The Nissan Leaf has come first in the list of Top 10 Green Cars of 2011, as named by the expert editors of the US used car values publication, Kelley Blue Book.
Each year the valuation experts list their top green models, with this year’s list coming out just in time for Earth Day (April 22) and as gas prices spiral ever northward.
Rather than simply focusing on fuel efficiency rating or equivalent energy usage ratings, the editors also looked which ‘green’ vehicles they actually enjoy driving and would highly recommend to others, taking into account electric cars, hybrids and fuel efficient gasoline-powered cars.
To be considered for the Top 10 Green Cars of 2011 list, each vehicle was required to offer fuel economy and CO2 emissions superior to the bulk of vehicles in its class, and at the same time provide all the safety, creature comforts and driving enjoyment that would make it pleasant to own.
"The sheer number and types of choices in the Green Cars category have grown remarkably in the last year, with new plug-in electrically driven vehicles alongside an increased number of traditional gasoline-powered cars with improved fuel economy, as well as hybrids and diesels," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com.
The Top Ten green cars for 2011 according to Kelley Blue Book are:
1. 2011 Nissan Leaf with US rating of 99 mpg equivalent
2. Chevrolet Volt with with a US rating of 93 mpg equivalent
3. 2011 Toyota Prius with US rating of 50 mpg (51 city, 48 highway)
4. 2011 Lexus CT 200h with US rating of 42 mpg (43 city, 40 highway)
5. 2011 Honda Insight with US rating of 41 mpg (40 city/43 highway)
6. 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid with US rating of 39 mpg (41 city/36 highway)
7. 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI with US rating of 34 mpg (30 city/42 highway)
8: 2011 Hyundai Elantra with US rating of 33 mpg (29 city, 40 highway)
9. 2012 Fiat 500 with US rating of 33 mpg (30 city/38 highway)
10. 2012 Ford Focus with US rating of 31 mpg (28 city/38 highway)
