By Maria Fotopoulos
Hooking up with the right wheels is not unlike finding the perfect life mate. Many potential loves have caught my eye through the years—the Mercedes SL 280, Audi TT, Lexus SC 430 and Porsche 911. They’re the eye candy, the aspirational models, the ones that take your breath away at first sight.
But infatuation with “the One,” that bright light across a crowded, electrified room (or across the other lane of traffic) may dim with familiarity and a realization that, while very nice and most attractive, there’s no true fit (excepting perhaps the 911, which may forever remain the unrequited love of my life).
Out with fantasies. This is the year for this city dweller to seek the practical, fuel-efficient and greener road companion with a reasonable price of entry. And there are more of these vehicles in the market now, as manufacturers continue to squeeze efficiency out of the reliable internal combustion engine. The recent Los Angeles Auto Show touted almost 20 highly efficient internal combustion engine-powered vehicles registering more green-worthy mpg’s.
Among the new gasoline-powered cars that register flirt-worthy . . .
Scion iQ
Toyota says its 2012 Scion iQ takes the spot of “world’s smallest four-seater.” We are talking “microcar.” It’s received kudos for clever engineering (the 1.3 liter inline-four engine takes up just a tiny amount of space) and design (thin seat backs create more interior space) in a small footprint—just 10’ long. With a base of $15,995 and 36/37 mpg city/highway, Scion iQ is one potential urban partner.
Fiat 500
Starting at $15,500, the low cost of entry makes the 2012 Fiat 500 attractive. The car’s perkiness and adorability recall the original VW Bug. Add a minty green paint job and we’re talking true curb appeal. The manufacturer says the 500 will be driven mainly in city and, at 30 mpg, offers the best-in-class fuel economy in the city-cycle. (Scion iQ-like mpg would have sealed the deal on this one.)
Chevrolet Spark
The 2013 Chevrolet Spark isn’t here yet, but the mini car should be available this summer to compete with the Scion iQ and Fiat 500. Official mpg ratings aren’t yet available, but they are expected to be competitive for the class. First out is a gasoline engine, with an electric model to come later.
Besides vehicles powered by more efficient internal-combustion engines, most carmakers now offer products to fit the greener lineup, be it fuel cell, CNG (compressed natural gas), clean diesel or hybrid (gasoline/electric). Potential hybrid companions include . . .
Kia Optima Hybrid
The Kia Optima Hybrid is the company’s first hybrid and is now in its second model year (2012). The sedan is one of the more stylish hybrid vehicles on the road today. The combination of a fuel-efficient drivetrain and lithium-polymer battery pack delivers 35/40 mpg city/highway. The Kia Optima Hybrid set a Guinness World Record for lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid gasoline vehicle while driving through the 48 contiguous United States, with average fuel consumption of more than 60 mpg. Base price is $25,700.
Toyota Prius V
The Toyota Prius is the dominator in the hybrid market. With the more family friendly sized 2012 Prius V, Toyota just expands its reach. The all-new, mid-size wagon touts 44/40 mpg city/highway—the best fuel efficiency in the crossover, SUV and wagon segments. MSRP starts at $26,400.
A certain mythos has developed around the idea of electric vehicles (EVs), likely aided by GM’s smashing of its stable of EV1s and the subsequent telling of the tale in Chris Paine’s 2006 Who Killed the Electric Car. With lots of talk about the need to move toward EVs, the reality is that of the more than 74 million cars sold worldwide, most are gasoline powered.
The EV portion of that number is somewhere between 30,000 and 40,000—not even 1 percent, as Carlos Ghosn, CEO of the Nissan-Renault Alliance, recently noted, adding that while EVs will assume more of a role in the mix, the combustion engine will continue to dominate. And Ghosn was the driver behind bringing the first all-electric, zero emission vehicle to market! At least he understands entrenched thinking can’t be changed overnight—or even maybe in 20 years.
But nothing makes a bigger personal driving statement about moving away from oil than buying an EV. With more automakers looking at electric, here are some new choices to fall in love with—one can certainly fall in love with the quiet. Imagine highways and surface streets with no traffic noise! (A $7,500 federal tax credit available for some EVs lowers costs, and other government incentives may also be available.)
Honda Fit EV
Based on the popular Honda Fit hatchback, the all-new 2013 Fit EV should deliver the typical urban commuter 123 miles of city driving from a charge (combined adjusted city/highway range, 76 miles). Fit EV should be available this summer to customers in select California and Oregon markets. Estimated lease price is $399 per month; MSRP is $36,625.
Mitsubishi i
The 2012 Mitsubishi i aspires to the moniker of most-affordable EV, with an MSRP of $29,125. Range for the Mitsubishi i is approximately 100 miles. This funky looking EV should be available for sale shortly. Look for more EVs from Mitsu, which plans to offer eight by 2016.
Ford Focus Electric
Ford, too, takes one of its popular models, a five-door hatchback, and electrifies it. The 2012 Ford Focus Electric also has a range of about 100 miles. California will be the first market to receive the Focus Electric. MSRP of $39,200. Look for more EVS from Ford as well; four more by 2013.
Lots of good potential partners here, but I’m inclined to fall for the EV that pushed to win me over early. That’s the 2012 Nissan LEAF, the first affordable (that is, it’s definitely not an electric Tesla Roadster that comes in at $100,000+), 100 percent EV with no emissions.
Nissan gets points for pushing so hard to bring this vehicle to the global marketplace, and working so hard on home-charging options and with local municipalities, state governments and organizations to ensure the development of infrastructure.
With one model year under its belt, there’s no bad news (in contrast to Chevy Volt), so the comfort level with a new technology continues to increase. It’s earned a 5-star overall vehicle rating for safety in the New Car Assessment Program of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. On the practical usability level, I like that it’s easy to access as a five-door hatchback, seats five comfortably and has lots of room for stuff.
Working out of a home office, I’ve come to drive less and mostly in my five-mile L.A.-Santa Monica city radius, so Leaf’s average driving range of 100 miles on a charge more than meets my needs. But I’m not unique. Leaf easily meets the needs of the 90 percent of U.S. drivers who travel fewer than 100 miles a day. In fact, most drivers are on the road fewer than 40 miles a day, and their cars spend most of their lives in the garage (think charging time!).
After the $7,500 federal tax credit, the price comes in around $27,700, depending on which of Leaf’s two trim levels is purchased. Other incentives in California range from insurance discounts and free metered parking to discounted electric rates for charging and unlimited use of high occupancy vehicles lanes (carpool lanes). Leaf costs about $2.64 to power for every 100 miles; it’s less to power than a similarly sized gasoline-driven vehicle and lower than a hybrid, according to Nissan.
Ultimately, finding the right road partner is a lifestyle choice. With Leaf, you’re embracing a new vision for the future of transportation that’s here now.
**If you liked this post, you might also enjoy …
~ DIY Electric Car
~ Function Over Form
~ Film: Revenge of the Electric Car
