Wards Auto 2025: Only One Pure Combustion Engine Makes It to the Top 10

The prestigious Wards Auto 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems award has always been a benchmark for automotive engineering excellence. For 2025, the results highlight just how rapidly the industry is shifting toward electrification. Out of 28 candidates tested, only one pure internal combustion engine (ICE) made it into the final Top 10 list, with the rest being hybrids or fully electric systems. This marks the first time in 31 years of the award’s history that gasoline and diesel engines have been almost completely pushed out by electrified drivetrains.

Corvette ZR1: the last ICE standing

The single traditional ICE to earn a place was the 5.5-liter LT7 V8 in the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. This flat-plane crank, naturally aspirated V8 produces over 800 horsepower and revs beyond 8,000 rpm, delivering performance comparable to some of the world’s most advanced supercars. Engineers praised it for its raw power, responsiveness, and the visceral sound that many driving enthusiasts still crave.

Key technical highlights:

Displacement: 5.5 liters

Configuration: V8, flat-plane crank

Power output: ~820 hp

Torque: ~780 Nm

Redline: 8,400 rpm

Fuel system: Direct injection

Transmission pairing: 8-speed dual-clutch

Application: Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Despite the industry’s electrification trend, this engine demonstrates that there is still a market for high-performance combustion power, especially in the sports and supercar segment.

Electric winners of 2025

The 2025 list was dominated by battery-electric powertrains, reflecting both technological progress and consumer demand. Among the winners were:

• Dodge Charger Daytona – with its cutting-edge eMuscle EV system delivering both performance and retro muscle-car character.
• Hyundai Ioniq 9 – offering high efficiency, long range, and seamless integration of advanced driver assistance features.
• Lucid Gravity – a luxury electric SUV praised for its smooth dual-motor system and extended range.
• Nissan Leaf (new generation) – showing how far affordable EVs have come, combining practicality, range, and efficiency in one package.

Hybrid leaders

Hybrids continue to serve as a crucial bridge between combustion and electric driving. The Wards Auto jury highlighted several hybrid powertrains that impressed in performance, refinement, and efficiency:

BMW M5 Hybrid – based on a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 combined with an electric boost, offering 700+ hp while improving fuel economy.

Ford F-150 Hybrid – 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 paired with electric motors, balancing towing capacity with lower emissions.

Honda Civic Hybrid (2.0-liter system) – compact yet efficient, winning for the second year in a row.

Lexus LX700h (3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid) – providing power for a full-size luxury SUV while maintaining impressive efficiency.

Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid (3.0-liter inline-six) – delivering sporty performance with smooth hybrid integration.

Notably, Honda Civic and Ford F-150 received the award for the second consecutive year, underlining the consistency of these powertrains.

Why electrified systems dominated

The judging process included performance, NVH (noise, vibration, harshness), efficiency, innovation, and cost factors. According to Wards Auto analyst Christi Schweinsberg, this year’s winners reflect both engineering talent and the market’s strong preference for electrified mobility.

Consumers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability, lower running costs, and silent driving experiences, which explains why even performance-oriented vehicles are embracing hybrid or fully electric propulsion.

The future of ICE in awards

While many traditional engines like the Toyota GR Corolla’s 1.6-liter 3-cylinder, Ram 1500 RHO’s V8, Nissan Armada’s V8, and Audi Q5’s powertrains were evaluated, they failed to make the final list. This reinforces the trend that classic ICE engines are becoming niche players, mostly reserved for supercars or specialized vehicles.

The 2025 results could signal that within a few years, pure combustion engines might vanish entirely from the Top 10 list, leaving only hybrids and EVs.

Renting cars in Dubai with award-winning powertrains

If you are passionate about experiencing cutting-edge powertrains, Dubai and Abu Dhabi car rentals offer some of these award-winning models:

Rent a Chevrolet Corvette to feel the thrill of the last great V8.

Explore the future with EVs like Nissan Leaf or Hyundai Ioniq.

Choose hybrid SUVs such as Lexus LX or Ford F-150 for long-distance drives in the UAE desert.

Through RentCarUAE, you can select from a wide variety of cars that match both your lifestyle and driving preferences.