Clean Cars: 2009's Top Eco-Friendly Cars

Eco-Friendly Cars | Clean Cars | Environmental Frienly Cars | Green Cars | 2009's Top Eco-Friendly Cars | Clean Wheels

BMW 335d - Drive in style and substance. Despite having an often-unfavorable Diesel engine, the 335d boasts a BluePerformance system, which converts toxic emissions into eco-friendly nitrogen gas and water vapor. This green machine also has a fuel economy rating of 23 mpg in the city and 33mpg on the highway.

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BMW 335d - Drive in style and substance. Despite having an often-unfavorable Diesel engine, the 335d boasts a BluePerformance system, which converts toxic emissions into eco-friendly nitrogen gas and water vapor. This green machine also has a fuel economy rating of 23 mpg in the city and 33mpg on the highway.

Toyota Camry Hybrid - Add the Hybrid Synergy Drive system to the best-selling car in America and you have a green gem. This is a full hybrid, capable of running on electric power or gas, and gets you 34 city mpg.

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Toyota Camry Hybrid - Add the Hybrid Synergy Drive system to the best-selling car in America and you have a green gem. This is a full hybrid, capable of running on electric power or gas, and gets you 34 city mpg.

Saturn Vue Hybrid - Starting at $24,795, the Vue Hybrid is not only one of the greenest vehicles on the market, but also one of the most cost-effective hybrid SUVs. In the works: a plug-in version of the Vue that will double the fuel economy of any SUV.

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Saturn Vue Hybrid - Starting at $24,795, the Vue Hybrid is not only one of the greenest vehicles on the market, but also one of the most cost-effective hybrid SUVs. In the works: a plug-in version of the Vue that will double the fuel economy of any SUV.

"Green" Cars - Obama's latest mission is to show that the costly stimulus plan he lobbied for is producing tangible help -- $2.4 billion in taxpayer grants to create electric cars and tens of thousands of jobs, The Associated Press reports. The Detroit Free Press reports that Michigan will get a "larger slice of the federal dollars to stimulate the development and production of advanced batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles than any other state."

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Ford Focus Hybrid - With a combined 2.3-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder gas engine and 94 horsepower electric motor, the Focus Hybrid runs like a car with V-6 engine, but is much kinder on the environment with a fuel efficient 34 city and 30 highway mpg.

Tesla Roadster - This zero-emissions, all-electric vehicle can get you 200 miles on a single charge of the battery. Not only green but fast, the Roadster goes from zero to 60 in four second flat.

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Tesla Roadster - This zero-emissions, all-electric vehicle can get you 200 miles on a single charge of the battery. Not only green but fast, the Roadster goes from zero to 60 in four second flat.

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Volkswagen Jetta TDI - Named the 2009 Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal, the Jetta TDI "raises the bar significantly in environmental performance with its EPA estimated 41 mpg highway fuel economy, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and extremely low tailpipe emissions,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com.

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Volkswagen Jetta TDI - Named the 2009 Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal, the Jetta TDI "raises the bar significantly in environmental performance with its EPA estimated 41 mpg highway fuel economy, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and extremely low tailpipe emissions,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com.

Ford Escape Hybrid - This recently redesigned model ranks high on the U.S. News and World Report list of affordable SUVs, and was named Truck of the Year at the Earth, Wind & Power Awards which recognizes "vehicles driven by a power source that help reduce global warming, are conducive to promoting a cleaner environment and support the mission to achieve energy independence through alternative sources."

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Ford Escape Hybrid - This recently redesigned model ranks high on the U.S. News and World Report list of affordable SUVs, and was named Truck of the Year at the Earth, Wind & Power Awards which recognizes "vehicles driven by a power source that help reduce global warming, are conducive to promoting a cleaner environment and support the mission to achieve energy independence through alternative sources."

Nissan Altima Hybrid - In an effort to go green, the boys in blue of the New York Police Department are turning to this hybrid vehicle, which gets 35 mpg.

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Nissan Altima Hybrid - In an effort to go green, the boys in blue of the New York Police Department are turning to this hybrid vehicle, which gets 35 mpg.

Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec - The trendy E320 Bluetec is a leader among cars with “clean” or low sulfur diesel technology, meeting 50 state emissions requirements. The 3.0-liter Bluetec V-6 features 210 horsepower and 400 lbs-ft of torque. It can go a whopping 700 miles in highway cruise mode between fill-ups.

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Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec - The trendy E320 Bluetec is a leader among cars with “clean” or low sulfur diesel technology, meeting 50 state emissions requirements. The 3.0-liter Bluetec V-6 features 210 horsepower and 400 lbs-ft of torque. It can go a whopping 700 miles in highway cruise mode between fill-ups.

