Ward's 10 Best Engines 2012...

[disappoint]

Not to worry, these low NVH engines can still be modded to produce more NVH to at least make them SEEM faster.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

IIRC, the nvh with the Pentastar isn't all that great in reviews.

One overseas batch had to be replaced entirely.

SUBJECT:
Replace Engine
OVERVIEW:
Chrysler recently discovered a manufacturing quality issue with a limited number of
Chrysler 3.6 liter engines. Dealers will be required to remove the engine currently installed
in the vehicles and replace it with a brand new engine that has been VIN stamped to
match the vehicles VIN.
MODELS:
2012 (WK) Grand Cherokee (International Only)
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with the 3.6L engine (Sales Code
ERB) out side of the NAFTA markets.
NOTE: Only vehicles out side of the United States, Canada, and Mexico are involved
in this Service Bulletin.

Exactly my point. Dodge made a new engine, it was better than their previous offerings, but that's not saying much. How does that get weighed in favor of them?
It's like saying you'd rather have a dry, peanut infested 3 foot log of a dump, rather than diarreah.

 

[CraigRT]

Exactly my point. Dodge made a new engine, it was better than their previous offerings, but that's not saying much. How does that get weighed in favor of them?
It's like saying you'd rather have a dry, peanut infested 3 foot log of a dump, rather than diarreah.

Engines have not really ever been Chrysler's problem, so I don't think that's fair to say.
Also this problem is only for a batch of overseas vehicles, it's really not a big deal. It happens, and it happens with every manufacturer from time to time.

 

[heymrdj]

I don't know many manufacturers that don't have engine recalls on new tech. The ford (international) 6.0L diesel? The Duratec 6.6 rod issue. Water jacket issue on the yaris 3 cylinder engine. And even then there's issues that should demand a recall but the manufacturers won't do it to save looking bad. GM's V6 comes to remind (can't remember which one, I'm pretty sure it powered the Oldsmobile Integra). And the 2008 Honda Accord 3.5 V6 oil consumption issue.

Everyone's guilty.

 

[MotF Bane]

I don't know many manufacturers that don't have engine recalls on new tech. The ford (international) 6.0L diesel? The Duratec 6.6 rod issue. Water jacket issue on the yaris 3 cylinder engine. And even then there's issues that should demand a recall but the manufacturers won't do it to save looking bad. GM's V6 comes to remind (can't remember which one, I'm pretty sure it powered the Oldsmobile Integra). And the 2008 Honda Accord 3.5 V6 oil consumption issue.

Everyone's guilty.

Nissan, VQ35HR, oil consumption. GM 3800 Series II, oil leaks through head gasket leading to fires.

 

[janas19]

Yeah, Honda/Acura has really dropped off the radar for enthusiasts of late. They haven't done anything interesting since the S2000...

Yes, for everyone else please remember to keep this thread on topic, which is: why isn't Honda on this list? And how do we rectify this error, and subsequently put Honda on this list?

Thank you. Going to eat a big bowl of delicious rice, see ya.

 

[amish]

And how do we rectify this error, and subsequently put Honda on this list?

make honda create a small v-8 engine to put into something more exciting than a civic. that will be the day...

 

[janas19]

make honda create a small v-8 engine to put into something more exciting than a civic. that will be the day...

Heretic.

 

[MotF Bane]

make honda create a small v-8 engine to put into something more exciting than a civic. that will be the day...

I'd be more interested in seeing a factory Miata option with something bigger than an I4.

 

[janas19]

I'd be more interested in seeing a factory Miata option with something bigger than an I4.

Kind of straying off topic here, but how would you compare the Miata to the S2000? Are they kind of going for the same market?

 

[MotF Bane]

Kind of straying off topic here, but how would you compare the Miata to the S2000? Are they kind of going for the same market?

Sure. Small, light, RWD, roadster, I4.

 

[exdeath]

Hmm I'm surprised really... I usually expect to see something like this on these sorts of lists:

2011 BMW
2010 BMW
2009 BMW
2008 BMW
2007 BMW
2006 BMW
2005 BMW
2004 BMW
2003 BMW
2002 BMW

 

[Bignate603]

Hmm I'm surprised really... I usually expect to see something like this on these sorts of lists:

2011 BMW
2010 BMW
2009 BMW
2008 BMW
2007 BMW
2006 BMW
2005 BMW
2004 BMW
2003 BMW
2002 BMW

Unlike the auto magazines targeted at consumers Ward's doesn't get massive amounts of advertising dollars from BMW to influence their opinion.

 

[LTC8K6]

Well, if using the same engine in a whole bunch of models makes it a great engine...

 

[darkswordsman17]

Well, if using the same engine in a whole bunch of models makes it a great engine...

Ok, so provide us with reasons why the Ford 3.7 should have won instead? Seems like you've only presented much that makes them seem fairly equal, but the Chrysler engine is more important to Chrysler than the 3.7 is to Ford, so that's an edge.

The GM engine you cited had already won it in two consecutive years, so its not like they didn't notice it.

Fact is, Ward's certainly isn't perfect, and I think they're evaluation method is pretty flawed actually (I'll admit I assumed it was better than this when responding earlier):

Engines must be available in regular-production vehicles on sale in the U.S. market no later than the first quarter of the year. To be eligible, the engine also must be available in a vehicle with a base price of no more than US$54,000 (for 2007 list). During a 2-month testing period, Ward's editors evaluate each engine according to a number of objective and subjective criteria in everyday driving situations – there is no instrumented testing. The selection takes into account power and torque output, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels, technical relevance, and basic comparative numbers. Each engine competes against all others.

Seems every bit as trivial as car magazines, only I'd guess the people working for Ward's are probably slightly more knowledgeable about certain things, but I would guess that balances out with stuff like the world awards that are amalgamated from journalists.

But I'm not sure why you're so focused on the Pentastar and the Ford 3.7. Both are good, and surprise the one that is newer and gets more press is the one that got chosen.

Hmm I'm surprised really... I usually expect to see something like this on these sorts of lists:

2011 BMW
2010 BMW
2009 BMW
2008 BMW
2007 BMW
2006 BMW
2005 BMW
2004 BMW
2003 BMW
2002 BMW

Really? Did you miss the two BMW engines? It seems to alernate, one year its just one BMW, then the next year its two. They don't want to seem biased now. Actually they seem to do the same thing with Audi/Volkswagen. Even GM and Ford get 2 on the list pretty often.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward's_10_Best_Engines

 

[LTC8K6]

Well, it's hard to say why the Ford 3.7 should win when I don't know why the Chrysler 3.6 should win...