When most people think of green cars, the first thought that comes to mind may be a tiny gas-sipper with just the barebones, or a Toyota Prius. For the 2009 Green WCOTY award, however, several SUVs will make their presence known among a playing field that includes diminutive vehicles such as the Mini Cooper D, smart ed, and Mitsubishi iMiEV.
America's lone representative in this world car contest will be the Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon Hybrid SUV. Powered by a two-mode hybrid system, the GM products get an EPA-estimated 21 city/22 highway mpg. Other large vehicles contesting for the award are the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI, Mercedes-Benz's ML/R/GL 320 BlueTEC diesel lines, the Nissan X-Trail 20GT, and the Subaru Outback.
Listed below are the vehicles eligible for the 2009 Green World Car of the Year award:
- Audi Q7 3.0 TDI
- BMW 335d BluePerformance
- Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon Hybrid
- Citron C1
- Fiat Palio Weekend Electric
- Fiat Siena Tetrafuel model
- Honda FCX Clarity
- Mazda Hydrogen Rotary RX8
- Mercedes-Benz ML/R/GL 320 BlueTEC
- MINI Cooper D
- MINI E
- Mitsubishi iMiEV
- Nissan X-Trail 20 GT
- smart ed
- Subaru Legacy/Outback PZEV
- Tesla Electric Roadster
- Toyota iQ
- Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe
- Volvo S40 1.6D DRIVe
- Volvo S80 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)
- Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe
- Volvo V70 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)
Source: Motor Authority