Green 2019

Green Car Guide

Edition

PRODUCED BY THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH CENTER

2019 Edition

77
Midsize Winner
Tesla Model 3
IN-DEPTH REVIEWS OF

Compact Winner
Nissan Leaf
FUEL-EFFICIENT
& L O W- E M I T T I N G VE H I C L E S
AAA.com/greencar

Overall Winner
Jaguar I-Pace

Cutting the Cost of Driving | Advanced Safety Features for Your Next Car
Autonomous Cars: On the Horizon? | Putting the Brakes on Distracted Driving
 YOU LOVE getting a new car.

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 Green

2019 EDITION

Produced by the
Automobile Club of Southern California’s
Automotive Research Center

AAA.com/greencar

© 2019 Automobile Club of Southern California

 INTRODUCTION
T
he AAA Green Car Guide, which has been produced by the Automobile Club of
Southern California’s Automotive Research Center (ARC) every year since 2010,
is your personal guide to the exciting, sometimes complex, world of fuel-efficient
passenger cars and light trucks in 2019.
As part of AAA’s mission to promote automotive safety, improve mobility, and inform members
about current automotive technology, the AAA Green Car Guide will help you make sense of what’s
happening now in the automotive arena—and assist you in making a better decision if you’re ready to
buy a new car.
The heart of the AAA Green Car Guide is its reviews of fuel-efficient, low-emitting vehicles—
including those with gasoline, electric, hybrid, diesel, flex-fuel, and hydrogen fuel powertrains—based
on the ARC’s extensive evaluation and testing. Located in Los Angeles, the ARC has a premier
vehicle-emission test laboratory featuring state-of-the-art facilities and equipment operated by Auto
Club engineers and technicians with decades of combined experience.
This year, the ARC evaluated 77 vehicles based on criteria such as fuel economy, emission
levels, ride comfort, and interior room. The ARC also tests vehicles at the Auto Club Speedway for
acceleration, braking, handling, and noise levels, and on Southern California roads to determine
their usefulness in daily driving.
After testing is completed, the ARC ranks vehicles from highest to lowest, based on both their
overall standing and at different price points. The vehicles are grouped into six categories according
to size or body type: subcompact, compact, midsize, large, SUV/minivan, and pickup truck. The
reviews provide summary snapshots of the vehicles, including their strong and weak points.
The AAA Green Car Guide also covers other automotive topics currently of interest, including
chapters on:
• The differences between various types of fuel-efficient vehicles, such as hybrids,
electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles—as well as the pros and cons of each.
• The latest advanced automotive safety features—how well they work and their
limitations.
• Everything you need to know about autonomous vehicles, including what companies
are making them, the state of self-driving technology, and when you’re likely to see
autonomous vehicles on the road.
• The dangers of distracted driving, plus ways to help you stay more alert.
• Previews of green cars scheduled to come to market in the next few years.
• Tips on saving fuel, regardless of the car you drive.
• The results of AAA’s testing of current automotive technologies and topics, such as
advanced driver-assistance systems, gasoline quality, reduced traction in wet-weather
driving, and headlight effectiveness.
In sum, the AAA Green Car Guide will help you understand the latest automotive topics and
trends and also will provide you with the tools you need to decide on the car, SUV, or truck that best
suits your driving needs.

2 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

 AAA MEMBERS SAVE $20 ON WEEKLY RENTALS
At participating Hertz locations when Promotion Code #204402 is included in your reservation.1
AAA members receive exclusive benefits with Hertz:
• Free additional driver – a savings of $13.50 per day2
• Young renter fee waived – a savings of up to $29.95 per day3
• Free use of a child seat – a savings of $19.99 per day4

SKIP THE LINE AT THE RENTAL COUNTER.

SIGN UP FOR HERTZ GOLD PLUS REWARDS!
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CALL: 1-800-654-3080 • CLICK: AAA.com/hertz • VISIT: your local AAA branch
1
Save $20 on weekly rentals base rate. Five-day minimum rental required. Valid at participating Hertz locations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Include PC# 204402 in the reservation. Valid through December 31, 2019. Taxes and fees excluded. AAA Club Discount Code
(CDP) must be provided at time of reservation. Age, driver, credit and qualifying rate restrictions for the renting location apply. Twenty-four hour advance reservation required. Offer not valid and rate change or additional fees may apply in the event of reservation modification,
early / late vehicle return or if not returning vehicle to renting location. Valid on all car classes except Dream cars and Shelby GTH. Offer has no cash value, and may not be used with other discounts, promotions or special rates. Subject to availability, blackout periods and additional
restrictions. At the time of rental, present your AAA membership card or Hertz/AAA discount card for identification. Check AAA.com/hertz for complete terms and conditions. 2No charge for additional drivers who are AAA members, hold a major credit card in their own name and
meet standard rental requirements. 3The young driver differential fee will be waived for AAA members ages 20 – 24 who meet standard rental qualifications. 4Advance reservation required for child seat subject to availability.
Unless otherwise indicated: Rates quoted are accurate at time of publication & are per person, based on double occupancy. Airfare, taxes, fees, surcharges, gratuities, transfers & excursions are additional. Advertised rates do not include any applicable daily resort or facility fees
payable directly to the hotel at check-out; such fee amounts will be advised at the time of booking. Rates, terms, conditions, availability, itinerary, taxes, fees, surcharges, deposit, payment, cancellation terms/conditions & policies subject to change without notice at any time. Cruise
rates capacity-controlled. Advance reservations through AAA Travel required to obtain Member Benefi ts & savings which may vary based on departure date. Rates may be subject to increase after full payment for increases in government-imposed taxes or fees & supplier-imposed
fees. Blackout dates & other restrictions may apply. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Your local AAA club acts as an agent for Hertz®. CST 1016202-80. © 2019 Auto Club Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
What’s Inside
06 CHAPTER 1
Change: The New Constant
The auto industry has seen significant
62 CHAPTER 5
Safety First
Today’s cars are much safer because of their
changes, but you can still find the right advanced safety features. We explain how
fuel-efficient car or light truck. those features work—and their limitations.

20 CHAPTER 2
So Many Choices
Green cars come in all shapes, sizes, and
78 CHAPTER 6
Driving Is Job One
What are the human factors that contribute
powertrains. to 35,000 traffic deaths in the U.S. each
year?

38 CHAPTER 3
Our Road to Results
How AAA chooses, tests, and scores vehicles. 88 CHAPTER 7
Autonomous Vehicles:
The Coming Disruption

44 CHAPTER 4
What’s Next?
A preview of cars you’ll see on the road in
How could self-driving vehicles affect the
way you travel?

the next couple of years, plus current models

that didn’t make it into the review section of
the Guide.
102 CHAPTER 8
Maximizing Your MPG
You can save fuel—and money—no matter
what vehicle you drive.

Volkswagen
I.D. Crozz

4 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019

 Test Results and Rankings
Descriptions and detailed test reports
of 77 fuel-efficient, low-emitting cars and

108 CHAPTER 9 light trucks by category.

AAA’s Automotive
Technology Research
AAA’s latest research on the best SUBCOMPACT
gasoline and oil to use, wet-weather
PAGES

122-129
driving, the safest headlights, and
more.

118 Overall Scorecard

2019 rankings and category winners.
WINNER:
Chevrolet Bolt EV

120 Ranking by Price

Top-ranking green cars in three price
COMPACT
categories.
PAGES

206 Glossary & Index

Definitions of common automotive
130-143
terms, plus a list of where to find the WINNER:
vehicles in this guide. Nissan Leaf

212 Acknowledgments

MIDSIZE
PAGES

144-159
WINNER:
Tesla Model 3

LARGE
PAGES

160-165
WINNER:
Tesla Model S

PICKUP
PAGES

166-170
WINNER:
Ford F-150 4x4

SUV/MINIVAN
PAGES

172-205
WINNER:
Jaguar I-Pace
 1
CHAPTER

CHANGE:
THE
THE NEW
NEW CONSTANT
CONSTANT

I
f you’re in the market for a new car in 2019, you face an exciting or
daunting task—maybe a little of both, depending on your perspective.
To begin, there are more fuel-efficient vehicle choices than ever,
as automakers introduce new models both to entice prospective cus-
tomers and to lower their corporate carbon footprints.
Automakers continue to rework their lineups, eliminating sedans and
intensifying their focus on the SUVs and pickups that have been so popu-
lar with consumers recently. Incidentally, the popularity of SUVs and pick-
ups increased in 2018 for the third straight year. (See ”Trends in Vehicle
Sales 2018” on page 18.)
Electric vehicles (EVs) remain a hot topic, attracting a great deal of
public interest and gaining sales steadily, albeit slowly. For example, Tesla
sold almost 140,000 Model 3s in 2018—that’s nearly 50,000 more in EV
Electric Vehicles
sales than the top nine EV models combined sold in 2017. Alternative
Electric vehicles are propelled by powerful electric
mobility types—ride hailing and car sharing—continue to expand, and motors that run on current stored in large onboard
autonomous vehicle technology keeps inching closer and closer toward battery packs. Those, in turn, are recharged using
becoming a reality. household current or at dedicated charging stations.
In sum, so much variety and so many choices can be exhilarating.
Conversely, car buyers may find this much novelty and change overwhelm-
ing—almost paralyzing—as they attempt to sort through the latest automo-
tive offerings to find the vehicle that best suits their needs. Nissan Altima
Fortunately, the AAA Green Car Guide is here to make sense of it all,
providing complete, accurate information about the variety of available
vehicle types and models and their important features. In addition, there
are 77 reviews and rankings of fuel-efficient, low-emitting vehicles with a
variety of power sources—internal combustion engines, gasoline-electric
hybrids, plug-in hybrids, EVs, diesels, and fuel cell vehicles—across a wide
range of brands, types, models, and price categories.
Each vehicle is evaluated on the basis of criteria such as acceleration,
braking, ride quality, handling, and safety. The AAA Green Car Guide also Vehicles With Advanced
describes in detail the latest advanced automotive safety features, the sta- Internal Combustion Engines
Most fuel-efficient, low-emitting cars run on gasoline.
tus of autonomous vehicles, and the cars and light trucks you can expect
Automakers use a variety of sophisticated technology
to see in dealers’ showrooms in a year or two. to make them cleaner and more efficient.

