Green Car's Top 5 for 2007

The “greening” of the auto industry has been unfolding for some time, although actual products reflecting this emphasis in new car showrooms have been long in coming. This has changed in a major way in just the past year or two. Chalk it up to the continuing and persistent need for better air quality in many cities, along with heightened interest in better fuel efficiency and growing concerns about America’s oil dependency. Plus, nothing gets attention quicker than spiraling gas prices, so clearly this has played a major role.

This has driven tremendous consumer interest in “green” cars. With this in mind, Green Car Journal editors have focused on identifying the year’s most stand-out vehicles with regard to energy efficiency, emissions, and overall environmental compatibility. A diverse array of 2007 model year vehicles were reviewed, with contenders identified that were deemed to have raised the bar in environmental performance.

All types of vehicles were considered during the editor’s research, including near-zero emission and high fuel economy gasoline vehicles, advanced diesels, vehicles that operate on alternative fuels, and gasoline-electric hybrids. Since these top five vehicles also serve as the finalists for Green Car Journal’s 2007 Green Car of the Year competition, contenders additionally had to meet this Green Car Award™ program’s rules and be on sale no later than January 1st, 2007.

The five deemed to be the best-of-the-best for 2007 include (in alphabetical order) the natural gas Honda Civic GX, Lexus GS 450h Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC, Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid, and Toyota Camry Hybrid. By all measures, these models not only represent great choices at new car showrooms today, but also point the way to a more efficient and environmentally positive future.

GREEN CAR'S TOP 5
(Alphabetical Order)

2007 HONDA CIVIC GX
Honda?s natural gas-powered Civic GX, the cleanest internal combustion production vehicle on the market, continues to be a great fleet vehicle but is also now available to consumers in California and New York. A convenient home refueling appliance is an option.
Engine: 1.8-liter inline-four, natural gas Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 2/AT-PZEV Horsepower: 113 EPA est. city/hwy mpg: 28/39 Base MSRP: $24,590

2007 LEXUS GS 450 HYBRID
Superb style, great performance, and efficient hybrid power make this luxury sedan an excellent choice for those seeking an uplevel vehicle. The goal was to blend hybrid propulsion in a way that increases efficiency and performance without fanfare. Mission accomplished.
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6, gasoline-electric hybrid Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 3/SULEV Horsepower: 340 EPA est. city/hwy mpg: 25/28 Base MSRP: $54,900

2007 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 BLUETEC
This milestone vehicle represents Mercedes-Benz? first introduction of the company?s clean diesel BLUETEC technology, which takes advantage of the low-sulfur diesel fuel now available nationwide. The sedan is an example of just how great diesel vehicles can be.
Engine: 3.0-liter V-6, turbocharged diesel Emissions, EPA/CARB: Bin 8/(n/a) Horsepower: 208 EPA est. city/hwy mpg: 26/37 Base MSRP: $52,325

2007 SATURN VUE GREEN LINE HYBRID
The Saturn Vue Green Line is GM?s first hybrid SUV. Its simpler hybrid system provides a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy at a modest price premium. The Vue Green Line Hybrid achieves the best highway fuel economy of any SUV model, conventional or hybrid.
Engine: 2.4-liter inline-four, gasoline-electric hybrid Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 5/LEV II Horsepower: 170 EPA est. city/hwy mpg: 27/32 Base MSRP: $22,995

2007 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID
Toyota has achieved near-seamless integration of its hybrid technology in this ever-popular sedan, at an approachable price. Offering gasoline-electric hybrid power in a model that?s been the best selling vehicle in its class for many years takes hybrid power mainstream.
Engine: 2.4-liter inline-four, gasoline-electric hybrid Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 2/AT-PZEV Horsepower: 187 EPA est. city/hwy mpg: 40/38 Base MSRP: $26,200