Attend the Industry's Most Prestigious Powertrain Awards
Celebrating more than 30 years of engineering excellence and connecting the automotive industry's most influential propulsion, electrification, and powertrain leaders.
The 2026 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems Winners Are In
For the first time in 32 years, every Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems winner is electrified. WardsAuto judges tested 26 nominees in real-world driving and scored them on horsepower, torque, NVH, efficiency and innovation. Four BEVs, four hybrids and two plug-in hybrids came out on top. Winners range from the efficient Nissan Rogue Hybrid to the 1,250-hp Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, and from family CUVs to the Porsche 911.
“The sheer number of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles that made up this year’s nominees tells a story in its own right. Even the hottest sports cars utilize electric help to engage drivers and, indeed, enhance the experience.”
- Robin Warner, Manager, Wards 10 Best Awards Programs
Join us at Lovett Hall in Dearborn on November 4 to celebrate the winning teams in person.
Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4Matic Electric
Dual-Motor BEV
Rivian R2 Performance
Dual-Motor BEV
Subaru Trailseeker
Dual-Motor BEV
Volvo EX60P10AWD
Dual-Motor BEV
Chevrolet Corvette ZRIX
5.5L Turbocharged V-8 HEV
Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
2.5L Turbocharged I-4 HEV
Nissan Rogue Hybrid
1.5L Turbocharged I-3 HEV
Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid
3.6L eTurbocharged Flat-6 HEV
BMW M5 Touring
4.4L Turbocharged V-8 PHEV
Toyota RAV4 PHEV GR Sport
2.5L I-4 PHEV
Partner Sponsor: Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company’s Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, several cutting-edge R&D facilities and more than 855 independent dealers. These operations are part of Hyundai Motor Group, which is investing $26 billion in the U.S. from 2025 to 2028.
A Front-Row Seat to the Future of Powertrain
This isn't just an awards ceremony, it's the one afternoon a year when the automotive industry's top engineers, executives and analysts compare notes on where propulsion technology is headed next. As a delegate, you get a seat inside that conversation.
Celebrate the winning teams in person
Be in the room as WardsAuto editors recognize the 2026 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems winners and meet the teams behind the award-winning technology.
Hear directly from the judges
The Judges Panel Discussion gives you exclusive insight into how WardsAuto editors and analysts scored every powertrain on horsepower, torque, NVH, efficiency and innovation.
Network with the people building it
Share the room with OEM engineers, propulsion specialists and senior executives from the very brands being honored, plus credentialed press and analysts covering the stories.
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OEM Decision Makers in One Room
Years of Industry Leadership
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Digital Audience Reach
Be Part of History
For the first time ever, we're opening the doors to our exclusive Ward's 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems awards ceremony. This prestigious event has traditionally been invitation-only, but we're now pleased to offer multiple attendance options to industry professionals and enthusiasts alike.
See below for your choices and join us in celebrating automotive innovation and excellence.
Single Tickets - $299
- 1 x pass to the Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems Awards Ceremony 2026, including access to:
- Pre-Ceremony Networking Reception with 200+ Award Winning Automotive Executives
- 3-Course Plated Lunch
- Panel Discussion with the Judges
- Awards Ceremony
- Post-Ceremony Picture Reception with the Winning Automaker Teams
For more information, on purchasing a Single Ticket, please contact our Marketing Team.
Awards Tables - $2500
- 10 x passes to the Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems Awards Ceremony 2026, including access to:
- Pre-Ceremony Networking Reception with 200+ Award Winning Automotive Executives
- 3-Course Plated Lunch
- Panel Discussion with the Judges
- Awards Ceremony
- Post-Ceremony Picture Reception with the Winning Automaker Teams
For more information, on purchasing an Awards Table, please contact our Sponsorship Team.
Why Sponsor?
Position your brand at the epicenter of automotive innovation. For over three decades, the Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems has been the industry's most prestigious benchmark for powertrain excellence, and 2026 promises to be the most transformative year yet.
