2010 Green Car Guide: Mitsubishi, Nissan and Porsche

Mitsubishi MiEV:  Mitsubishi still hasn't released a definite on-sale date for the MiEV electric for North America, but has confirmed that it plans to market the vehicle here.  Sized like a four-door smart car, the MiEV is an ultra-compact urban city car.

Nissan Leaf:  Nissan hopes to jump to the front of the class when it introduces the all-electric Leaf later this year.  This five-passenger electric  will be equipped with a range of luxury-car like features, including a navigation system and LED headlamps, and Nissan's also considering a battery-lease program which should lower the starting price and address consume concerns about what to do when the car's expensive lithium-ion batteries need replacement.

Nissan Altima Hybrid:  Nissan's Altima Hybrid is a rare sight on the hybrid-electric landscape, due partly to the fact that Nissan limits sales to select "green" states.  Like the Camry, this family-sized hybrid sedan is powered by a four-cylinder engine coupled with an electric assist and a continuously variable transmission.

2011 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid:   Powered by a supercharged V6, Porsche's first hybrid produces a combined 380 horsepower and features the usual hybrid technologies of full-electric drive at low speed and regenerative brakes to charge the lithium-ion batteries.  A unique feature is the "sail" capability, which can shut the gasoline engine off entirely at speeds up to 97mph, enabling the Cayenne S Hybrid to coast and save gas.

Audi and BMW

Cadillac, Chevrolet and Coda

Fisker and Ford

Honda and Hyundai

Lexus

Mercedes-Benz

Tesla and Toyota

Volkswagen and Volvo