Wards Editor-in-Chief Bob Gritzinger breaks down the attributes of nominees and winners in the 2022 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems competition, with a look at how the 28th annual review reflects broader trends in automotive powertrain development. Electrification is on the rise, but engineers also are focused on wringing the last bits of performance and efficiency from internal-combustion engines.

The smooth power of an inline 6-cyl. comes to Stellantis in the form of an all-new 3.0L twin-turbo powerplant designed to carry the automaker from internal combustion to electrification in the coming decade.

Toyota applies its hybrid expertise to the Tundra, bringing a powerful new propulsion system to the fullsize truck market.

Ford’s Maverick compact pickup and Bronco off-roader show off the automaker’s engineering capabilities across two widely different light-vehicle segments.

In a world full of BEVs offering 3-4 miles per kWh, the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX registers a stunning 6.2 miles per kWh, giving the vehicle more than 600 miles of range from a sub-100-kWh battery.

Improving the efficiency of electric motors is the core technology under development by Exro Technologies. The company’s Coil Driver employs a patented system of motor management that can eliminate the need for multiple motors to power everything from electric bicycles to medium-duty trucks.