6 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

 Toyota Mirai

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have electric motors that
run on electricity produced in an onboard reaction
between hydrogen and oxygen.

Hybrid Vehicles
Hybrid vehicles have internal combustion engines and
electric motors and run on a combination of gasoline
and electricity. Plug-in hybrids have batteries that can
be recharged from an external source.
Tesla Model 3

Land Rover Discovery

Kia Niro

Flexible-Fuel Vehicles
Flexible-fuel vehicles can run either on
gasoline alone or on a blend of gasoline and
ethanol, which is made mostly from corn.

Diesel Vehicles
Diesel vehicles burn low-sulfur diesel Ram 1500
fuel. They’re fuel-efficient and emit
less CO2 than cars that burn gasoline,
but overall they’re still among the
highest-emitting vehicles sold.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 7

Improvements to Fuel Economy
Efforts to improve fuel economy go back to the Arab oil embargo
of 1973, when the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC) stopped shipping oil to the United States
and other nations, leading to major price increases and a world-
wide energy crisis, which included severe gasoline shortages
in the U.S.
To reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, in 1975
Congress enacted corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) stan-
dards, intended to improve the average fuel economy of cars and
light trucks sold in the U.S.; over the years, the standards have
been made increasingly stringent. (See the sidebar on page 9
for an explanation of how CAFE standards work.)
Not only do fuel-efficient vehicles save oil, they can save
motorists hundreds of dollars at the pump each year. But motor-
ists tend to buy vehicles with high fuel economy in large num-
bers only when gas prices are high, and gas prices have been
relatively low for several years—hence the current popularity of
crossover SUVs and pickup trucks.
In recent years, the highest average price for a gallon of
regular gas (adjusted for inflation) was $3.96 in 2012, drop-
ping to $2.23 in 2016, according to the U.S. Energy Information
Administration (EIA). The average price in the U.S. for a gallon
of regular gas in 2018 was $2.72.
The EIA forecasts that U.S. retail prices will average $2.75 per
gallon for regular gas in 2019, a modest increase. Nonetheless,
gas prices do fluctuate from year to year, often unpredictably
FLUCTUATIONS IN GAS PRICES FROM 2000–2018
U.S. dollars per gallon
8 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
(see the chart below). That’s a good thing to remember when
purchasing a new vehicle. To find the lowest gas prices near you,
other gas stations in the surrounding area, and directions on how
to get to a gas station, download the AAA app.
Since the passing of CAFE standards four decades ago, car-
makers have worked hard to reduce fuel use in the cars and light
trucks they produce. Here’s how they do it:
Gasoline direct injection (GDI). GDI sprays fuel directly
into an engine’s cylinders, minimizing instances of preignition
or incomplete combustion. More complete combustion also
enables an automaker to increase an engine’s compression
ratio and its power. As a result, smaller-displacement engines
with GDI are able to achieve the same performance as larger
engines without it. A low-cost way to improve performance and
reduce emissions, GDI is now used on more than 50 percent of
car and light truck engines, compared with about 5 percent a
decade ago.
Advanced transmissions. In the 1970s, the typical transmis-
sion had three forward gears; now passenger vehicles feature 8-,
9-, and 10-speed automatic transmissions. Having more gears
means that a transmission is able to optimize engine speed and
keep a vehicle running smoothly and efficiently over a wide vari-
ety of driving conditions. Continuously variable transmissions
(CVTs), which are found on many vehicles with internal com-
bustion engines (ICEs)—the Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Malibu, and
Nissan Sentra, for example—as well as hybrids, make use of pul-
leys and belts to seamlessly change through an infinite number
Gas prices
can fluctuate
considerably from
year to year. Regular
gas hit an average
high of $3.96 a
gallon nationwide in
2012. The average
price per gallon
of regular gas was
$2.72 in 2018.
Source:
U.S. Energy Information
Administration
AAA.com/greencar
 CAFE
Standards
The purpose of corporate average
fuel economy (CAFE) standards
is to increase the average fuel
economy of all cars and light
trucks sold in the U.S.; this saves
fuel and reduces greenhouse
gases (GHG) and other airborne
pollutants. Over the years,
the standards have become
increasingly rigorous. By 2025,
the fuel efficiency of new cars
Lightweighting: The optional carbon-fiber composite bed on the GMC and light trucks sold in the U.S.
Sierra Denali saves 62 pounds. must average 54.5 mpg, which, in
real-world standards, works out to
of stepless “gears.” In model year 2017, about 45 percent of vehicles used an auto- about 42 mpg.
matic transmission with seven or more speeds or a CVT, compared with less than Like anything mandated by the
10 percent in 2008. government, CAFE regulations
Turbocharging. A turbocharger increases an engine’s efficiency and power by are complicated, but these are the
forcing more compressed air into the combustion chamber, which increases the basics:
amount of fuel that can be burned. Thus, a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine can • Small vehicles must achieve
produce as much power as a 6-cylinder engine without turbocharging. In the past better fuel economy than large
decade, the number of turbocharged engines available on new vehicles has jumped vehicles.
from about 3 percent to more than 25 percent. Examples run the gamut, from the • An automaker’s CAFE
Audi Q7 three-row SUV to the Buick Encore subcompact SUV to the Honda Civic requirements are based on
compact sedan. the total number of vehicles
Cylinder deactivation enables an engine to run more efficiently—to use only as it expects to produce, broken
many cylinders as are needed for the driving conditions—by temporarily “turning down by sales estimates for
off” some cylinders. For example, a pickup truck pulling a load up a mountain road various vehicle models. For
may need all of its engine’s 6 or 8 cylinders to do the job, but for cruising on a level example, a carmaker that
highway or driving downhill, it may need just 4 cylinders. Although cylinder deacti- produces mostly small cars
vation isn’t new—Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management system has been around has to meet a higher CAFE
since the early 2000s—it’s currently used on about 13 percent of the nation’s new requirement than one that
cars and light trucks, twice the number of a decade ago. produces mostly SUVs and
Stop-start systems save fuel by turning off the engine when a vehicle comes pickups.
to a stop and automatically starting it again, via a dedicated electric motor, when a The EPA expects that the
driver lifts his or her foot off the brake. Used in hybrids and European cars for years, current CAFE standards will
stop-start systems are becoming more common on conventional U.S. cars. They significantly reduce both
provide the biggest benefit when an engine is idling, such as in stop-and-go traf- passenger-vehicle CO2 emissions
fic, and can improve fuel consumption by 4–5 percent. In the past decade, use of and the nation’s demand for
stop-start systems (not including hybrid applications) has increased from about 3 petroleum. The technology to
percent to just over 20 percent of new vehicles. Examples of models with stop-start achieve these higher standards
systems include the Chevrolet Equinox compact SUV, the F-150 pickup with the 2.7- will cost more, resulting in higher
liter EcoBoost engine, and the Toyota Highlander midsize SUV. vehicle prices, but that’s expected
A recent variant is the implementation of 48-volt stop-start systems, in which a to be offset by fuel savings,
small electric motor works in conjunction with the vehicle’s engine to add low-end enabling motorists to recoup the
torque, recapture energy under braking, and make the stopping and starting of the extra money they spent on the
gas engine happen more smoothly. A 48-volt stop-start system will be used in the vehicle in less than four years.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 9

