The Automobile Club of Southern California’s AutomotiveResearchCenter has announced the Tesla Model S P85 as its top-scoring green car pick this year.
Tesla’s Model S sedan scored top points on the AAA Green Car Guide, followed by the Toyota RAV4 EV, the Audi A7 TDI, the Lexus GS 450h and the Nissan Leaf.
The AAA Green Car Guide reviews more than 80 green vehicles – everything from hybrids, electric cars, CNG-powered cars, clean diesels and partial zero emissions vehicles.
All of the vehicles were tested in 13 categories (emissions, fuel efficiency, acceleration, handling, etc.) and assigned a score, with AAA highlighting the top-scoring vehicles and the “best value” green vehicles. The report also holds comprehensive information about low-polluting and fuel-efficient vehicles.
In describing the top-scoring green vehicle the Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center Manager and Chief Engineer Steve Mazor said, “The Tesla Model S is an incredible car. It’s the fastest green car we’ve ever tested: it rides and handles very well; it’s extremely quiet and stops on a dime.”
When price is factored in, the 2014 Chevy Spark 1LT tops the list as the green car with the best value, followed by the Hyundai Elantra GLS, the Nissan Versa SV, the Scion iQ and the Nissan Versa Note SV. The Chevy Spark is priced under $15,000, and averages about 30 miles per gallon, making it an affordable green vehicle.
Green vehicles offer a way to save money on Southern California’s high gas prices, which often exceed $4 a gallon.
The Top-Scoring Green Car vehicles in the 2014 AAA Green Car Guide are:
1.Tesla Model S P85
2.Toyota RAV4 EV
3.Audi A7 TDI Quattro Tiptronic
4.Lexus GS 450h
5.Nissan Leaf
The Top Best Green Car Value vehicles in the 2014 AAA Green Car Guide are:
1.Chevrolet Spark 1LT
2.Hyundai Elantra GLS
3.Nissan Versa SV
4.Scion iQ
5.Nissan Versa Note SV
Meanwhile, the Union of Concerned Scientists has named Hyundai-Kia the greenest automaker in its latest automaker rankings report. This report marks the first time another company has bested Honda, which came in second this year but has earned every “Greenest Automaker” previous accolade from UCS since 1998. Honda came in second this time, followed by Toyota, Nissan and Volkswagen tied for third.
The 140 page AAA Green Car Guide can be accessed here.
