It’s been a rough year for Toyota, which has been plagued by recalls, but the Japanese car maker’s top selling Prius is still scoring points for the embattled company. Kelley Blue Book (KBB), the largest auto valuation company in the US, says the 50-mpg Toyota hybrid is the best of the best according to its 2010 Top 10 Green Cars.
KBB likes the Prius for its fuel efficiency, solar-powered ventilation system and high-tech navigation, among other features, reports Chicago Tribune.
The Top 10 Green Cars list is designed to include a wide range of vehicle sizes from the small subcompact to the full-sized SUV and everywhere in between.
According to KBB, “To be considered for the green Top 10, 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.”
So while the top 10 green vehicles are listed in order from most fuel-efficient to least fuel-efficient, the vehicle’s fuel rating wasn’t the sole reason it was chosen for inclusion in the list.
The least fuel-efficient vehicle to make the list is the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, at 22 mpg. But, unlike the Prius, the hybrid is designed to accommodate a large family while still towing 5,900 pounds.
In the market for a new, greener car? Here’s the full list:
1. Toyota Prius — 50-mpg combined
2. Honda Insight Hybrid — 41 mpg combined
3. Ford Fusion Hybrid — 39 mpg combined
4. Volkswagen Golf TDI — 34 mpg combined
5. MINI Cooper — 32 mpg combined
6. Ford Escape Hybrid — 32 mpg combined
7. Honda Fit — 31 mpg combined
8. BMW 335d — 27 mpg combined
9. Toyota Highlander Hybrid — 22 mpg combined
10. Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid — 22 mpg combined
Photo by S 400 HYBRID via Wikimedia Commons.