Improved aerodynamics:
optimizing the air flow
around the front wheels of
the Audi e-tron.
2019 Ram 1500 pickup and with the 2019 Jeep Wrangler’s 2.0-
liter turbocharged inline 4 engine.
New engine technology. Mazda and Nissan/Infiniti are
equipping some 2019 models with radically new engine
technology. Mazda’s SkyActive-X engine, which is slated to
appear later in 2019 on the redesigned Mazda3, uses a process
known as spark-controlled compression ignition (SPCCI). It
combines the best qualities of a spark-ignition gasoline engine
and a compression-ignition diesel engine, providing both
improved fuel efficiency (Mazda claims up to 20 percent) and
reduced emissions.
HOW MUCH YOU CAN SAVE WITH
A FUEL-EFFICIENT VEHICLE
Here’s how much money you can save annually by driving a
fuel-efficient vehicle. Baseline is a vehicle that gets 20 mpg.
Savings are based on 15,000 miles of driving a year with
gas priced at $2.50 per gallon, rounded to the nearest $25.
Source: Auto Club of Southern California
10 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
The 2019 Nissan Altima and Infiniti QX 50 will feature a turbo-
charged engine with a variable compression ratio, meaning that
the engine operates at a higher compression ratio, with greater
efficiency and power, in low-load situations such as cruising on
level terrain, and at a lower compression ratio under higher loads,
avoiding engine knock and possible engine damage. Nissan/
Infiniti claims up to a 27 percent improvement in fuel economy.
Alternative powertrains, such as those used in hybrids,
plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and EVs. Hybrids and PHEVs operate on
both gasoline and electricity, but a PHEV has a larger, recharge-
able battery, so it can run on electricity alone for the first 20 to 50
miles or so, depending on the vehicle. EVs run strictly on elec-
tricity from an onboard battery that must be recharged when
it’s depleted. As battery ranges go up and costs come down,
EVs have the potential to shift the direction of the auto industry
to a more sustainable future. Presently, alternative-fuel vehicles
still make up less than 10 percent of the nation’s overall fleet.
Lightweighting. Lighter vehicles require less fuel to oper-
ate, so carmakers reduce overall vehicle weight by using mate-
rials such as aluminum, high-strength steel, and carbon fiber to
replace ordinary steel. Ford put an aluminum bed in its F-150 in
2015, and aluminum hoods, doors, and tailgates are common
weight-saving devices in vehicles today. For 2019, the top-of-
the-line GMC Sierra Denali pickup offers a carbon-fiber compos-
ite bed as an option. It’s reportedly 62 pounds lighter than the
steel bed and more resistant to scratches, dents, and corrosion.
Improved vehicle aerodynamics reduces drag (wind resis-
tance), especially at higher speeds. Aerodynamic improvements
take two forms: modifications to a vehicle’s overall shape and
the addition of active aerodynamic features such as active grille
AAA.com/greencar
 shutters, which, when closed, direct air around a vehicle’s body;
suspensions that lower a vehicle; and air dams and underbody
panels that redirect airflow. The use of active aerodynamic fea-
tures has increased from 0 to 15 percent in the past 10 years.
Examples include the 2018 Ford Mustang (active grille shutters)
and the 2019 Ram 1500 (active grille shutters, active air dam).
“Economy” driving modes are used on an increasing num-
ber of cars and light trucks today, not just on hybrids and EVs.
Pushing the Eco button adjusts a vehicle’s throttle, transmission,
climate system, and cruise-control settings for maximum fuel effi-
ciency at the expense of performance. Examples include every-
thing from a Chevrolet Corvette to a Toyota Prius.
Low-rolling-resistance tires are constructed to deform less
as they roll, minimizing lost energy as a wheel rotates, thereby
improving a vehicle’s fuel economy. Commonly found on hybrids,
plug-in hybrids, and EVs, low-rolling-resistance tires are made
by popular brands such as Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear,
Saving Money by Driving an EV
EVs offer some unique incentives. The original
registered owner (not lessee) of a new EV or
PHEV is typically eligible for a federal income tax
credit of up to $7,500. Also, the amount of the
credit is based on the vehicle’s battery capacity.
For example, the Toyota Prius Prime PHEV quali-
fies for a tax credit of only $4,502.
However, the federal government is phasing
out tax credits, based on the number of EVs and
PHEVs sold. This phase-out period is different
for each automaker and begins only after it sells
200,000 qualified vehicles. Tesla hit the mile-
stone first, announcing in July 2018 that it had
delivered its 200,000th vehicle. A $7,500 tax credit for Tes-
la vehicles was available only for those vehicles delivered
by or on December 31, 2018.
After the 200,000th vehicle sale, tax credits often still
apply but are reduced. For example, Teslas delivered from
January 1 to June 30, 2019, remain eligible for a federal
credit of $3,750; Teslas delivered from July 1 to Decem-
ber 31, 2019, are eligible for a federal credit of $1,875.
After that, Teslas receive no more federal tax credits. For a
list of cars that qualify and the amount of the tax credit, go
COURTESY CLIPPERCREEK
to the website fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb.shtml.
State or local incentives may also apply. For a list of the
most recent updates to state regulations and incentives
for EVs and plug-in hybrids, go to the Alternative Fuels
Data Center website at afdc.energy.gov/laws/state.
AAA.com/greencar
Michelin, and Yokohama.
These technological innovations have been very helpful in
raising fuel-economy levels in U.S. vehicles, and their use is on
the rise. Nonetheless, if automakers are serious about improving
fuel economy, they need to make such features standard on a
much broader range of vehicles. Doing so would save motorists
money, promote human health, and improve the environment.
Reducing Smog-Forming
Emissions
In addition to getting high fuel economy, green vehicles also
produce fewer smog-forming emissions. Attempts to reduce
emissions can be traced to the passage of the Clean Air Act in
1963, comprehensive legislation aimed at improving U.S. air
quality that was largely a response to increasing levels of smog
in the nation’s big cities.
In 1970, the newly created Environmental Protection Agency
EVs usually save their owners money in fuel costs, too,
because electricity almost always costs less than gasoline.
The EPA estimates that a 2019 Kia Soul EV will save an
owner $3,750 in fuel costs over five years compared with
a gasoline-powered Soul. Some workplaces provide free
EV charging, and Tesla owners can charge their vehicles at
Tesla Supercharger stations across the country.
In the past few years, EVs with truly useful ranges (more
than 150 miles per charge) have become affordable—the
Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai Kona EV, Kia Niro EV, and Nissan
Leaf, for example. And because EVs are still an unknown
quantity to many buyers, they frequently depreciate more
rapidly than other kinds of vehicles—although this is be-
ginning to change. As a result, used EVs can sometimes
be real bargains.
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 11
(EPA) was given the authority to regulate pollution from passen- vapors—which might otherwise escape and pollute the atmo-
ger vehicles. EPA programs focus on reducing ambient pollut- sphere—from a vehicle’s fuel system.
ants, such as ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon In addition, technological improvements to motor fuels, such
monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and as removing lead from gasoline and reducing the amount of
lead. sulfur in gasoline and diesel fuel, have also helped to reduce
The main pollutants in vehicle exhaust are:
 harmful emissions.
• Nitrogen oxides (NOx), caused by superheating The EPA ranks vehicles according to the emission levels they
nitrogen and oxygen during fuel combustion.
 produce, from LEV (low emission vehicle) up through ZEV (zero
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), made up mainly of emission vehicle). The EPA website, fueleconomy.gov, provides
unburned fuel and the evaporation of hydrocarbons. comparative ratings to help you choose a low-emitting vehicle.
• Carbon monoxide (CO), caused by the incomplete The cleanest cars powered by gasoline (including hybrids and
combustion of carbon-based fuels.
 plug-in hybrids) are those with a PZEV (partial zero emission vehi-
• Carbon dioxide (CO2), a principal cause of global warming.
 cle) rating. Currently, the only ZEV vehicles are EVs and hydro-
All new vehicles for sale in the U.S. must meet emission gen fuel cell vehicles.
standards set by the EPA or the state of California. Largely The past five decades represent diligent efforts on the part
because of its severe air pollution, California received special of government agencies, automakers, and advocacy groups to
permission from the federal government to establish its own make passenger vehicles cleaner and more fuel efficient. Overall,
automobile-emission standards, which are stricter than federal these attempts have been successful. According to research con-
standards. Currently 14 other states—Colorado, Connecticut, ducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), fuel con-
Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New sumption decreased by 14 percent on average across all vehicle
Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, classes between 2008 and 2017, and smog-forming emissions
Washington—and the District of Columbia adhere to the stricter are at an all-time low.
California standards.
Improvements in engine technology and
pollution-control systems have significantly TOP FUEL SIPPERS
reduced pollution levels in modern vehi- (EPA RATINGS, 2019 MODEL YEAR)
cles. Automakers use three main types of
technology to reduce harmful emissions:

Improved powertrain design, including
gasoline direct injection and an engine-con-
trol unit that regulates air/fuel ratio, igni-
tion timing, idle speed, and valve timing to
achieve more complete combustion.
Catalytic converters, which use ele-
ments such as platinum, palladium, rho-
dium, and cerium as catalysts to convert
hydrocarbons, CO2, and NOx in a car’s
exhaust into less harmful gases.
More sophisticated designs have
improved the effectiveness of catalytic con-
verters. In recent years, some automakers
have combined the catalytic converter and
the manifold so that the catalytic converter
reaches its operating temperature—and
starts removing emissions—more quickly.
In addition, newer catalytic converters use
a higher volume of precious metals, making
them more efficient.
Evaporative emission systems, which The EPA lists the most fuel-efficient hybrids, PHEVs, and EVs.
use charcoal canisters to absorb harmful

