Provided herein are a drive apparatus that includes an internal combustion engine capable of operating with a high expansion ratio by reducing an effective compression ratio through advancement of an intake valve closing timing, and a control method of the drive apparatus, and a motor vehicle equipped with the apparatus and method. The drive apparatus further includes a torque output device capable of outputting a torque to an output shaft of the internal combustion engine. Upon a command to stop operation of the internal combustion engine, the apparatus controls the driving of the torque output device so that the internal combustion engine stops at a target stop position which is set outside a region that leads to an increased compression ration in an initial compression stroke when the internal combustion engine is next stated.