Own the industry's biggest moment
Become associated with the awards trusted by automotive engineering leaders for more than three decades.
Meet the people that matter
Network with OEM engineers, propulsion specialists, senior executives, media and analysts in an intimate setting.
Extend your reach
Your sponsorship continues beyond the ceremony through editorial, social media, email campaigns and the official eBook.
Generate qualified leads
VIP access, attendee lists (where applicable), meetings and high-value conversations.
Who You'll Meet
An Intimate Room of Decision-Makers
Attendance is limited to Wards 10 Best winners, event sponsors, credentialed media, and automotive industry professionals via delegate pass — ensuring a focused environment for meaningful connections.
C-Level / Vice President
CEO, CFO, CPO, COO, CTO, CMO & VP+ across Advanced Mobility, Powertrain, Electrification, Fleet, EV Services, Sustainability & Technology.
Engineering
Chief / VP / Director / Principal — Design Systems, Powertrain, Electrified Systems, Engine Systems, Global Battery, Propulsion, HV & R&D.
Product & Operations
VP / Director / Head of — Project & Product Management, Battery Products, Charging Solutions, Platform Operations & Strategy.
Sales & Marketing
VP / Director / Head of — Strategic Partnerships, Business Development, Communications, PR, Digital & Corporate Marketing.
Press, Media & Analysts
Invited press, media, industry analysts and consultants covering the powertrain and propulsion beat.
Three Ways to Partner, One Continuous Spotlight
Explore an overview of our sponsorship opportunities below. Every package puts your brand in front of the industry's top powertrain decision-makers, and keeps it there before, during and after the ceremony.
Each of our three sponsorship packages delivers far more than what's listed here, with exclusive benefits, premium visibility, and strategic opportunities designed to maximize your ROI.
For complete package details, pricing, custom options, and the full suite of deliverables available to you, please download the prospectus or contact our Sponsorship Team today.
Meet the Wards 10 Best Judges
The WardsAuto judging panel brings decades of experience evaluating automotive design, engineering and user experience, ensuring every winning vehicle is assessed through real-world testing.
Robin Warner
Program Manager/Judge, WardsAuto
Robin Warner joined WardsAuto this year as the Program Manager for the 10 Best User Experience/Interior Awards. He is also a judge. Warner brings over 20 years of experience. With an engineering background, he worked at both TRW Automotive (now ZF TRW Auto) and Ford Motor Company. Warner also Managed public relations in the Midwest at Hyundai for one and a half years. The rest of his experience is writing, editing, planning, and testing at Car and Driver, Road & Track, and Autoweek magazines. Since 2021, Warner started his own YouTube Channel, website, and writes and edits on a freelance basis.
Bob Gritzinger
Contributing Editor, WardsAuto
Bob Gritzinger has 25 years of experience as an automotive journalist, covering important product and technology announcements near his Detroit, MI base and around the world. Bob has been a Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX and a Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems judge since joining the company in 2015 and now manages the evaluation program as part of his duties as WardsAuto Editor-in-Chief.
Drew Winter
Contributing Editor, WardsAuto
Drew Winter is a contributing editor for WardsAuto and has been following mobility technology topics for more than 30 years. First as an award-winning automotive journalist and then as a producer of the WardsAuto Interiors and User Experience conferences. He evaluates dozens of vehicles every year as a judge for the Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX and Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems, in addition to being a long-time juror for the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year awards.
Gary Vasilash
Contributor, WardsAuto
Gary S. Vasilash serves as founding editor of Automotive Design & Production (AD&P) magazine and co-hosts the influential "Autoline After Hours" webcast. A veteran automotive journalist, he has contributed to leading publications including Car and Driver, The Wall Street Journal, and Autoblog, bringing over 30 years of industry expertise to his coverage of automotive technologies and manufacturing practices.