Subaru's turbocharged boxer engine makes top 10

Subaru's 2.5L turbo boxer engine has made the Ward's Auto top 10.

Subaru's 2.5-litre turbocharged engine as fitted to the Legacy GT and the Impreza WRX has made Ward's Auto top 10 for 2010.

The American publishing company has rated the world's top 10 engines as available in North America for the past 16 years.

Only one V8 and one V6 made the list, which is dominated by forced-induction engines.

The turbocharged boxer motor in the Impreza WRX and Legacy GT has 195kW and produces 350Nm of torque.

"This year's list embodies how the industry is responding to demands for higher fuel economy and lower emissions without shortchanging performance," said Ward's AutoWorld editor-in-chief Drew Winter.

Six editors from Ward's Automotive Group tested 34 vehicles from 13 car makers.

The engines are rated on horsepower, torque, refinement, technical relevance and comparative data. Engines nominated had to be either all-new, significantly updated or be a previous winner.

They also must come in a vehicle that will go on sale in or before the first quarter of 2010 and be valued at no more than US$54,000 ($74,000).

This year's winners and the applications tested:

* 2-litre TFSI turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Audi A4)
* 3-litre TFSI supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi S4)
* 3-litre DOHC I-6 turbodiesel (BMW 335d)
* 2.5-litre DOHC I-4 hybrid (Ford Fusion Hybrid)
* 3.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged DOHC V-6 (Ford Taurus SHO)
* 2.4-litre Ecotec DOHC I-4 (Chevrolet Equinox)
* 4.6-litre Tau DOHC V-8 (Hyundai Genesis)
* 2.5-litre turbocharged DOHC H-4 (Subaru Legacy 2.5GT)
* 1.8-litre DOHC I-4 Hybrid (Toyota Prius)
* 2-litre SOHC I-4 Turbo diesel (Volkswagen Jetta TDI).