Volkswagen Snubbed On 2016 Engine Of the Year Nominee List

Sixteen engines with forced induction make up more than half of the 31 nominees in the 2016 Wards 10 Best Engines competition now under way, but the field also includes a resurgence in naturally aspirated V-6s and a 526-hp naturally aspirated V-8 in the Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang.

Inexpensive gasoline in the U.S. has dampened consumer interest in hybrids and electric vehicles, but that isn’t stopping automakers from introducing state-of-the-art fuel sippers such as the new Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Prius and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, all of which will compete with two returning winners, the hydrogen-fueled Hyundai Tucson FCV and BMW i3 extended-range EV.


2016 Wards 10 Best Engines Nominees

BMW i3 / 127 kW battery-electric
BMW 340i / 3.0L turbo I-6
Cadillac ATS / 3.6L V-6
Cadillac ATS-V / 3.6L twin-turbo V-6
Chevrolet Malibu / 1.5L turbo 4-cyl.
Chevrolet Volt / 1.5L EREV
Chevrolet Colorado / 2.8L turbodiesel 4-cyl.
Chevrolet Impala CNG / 3.6L flex-fuel V-6
Chevrolet Camaro / 6.2L LT1 small block V-8
Ford Focus / 1.0L EcoBoost 3-cyl.
Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang / 5.2L V-8
Honda Civic / 1.5L turbo 4-cyl.
Honda Civic / 2.0L i-VTEC 4-cyl.
Hyundai Tucson FCV / 100 kW fuel cell EV
Hyundai Tucson / 1.6L turbo 4-cyl.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid / 2.0L DI Atkinson 4-cyl.
Hyundai Sonata PHEV / 2.0L DI Atkinson 4-cyl.
Hyundai Elantra / 2.0L MPI Atkinson 4-cyl.
Jeep Grand Cherokee / 3.6L Pentastar V-6
Mercedes C450 AMG / 3.0L bi-turbo V-6
Mini Cooper Hardtop / 1.5L turbo 3-cyl.
Mini John Cooper Works / 2.0L turbo 4-cyl.
Nissan Maxima / 3.5L VQ V-6
Nissan Titan XD / 5.0L turbodiesel V-8
Ram 1500 / 3.0L turbodiesel V-6
Smart Fortwo / 0.9L 3-cyl.
Subaru WRX / 2.0L turbo 4-cyl. boxer
Toyota Prius / 4-cyl. hybrid
Toyota Tacoma / 3.5L 2GR-FKS V-6
Volvo S60 / 2.0L T5 turbo 4-cyl.
Volvo XC90 / 2.0L T6 turbo/supercharged 4-cyl.

« Three Diesels, Five Naturally Aspirated V-6s

TheSteve - 11/6/2015 4:51:18 PM

+3 Boost

Snubbed? In light of the recent Dieselgate, falsified CO2 numbers, falsified fuel consumption numbers, and now a recall due to exhaust cam lobes shearing off and possibly rendering the power-brake assist inoperative (the boot pump runs off the exhaust cam), I think VW has a lot more on their minds than an "engine of the year" award.

When the dust settles, I think VW will have a long and steep hill to climb to earn consumers' and reviewers' trust.

Dexter1 - 11/6/2015 6:29:42 PM

+1 Boost

Ha ha ha ha. What an incredibly hysterical headline!

MDarringer - 11/6/2015 9:02:09 PM

+2 Boost

Agent009 loves his National Enquirer headlines.

W208 - 11/7/2015 7:25:18 AM

+1 Boost

With crapfests like the N54 and N63 turbo engines BMW uses, in combination with Deficient Dynamics and failure prone fuel pumps, not to mention generally poor design leading to overheating, Wards may want to heavily scrutinize the B58 turbo.

MrEE - 11/7/2015 8:16:12 AM

+1 Boost

The backlash continues. No VW group nominee at all after having persistent winners from Audi/Porsche/VW is a huge snub. Shows how bias plays into this list. I am no fan of VW but what all of a sudden is wrong with their gas engines that were long time repeat winners. It would make more sense for all diesels suspended from the list until proof they operate at US environmental standards. Wards could step up their game by adding factual measurements to their process, efficiency and emissions.