Wards releases annual 10 Best Engines list

It's that time of year, folks. No, we're not referring to the oodles of time spent shopping for the holidays, we're talking about end-of-the-year lists. Kicking things off in the automotive spectrum is industry stalwart Ward's Auto, which has just released its annual 10 Best Engines list.

Without further ado, here are the award-winners for 2012:

• 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi)
• 2.0L N20 Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (BMW)
• 3.0L N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (BMW)
• 3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6 (Chrysler/Jeep)
• 2.0L EcoBoost DOHC I-4 (Ford)
• 5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford)
• 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Buick)
• 1.6L DOHC I-4 (Hyundai/Kia)
• 2.0L Skyactiv DOHC I-4 (Mazda)
• 3.5L DOHC V-6 HEV (Infiniti M35h)

It comes as little surprise that seven of the ten engines on the list feature the most recent advance in power and efficiency, namely direct injection, or that a full half of them are boosted with the addition of either a supercharger or a turbocharger. Perhaps more surprising is that there's only one hybrid powertrain on the list, and it's from Infiniti, not Toyota or Lexus.

In fact, there isn't a single engine from Honda or Toyota on 2011's edition of the 10 Best Engines, nor are the 1.4-liter/111kW electric motor package in the Chevrolet Volt or 80kW AC motor in the Nissan Leaf anywhere to be found - both of which were on the list in 2010. Also missing? A diesel... any diesel - and there certainly are a few options from the likes of Audi,BMW, Mercedes-Bez and VW from which to choose.

Though its neither direct-injected nor turbocharged, the Pentaster V6 from Chrysler is surely worthy of inclusion, if for no other reason than its single-handed ability to transform any vehicle it's in from an also-ran to a competitive proposition.

We'll also give a shout-out to Ford, which earned two spots on the list but could seemingly have garnered another for the excellent 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine in the F-150. Ward's has plenty of commentary on why each engine was chosen.  Here is some of what was said about the engine on the 2012 Infiniti M35h.

"The Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid system in the M35h replaces the torque converter in the 7-speed automatic transmission with a single 50-kW (67 hp) electric motor linked to a powerful lithium-ion battery pack that allows frequent decoupling of the engine so the vehicle can run in electric mode at speeds above 70 mph (113 km/h) and easily achieve 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km), based on WardsAuto testing.

Although pricey, the M35h trumps German luxury hybrid sedans that cost much more."