The main feature of the 2016 best engines ranking was that for the first time in 28 years, not a single V8 made it into the top ten. This happened for the first time in nearly three decades.

The list included seven turbocharged gasoline engines and three hybrid powertrains:

  • 3.0 R6 turbocharged (BMW M240i)
  • 1.5 R4 paired with an electric motor (Chevrolet Volt)
  • 3.6 V6 with an electric motor (Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid)
  • 2.3 R4 turbo (Ford Focus RS)
  • 2.0 R4 plus electric motor (Honda Accord Hybrid)
  • 1.4 R4 turbo (Hyundai Elantra Eco)
  • 3.0 V6 turbo (Infiniti Q50)
  • 2.5 R4 turbo (Mazda CX-9)
  • 2.0 R4 turbo (Mercedes-Benz C300)
  • 2.0 R4 turbo (Volvo V60 Polestar)