Toyota RAV4 EV is the top green car to own, according to the 2013 Green Car Guide, published by the Automobile Club of Southern California.
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV compact SUV achieved the highest overall green car score in the history of Green Car Guide, followed by the Lexus GS 450h hybrid luxury sedan, Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV and Camry Hybrid sedan with the second, third and fourth highest scores respectively.
2013 Toyota RAV4 EV is a pricey one at nearly $50,000, but there are federal and state incentives that can knock $10,000 off. And overall, the Auto Club says operating costs are far lower than the gasoline version of the RAV4.
“Toyota, partnering with Tesla, has produced an impressive full electric compact SUV that is the top scoring Green Car ever tested by the Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center,” said Automotive Research Center Manager and Chief Engineer Steve Mazor. “The RAV4 EV has excellent acceleration, zero tailpipe emissions and a real 100+ mile range, while maintaining roominess and flexibility.”
The Green Car Guide is produced annually by the Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center. The 2013 guide contains information on nearly 80 hybrids, battery electric vehicles, partial zero emission vehicles, compressed natural gas powered vehicles, clean diesels and fuel economy leaders. The guide is designed to help new vehicle buyers with reviews and rankings of low-emission and fuel efficient vehicles.
Green Car Guide vehicles are evaluated in a number of categories including EPA fuel economy, vehicle emissions, handling, interior noise and cargo capacity. Vehicles are scored from zero to ten in each evaluation category and scores totaled to determine overall green vehicle leaders. The cumulative scores are then divided by vehicle MSRP to determine cost per point or “best value” rankings.
View the latest edition of the Auto Club’s Green Car Guide in pdf.
