2014 Ten Best Engines List Released by Ward's Auto

With an increased focus on efficiency, engines are constantly being updated. New technology is being added, such as direct injection, while older techniques are being refined, including turbocharging.

So which engines are the best? WardsAuto chimes in with this list of the Best Engines of 2014. We’ve seen most of these vehicles over the course of 2013, but in order to be eligible, Wards says that the cars must be on sale during the first quarter of 2014. Listed in no particular order, these engines impressed with their performance, fuel economy and refinement. Most are brand new or revamped significantly for the new year.

It could be argued that 2013 was the year of the diesel, as more automakers offered the low-reving oil-burners this year. Savvy automakers like BMW used the fuel to juice up their model lineups with better fuel efficiency, without ruining the fun factor. The 3.0-liter turbodiesel found in the 535d as well as the X5 uses a single turbocharger to deliver peak torque of 413 lb-ft as soon as 1,500 rpm. Without a doubt, BMW’s diesel delivers the twist, but also manages to be fuel friendly and quiet, hence it’s place on this top 10.

The folks over at Ram finally realized that truck owners don’t mind getting good fuel economy too, so the company paired its Ram 1500 with a 3.0-liter turbo diesel. The results are nothing short of a game-changer for the pickup truck market. The truck still delivers excellent towing capability, while staying extremely fuel efficient. It’s one of the main reasons the Ram won AutoGuide.com’s inaugural truck of the year award. This diesel motor is also found in the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, making the SUV a seriously versatile option for buyers.

Apparently there is a replacement for displacement and that comes with turbocharging. A small, three-cylinder engine will soon be offered in the Ford Fiesta. What makes the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine so good? Engineers make it function without a balance shaft, helping to resolve the usual NVH issues found in three-cylinder engines. Of course there’s the fact that the engine is extremely fuel-friendly and is rated to get 45 mpg on the highway.

While many automakers are ditching V6s in the mid-sized sedan segment, Honda is not only still offering a V6 in the segment, but winning awards with it. The 3.5-liter V6 engine in the Accord helps put out 278 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque, even without direct injection. A pleasant surprise comes with the cars fuel economy, with it getting 26 mpg in combined driving, and a much appreciated 34 mpg on the highway, thanks to cylinder deactivation.

There’s no way we can forget about horizontally opposed engines can we? Porsche’s 2.7-liter flat-six engine found in the Cayman and Boxster makes the list, and is an under-appreciated aspect of theses affordable sports car’s performance. Making 275 hp and 213 lb-ft of torque, the engine isn’t extremely powerful, but exceeds expectations thanks to the Cayman’s light weight. Porsche packed the engine with new tech in order for it to save fuel, including direct injection, a start-stop system and variable valve timing. It all helps the car deliver 32 mpg on the highway, which is a solid number for a sports car.