Most underrated engines

Top 40 most underrated car engines. Updated February 2025.

It may seem odd that car manufacturers would "shortsell" their cars by advertising lesser peak power than engines can actually deliver. However, there are several potential reasons for such discrepancy.

No two examples of same engine are 100% identical - some leave factory slightly more or less powerful than advertised. This can account for few percentage point drift against manufacturer numbers, however, there are cases when underrating and overperformance is significant and systemic.

One possible reason is taxation based on engine power or emissions that is applied in some countires. Another could be insurance cost - some insurers charge more based on power thresholds.

Less common but most amusing is underrating for marketing reasons - yes, you read that correctly - some manufacturers are suspected to report lower engine power to make their cars seem more sophisticated in other areas (chassis, handling), when compared to competitors with higher advertised power output.

Sometimes manufacturers are also alleged to alter boost maps for cars that are delivered to automotive press, unfairly improving performance in instrumented tests.

# make & model Percent (%)▼ Image
1. 2015 Ultima Evolution +27% Photo of 2015 Ultima Evolution
2. 2015 Ultima Evolution Convertible +27% Photo of 2015 Ultima Evolution Convertible
3. 2021 Ultima RS +27% Photo of 2021 Ultima RS
4. 2015 Ultima Evolution +26% Photo of 2015 Ultima Evolution
5. 2015 Ultima Evolution Convertible +26% Photo of 2015 Ultima Evolution Convertible
6. 2021 Ultima RS +26% Photo of 2021 Ultima RS
7. 2012 Seat Mii 1.0 +20% Photo of 2012 Seat Mii 1.0
8. 2012 Ford Kuga 1.6 Ecoboost +19% Photo of 2012 Ford Kuga 1.6 Ecoboost
9. 2013 Mazda 3 SkyActiv-G 120 +19% Photo of 2013 Mazda 3 SkyActiv-G 120
10. 2015 Ultima Evolution +17% Photo of 2015 Ultima Evolution
11. 2015 Ultima Evolution Convertible +17% Photo of 2015 Ultima Evolution Convertible
12. 2021 Ultima RS +17% Photo of 2021 Ultima RS
13. 2014 Mercedes-Benz C 220 d T +17% Photo of 2014 Mercedes-Benz C 220 d T
14. 2013 Peugeot 308 1.6 THP 125 +15% Photo of 2013 Peugeot 308 1.6 THP 125
15. 2019 Ultima RS +15% Photo of 2019 Ultima RS
16. 2024 Zeekr 001 +14% Photo of 2024 Zeekr 001
17. 2013 BMW M5 Competition +13% Photo of 2013 BMW M5 Competition
18. 2014 VW Polo 1.2 TSI +13% Photo of 2014 VW Polo 1.2 TSI
19. 2012 Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi Wagon +11% Photo of 2012 Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi Wagon
20. 2016 VW Golf GTI Clubsport +11% Photo of 2016 VW Golf GTI Clubsport
21. 2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT +11% Photo of 2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
22. 2014 Opel Corsa 1.0 Ecotec +11% Photo of 2014 Opel Corsa 1.0 Ecotec
23. 2012 Renault Clio dCi 90 +11% Photo of 2012 Renault Clio dCi 90
24. 2010 Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi +10% Photo of 2010 Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi
25. 2014 Toyota Verso 1.6 D-4D +10% Photo of 2014 Toyota Verso 1.6 D-4D
26. 2013 Audi A1 1.4 TFSI +10% Photo of 2013 Audi A1 1.4 TFSI
27. 2014 Citroen C1 Puretech 82 +10% Photo of 2014 Citroen C1 Puretech 82
28. 2014 Peugeot 108 PureTech 82 +10% Photo of 2014 Peugeot 108 PureTech 82
29. 2014 Mercedes-Benz C 220 d +10% Photo of 2014 Mercedes-Benz C 220 d
30. 2013 Renault Captur dCi 90 +9% Photo of 2013 Renault Captur dCi 90
31. 2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S +9% Photo of 2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S
32. 2012 Nissan Juke 1.5 dci +9% Photo of 2012 Nissan Juke 1.5 dci
33. 2014 Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi 4x2 +9% Photo of 2014 Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi 4x2
34. 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid +9% Photo of 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid
35. 2013 BMW 518d +9% Photo of 2013 BMW 518d
36. 2013 Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DIG-T +8% Photo of 2013 Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DIG-T
37. 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo S +8% Photo of 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo S
38. 2021 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport +8% Photo of 2021 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport
39. 2017 BMW M5 +8% Photo of 2017 BMW M5
40. 2011 Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D +8% Photo of 2011 Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D

Sources

All data sourced from manufacturer's official figures.

List authored by Christian Zelcs. Last updated on 02/27/2025, last addition - Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi 4x2.