The just released 2013 Ford C-MAX hybrid plug-in Energi and its sibling hybrid as well as the Ford Fusion, Dodge Dart Aero, Mazda CX-5 and Toyota Prius are finalists for Green Car of the Year honors, a highlight of the pending Los Angeles Auto Show.
The eighth annual award, which is presented to the car that best exemplifies leadership in environmental concerns, is the brainchild of the Green Car Journal. It will be announced Nov. 29, the second press day of the the show.
In addition to the publication’s editorial staff, the panel selecting the winning vehicle includes the director of the Sierra Club, Jacques Cousteau’s eldest son, and noted auto enthusiast and collector Jay Leno.
The Honda Civic Natural Gas claimed the award last year and the Chey Volt was victorious the previous year.
The Dodge Dart sedan and Mazda CX-5 compact SUV were each chosen because they are non-hybrid modes with impressive gas mileage averages.
The three Ford models were chosen because of their varied offerings. The C-MAX hatchback is available in the aforementioned drivetrains; The Fusion sedan is available as a gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
The Toyota Prius c, the smallest of the Prius family of hybrids, joins the the original Prius and Prius V wagon, which debuted this year with the Prius c.
Article Last Updated: September 4, 2013.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
