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2010 Audi A3 TDI and Audi Q7 TDI

In the same way that Toyota has thrown its fortune and fortunes behind hybrid technology, Audi is throwing its weight behind clean diesel technology. For 2010, two Audi diesel models will be available, the compact A3 hatchback, and the monstrous Q7 crossover (pictured). Although the powertrains underlying each vehicle are significantly different, the result is the same: 30 percent better fuel economy and a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gases compared to gasoline engines. On top of it all, they're Audis, which means they offer style, luxury and sophistication that's hard to beat, regardless of what's under the hood.

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2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and BMW ActiveHybrid 7 Series

BMW introduced diesel versions of its 3 Series and X5 early in 2009. However, BMW was part of a consortium -- along with GM and Diamler-Chrysler before the divorce -- to develop hybrid technology. Its version is called ActiveHybrid, and it's a wise move since Americans tend to associate hybrids more with clean air than diesels. For the 2010 model year, BMW will offer the ActiveHybrid X6 and ActiveHybrid 7 Series (pictured). Although the mechanicals differ between the two vehicles, they have the same goal: Better performance on the road and at the pump, with fuel economy improvements of up to 20 percent.

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2011 Chevrolet Volt

You've probably heard enough about the upcoming 2011 Chevy Volt to keep you satiated for a while. But to recap, the Volt promises to run up to 40 miles on no gasoline whatsoever; drive more than that and a small, fuel-efficient gasoline engine starts up to charge the batteries as you drive. This "extended-range electric vehicle" is significantly different than hybrids like the Toyota Prius, so much so that the EPA is devising a new method of rating them for mileage. Chevy claims that the Volt will get an amazing 230 mpg on this new cycle. Even if Chevy's estimate is twice as high as reality eventually dictates, it's still pretty amazing mileage.

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2011 Fisker Karma

When the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid prototype was first shown at the 2008 Detroit auto show, a lot of skeptics (some of us included) dismissed the sleek sedan as pure vaporware. After all, the specs were absurdly rosy: 125 mph top speed, 100-plus mpg, pure-electric operation. Why not just say it does dishes and feeds your dog while you're at it, Fisker? But the car's development has proceeded nicely, with a prototype making its driving debut at the 2009 Monterey Historics at the Laguna Seca raceway in August. While we haven't yet seen it clean a plate or take care of pets, the demonstration showed that there may be a future yet for this plug-in hybrid sedan.

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2011 Ford Transit EV

We'll be the first to admit that the Ford Transit Connect has a face only an electrician could love. However, for a low price, the Transit Connect offers up plenty of van utility in a compact package. The Transit EV promises a good helping of environmental responsibility as well. The Transit Connect EV will be a pure electric, running solely on batteries, for a range of up to 100 miles. Considering its primary role as an in-town fleet utility vehicle, the Transit Connect EV could be a smart move for Ford as it enhances its green image worldwide.

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2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid was introduced earlier this year, and immediately reset the debate about hybrid vehicles. With up to 41 mpg, the Fusion Hybrid beats the Camry Hybrid at its own game, but with arguably better styling. In addition to its excellent economy, the Fusion uses green leaves to tell its driver that he or she is driving economically; the more leaves, the better the economy.

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2011 Honda CR-Z

There are two possible directions that the upcoming Honda CR-Z could take. The hybrid drivetrain and two-seat design instantly call to mind the first Honda hybrid, the original two-seat Insight that debuted in 1999. However, the other vehicle it resembles is the '80s-era CRX sports car. Honda is usually tight lipped about upcoming products, a practice it's continuing with the CR-Z. However, rumor has it that the CR-Z will be a sporty alternative for those who want to want to stay green, but still have fun behind the wheel.

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2010 Honda Insight

The Honda Insight was the first hybrid available for sale in the U.S. However, that two-seat, tadpole-shaped little car bears nothing but the name with the 2010 Honda Insight that debuted earlier this year. The new Insight's general styling is similar to the Toyota Prius -- both are five-door hatchbacks with super-slick aerodynamics -- but the Insight is notably smaller than the Toyota, and considerably less expensive. Fuel economy isn't quite as good as the Prius, but with a lower price of entry, the Insight is tough to ignore.

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The upcoming 2011 Hyundai Sonata will shuck the bland styling of the current car for swooping lines and coupe-like styling. That's all fine and good, but the real news is the upcoming hybrid version. Details on the hybrid system are scarce, aside from the fact that it will use advanced battery technology and Hyundai's own BLUE WILL hybrid system. But the real news is that with its swooping lines and dramatic styling, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid may just be the world's first sexy hybrid.

