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This list is based on engines sold in the US. We don't have the low sulfur diesel fuel in the US so those engines would not live long. Also, even the best of the diesels won't meet up coming California emissions. Finally, unlike in Europe, diesel doesn't have any tax advantage. Currently diesel is something like 15% more expensive than gasoline.
Before second guessing Wards' choices I would suggest reading through their criteria. I'm surprised to see no Hondas on the list but I think the Ford motor is a good choice. They consider vehicle cost as part of the judging so really high dollar motors like the BMW V10 are out. The Ford is a very smooth, well mannered engine. The 4 valve, SC version in the last Cobra was much to my surprise actually smoother than the 3L I6 in my friend's 2001 BMW 530. I was really shocked by this as I wasn't expecting it to be overly refined. While the specific power isn't that great, it is a very well behaved motor for not much money.
I understand this list is not very relevant in Europe but neither is the European list very relevant in the US as most of the engines that won aren't sold here. Also with no displacement based taxes there is no reason to go for FI or extremely high revs to get power if you can get the same power and mileage with more displacement. Even the Japanese have adopted that philosophy for the US market.
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