12 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

Environmental Impacts
Spending less money on gas is definitely a good reason to buy
a vehicle that gets high fuel economy. But there are other, better
reasons as well—for example, to conserve oil, a nonrenewable
natural resource. It’s true that there’s been no shortage of oil in
the past few years, but an increasing amount has been extracted
from tar sands, which is a costlier, more difficult, and more energy-
intensive process than extracting and refining liquid oil.
Arguably the most important reason to buy a fuel-efficient
vehicle is to help combat climate change, the most significant
long-term threat to a livable world, according to the EPA and the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). CO2 from
vehicle emissions contributes significantly to the concentration
of greenhouse gases (GHG) that cause climate change, and the
U.S. is the world’s largest per-capita emitter of CO2.
Climate change is becoming an increasingly greater threat:
The 2018 Climate Science Special Report, part of the U.S. Global
Change Research Program, states that the Earth is now the warm-
est it’s been in the history of modern civilization, and it’s getting
hotter every year. The last few years have seen record-breaking
heat waves, droughts, forest fires, hurricanes, and flooding—
events that are predicted to continue. Rising temperatures will
also likely lead to increased air pollution, a longer and more
intense allergy season, and the spread of insect-borne diseases.
“Human activities, especially emissions of greenhouse gases,
are the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-
20th century,” the report states. Therefore, only reductions in
human-produced greenhouse gas emissions can slow or stem
climate change.
A report by the IPCC issued in October 2018 concludes that
to avoid the worst consequences of a warming planet, we need
to limit rising temperatures to 1.5°C, which will require “rapid
and far-reaching” transitions in land, energy, industry, buildings,
transport, and cities. Furthermore, global net human-caused
emissions of CO2 would need to fall by about 45 percent below
2010 levels by 2030.
What does all of this have to do with the cars and light trucks
we drive? The transportation sector is one of the largest contrib-
utors of greenhouse gases, accounting for 28 percent of total
U.S. GHG emissions, according to the EPA—and 60 percent of
that comes from cars and light-duty trucks.
Today’s typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons
of CO2 annually (at 22 mpg and 11,500 miles of driving per year),
according to the EPA. Each gallon of gas burned puts about 25
pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere, if you take into account the
energy that goes into making and distributing the fuel.
And our energy use for transportation isn’t decreasing.
In 2017, the most recent year for which figures are available,
Americans consumed a record 392 million gallons of gasoline
per day, according to the EIA. Cars, SUVs, and light-duty trucks
AAA.com/greencar
PERCENTAGE OF GREENHOUSE
GASES PRODUCED
BY VARIOUS SEGMENTS
OF U.S. SOCIETY
Electricity
30%
Transportation
28%
Agriculture
9%
Residential and
Commercial Industry
12% 22%
Source: EPA (Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number.)
account for about 90 percent of U.S. gasoline consumption.
Improving the fuel efficiency of U.S. vehicles is the single
biggest step we can take to significantly cut America’s oil con-
sumption. Doubling the fuel efficiency of new cars, trucks, and
commercial vehicles would, by 2035, save more than 5 million
barrels of oil per day, according to the UCS.
The conclusion? Burning less fossil-based fuel is crucial
to the planet’s (and ultimately our) well-being. Driving a fuel-
efficient vehicle can significantly reduce your contribution to
climate change.
Improving Air Quality
Reducing the emissions our cars and light trucks produce is
essential because poor air quality increases respiratory ailments
such as asthma and bronchitis, raises the risk of life-threatening
conditions like heart disease and cancer, and burdens our health-
care system with unnecessarily high medical costs. In the mid-
1900s, emissions from passenger vehicles produced 50 percent
of the gases that resulted in smog, which causes respiratory and
cardiopulmonary disease, lung cancer, and higher mortality rates.
The principal pollutants in vehicle exhaust are extremely toxic:
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) cause lung irritation and weaken the
body’s defenses against respiratory infections.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can cause eye, nose,
and throat irritation; frequent headaches; nausea; and damage
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 13
 Milestones in
Reducing Pollution
During the past five decades, government agencies such as the EPA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
and California Air Resources Board have taken significant steps to reduce pollution and improve air quality:

1970 The EPA began to phase out lead in gasoline; leaded

gasoline was fully prohibited after 1995, resulting in a 94
percent decrease in atmospheric lead between 1980 and 1999.
More good news:
From 1970 to 2017, total emissions of
the six common pollutants dropped
an average of 73 percent, reflecting

1990 Congress amended the Clean Air Act to further reduce efforts by state, local, and tribal
hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and governments; the EPA; private sector
companies; environmental groups;
particulate-matter emissions. Amendments also resulted in lower tailpipe
and others.
standards, more stringent emission-testing procedures, and new-vehicle
technologies and clean-fuel programs. Compared to 1970 vehicle models,
today’s new cars, SUVs, and pickup

2008 The EPA adjusted the testing methods for calculating

fuel economy, which brought mpg estimates closer
to consumers’ actual fuel economy; it also required manufacturers to post more
trucks are roughly 99 percent cleaner
for common pollutants (hydrocarbons,
carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides,
effective fuel-economy labels on cars and light trucks. and particle emissions), even though
annual vehicle travel has increased

2011 The EPA began regulating greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) dramatically.
from mobile sources of air pollution, such as vehicles. The
The EPA projects that increases in
standards went into effect in two phases, 2012–2016 and 2017–2025.
fuel economy will reduce annual

2017 The EPA’s stricter Tier 3 emission standards were oil consumption by about 2 billion
barrels by 2025, eliminate 6 billion
implemented, calling for, among other things, a two-thirds
metric tons of GHG over the lifetimes
reduction of the amount of sulfur in gasoline, capping it at 10 parts per million. of the vehicles sold between model
And by 2025, average fleetwide CO2 levels must be reduced to 163 grams/ years 2012 and 2025, and save
mile, which is equivalent to 54.5 mpg. consumers more than $1.7 trillion in
fuel costs.

