2010 Green Car Guide: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes B-Class F-Cell: Mercedes' B-Class is available in Canada and Europe, but hasn't been sold in the United States. That just means that the small test fleet of F-Cell fuel cell vehicles that will be available in California this year will look that much more unique on the road. The F-Cell is a hydrogen-powered compact whose 80-kilowatt fuel cell, battery pack and hydrogen tanks provide 285 miles of gasoline-free driving.

Mercedes E350 BlueTEC: The E350 BlueTEC is one of the most unassuming diesels out there, thanks to its nearly silent engine and fantastic road manners. The E-Class is all new for 2010, and the diesel-powered version returns with 210 horsepower from its 3.0 liter V6. It shares its seven-speed transmission with the rest of the E-Class lineup.

Mercedes GL350 BlueTEC: Mercedes has long been a purveyor of high-quality, long-lived diesels, and recent developments have turned them into bona fide luxury cars in their own regard. The BlueTEC clean-diesel lineup has been expanded to include four Mercedes products, of which the seven-passenger GL350 SUV is the largest. The 210 horsepower 3.0 liter turbodiesel V6 produces 400 pound-feet of torque, which makes the GL350 BlueTEC's 7500-pound towing capacity something of a no-brainer. The 17/23 fuel economy is impressive, given the GL350's size.

Mercedes ML350 BlueTEC: In the ML-Class, the BlueTEC clean-diesel engine produces the same 210 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque as in the rest of the BlueTEC vehicles, raising the ML350's towing capacity to 7200 pounds. The ML350 BlueTEC provides a nimbler, more compact package than either the GL350 or R350, making it more adept at tackling urban challenges without sacrificing bad-weather confidence.

Mercedes ML450 Hybrid: After several years of teasing and hinting, Mercedes' luxury hybrids are finally ready to meet Lexus on the road. The ML450 Hybrid features a 3.5 liter gasoline engine paired with two electric motors for a total of 335 horsepower and a reported 46% improvement in fuel economy compared to the V8-powered ML550.

Mercedes R350 BlueTEC: The category-busting R-Class is a unique vehicle that's not quite an SUV, a sedan or a crossover. In diesel form, it shares its powertrain with the ML-Class and GL-Class' BlueTEC models, including the standard all-wheel drive and seven-speed automatic transmission.

Mercedes S400 Hybrid: The Mercedes S400 Hybrid, along with the BMW ActiveHybrid7, is proof positive that Lexus got the attention of the luxury-car market with its hybrid LS600hL. For the buyer who wants to have his cake and drive green too, the S400 Hybrid looks just like the conventional "Esser," but is powered by a V6 and electric motor combo that bumps fuel economy to 19/26.

Audi and BMW

Cadillac, Chevrolet and Coda

Fisker and Ford

Honda and Hyundai

Lexus

Mitsubishi, Nissan and Porsche

Tesla and Toyota

Volkswagen and Volvo