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A lot of people will say that trucks aren’t built like they used to be. That’s true because trucks need to meet rising emission standards so engines and other equipment are changing. Now only two trucks earned a spot on the Ward’s Best Engine list. 

Only two trucks have engines good enough for the Ward’s Best Engine list 

Ward’s Auto releases a list of the top 10 best engine and propulsion systems every year. I was surprised when only two trucks had engines that were good enough to earn a post in 2024. 

First up, we have the turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 HEV engine from the Ford F-150 Powerboost. This is the only hybrid engine for a truck on the list. However, five hybrid engines made it into the top 10. 

The F-150 PowerBoost pairs the 3.5-liter engine with an electric motor and a battery pack to generate 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque. 

Next up, the 2025 Ram 1500 earns bragging rights. The Stellantis turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine made the list. 

The Hurricane engine is gas-only with a Standard Output and High Output option. The S.O. version provides 420 hp and 469 lb-ft of torque. Upgrading to the H.O. variant gives you 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque. 

The 2025 Ram 1500 off-roading in sand
2025 Ram 1500 | Ram

Scoring for the Ward’s top 10 Engine and Propulsion Systems list is based on horsepower, torque, NVH management, efficiency, and new technology on board. 

The price cap for nominees was removed in 2021. Also, only new engines or significantly improved engines are eligible. 

I’m wondering if reliability should be taken into consideration for this list. Recently, the F-150 Hybrid was considered to be the least reliable truck due to battery failure. 

But this engine has been around since 2021, so maybe it has benefitted from a few upgrades. The Hurricane engine is brand new.

For 2024, the F-150 PowerBoost hybrid engine lost both of its starters and received over 300 software enhancements. 

The best engine list is open to electric powertrains, hybrids, and PHEV models. As the automotive industry continues toward electrification, a lot of new variants could win this award in 2025.

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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.