2010 Green Car Guide: Honda and Hyundai

Honda CR-Z:  Honda returns to two-seat sports cars with the CR-Z…sort of.  The chopped-off hatchback bodywork and name call to mind the CR-X of the 1980s, but the the 122-horsepower 1.5 liter four-cylinder with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid-electric drive is one hundred percent modern.  A choice of six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmissions will be offered when the CR-Z goes on sale this summer, slotting into the lineup below the Insight and Civic Hybrid.

Honda Civic Hybrid:  The Civic Hybrid is a "mild" hybrid, using a 1.3 liter engine coupled with Honda's electric Integrated Motor Assist.  Unlike dual-mode hybrids, the Civic hybrid does not operate on full-electric power, instead using the electric motor to boost the small four-cylinder's power, increasing the Civic's already-respectable mileage to over 40 mpg.  Apart from the hybrid-electric drivetrain, the sedan-only Civic is essentially identical to the already-excellent Civic subcompact.

Honda FCX Clarity:  Honda's hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity is still available in limited numbers, though the majority of them seem to be in the hands of celebrities.  Honda's been developing the fuel cell-powered electric car for quite some time now, and the radical FCX Clarity is like a concept car for the street.  Honda's latest fuel cell stack provides a 240-mile range.  Honda is also testing a home-installed solar refueling station for hydrogen-powered cars.

Honda Insight:  The Insight was the first hybrid-electric vehicle sold in the United States, and after its departure from the market in 2006 it returns for 2010 as a Prius-fighting five-door.  The Insight undercuts the Prius' base price by about $3000, a fact which causes Toyota to insist that the two vehicles don't compete.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:  Hyundai's groundbreaking new Sonata will be offered in hybrid-electric format for the first time next year.  Its more efficient and compact lithium-polymer batteries are unique in the industry, and the Sonata uses a full-parallel hybrid system that's designed to improve fuel consumption at all speeds.  As a result, the fuel economy isn't biased toward the urban cycle, and it's rated at 37/39.  The hybrid system produces a combined 209 horsepower, and can run on full electric power up to 62mph.

Audi and BMW

Cadillac, Chevrolet and Coda

Fisker and Ford

Lexus

Mercedes-Benz

Mitsubishi, Nissan and Porsche

Tesla and Toyota

Volkswagen and Volvo