Ward’s Announces 2009 10 Best Engines Winners

Eh, some of these are a little boring and not deserved. Do we really need GM, Honda and Toyota V6s of the same size on this list?

Why not? The average consumer has the same right to getting a better than average engine, why should it only reserved for performance

the hemi?

Chuck could it be the other way around...if the VQ didn't make this list, it could be a lesser engine? Jus kidding, I've always liked Nissans especially the Maxima until the last generation.

Chuck, its time for Nissan VQ engine to improve on efficiency on VQ, insted of gaining more fat(displacement)

No AMG's 6.3 engine?

Well if they made a 6.3 liter it might make it. Their 6.2, on the other hand, should be on there

check your spec's henbmw, The AMG 6.3 is a 6.3liter 6208cc displacement not a 6.2liter as you suggest.

dtrotter54,

6208cc would round to 6.2 liters, not 6.3 liters.

the Chrysler/Dodge 5.7 liter is definitely the most "broke" considering its 345hp output and terrible platforms. the winner is the 3.0 liter twin turbo BMW putting out 300hp. closely following... the genesis V-8 4.6 and the 375hp with a NEW and decent layout...

Hey clown,

The LLC 5.7 Hemi on the list is packing 375-390 hp and over 400 ft/lbs of torque depending on which model the engine is in and it's associated tune. I think mileage actually went up with the improvements also. When you add in how cheap the vehicles that this engine is in you can see how nicely it stacks up against other V8s.

mmm Or, VQ35 outputting 306hp. What happend to VQ this year lol it had won every year for how ever many years this award was presented lol

and what is with the hemi, they determine the engine by the noise level, vibration etc, they are saying the hemi dosnt vibrate and gives off minimum noise? please, some one put wards on a payroll lol and in process made them selves poor and now asking for 30 something billion to bailout :)

The VQ is good on paper and has power but might be reaching the outer limits on refinement - I heard it can be a little rough up top, especially compared to Honda V6 engines....

Chuck:

Before buying my 335i, I test drove the G35. BMW's Twin turbo Inline-6 is at the top of its class when it comes to refinement. Nothing can match the smooth power delivery that it offers. The G35, while about equally as fast, was somewhat rough. Drive a BMW for the first time in your life and you'll understand.

List seems a little off, but guess everyone has different standards of what makes a good engine.

People want to compare the VQ with the RB but they don't no one thing about those engine's.

The new VQ37VHR is ten time's better than the Neo RB25DET. The VQ make's more power and torque and had better fuel economy.

And the new VR38 is also better than the RB26!

Let's see, who did their homework. Why not the Hemi? Like the Honda V6, it has displacement on demand plus...

Variable cam timing was introduced for the 2009 model year, increasing efficiency. Other changes include a higher compression ratio; higher-flowing heads, intake, and exhaust; and an active intake manifold that switches from long runners to short runners, to optimize the engine for either better high-end horsepower or better low-end torque. The Hemi features cylinder DEACTIVATION in the 300C and Magnum R/T; the "Multi Displacement System" (MDS) turns off the fuel consumption in four cylinders when V-8 power is not needed (note that is 40% of the time the vehicle is running).
This provides a world class combination of performance and fuel economy, without the driver noticing any difference. The MDS system has, according to Chrysler, saved nearly 100 million gallons of gasoline since 2005, and reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by close to a million metric tons.
Full combustion results in heat, water, and carbon dioxide. While a very small amount of NOx emissions are produced, they are only significant during incomplete or partial combustion, due to the lack of available oxygen, high temperatures, and various chemical reactions.
That's why catalytic converters have been standard on cars for the past 3 decades. The extra set of spark plugs on the HEMI and on previous engines are designed to reduce emissions BEFORE a catalyst is needed.

agreed!

I'll take the 5.7 Toyota over the 5.7 Hemi any day.

both are very strong engines, however I believe the Hemi is more proven than the toyota. Hemi has been out longer and the 5.7 toyota had some quality issues upon its release.

Also, I want a pushrod engine in a truck. Cheaper to build, less moving parts, less sensors/actuators, less to break/fix.

Dual VVT on a DOHC requires 4 cam position sensors, 4 actuation devices, big valve heads, 4 camshafts, etc.

Pushrod dual VVT requires just less than half, is a smaller engine and there's less to break.

The Hyundai V8 Tau engine: delivers an estimated 368 horsepower.

Unlike many competitors and most premium sedans, it achieves this impressive power output using regular unleaded fuel.

This powertrain combination will launch Genesis to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds.

The Tau produces more horsepower and torque than the powerplants found in Lexus GS450, BMW 750i, Audi A8 and Infiniti M45 and has more horsepower per liter than any of its V8 competitors.

The Tau engine is built with flexibility for the future. Future Tau variants may offer larger displacement, forced induction options and other technology enhancements.

well the GS460 uses the same engine in the LS460 but is detuned. if your going to bring lexus into the equation, their 4.6, you need to also mention that from 4.6, lexus puts out 382 horses, which if my math is correct, is above the hyundais'

i was referance to the orginal poster, who said we should give credit to hyundais 4.6 since it puts out more power than others in its class. though the way he said it, it makes it seem like hyundai did the unthinkable, that is produce 360 horses from 4.6 liters when other automakers can do the same

2009 GS 460 Sedan from the Lexus website


4.6-liter V8 with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence and Electronically controlled intake valve control (VVT-iE)

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342 hp @ 6,200 rpm [1], 339 lb-ft torque @ 3,600 rpm [1]

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Eight-speed sequential-shift automatic transmission

Didn't finish my statement, where does the GS 460 have 382 Horsepower?

stop this 335i vs g37 nonsense. I assume people who are spending 40-55k on either of these test-drove both. If you have, you would know that 335-value=g37 ;)

if you want the best under 55k, get the 335i. if you want a FAR better value, i.e. 95% of the performance and refinement at 75-80% of the price, get the g37.

Cant say Im sad to see nissan's WAY overrated vq finally dropped. I never thought it belonged there anyway, since I see nothing impressive about it. Rough, sounds awful, drinks gas (the ones not attached to the CVT), numbers don't back up HP rating.....
Good riddance; glad to see more deserving choices on the list.

ok mr. expert...

The Nissan VQ does not make the list because it's inefficient. I Have the infiniti G35 and get 12mpg in city and 20mpg on hwy.

love my BMW 3.0 liter twin turbo inline 6. wonderfully versatile engine. broad torque band. tons of fun.

deserves to be on list. no question.

VQ isn't on there because 8 year old VQ's are starting to show there limitations. Old VQ's cannot be driven hard anymore, bogging or can't reach redline or just fear of something going wrong, the good 3.0 V6 was the Toyota & it shows w/ both of my V6 MT Camrys ('93 w/ 3xx,xxx miles) ('00 w/ over 15x,xxx miles) they can be driven hard & redlined w/o worries. Visit Maxima,org lotta problems w/ older Vq's