The Top Ten Best Green Cars -- And 3 Clunkers
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- Image Credit: VW
Our friends over at Kelley Blue Book have come up with a list of the Top 10 best green cars for 2013.
Green cars have become mainstream in the automotive marketplace the past few years as gasoline has gotten more expensive, and we expect to see many more diesels, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure electric cars offered from automakers across the board.
For now, here are the best cars you can buy that are sure to make Mother Earth smile. These are fuel efficient (obviously), fun to drive, versatile, have nice interiors and don't cost too much.
In the interest of balance, we've also included some stinkers that we think you should avoid.
Click through to see the list. -
- Image Credit: Ford
10. Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
MSRP: $35,925
Invoice: $34,129
Fuel Economy: 45 mpg City, 45 mpg Highway
Fuel economy doesn't have to come at the expense of style or comfort. The MKZ Hybrid is loaded with luxury amenities and gets you 45 mpg on both the highway and in the city.
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- Image Credit: Toyota
9. Toyota Avalon Hybrid
MSRP: $35,555 - $41,400
Invoice: $32,000 - $37,260
Fuel Economy: 40 mpg city, 39 mpg highway
Stylish, plush and fuel efficient, the Toyota Avalon Hybrid is a great hybrid car choice. We're especially big fans of the new exterior design and sportier driving dynamics. The Avalon Hybrid's 2.5L engine provides a good amount of power, too.
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- Image Credit: Honda
8. Honda Fit EV
MSRP: $36,625
Invoice: NA
Fuel Economy: NA
The Honda Fit EV is a legitimately fun little electric car. The fact that it can charge in as little as 3 hours, has a range of up to 82 miles and comes with the proven versatility of the hatchback make it an enticing green car.
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- Image Credit: VW
7. Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
MSRP: $24,995 - $31,180
Invoice: $23,995 - $29,933
Fuel Economy: 42 mpg city, 48 mpg highway
This isn't your average hybrid. With a turbocharged 1.4L engine and European tuned steering, the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid is a legitimately fun vehicle to drive. Add in the fact that you can get 48 mpg on the highway and you've got a winning green car in our book.
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- Image Credit: Ford
6. Ford C-MAX Energi
MSRP: $32,950
Invoice: $30,726
Fuel Economy: 44 mpg city, 41 mpg highway
The Ford C-MAX Energi provides drivers with loads of versatility without penalizing fuel economy. Unlike conventional hybrids, the Energi comes with a charge port that allows for pure-electric driving.
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- Image Credit: Toyota
5. Toyota Prius Plug-In
MSRP: $32,000 - $39,525
Invoice: $30,720 - $37,945
Fuel Economy: 51 mpg city, 49 mpg highway
Like the C-MAX Energi, the Toyota Prius Plug-In allows for pure electric driving -- up to 15 miles of it, in fact. The Plug-In is an expansion of the popular Prius family of hybrid cars, which have collectively become synonymous with green driving.
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- Image Credit: GM
4. Chevrolet Volt
MSRP: $39,145
Invoice: $37,579
Fuel Economy: 101 mpg city, 93 mpg highway
Despite what you may have heard from talk show hosts and the like, the Chevrolet Volt is a great vehicle. Basically, it's an electric vehicle with an on-board generator that keeps the battery charged during long trips. It's fun to drive, incredibly fuel efficient and has a great interior.
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- Image Credit: Ford
3. Ford Focus Electric
MSRP: $39,200
Invoice: $36,554
Fuel Economy: NA
The Ford Focus Electric comes fully loaded and with all the versatility of the standard Focus hatchback. This EV has a range of up to 110 miles and comes with styling tweaks that help it stand out on the road.
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- Image Credit: Tesla
2. Tesla Model S
MSRP: $59,900 - $94,900
Invoice: NA
Fuel Economy: NA
The all-electric Tesla Model S is a remarkably attractive car with a great interior. Sure, it's pricey, but Model S buyers won't ever have to buy gas, as the car can go up to 300 miles on a single charge, depending on the battery.
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- Image Credit: Nissan
1. Nissan LEAF
MSRP: $28,800 - $34,840
Invoice: $26,986 - $32,635
Fuel Economy: NA
The all-electric Nissan LEAF has about a 100-mile range and comes with a wealth or standard features, making for a quiet, comfortable, emissions-free ride. Interestingly, the LEAF is currently the fastest selling car on the market right now.
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- Image Credit: Fisker
Worst - Fisker Karma
MSRP: $102,000 - $115,000
Invoice: NA
Fuel Economy: NA
The Fisker Karma is big and beautiful, but this car has simply had too many problems to be worth recommending, including locking its occupants inside. Fisker declared bankruptcy in May and is in hot water with the U.S. government, which used taxpayer dollars to invest in its technology.
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- Image Credit: GM
Worst - Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
MSRP: $73,850 - $85,845
Invoice: $69,050 - $80,265
Fuel Economy: 20 mpg City, 23 mpg Highway
Seriously, what is the point of this thing? The fuel economy is still pretty bad and it costs about $10,000 more than the base Escalade. Don't be fooled by the word "hybrid" in its name -- this is hardly a green vehicle.
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- Image Credit: Mitsubishi
Worst - Mitsubishi i-MiEV
MSRP: $29,125 - $31,125
Invoice: $28,499 - $30,456
Fuel Economy: NA
It has a pretty solid range of up to 126 miles, but the utter lack of features, poor interior and bizarre looks of this vehicle land it on our worst list. There is no describable amount of comfort when driving this EV.
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