14 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Ozone, which
is unhealthy to breathe, is produced when VOCs combine with
NOx in sunlight.
Carbon monoxide (CO), when inhaled, blocks oxygen from
getting to the brain, heart, and other vital organs.
Because of continuing efforts by federal and state regula-
tory agencies, automakers, and health organizations, significant
improvements have been made to reduce U.S. air pollution over
the past half-century, and concentrations of pollutants in the air
have dropped significantly.
According to the EPA, between 1990 and 2017, notable
reductions were recorded, including:
• Lead: 80 percent
• Carbon monoxide: 77 percent
• Sulfur dioxide: 88 percent
• Nitrogen dioxide: 56 percent
• Ozone: 22 percent
In addition, fine-particle concentrations improved by 40 per-
cent and coarse-particle concentrations improved by 34 percent
between 2000 and 2015.
Nonetheless, there is still cause for concern—and for increas-
ing our efforts to continually lower vehicle emissions. For exam-
ple, nearly half of all Americans—an estimated 150 million—live in
areas that don’t meet federal air-quality standards, according to
the UCS. And, as climate change continues, cleaning up these
pollutants will become ever more challenging because of wors-
ened air quality from extreme weather events.
Finding the Right Car for You
Buying a car or light truck that gets good gas mileage could
easily save you hundreds of dollars a year on gas, not to men-
tion reducing time-consuming trips to the gas station to fill your
tank. So if getting good gas mileage is important to you, here’s
a useful way to factor high fuel economy into your car-buying
decision-making process.
First, decide what type of vehicle piques your interest—
perhaps a midsize sedan or a compact crossover SUV. Next, turn
to the AAA Green Car Guide, where you’ll find reviews of 77
green cars and light trucks, conveniently organized and ranked
by vehicle type: subcompact, compact, midsize, and large cars;
pickups; and SUVs and minivans. Each category contains vehi-
cles with a variety of powertrains: gasoline, diesel, hybrid, plug-in
hybrid, fuel cell, and electric.
In the upper right section of each review, you’ll find several
pieces of useful fuel-related information: the EPA-estimated fuel
economy for city, highway, and combined driving, stated in mpg
for gasoline/diesel vehicles and MPGe (miles per gallon equiva-
lent) for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. You’ll also see the
average mpg, when available, as tested by the Auto Club, plus
the EPA-estimated annual fuel cost for that vehicle.
AAA.com/greencar
Check out the AAA.com/greencar website, too. It will help
you research fuel-efficient, low-emitting vehicles by vehicle type,
fuel type, make and model, safety rating, and price. You’ll also
learn about the top 10 green car ratings, how to lower your driv-
ing costs, the capabilities of the latest advanced safety features,
and the costs of ride hailing versus vehicle ownership.
Another excellent resource is fueleconomy.gov, the EPA
website, where you’ll find a wealth of useful information on
choosing fuel-efficient, low-emitting vehicles. Start by clicking
on “Find & Compare Cars” in the left column. It will take you to a
screen where you can type in the year, make, and model of any
vehicle you’re interested in. Once you enter that information, the
next screen provides, among other things, fuel-economy infor-
mation and the annual estimated fuel cost for various configu-
rations of the vehicle you’ve chosen (see page 16).
Clicking on the “Energy & Environment” and “Costs” tabs on
the same screen will tell you the vehicle’s energy impact score in
barrels of oil per year, as well as its GHG emissions on the basis
of a 1-to-10 score (10 being the cleanest) and in grams of CO2
emitted per mile traveled. For 2018 and newer vehicles, the
smog-rating chart has been recalibrated to reflect new, more
stringent Tier 3 emission standards. You’ll also find out things like
the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the vehicle,
what grade of gas it requires, the city/highway/combined mpg,
and the range in miles between fill-ups.
For example, a 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE with a
2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor has an MSRP
range of $29,850–$32,725, a fuel-economy rating of 46 mpg in
combined driving, burns 2.2 gallons of gas per 100 miles, has
a GHG rating of 10 out of 10 (195 grams/mile), an energy-im-
pact score (the amount of petroleum it uses) of 7.2 barrels of oil
annually, and a range of 598 miles.
If you put a check mark next to a vehicle and click on the
“Compare” tab, you can evaluate its data side by side with up
to three other vehicles. Also, a vehicle’s National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash-test scores are listed under
the “Safety” tab.
If you’re thinking about buying a hybrid, click on “Can a Hybrid
Save Me Money?” in column one of the homepage, which will
let you compare the specifications and costs of a given hybrid
with a comparably equipped nonhybrid from the same auto-
maker. You’ll get information on fuel economy, MSRP, payback
period (number of months or years for the fuel savings to equal
the price difference between the two vehicles), and the weekly,
monthly, and yearly fuel-cost savings.
By the way, you might be surprised to learn that some hybrids
don’t cost much more than their nonhybrid counterparts. For
example, the 2019 Lexus ES 300h hybrid costs just $1,810 more
than the ES 350 nonhybrid, so the payback period is only 3.1
years. And the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is an even better deal:
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 15
It gets 39 mpg in combined driving, 7 mpg higher than the 2018
RAV4 hybrid and 13 mpg higher than the standard 2019 RAV4.
And the hybrid version costs just $800 more than the standard
RAV4, which means the payoff time is less than two years (at
15,000 miles of driving per year and gas priced at $2.50 per
gallon).
If you’re considering a plug-in hybrid, the “My Plug-in Hybrid
Calculator” in column one of the homepage will provide you
with estimated annual fuel and electricity costs, based on your
typical driving habits.
If you’re interested in perusing strictly high-mpg vehicles, click
on the “2019 Top Ten Vehicle” Lists near the bottom of the second
column. It lists, in descending order, the top fuel-sippers overall
and by drivetrain type (EVs, PHEVs, and hybrids). (See page 12.)
Finally, clicking on “Find a SmartWay Vehicle” in the third
column of the homepage is an easy way to find the cleanest,
most efficient vehicles. You can specify the qualities of a vehi-
cle you’re interested in (mpg, fuel type, year, brand, etc.) and
the site will provide you with qualifying SmartWay vehicles that
fit those criteria.
EPA’s SmartWay program certifies the top 20 percent of the
lowest-emitting cars and trucks for each model year (a combined
Under “Find & Compare Cars” on the EPA website, you can learn a lot about a vehicle’s fuel economy and emission levels.
16 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
score for greenhouse gases and smog rating). The very best of
these vehicles—those with the highest scores on both scales—
earn SmartWay Elite certification.
Once you’ve completed your research, check out the AAA
Car Buying Service, a no-cost, stress-free way for members to
buy new and used vehicles. Find out more at AAA.com/auto.
The EPA Fuel Economy and
Environment Label
When you’re on a car dealer’s lot, here’s another useful tool: the
EPA Fuel Economy and Environment label (“new car sticker”). It’s
attached to the side window of all new vehicles. Most people
use it just to check out a vehicle’s MSRP and the cost of add-ons.
That’s a shame, because the label has a lot of useful information
to help you determine a vehicle’s green credentials. The label
varies depending on the type of vehicle (gasoline, hybrid, plug-in
hybrid, diesel, or electric). Find examples at fueleconomy.gov.
Type “Fuel Economy and Environment” label into the search box.
The label provided here (see page 17) is for a gasoline-
powered vehicle. Four key numbers on the label are fuel
economy (upper left), fuel economy rating and greenhouse
gas rating (center), smog rating (center right), and gallons
AAA.com/greencar
The EPA’s Fuel Economy and Environment label, attached to every new car sold in the U.S., provides a wealth of fuel-economy
and emissions information.
per 100 miles (directly below mpg).
The fuel-economy score lists the city, highway, and com-
bined mpg, with combined mileage as the most prominent. In
the box below the fuel-economy score, you’ll find an estimate
for annual fuel costs and, in the upper right, how much you can
expect to save over five years compared with fuel costs for the
average new car. Alternatively, it lists how much extra you’ll spend
if you buy a vehicle that is less fuel-efficient. In the example pro-
vided, you’d save $1,850 in fuel costs over a five-year period.
For cars that run on gasoline (including hybrids), fuel economy
is expressed as miles per gallon, or mpg. For plug-in hybrids,
which run some of the time on electricity alone, the combined
fuel-economy number is expressed both as mpg and MPGe
(miles per gallon equivalent), which is defined as the estimated
number of miles a vehicle can travel on the quantity of fuel with
the same energy content as a gallon of gas—33.7 kilowatt-hours
(kWh) of energy. For EVs and fuel cell vehicles, which run solely
on electricity, the combined fuel-economy number is expressed
only as MPGe. An example of an MPGe label is on page 29.
The fuel-economy and greenhouse gas number assigns
a rating from 1 to 10 (worst to best) for fuel-economy and GHG
emissions—that is, how much CO2 a vehicle’s tailpipe emits.
Higher fuel economy correlates with lower GHG emissions.
AAA.com/greencar
The smog rating (1 to 10, worst to best) is a rating for vehi-
cle tailpipe emissions that cause smog and other local air pol-
lution. Just below it, in smaller type, is how many grams of CO2
are emitted per mile of travel.
The gallons-per-100-miles score is a more useful way
to calculate fuel consumption than mpg. For example, if you
drive a car that gets 10 mpg, you’ll burn 10 gallons of gas to
travel 100 miles. If you traded that car in for one that gets 20
mpg, you’d use just 5 gallons of gas, a 5-gallon savings. But
suppose you traded in a car that gets 33 mpg for one that gets
50 mpg. You might think you’d be saving even more fuel—but
you’d be wrong.
Here’s why: A car that gets 33 mpg burns 3 gallons of gas to
travel 100 miles, and one that gets 50 mpg burns 2 gallons. So
you’d save just 1 gallon of gas per 100 miles, even though it’s a
17-mpg improvement. And if you could buy a car that got 100
mpg, a 100 percent improvement over the 50-mpg car, you’d
still save just 1 gallon of gas.
In short, not all mpg gains are equal, and improvements
aren’t linear. At the high end of the fuel-economy scale, they’re
less significant. So in terms of fuel usage, there’s more benefit
to trading a gas guzzler for a midsize sedan than in trading a
midsize sedan for a fuel-sipping hybrid.
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 17
 Trends in Vehicle Sales 2018

I
n 2018, vehicle sales remained strong, with 17.33 million total
vehicles sold, slightly above the 2017 total of 17.23 million. SUVs Top 20 Vehicles
and pickups were the big winners in 2018 sales, placing 15
vehicles in the top 20. (Last year, 12 of the 20 best-selling vehi- Sold in the U.S.
cles were pickups or SUVs.) In 2016, SUVs and pickups dethroned
midsize cars as the most popular vehicle type for the first time; in

1,000,000
200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000
2017 their popularity was even stronger, and in 2018 they solidi-
fied their dominance.

0
Pickup trucks again took the top three places, as they have for
each of the three years we’ve been keeping track of annual sales Ford F-Series*
numbers. The Ford F-Series again led the way (909,330 units), fol-
lowed by the Chevrolet Silverado (585,582 units), and the Ram Chevrolet Silverado
1500 (536,980 units)—the same order as last year.
What’s more, SUV and pickup sales gained ground overall, while Ram
most car sales dropped off. For example, Toyota Tacoma, a new-
comer to the list, sold 245,659 units in 2018, a 24 percent increase. Toyota RAV4*
The Jeep Wrangler, also a newcomer, in 16th place, sold 240,032
units, a 26 percent gain. Of the 15 SUVs or pickups in the top 20 Nissan Rogue*
vehicles sold, 11 had sales increases, five of them in double digits.
Sales slipped for only three crossovers—the Ford Escape Honda CR-V*
(272,228; 11.7 percent), Ford Explorer (261,571; 3.5 percent), and
Jeep Grand Cherokee (224,908; 6.6 percent). Toyota Camry*
By comparison, the best-selling cars, the Toyota Camry (343,439)
and Honda Civic (325,760), dropped 11 percent and 14 percent in Chevrolet Equinox*
In 2018, SUVs and
2018 sales, respectively. Even worse, no cars gained ground. Last
pickups accounted for
year, two of the six cars on the list had sales increases, although Honda Civic*
68 percent of vehicle
none were greater than 3 percent.
sales, cars for 32 percent.
The future doesn’t look any brighter for cars, either, at least not Toyota Corolla*
as far as American carmakers are concerned. In 2016, Fiat Chrysler
Automobiles announced it would stop building the Chrysler 200 Honda Accord
and the Dodge Dart, news that was considered stunning at the time,
in order to devote manufacturing capacity to Jeeps. Ford Escape
Then in May 2018, Ford announced it was effectively getting 11,784,400
out of the car business in the U.S., discontinuing the Fiesta, C-MAX, Ford Explorer
Focus, Fusion, and Taurus. Finally, in November, General Motors said
it was discontinuing production of the Buick LaCrosse, the Cadillac Toyota Tacoma
CT6, and the Chevrolet Cruze, Impala, and Volt.
Brand loyalty is still the name of the game in car sales. Seventeen Toyota Highlander* 5,545,600
of the 20 cars and light trucks on this year’s bestsellers list were
on the 2017 list. The Toyota Tacoma (245,659; 14th place), Jeep Jeep Wrangler
Wrangler (240,032; 16th place), and Jeep Cherokee (239,437;
17th place) are new, all with sales increases of at least 24 percent- Jeep Cherokee
age points.
And not only did basically the same cars and light trucks make GMC Sierra
the list again, the ranking for most was pretty much the same, too.
The Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, and Toyota Highlander Hybrid Nissan Sentra*
moved up in the ranks; the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Elantra, and Nissan
Altima dropped out of the top 20 entirely. Nissan Altima
Overall, sales of pickups and SUVs were 68 percent of total
*Reviewed in the 2019 AAA Green Car Guide
vehicle sales; sales of passenger cars were 32 percent of the total.
Source: Car and Driver

18 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

 Go With More Confidence...
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Purchase your travel insurance through a AAA Travel Agent when you make your deposit for a trip.

