2010 Green Car Guide: Audi and BMW

Audi A3 TDI: The entry-level luxury A3 becomes one of the most efficient vehicles in its class with the addition of Audi's smooth 2.0 TDI engine. This engine produces 140 horsepower and an impressive 236 pound-feet of torque, and it's smooth on the freeway so the A3's reputation as a premium compact isn't in danger. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment. Freeway fuel economy is estimated at over 40 mpg.

Audi Q7 TDI: Audi's seven-passenger luxury SUV is a secret towing champ when equipped with the 3.0 liter direct-injection turbodiesel engine. With 406 pound-feet of torque on tap, it'll tow up to 6600 pounds, while still providing the comfortable ride and impressively sporty driving dynamics that it's known for.

BMW 335d: BMW's not known in North America for producing diesels, but the manufacturer has just as much experience in cars without spark plugs as any of its competitors from Germany. The 335d arrived last year as proof of this fact, and its torquey 3.0 liter six-cylinder turbodiesel engine is tuned to provide as much performance as it does fuel savings.

BMW ActiveHybrid 7: For 2010 BMW is also joining the luxury hybrid market. The ActiveHybrid7 is a mild hybrid based on the full-size 7-Series sedan, and combines a 4.4 liter V8 with an electric assist for a total of 455 horsepower.

BMW X5 3.5d: BMW's answer to the diesel-powered Audi Q7 is the X5 3.5d, which packs the same 265-horsepower diesel punch as the 335d. You might expect that putting a sedan's engine into a much larger SUV would be a recipe for poor performance, but BMW's powerful diesel surprises--the X5 3.5d will even tow up to 6000 pounds.

BMW X6 ActiveHybrid: BMW also has a two-mode hybrid, in the form of the X6 ActiveHybrid. BMW's category-defying, high-riding coupe/sedan/SUV is powered by a 4.4 liter V8 and an electric motor that work together to reduce fuel economy and produce a healthy 480 horsepower. The X6 ActiveHybrid can operate in full electric mode at low speeds.

Cadillac, Chevrolet and Coda

Fisker and Ford

Honda and Hyundai

Lexus

Mercedes-Benz

Mitsubishi, Nissan and Porsche

Tesla and Toyota

Volkswagen and Volvo