program explicitly includes electric propulsion systems alongside internal-combustion engines and hybrids. “Powertrain” is the more technically accurate term for the complete list.
Can I directly compare the horsepower figures?
No. The figures refer to different things. The Corvette’s 1,064 horsepower is an engine figure, BMW’s 717 horsepower is total hybrid-system output, and the Lucid Gravity’s reported 828 horsepower refers to its tested electric propulsion system.
Can an OBD2 scanner diagnose every hybrid or electric vehicle problem?
Not completely. A generic OBD2 scanner can read certain codes and data on compatible gasoline and hybrid vehicles, but it generally cannot provide complete diagnostic access to every EV or hybrid high-voltage system. Specialized equipment and trained technicians may be required.
Are all ten powertrains available everywhere in 2025?
The award covers eligible powertrains in the U.S. light-vehicle market, but availability and specifications can vary by country, trim, body style, model year, and launch timing. Verify the exact vehicle offered in your market.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: The 2025 list is best understood as a snapshot of powertrain diversity rather than a numbered ranking. The Corvette ZR1 preserves the drama of an extreme combustion V8, hybrids show how electric assistance can improve efficiency, capability, or performance, and the Charger Daytona, Ioniq 9, and Lucid Gravity demonstrate how broadly electric propulsion can now be applied. The best choice depends on the job the vehicle must do—not simply its peak horsepower.
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