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2010 Lexus HS 250h and Lexus RX 450h

Toyota begat Lexus about two decades ago, and as goes Toyota, so goes Lexus. The luxury division has had hybrids in its lineup for some time now, and the first Lexus hybrid, the RX, got a significant revision for the 2010 model year, boasting more power, better fuel economy and revised but still familiar styling. Then there's the 2010 Lexus HS 250h, the first dedicated hybrid vehicle from any luxury brand. Boasting the same drivetrain as the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the HS 250h is otherwise an all-new vehicle, with compact styling that's maybe too similar to the Corolla for some tastes.

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2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid and ML450 BlueHybrid

Generally, when one thinks of Mercedes-Benz and fuel efficiency, diesels come to mind, and for good reason, as you'll see on the next page. However, the company was also part of the Diamler-Chrysler/GM/BMW consortium that developed the Dual Mode hybrid currently used in GM SUVs and the ActiveHybrid technology coming in the BMW X6 and 7 Series hybrids. The Benz version is called BlueHybrid and is roughly similar. It will debut in the S-Class sedan as the S400 BlueHybrid (pictured) and the ML crossover utility as the ML450 BlueHybrid, with both boasting the usual claims of enhanced power and fuel economy.

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2010 Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTEC, ML350 BlueTEC and GL350 BlueTEC

Anybody who grew up in the 70s likely remembers the roads crammed with Mercedes Benz 300Ds clattering around the streets. Well, Mercedes is still well into the diesel business, but the game has changed. With the R350 BlueTEC, ML 350 BlueTEC and GL 350 BlueTEC (pictured), Mercedes-Benz has a 50-state legal oil burner that will make you forget everything you ever thought about diesel technology. In many respects the diesels are worth getting not to burnish your green image at the country club, but because they're simply better than the gasoline-powered versions. Don't believe us? Drive one.

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2011 Nissan Leaf

The Nissan LEAF is a pure electric car that will go on sale sometime in the next year or so. Nissan is being tight lipped with most of the technical details, but here's what we know: It'll have a range of about 100 miles, will take about 4-8 hours on a household 220 volt to recharge (overnight in other words) and will get an 80 percent charge at a high-capacity charging station in about 26 minutes. That's a lot of "abouts," but it the best sounding one is the price: about the same as similarly sized family cars.

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2010 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid and Porsche Panamera Hybrid

The automotive world officially went mad with the introduction of a Porsche diesel -- specifically the Europe-only Cayenne diesel. However, we get a green-minded Porsche stateside as well, two really: the Cayenne S Hybrid and Panamera Hybrid will make it to our shores eventually. Not surprisingly, both put an emphasis more on performance than fuel economy, but both are still capable fuel sippers, with the Cayenne S Hybrid capable of coasting at freeway speeds on electricity alone. Prices haven't been announced, but since Porsches aren't cheap by any standard, we don't expect these hybrids to be right for a ramen budget.

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2011 Tesla S Sedan

Tesla burst onto the green scene by boasting that its Lotus-derived electric sports car would actually be fun to drive: Surprise, it was! It also had a semi-realistic range of about 200 miles on a charge…as long as you weren't actually driving it like a sports car the whole time. No matter, though, as the Tesla Roadster has sold enough to spawn the next Tesla model: The Tesla S sedan. Capable of seating up to seven people thanks to rear-facing seats under the hatch (yes, it's a hatch), the Tesla S can be charged via 110, 220 or 440 volt outlets, or the entire battery pack can be swapped out in about 5 minutes. Tesla's also saying that it'll cost about $50,000…we'll believe that when we see it.

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2010 Toyota Prius

What green car list would be complete without Toyota's posterchild for the whole genre? All-new for the 2010 model year, the Toyota Prius finally looks kind of cool, in a subtle and subdued sort of way. The interior is top-notch as well, modern and curvy without being overstyled. Oh, and it gets great mileage as well, at least 50 mpg, and can even go for a good mile in pure electric mode thanks to a button on the dash. The Prius isn't the only game in town anymore, but it's still one of the best.

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2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI

Volkswagen is again dropping the Rabbit name for its hatchback, reverting back to the Golf for the U.S. market for the next-generation that arrives in 2010. We think it's because of the diesel engine that's coming. After all, with all the bad memories the term "Rabbit Diesel" conjures up, we can't blame them. Still, don't let that keep you from the 2010 Golf TDI. Using Volkswagen's excellent TDI technology, this Golf promises to be as big a runaway success as the Jetta TDI that was introduced last year. Great economy, long range and excellent drivability at a low cost…what else could you want?

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