Best Choices for Fuel Efficient Vehicles: Green Vehicles Articles: Eco20/20

Best Choices for Fuel Efficient Vehicles

Are you in the market for a new means of transportation? Why not go green when making your selection? The wide variety of fantastic eco-friendly cars on the market now is sure to include something to your liking. Here is a rundown, in no particular order, of the top picks for 2011.

The Nissan Leaf is a spacious full-electric vehicle with an intelligent navigation system. It uses lithium-ion battery technology, which allows for better acceleration and range than the nickel-metal hydride ones. The cruising range is a bit limited at 100 miles, making it more appropriate for short distance commuters or two-car households, but the mpg rating makes up for it at 106 city/ 92 highway mpg. Equally eye-catching is the price tag, a mere $32,780, quite a bargain considering the fuel savings it offers. In certain states, buyers may be entitled to a $7,500 tax credit, further lowering the overall cost.

The Chevrolet Volt is a battery-powered car that uses an onboard gas-powered generator to keep the car going if the charge runs out. It has a range of about 300 miles and is a great family car with its four-door hatchback design. Even more attractive is its 95 mpg city and 90 mpg highway rating. Consumers don't have to sacrifice luxury with this car, either. Options available on the Volt include heated leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a park-assist package. Reasonably priced at $40,280, Chevrolet hopes the Volt goes mainstream. They plan to manufacture 30,000 Volts for 2012.

Ford has its own treasure in the Focus Electric. Pleasing to the eye, this five-door hatchback has a range of 100 miles and charges with a standard home charging dock, available for around $1,500. It also uses an actively liquid heated and cooled battery pack that offers dependable usage at a variety of temperatures. All this for a base price of $30,000 and a possible tax incentive of up to $7,500 makes the Focus Electric a great choice for many of us.

The Toyota Prius, a slick hybrid, is a sweet deal at a base price $21,650, considering the gas savings it offers. This stylish, versatile vehicle has a rating of 51 mpg city/ 48 mpg highway. Additionally, improved suspension tuning and electric steering make the 2011 Prius even more agile than its predecessors. For drivers who want a little something more, Prius offers options packages that range from basic to ultra-luxurious with heated leather seats and a solar-powered sunroof.

What about those eco-friendly drivers who are grieving over the loss of vroom-vroom, pulse-pounding, ultra sexy sports cars? You can breathe easily now. Your inner racer can flex its muscles without sacrificing your love for the environment. The LI-ION Inizio is one choice that is sure to set your heart racing. As sleek and sexy as Italian supercars, the Inizio has scissor doors that lift at a 90-degree angle and a rear deck that hinges upward for easy access to the rear suspension and powertrain. Powered by a 207 hp electric engine, the Inizio has a top speed of 170 mph and reaches 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, faster than the Corvette ZR1. This adrenaline-soaked little rocket is available with either a 40 kilowatt or 96.7 kilowatt li-ion battery pack. The cost might be pricey at $139,000, but, hey, it's for the good of the environment?