The LA Auto Show’s 5 Most Exciting Green Cars
It was really difficult to pick the 5 most exciting green cars from this years auto show, primarily because I didn't know whether to focus on the concepts or those cars already on showroom floors or in the pipeline for the near future. That said, I think you will find my choice a mix of these two categories, because as important as it is to have green options right now, there's no denying that the future is looking even brighter.
Here are my top from, from least to most exciting:
5. Nissan Cube
It may seem strange to put the Nissan Cube on a list like this because it will only get a shade above 30 mpg for it's EPA rating, but I think the Cube represents a new kind of car for the U.S. Sure, Scion has had the xB for several years and has already reached quite a few buyers, but it's still new to see such an untraditional car coming from a major brand in the U.S. I have seen these cars in Japan, and along with the Kei-class of cars, they represent a dramatically different way to look at personal transportation.
The Cube seats 5 and has a relatively small foot print and high gas mileage, but it's boxy shape eschews traditional styling for maximum utility. You may not like how it looks, but there's no denying that the car can hold a lot and it takes a lot of the energy out of the old "I bought an SUV so I could haul my sports equipment" argument. The Cube has incredible utility and I hope the concept of efficient use of space catches hold in the U.S. market.
4. Honda FC Sport
The FC Sport is just a design concept, but that doesn't mean we should be any less excited about it. Honda is well-known for creating the first certified hydrogen fuel cell car, and is continuing that tradition of innovation by trying to show consumers that not only is hydrogen eco-cool, but it can be just plain cool.