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - When Pittsburgh Steeler Santonio Holmes won Super Bowl MVP honors, he didn’t just go to Disney World; he was also awarded an Escalade Hybrid. It’s big and blingy, and its 20 city and 21 highway mpg is 50 percent better than its non-hybrid counterpart.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - When Pittsburgh Steeler Santonio Holmes won Super Bowl MVP honors, he didn’t just go to Disney World; he was also awarded an Escalade Hybrid. It’s big and blingy, and its 20 city and 21 highway mpg is 50 percent better than its non-hybrid counterpart.

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Fisker Karma - Imagine driving 50 miles with no gas. A fully-charged Karma does just that. After the first 50 miles an electric generator kicks in for another 50, at which time the FK operates like a normal hybrid. Venture further and the gasoline engine turns on a generator to charge the lithium ion battery.

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Fisker Karma - Imagine driving 50 miles with no gas. A fully-charged Karma does just that. After the first 50 miles an electric generator kicks in for another 50, at which time the FK operates like a normal hybrid. Venture further and the gasoline engine turns on a generator to charge the lithium ion battery.

Chevy Tahoe Hybrid - The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid was the first GM car to utilize the two-mode hybrid system, which propelled the Tahoe to win the 2008 Green Car of the Year award by Green Car Journal at the L.A. auto show. Chevy insists that the limited-number Tahoe Hybrid “offers the same city fuel efficiency as a standard four-cylinder Toyota Camry,” which is mighty green for a full-size SUV.

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Chevy Tahoe Hybrid - The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid was the first GM car to utilize the two-mode hybrid system, which propelled the Tahoe to win the 2008 Green Car of the Year award by Green Car Journal at the L.A. auto show. Chevy insists that the limited-number Tahoe Hybrid “offers the same city fuel efficiency as a standard four-cylinder Toyota Camry,” which is mighty green for a full-size SUV.

Chevy Volt - This lightening rod of a vehicle gives a glimpse of what’s to come in environmentally-friendly automotives. It received the Green Car Vision Award at the D.C. Auto Show, primarily based on the 40 miles it can travel on a single charge.

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Chevy Volt - This lightening rod of a vehicle gives a glimpse of what’s to come in environmentally-friendly automotives. It received the Green Car Vision Award at the D.C. Auto Show, primarily based on the 40 miles it can travel on a single charge.

Honda Fit - Honda Fit packs a lot into a small frame. It is a functional five-door hatch with low to mid-30s mpg. The Fit is powered by a 109 horsepower, 1.5 liter VTEC four-cylinder and either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. Motor Week’s “Best Small Car” award at this year’s Chicago Auto Show.

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Honda Fit - Honda Fit packs a lot into a small frame. It is a functional five-door hatch with low to mid-30s mpg. The Fit is powered by a 109 horsepower, 1.5 liter VTEC four-cylinder and either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. Motor Week’s “Best Small Car” award at this year’s Chicago Auto Show.

Toyota Prius - The Prius is perhaps the most identifiable hybrid. It first appeared in Japan 10 years ago and has evolved into one of the most popular green car options. And why not? The Prius reports 48 city and 45 highway mpg, has one of the most advanced technologies and sells for around $20,000. It has also won Consumer Report’s Best Green Car category for six straight years.

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Toyota Prius - The Prius is perhaps the most identifiable hybrid. It first appeared in Japan 10 years ago and has evolved into one of the most popular green car options. And why not? The Prius reports 48 city and 45 highway mpg, has one of the most advanced technologies and sells for around $20,000. It has also won Consumer Report’s Best Green Car category for six straight years.

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Mini E - Cute and compact with zero carbon emissions, the Mini E is in electric company. It hits 60 mph in 8 seconds, and has a range of about 150 miles after an eight-hour charge.

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Mini E - Cute and compact with zero carbon emissions, the Mini E is in electric company. It hits 60 mph in 8 seconds, and has a range of about 150 miles after an eight-hour charge.

Mercury Mariner Hybrid - Mercury says its Mariner Hybrid is one of the most fuel-efficient SUV with an estimated 34 city mpg. Green Car journal named it the Green Car of the Year in 2007, not only for its power and fuel efficiency, but for its interior fabric made from soybeans and other recycled fibers.

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Mercury Mariner Hybrid - Mercury says its Mariner Hybrid is one of the most fuel-efficient SUV with an estimated 34 city mpg. Green Car journal named it the Green Car of the Year in 2007, not only for its power and fuel efficiency, but for its interior fabric made from soybeans and other recycled fibers.