The 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show is just a few weeks away. So are the 2012 Green Car of the Year awards. Many big names are in contention this year sporting a wide range of technologies including diesel, natural gas, hybrid and electric vehicles. So who are this year’s contenders?

Ford Focus Electric

Arguably the least-proven of the five candidates, the Ford Focus Electric is the Blue Oval’s freshman effort in the electric car field. It still doesn’t have an EPA rating (though that should be coming any day) though it does have a $39,995 price tag before tax credits. It also lacks Level 3 charging capability, but is loaded with technology and standard features other competitors lack. But will people really buy a $40,000 Focus?

Verdict: The Long Shot

Mitsubishi i

News from Japan’s “other” automaker hasn’t been all that great lately. But on the electric vehicle front, Mitsubishi’s i has been on sale in Japan for over two years. With a price of just $20,995 after federal tax credits, it is also poised to be the cheapest EV in the American market by far. With a range of just 62 miles and a 0-60 mph time of about 14 seconds, it is also the least capable vehicle of the group. But the super-cheap price could make all the difference.

Verdict: The Dark Horse

Toyota Prius V

It wouldn’t be a green car award without a Prius in the running, would it? This year it’s the larger, more-versatile Prius V, which solved many customer gripes with additional leg and cargo room. Technology-wise though, compared with the other contenders, this is just a bigger Prius. But then again, it’s a bigger Prius. This could be a boon or a bust, depending on who you ask.

Verdict: A Safe Bet

Volkswagen Passat TDI

Diesel cars are making a comeback in America, and Volkswagen’s TDI vehicles have been leading the charge. This year’s Passat TDI has a 31 city/43 highway rating, giving it best-in-class highway fuel economy. That works out to around 800 miles per fill up if you do mostly highway driving. Most importantly though, it has been selling well around the world, and could very well change Americans’ minds when it comes to diesel. No real drawbacks unless you’re a diesel hater.

Verdict: A Tough Contender

Honda Civic Natural Gas

By many accounts, the Honda Civic Natural gas is actually the cleanest car on the market when it comes to total emissions. The Honda Civic Natural Gas also offers customers a chance to fill up from home, right from the grid, like an EV, but with a quick fill-up like a gas-powered car. But Honda has been facing criticism over the “new” Civic, and these concerns could sink this compeitor’s chances.

Verdict: Best Idea, Worst Package

So who will win? I don’t know, and neither do you, but for my money I am going to go with the Civic Natural Gas. It is the stand-out to me, the one vehicle and company to go out on a limb and truly try to offer something different, rather than taking the road more traveled ala hybrids, diesels, and electric vehicles. For my money, I’d go with the Civic

Source: GO Media - written by Christopher DeMorro