The finalists represent a wide-range of powertrains -- from traditional internal combustion engines to plug-in hybrids -- and are all affordable mass-market products that provide drivers full functionality and mainstream appeal.
DETROIT, MI- Three of the five finalists for Green Car Journal's 2013 “Green Car of the Year” are from Detroit automakers.
The vehicles vying for the award, which recognizes and honors environmental leadership in the auto industry, include Chrysler Group LLC’s Dodge Dart Aero, Ford Motor Co.’s C-Max and Fusion, Mazda Motor Corp.’s CX-5 SkyACTIV and Toyota Motor Corp.’s Prius c.
"This is a very exciting time for the Green Car of the Year program," said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and president of the Green Car Institute, in a statement. "The sheer number of environmentally positive production vehicles available to consumers is just eye-opening."
The finalists represent a wide-range of powertrains – from traditional internal combustion engines to plug-in hybrids – and are all affordable mass-market products that provide drivers full functionality and mainstream appeal.
No all-electric vehicles made this year’s list.
Here’s a breakdown of Green Car Journal's 2013 “Green Car of the Year” finalists, which are all also part of the magazine’s “Top 5 Green Cars for 2013':
- The high mpg Dodge Dart Aero and Mazda CX-5 SkyACTIV show that conventionally-powered, internal combustion vehicles can indeed compete with the efficiencies of hybrids.
- Toyota's Prius c continues this automaker's tradition of offering all-new, high mpg hybrid models under the Prius name.
- The Ford C-Max and Fusion illustrate how mainstream models can present drivers multiple high-efficiency choices - with the C-Max offering both hybrid and plug-in hybrid iterations, and the Fusion offering these power options, plus fuel-efficient EcoBoost variants.
For an eighth consecutive year, officials will name this year’s winner at the LA Auto Show on Nov. 29.
The winner will be selected by a jury comprised of the nation's top environmental leaders, including Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune, Ocean Futures Society president Jean-Michel Cousteau, and Global Green USA president Matt Petersen, plus Tonight Show host and auto enthusiast Jay Leno and Green Car Journal staff.
The LA Auto Show is open to the public from Nov. 30 through Dec. 19. More than 40 vehicles, including 17 worldwide debuts, are expected to debut during the show’s press preview days from Nov. 28-29.
Continue to check back to MLive Autos for continuing coverage of the LA Auto Show, including all the best unveilings from Los Angeles during press preview days.
Email Michael Wayland: MWayland@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/MikeWayland