TRIP CANCELLATION
Reimburses your prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you must
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Reimburses you for the unused, non-refundable portion of your trip
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 2
CHAPTER

So Many
Choices
A
utomobiles are more complex than they used to be, and
there are more types—electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids, plug-
in hybrids (PHEVs)—and models to choose from than ever.
But the large number of choices doesn’t have to be a
problem when it comes to deciding which vehicle type works best for you.
In this chapter, we’re going to break down the hundreds of currently
available cars and light trucks into seven distinct categories based on their
powertrains: advanced internal combustion engines (ICEs), hybrids, PHEVs,
EVs, fl exible-fuel vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and diesel vehicles.
We’ll provide a complete explanation of each vehicle type—its basic
workings, pros and cons, sales trends, possible myths or misconceptions,
and things to pay special attention to when you’re researching or shopping
for that kind of vehicle.
By the time you’re fi nished with the chapter, you’ll have a good idea which
vehicle type is the best fi t for your driving needs.
HERNANDO MARÍN

20 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019

Advanced ICEs
It’s been said before, but it bears repeating: EVs and auton- has been reduced an average of 14 percent across all vehi-
omous vehicles (AVs) may be what the automotive indus- cle classes, according to a study by the Union of Concerned
try and car buyers are currently excited about, but cars and Scientists (UCS).
light trucks powered by gasoline engines make up 95 per- The greatest improvement has been in midsize cars (a 21
cent of the nation’s passenger-car fl eet, and that’s not likely to percent reduction in fuel usage) and small SUVs (a 19 percent
change signifi cantly for the near future. reduction). UCS also concluded that the average vehicle today
Why? Mainly because vehicles with internal combustion has the lowest levels of both global-warming emissions and
engines (ICEs) and the infrastructure that supports them are, to smog-forming emissions in the nearly two decades the orga-
borrow a phrase from the 2008 fi nancial crisis, too big to fail. nization has been conducting its research.
Big Oil, 110,000-plus gas stations, a dealer network that sells However, some manufacturers’ records in improving fuel
and services these vehicles, and auto parts stores represent economy and reducing emissions are better than others, and
entrenched vested interests that not only aren’t going away being aware of that can help you find a cleaner, more fuel-
but that actively resist change. Consumer demand for vehicles effi cient vehicle. For example, suppose you’re considering two
with alternative powertrains could make a dif- subcompact SUVs, the 2019 Nissan Kicks and
ference in the kinds of products carmakers offer 2019 Ford EcoSport AWD. Equipped with a
the public, but most car buyers seem pretty What’s Cool 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and an automatic
Proven, reliable
satisfi ed with the current selection of vehicles. technology transmission, the Kicks is EPA-rated at 33 mpg in
To satisfy corporate average fuel-economy combined city/highway driving. By comparison,
Relatively low price
(CAFE) standards and emission requirements, compared with other the EcoSport, equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder
however, automakers keep working diligently fuel-effi cient, low-emitting engine and an automatic transmission, is EPA-
vehicles
to improve gasoline-powered vehicles via rated at 25 mpg in combined driving.
new technology and continual refi nements to Better fuel economy, Does 8 mpg make much of a difference? At
less polluting than
existing engines, transmissions, emission sys- 15,000 miles of driving per year with gas priced
conventional gasoline-
tems, and sundry other driveline components. powered vehicles at $2.50 per gallon, you’d pay about $360 less
Examples include new combustion techniques, Easier to service and per year to drive the Kicks. This example may
turbocharging, stop-start systems, cylinder maintain than less not be typical, but the point is that it makes eco-
deactivation, better aerodynamics, and other conventional vehicles nomic sense to take fuel economy into account
techniques described in Chapter 1. when you consider a new-car purchase.
What’s Not
As a result, many of today’s ICE-equipped For additional tips on fi nding a fuel-effi cient,
Can never be as clean or
vehicles get increasingly higher fuel economy fuel-effi cient as a hybrid low-emitting gasoline-powered vehicle that
and produce lower levels of emissions. Overall, or an EV best suits your driving needs, see “Finding the
between 2008 and 2017, fuel consumption Right Car for You” on page 15.

Toyota Camry

22 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

 Honda Insight

Hybrids
Of all the fuel-effi cient passenger vehicles on the market not The combination of the two powertrains can increase fuel
powered solely by an ICE, hybrids have been around the lon- economy by about 30 percent, which for most people is
gest—since the late 1990s. In that time, they’ve developed a the main incentive to buy a hybrid. And hybrids deliver: The
reputation for being highly fuel-effi cient and highly reliable, combined city/highway fuel economy of the fi ve most fuel-
and many are reasonably priced as well. Hybrids are among effi cient hybrids ranges from a low of 50 mpg (Kia Niro) to a
the most popular types of green cars; typically, their total an- high of 58 mpg (Hyundai Ioniq).
nual sales equal or exceed the sales of all other alternative-fuel The hybrids we’ve been discussing so far—a Kia Niro or a
vehicles combined. Ford Fusion Hybrid, for example—are full hybrids, meaning that a
A hybrid is any vehicle with more than one powertrain. In vehicle’s hybrid components are an integral part of its drivetrain
the U.S., all hybrids are gas-electric vehicles that are equipped and supply power to its drive wheels. Another type of hybrid,
with a gasoline engine, one or more electric motor/generators, known as a mild hybrid, is different. Mild hybrids use a small
a large battery pack, and a computerized controller that coor- electric motor to smooth out a vehicle’s stop-start system and
dinates the two power systems. About two dozen hybrids are to provide extra torque during acceleration.
currently on the market in the U.S.—sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, Mild hybrids’ electric motors don’t send power to a vehicle’s
and even sporty cars—although fewer than a dozen of them sell drive wheels, and their contribution to greater fuel economy is
more than 10,000 units per year. minimal. Examples of vehicles with mild-hybrid systems include
Hybrids combine the effi ciency of electric motors and the the Ram 1500, the Chevrolet Silverado, the Jeep Wrangler, and
energy density of gasoline. Electric motors use the Audi A6, A7, and A8 sedans.
about one-third the energy as gasoline engines Not all hybrids focus on high fuel economy,
What’s Cool
to do the same amount of work, but gasoline however. Some—the Lexus LC 500h and the
Get better gas mileage,
has a much higher energy density per unit of produce less pollution Acura NSX sports cars, for example—use their
volume than a battery pack. So hybrids use and greenhouse gases electric motors more as an added source of
electricity mainly in stop-and-go city traffic, than most conventional power than as a fuel-saving device.
vehicles
where it’s most effective, and the gasoline- In general, hybrids cost more than their con-
Reliable technology
powered engine at higher speeds on the open ventional counterparts. But it’s often possible to
road. Drive and handle better make up the difference in the purchase price
than ever
Depending on the driving conditions, in fuel savings. To fi nd out if a hybrid would
a hybrid’s controller automatically deter- work for you, check out “Can a Hybrid Save
What’s Not
mines whether electricity, gasoline, or both May cost more than their Me Money?” on fueleconomy.gov. There you
should power the vehicle at any given time. conventional counterparts can calculate how long it would take for the

