Thinking Green? 2010 Top Five Green Car Finalists Announced

Are you thinking about buying a "green" car? Then look to today’s announcement from Green Car Journal about its five finalists for the 2010 Green Car of the Year®. Here’s the list:

• 2010 Audi A3 TDI
• 2010 Honda Insight
• 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid (a cousin to the Ford Fusion Hybrid)
• 2010 Toyota Prius
• 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI

For those new car buyers seeking a “green” sedan, these five models should be top contenders for your car-buying dollar. Interesting, all of this year’s finalists are sedans.

Two of the green car finalists, the 2010 Audi A3 TDI and VW’s Golf TDI, are clean diesel vehicles. Diesel-powered cars and trucks are hot in Europe and for good reason since diesel fueled vehicles now have ultra clean emissions, no more noisy ping-ping sound, get excellent fuel economy and have zippy performance even in low gears.

If you are looking for a mid-sized hybrid, the 2010 Honda Insight and 2010 Toyota Prius should be at the top of your list.

The 2010 Prius (51 mpg city, 48 mpg hwy) is still the most fuel efficient car on the road today. Plus, the 2010 Prius is a good deal with its rather low price, quirky design, high quality, zippy performance, top safety rankings and advanced technology. The 2010 Honda Insight (40 mpg city, 43 mpg hwy) is one of the top contenders against the Toyota Prius, but the sexy exterior and interior design of the Insight make it an excellent overall buy.

I was quite surprised the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid made this list instead of its much lauded cousin, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Both of these mid-sized sedans have it all: low price, excellent fuel economy (41 mpg city, 36 mpg hwy), a roomy and comfortable interior with quality materials and seriously fun performance. Plus, both the Milan and Fusion come with Ford’s way cool SYNC connectivity system, which cannot be found on the other four green car finalists.

The winner will be announced at the LA Auto Show on Dec. 3. The judges include such illustrious car fanatics as entertainer Jay Leno, environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau, car legend Carroll Shelby, Matt Peterson of Global Green USA and the Sierra Club’s Carl Pope, along with editors from Green Car Journal.

"We're seeing the trend for 'green' cars emerging at all levels, from entry-level cars to luxury models, and even performance cars and SUVs/crossovers," says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal. "Plus, an array of technologies and fuels as well as strategies like reducing weight and rolling resistance are being applied to the challenge. Greater choice provides buyers a personal stake in lessening environmental impact, and that's important."

I agree. Now is the time to buy a green car and any one of these top five finalists is a great choice for any car buyer.

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif. Follow me! @sheryllalexande