Well, another test cycle of Wards 10 Best Engines is over, and every year I say the same thing: These green cars are the real deal. There is no sacrifice in performance – in many cases torque is plentiful and immediate – and you get better fuel economy and reduced tailpipe emissions.
This year we have four, count ’em, four green cars on the Wards 10 Best Engines list, out of a very good field of three hybrids, seven plug-in hybrids and one electric vehicle.
The BMW 330e PHEV narrowly missed and we found a lot to like about the new Hyundai Ioniq EV, too. Both cars have awesome regenerative braking ability. Judge Bob Gritzinger added more than 10 miles (16 km) of range on his stop-and-go-heavy commute home in the Ioniq.