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 23

 ELEMENTS OF A HYBRID SYSTEM
ENGINE
BATTERY
ELECTRIC MOTOR
fuel savings from driving a hybrid to make up the difference in
purchase price between a hybrid and a comparable nonhybrid.
For example, a 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring costs
$35,605 and gets 47 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
A 2018 Honda Accord 2.0 Sport/Touring, a comparable nonhy-
brid, costs $34,695 and gets 26 mpg. Assuming 15,000 miles
of driving annually and gas priced at $2.37 per gallon, it would
take a year and a half for the driver of the Accord Hybrid to make
up the $910 difference in the purchase price of the two cars.
In addition to fuel savings, it’s important to consider a ve-
hicle’s rate of depreciation and other ownership costs. A 2018
study by data analysis fi rm Vincentric found that after taking all pollution is reason enough to buy a hybrid.
ownership costs into account, 42 of 79 hybrids (53 percent) cost
less to own than their gas-powered equivalents, an increase
from 40 percent the previous year. Based on 15,000 miles of
driving per year for fi ve years, hybrids had an average fuel-cost compared with 2017. That’s fewer vehicles than the Toyota RAV4
savings of $2,849 and an average savings of $401 in mainte-
nance costs. The top four hybrids were the Ford Fusion Hybrid
Titanium ($6,359), the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Reserve ($5,558),
the Ford Fusion Hybrid Platinum ($5,368), and the Kia Niro
Touring ($4,863).
Two other hybrid features conserve fuel besides a gasoline-
electric powertrain. The fi rst is regenerative braking, which means
that when a vehicle coasts or a driver applies the brakes, the
electric motor functions as a generator to help slow it down. The
regenerative braking process also converts the vehicle’s kinetic
energy, which would otherwise be lost as heat, into electricity
to charge the battery pack.
The second feature is stop-start technology, described in
Chapter 1—software that shuts the engine off when the car is
idling or stopped in traffi c and then instantly restarts it when Car Guide. New or redesigned hybrids for 2019 include the
the driver releases the brake pedal. An increasing number of
vehicles with internal combustion engines are using stop-start
technology nowadays, and more will in the future.
Hybrid technology has proven to be very reliable, and hybrids
24 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
A hybrid drivetrain
consists of a gasoline
engine, one or more
electric motors,
and a battery pack.
Power to the wheels
can come from the
gasoline engine, the
battery, or both.
don’t need any special maintenance beyond what a conven-
tional car requires. The Toyota Prius, for instance, has earned a
reputation as one of the most reliable cars of any type in any
price range. Hybrid battery packs rarely fail, have long warranties
(up to 10 years/150,000 miles), and usually operate problem-free
well beyond the warranty. As the Vincentric study found, you
may spend less money on repairs if you own a hybrid and may
worry less about your car breaking down on the road.
Another reason to drive a hybrid goes beyond saving money
at the pump and on maintenance and repairs. For many people,
knowing that they’re burning a lot less gas and creating less
Despite their many advantages, hybrids still can’t compete
with their conventional counterparts in terms of sales. Total hy-
brid sales in 2018 were 339,216 vehicles, a 7 percent decrease
alone sold last year (427,168), about one-third of the F-Series
pickups that Ford sells year in and year out, and only about 2
percent of the total number of cars and light trucks sold in the
U.S. annually.
The most popular hybrids in 2018 were the perennial
front-runners: the Ford Fusion Hybrid (54,157, a 6 percent
downturn; see page 154), which lost sales compared with 2017
but still took the crown from the Toyota Prius liftback (49,534,
a 25 percent decrease; see page 57); the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
(48,124, down 5 percent; see page 57); the Kia Niro Hybrid
(24,506, down 10 percent; see page 185), the Toyota Camry
Hybrid (22,914, up 9 percent; see page 149), and the Honda
Accord Hybrid (17,190, down 22 percent; see page 147).
Check out the 17 hybrids reviewed in the 2019 AAA Green
Honda Insight (page 135), the Lexus ES 300h (page 150), and the
Toyota Avalon Hybrid (page 164). For a complete list of hybrids
available for sale, go to the EPA website, fueleconomy.gov, click
on “Find & Compare Cars,” and then click on the hybrid icon.
AAA.com/greencar
 How Well Do You Know

HYBRIDS? Many people are still under the spell of various hybrid myths
(or are just downright uninformed when it comes to hybrid technology).
Here are eight common misconceptions.

1 3
You need to plug in newer hybrids just once a day to recharge
them, instead of two or three times a day, as with older models.
False. You don’t need to plug in a hybrid at all! The battery is Hybrids are a great way
recharged by the gasoline engine and regenerative braking. to save money on gas.
Possibly. But if you’re buying

2
a hybrid to save money at the
pump, you have to do your
No one would buy a hybrid because they all look weird. research. A Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
No longer true. Today, only the Toyota Prius has a style costs the same as the nonhybrid
that to some people screams “weird.” The rest look like version but gets 17 mpg more
conventional cars. in combined driving, so that’s

4
a winning proposition; on the
other hand, the Hyundai Sonata
Hybrid battery packs are expensive Hybrid gets 13 mpg more than
and need to be replaced fairly often. the standard Sonata, but it also
False. Most hybrid owners will never need to replace a costs $3,450 more and would
battery pack. Battery packs are super reliable and are take 9.1 years to pay back the
guaranteed for up to 10 years or 150,000 miles. price difference.

5 6
Hybrids are too
complicated to drive.
Nope. Hybrids drive just
like any conventional car.
All hybrids are small, underpowered
econoboxes that are boring to drive.
Not quite. Tell that to the folks who drive a
Lexus ES 300h or Honda Accord Hybrid.
8Hybrids are more
expensive than
their conventional

7
equivalents.
They can be. But
the difference in
You can ride solo in the carpool lane in a hybrid. purchase price can
It depends on the state. Some states, such as California, often be made up
eliminated the HOV lane exemption for hybrids a long time ago. in gas savings in a
couple of years.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 25

 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Plug-In Hybrids
Like hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) run on a combination stranded along the roadside because of the safety net that
of gasoline and electricity, but because they have larger, re- the PHEV’s gasoline engine provides. Because PHEVs can run
chargeable batteries, their owners can drive farther—from about some of the time on electricity alone, they use 30 to 60 percent
15 miles to 50 miles, depending on the vehicle—on electricity less gasoline than conventional vehicles, according to the EPA.
alone. That means drivers with short commutes or who rarely The fuel economy of PHEVs is estimated in two ways: MPGe
drive beyond their vehicle’s all-electric range (miles per gallon equivalent) when running
can recharge their vehicle’s battery pack at work on electricity alone and mpg when running
or at home overnight and will rarely need to What’s Cool in gas-electric mode. MPGe is defi ned as the
visit a gas station. Lower fuel costs than number of miles a vehicle can travel on the
hybrids (electricity costs
When a PHEV depletes its battery, the gas- quantity of fuel—i.e., electricity—with the same
less than gasoline)
oline engine kicks in seamlessly, and drivers energy content as a gallon of gas. The Prius
Higher fuel economy and
continue until they need to stop for gas or are fewer greenhouse gas Prime, for example, has EPA-estimated ratings
able to recharge the battery pack. A PHEV can emissions than standard of 133 MPGe and 54 mpg, an all-electric driv-
run solely on gasoline, but it won’t achieve its hybrids ing range of 25 miles, and a battery-recharge
maximum range or fuel economy. Charging time of 5.5 hours at 120 volts or 2.1 hours at
a PHEV to full capacity might take eight to 10 What’s Not 240 volts.
hours at 120 volts or half that time at 240 volts, Higher price than PHEVs save money on fuel not only because
conventional hybrids
depending on the PHEV’s electric range. they get better gas mileage but also because
Apartment dwellers and
Unlike EV owners, PHEV owners don’t suffer the cost of electricity to recharge their battery
those without a garage
from “range anxiety.” They don’t need to worry may have a hard time pack is cheaper than the equivalent amount of
about running out of electricity and getting recharging the battery gasoline, especially if utility companies offer

26 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

price breaks for off-peak charging. Check out the 13 PHEVs in the Green Car Guide review
How much you save by driving a PHEV will depend on (1) pages and upcoming PHEVs in Chapter 4, “What’s Next?” The
how much the vehicle costs compared with its hybrid counter- EPA website, fueleconomy.gov, lists more than two dozen cur-
part, (2) how fuel-effi cient it is, and (3) what percentage of your rently available PHEVs, with information on their manufacturer
driving uses the gasoline engine. suggested retail prices (MSRPs), drivetrains, estimated MPGe
Drivers who benefi t most from a PHEV are those who drive and mpg, annual fuel costs, and more. Go to “Find & Compare
less than their vehicle’s all-electric range on a daily basis, but Cars,” then click on the plug-in hybrid icon.
who occasionally need to travel farther. For them, a PHEV offers
the best of both worlds. To sum up, if you’re considering buying a PHEV, consider:
Plug-in hybrids are eligible for federal and (sometimes) state • The vehicle’s all-EV range. The Honda Clarity PHEV has
tax incentives. Visit fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb.shtml, and the an estimated all-electric range of 47 miles. By contrast,
Alternative Fuels Data Center, afdc.energy.gov/laws/state, to fi nd the Mini Cooper SE Countryman PHEV has an all-
out specifi cs. In some states, plug-in hybrids can use carpool electric range of just 12 miles.
lanes with only the driver aboard. • How effi cient is the PHEV when the battery’s juice is
For model years 2018–2019, more than two dozen PHEVs are used up? All things being equal, go for high mpg. For
available for purchase. About 20 are “mainstream” vehicles like example, the Toyota Prius Prime is EPA-rated at 54
the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid and the Toyota Prius Prime; another mpg, a Subaru Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid at just 35 mpg.
half dozen are exotics or high-end vehicles such as the BMW • Be realistic about your average daily mileage and the
i8 or the Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid. The Subaru Crosstrek frequency of longer trips. If you average more than,
Plug-In Hybrid is new for 2019. say, 50 miles of driving per day, aren’t able to plug in
Total plug-in hybrid sales for 2018 were 120,243, compared at home, and don’t have an opportunity to recharge
with 89,992 for 2017, a 34 percent increase. The three top- at work, you might be better off buying a hybrid. To
selling PHEVs in 2018 were the Prius Prime (27,595, a 32 percent fi nd out whether a plug-in hybrid can help save you
increase; see page 134), the Honda Clarity Plug-In (18,602; money, go to the “EPA’s Plug-In Hybrid Calculator” at
limited release in 2017; see page 153), and the Chevrolet Volt fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do.
(18,306, a 10 percent decrease; see page 132).
Unfortunately for its many supporters, Chevrolet is discon-
High-voltage
tinuing the Volt, uniformly regarded as an excellent car; it sold battery pack
nearly 20,000 units in 2018. Cadillac also killed the CT6 Plug-In,
a much lower-volume car, with about 250 vehicles sold in 2018.

