Automotive publication Ward’s has released their annual 10 Best Engines and for 2018, half of the winners are turbocharged. In addition, it sees the return of the fuel cell as well as a V8 along with two first-time winners.

In order to be eligible, the engine must be available in a regular-production vehicle on sale in the US market no later than the first quarter of the year. The engines must also be available in a vehicle with a base price of no more than US$ 60,000 (~ P 2,992,000).

During a two-month testing period, Ward’s editors evaluate each engine according to a number of objective and subjective criteria in everyday driving situation (there’s no instrumented testing done). The selection takes into account power and torque outputs, NVH levels, technical relevance, and basic comparative numbers.

Ward’s also doesn’t categorize engines—they’re meant to compete against all others.

This year, mainstream brands snagged most of the ten spots with Ford and Honda managing to snag two trophies each with Kia finding itself a first-time winner. The only premium brand to enter the list is Jaguar. There’s also just one pick-up truck that snagged a place and that’s from Ford. Interestingly, half of the winners are turbocharged while four are electrified. There is also no German brand in this year’s roster.

The nominees of the 2018 Ward’s Auto 10 Best Engine are (the winners are highlighted in bold):

• Audi RS3 – 2.5-liter turbo 5-cylinder
• Audi S4 – 3.0-liter turbo V6
• BMW 530e – 2.0-liter 4-cylinder PHEV
• BMW X3 – 3.0-liter turbo inline-6
• Buick LaCrosse – 2.5-liter eAssist mild hybrid
• Chevrolet Bolt – EV
• Chevrolet Equinox – 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder
• Chevrolet Equinox – 1.6-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder
• Chevrolet Volt – 1.5-liter EREV
• Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid – 3.6-liter V6 PHEV
• Ford Focus RS – 2.3-liter turbo 4-cylinder
• Ford F-150 – 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6
• Ford Mustang GT – 5.0-liter V8
• Honda Accord – 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder
• Honda Civic Type R – 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder
• Honda Clarity – Fuel Cell Vehicle
• Honda CR-V – 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder
• Honda Elantra Eco – 1.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder
• Hyundai Ioniq – 1.6-liter 4-cylinder PHEV
• Infiniti Q50 – 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 (300 HP)
• Infiniti Q50 – 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 (400 HP)
• Jaguar XF – 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder
• Jaguar XE – 3.0-liter supercharged V6
• Kia Stinger – 3.0-liter supercharged V6
• Mazda CX-9 – 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder
• Subaru Impreza – 2.0-liter boxer 4-cylinder
• Toyota Camry – 2.5-liter 4-cylinder
• Toyota Camry Hybrid – 2.5-liter 4-cylinder HEV
• Volkswagen e-Golf – EV
• Volkswagen Passat – 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder
• Volvo XC60 Hybrid – 2.0-liter 4-cylinder HEV