Top 5 Eco-Friendly Cars of 2010

Last November, I was in the market for a new car. From watching documentaries like The 11th Hour, An Inconvenient Truth and Who Killed the Electric Car? I knew I wanted to purchase a eco-friendly vehicle that would save me on fuel costs as well as help the environment with low emissions. From my varied research and advice from current hybrid car owners, the following is a list of the top five eco-friendly cars on the current market.

1. Honda Civic Hybrid
The Honda Civic Hybrid has the same great style and comfort of a standard Civic, but is combined with eco-friendly fuel economy with a gas mileage of 40 mpg (city)/45 mpg (highway). I test drove three of these models at different dealerships and they all felt exactly like a regular Civic sedan. It drove smooth and had great style (full loaded version is available with heated seats, leather, sunroof, navigation system, and XM radio). So if you're looking for style, comfort and great fuel economy without having to deal with high-tech buttons and driving mode, this may be your top choice. One drawback is that it is priced higher than other similar hybrid models with a base price of $23,800.00.

2. Ford Fusion Hybrid
The Ford Fusion is rated #1 in the U.S. News Rankings in Affordable Midsize Cars. Some may be skeptical of this practical car being strong competition to other hybrid models, but it really does combine a functional, dependable model with great fuel economy (41 mpg- city/ 36 mpg -highway) at a base price you can't beat, $19,695.00.

3. Honda Insight
The Honda Insight was Honda's answer to the Toyota's Prius. It has a similar hatchback style, but it is slightly smaller which puts it in the compact car category. The Honda Insight is more affordable at a base price of $20,510. The Insight is developed with an Eco Assist system, which tells the driver how economically they are driving by changing the background color of the speedometer. The Insight has great gas mileage of 41 mpg (www.hybridcars.com).

4. Nissan Altima Hybrid
Nissan decided to transform it's popular Altima design and bring forth a gas-electric version. So if you're not a fan of the hatchback style that many have associated with hybrid vehicles, be amazed. The Nissan Altima is definitely sleek, lean, and stylish. The hybrid version has great mileage for a sedan with 35 mpg. But, if you are interested in this Nissan Altima Hybrid it is only available in the following states: California, Oregon, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island or Vermont.

5. Mercury Milan Hybrid
Many reviews according to US News says the Mercury Milan is very comparable to the Ford Fusion Hybrid. The Mercury Milan Hybrid is not really on the radar of many people in the market for eco-friendly cars, but it's a viable option if you want practicality, performance, gas mileage (41 mpg), and affordability (average price of $27,000). It also has a high tech interior with a Smartgauge Cluster with Ecoguide; where your efficiency is displayed by using vines and leaves--the more efficient, the vines and leaves grow while you drive.

6. Toyota Prius**
**I decided to throw in the Toyota Prius because Toyota is still a respectable brand that people have grown up with. But due to the negative publicity and current events plagueing the Prius model, it didn't make my top 5. However, there are still thousands of Prius's on the road today and there are still people thinking about purchasing one. If you're a die-hard Toyota customer, this model is still a viable option. According to the US EPA, the Prius is still the No. 1 ranked most fuel-efficient gasoline car sold in the United States. The 2010 Prius models are stated as having an impressive 51 mpg (www.toyota.com). Many people have an affinity towards the Pruis's sleek, recognizable style that makes an environmental statement each time they drive on the road. But, some reviews according to Wikipedia, have stated the maintenance costs of Prius's can be higher than competitor models. I test drove a Prius during my search and I didn't like how the back window had limited visibility since it was tilted at a high angle. Also, the many buttons and driving modes may make some people uncomfortable.

In the end, I decided to purchase the Honda Civic Hybrid because my family has always been a fan of Honda. It also provided me with comfort, functionality, familiarity, and great gas mileage. So there's many great options out there for environmentally-conscience consumers in the market for a new vehicle. Take into consideration the many factors like gas mileage, maintenance, and longevity as well as your own personal preferences to make an informed decision. Good luck!