SUBARU CROSSTREK
HYBRID POWERTRAIN

4-cylinder boxer
gasoline engine

Power control unit

High-voltage cables

CVT and electric motors

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 27

 Jaguar I-Pace

Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are vehicles that are powered by one or more and two have ranges of about 150 miles.
electric motors that draw current from a large, rechargeable Developments like these go a long way toward allaying the
battery pack. Some EVs, like the Chevrolet Bolt or Nissan Leaf, public’s main concerns about EVs—high price and limited range—
are dedicated—that is, they have no non-EV counterpart. Others, and bode well for EVs’ continued success. Domestic and for-
like the Fiat 500e or Kia Soul EV, were originally developed as eign automakers also continue to make sizable investments in
gasoline-powered vehicles but were adapted to EV status. Still electrifi ed-vehicle R&D, including plans for the introduction of
other EVs, such as the Hyundai Ioniq, the Kia Niro, and the Honda more EVs.
Clarity, share a platform with hybrids, PHEVs, or
fuel cell vehicles. Benefits of
The big news about EVs is that they’re on What’s Cool EV Ownership
the verge of becoming mainstream—at the very Prices are coming down EVs have a lot going for them. For starters,
least, they’re no longer considered niche vehi- Model availability and they’re fun to drive—eerily quiet, with surpris-
ranges are going up
cles. Consider these facts: ingly strong, smooth acceleration. Their bat-
First, Tesla sold 138,867 Model 3s (see Cheaper to operate tery packs are located in the fl oor pan, which
and maintain than other
page 144) in 2018—and that’s for pricey Long lowers their center of gravity, so handling is
vehicle types
Range models, not the bargain-basement ver- often better and more assured than that of
Strong acceleration;
sions that were touted to sell for $35,000. On smooth, quiet operation
cars with internal combustion engines.
top of that, the company sold 25,200 Model S EVs also cost less to drive and maintain
Zero tailpipe emissions
sedans (down 5 percent; see page 160) and compared with cars powered by ICEs. For
Cleaner than most other
23,900 Model X SUVs (up 10 percent; see page one thing, EVs have simpler drivetrains and
vehicles regardless of
60) in 2018. All in all, that’s a pretty amazing electricity source fewer components, so they’re easier to ser-
achievement. vice and require less maintenance and repair.
Second, more EVs come to market each What’s Not EVs typically have 10 times fewer moving
Purchase price still higher
model year. Fifteen EVs are currently avail- than other vehicles
parts than ICE-equipped vehicles. If you
able, three of which—the Kona Electric SUV, the drive an EV, you’ll no longer need to be con-
Limited range still an issue
Kia Niro EV, and the Jaguar I-Pace—are brand with some EVs cerned about oil changes, fan belts, timing
new. The Kona, Niro, and I-Pace all claim EPA- belts, head gaskets, fuel injectors, catalytic
Charging issues (location
estimated ranges upward of 200 miles. Seven of availability, long charge converters, spark plugs, exhaust systems,
the 15 EVs have ranges in excess of 200 miles, times) still a concern and radiators. EVs use none of them.

28 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

 What about service and maintenance? Here’s the complete
maintenance schedule for a Tesla Model 3:
• Rotate the tires every 6,250 miles.
• Replace the brake fluid every two years or 25,000 miles.
• Replace the battery coolant every four years or 50,000 miles.
Tesla also recommends that owners periodically perform a
few do-it-yourself tasks, such as:
• Check to make sure the following are in working order: lights,
turn signals, horn, air-conditioning, wipers, and washers.
• Check the condition and pressure of the tires.
• Check the operation of the brakes.
• Check the battery-charge level.
In short, pay attention to the normal functioning of your ve-
hicle. That’s it.
The Model 3’s maintenance schedule might not be typi-
cal of all EVs, although it’s similar to the Nissan Leaf’s and the
Chevrolet Bolt’s. Regardless, it’s a good idea to look into the
maintenance requirements and costs of any EV you’re consid-
ering purchasing before you close the deal.
Electric motors are also more efficient than ICEs; they use
about one-third of the energy to do the same amount of work.
That’s why the fuel economy of an EV, measured in MPGe (miles
per gallon equivalent), is so high, ranging from 76 MPGe for a
Jaguar I-Pace to 136 MPGe for a Hyundai Ioniq Electric.
In fact, only about 12 to 30 percent of the energy from the
fuel you put into a gasoline-powered vehicle is used to move it
down the road, according to the EPA. The rest is lost mostly as
heat from the radiator, engine, and exhaust system. By compari-
son, the EPA says, EVs convert about 59 to 62 percent of electri-
cal energy from the grid to power at the wheels.
Electricity is much cheaper than gasoline, so charging an
EV costs about half as much as fueling a gas-
oline-powered car, according to the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE). To find out the
average cost to charge an EV in your state,
go to the DOE’s eGallon calculator at energy.
gov/maps/egallon.
As an example of the cost difference, the
EPA estimates that it would cost $1,250 per
year for gasoline to drive 15,000 miles in a
2018 VW Golf Sportwagen (29 mpg in com-
bined driving), but less than half that, $550, to
drive the same distance in a 2018 VW e-Golf.
Charging an EV during off-peak hours of-
ten costs even less, and some utility compa-
nies offer special home EV-charging rates that
are separate from other electricity use. Finally,
because electricity is sourced domestically,
An EV’s fuel economy is measured in MPGe, the number of miles it can
its cost is more stable than that of gasoline, travel on the equivalent energy in a gallon of gas.
which is subject to price spikes.
AAA.com/greencar
Another perk of driving an EV: In nearly a dozen states,
EVs can use carpool lanes with only the driver as an occupant.
Surveys indicate this is a big draw for prospective buyers.
And don’t forget that EVs are also super clean—they’re zero
emission vehicles (ZEVs). Even when considering the emissions
generated during EV manufacture and the emissions from the
sources of electricity used to power EVs, they still account for
fewer global-warming emissions than any other vehicle. And as
the electrical grid gets cleaner, emissions will fall even further.
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) broke the U.S. into
26 “grid regions” based on the type of power plants that pro-
duce electricity for those regions. It concluded that on aver-
age, driving an EV in any region of the country produced fewer
greenhouse gas emissions than the average new car getting 80
mpg—which, if we’re talking gasoline-powered cars, is none. To
find out how much pollution an EV produces compared with the
emissions of a typical car where you live, visit the UCS website
at ucsusa.org and type “How Clean Is Your Electric Vehicle?” in
the search box.
EV buyers used to receive a federal tax credit of up to $7,500,
which is based on the total number of EVs a manufacturer sells.
The tax credit is being phased out for the most popular EVs,
such as those from Tesla, which has reached its limit of 200,000
vehicles. For 2019, federal tax credits for Teslas will be reduced
to $3,750 until June 30 and $1,875 until December 31. After
that, they will go away altogether.
In late 2018, automakers GM, Nissan, and Tesla formed a
coalition with other EV-related organizations to advocate for
extending the federal tax credit. For the latest information on
available federal tax credits, go to fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb
.shtml. Many states offer incentives for EVs, including California,
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 29
 for PHEVs and EVs with ranges of less than
100 miles—or for people who do very little
WHY AMERICANS WANT ELECTRIC VEHICLES . . .
driving. For example, it would take 60 hours

87
for a Level 1 charger to put a full charge on
% a Chevrolet Bolt, which has a range of 238
are concerned miles.

62%
about the Level 2 chargers supply current at 240
environment
volts and can provide 10 to 24 miles of range

52%
want the per hour of charging, depending on the ve-
long-term hicle. Level 2 chargers can be installed in
savings
are trying to owners’ homes. A garage (or other charging
keep up with
location) will need 30-amp, 240-volt electri-

29%
technology
cal service to accommodate a Level 2 char-
ger. See the sidebar on purchasing a home
just want to
charging station on page 32.
use the
carpool lanes! Regarding charging stations away from
home, prospective EV owners should check
Source: AAA with their employers; some offer free or low-
cost EV charging. In addition, the number of
Colorado, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Texas. For infor- public charging stations nationwide is expanding, making it eas-
mation on state incentives, go to afdc.energy.gov/laws/state. ier to charge an EV when you’re running errands, shopping, or
dining. Most public charging stations use Level 2 chargers that
Obstacles to EV Adoption are compatible with all vehicles.
Most people’s concerns about EVs are that they cost too much As of January 2019, there were more than 21,000 public EV
to buy, their ranges aren’t long enough, charging takes too charging stations with more than 61,000 outlets in the U.S., up
much time, and charging sites are hard to fi nd. The good news from about 17,000 stations and 40,000 outlets in early 2018.
is that progress in addressing these concerns is happening on California, which has the largest number of EVs, also has the
all fronts. largest number of stations: about 5,000. States with more than
First, EV prices are coming down and ranges are increasing. 1,000 stations include Florida, New York, and Texas.
In 2017, the Chevrolet Bolt led the way in bringing affordable State and local governments in all regions of the country
EVs to the car-buying public with a base MSRP of about $38,000 are collaborating to develop EV charging networks. For exam-
before incentives. Two of the most recently released EVs—the ple, in mid-2018 the state of New York announced that it would
Hyundai Kona Electric and the Kia Niro EV, both of which have spend $250 million on an initiative called Evolve NY to create
a range of 200-plus miles—are also priced in the $30,000 to private-sector partnerships to accelerate the adoption of EVs
$40,000 range before applicable incentives. throughout the state.
The same holds true for the base Tesla Model 3, and the Private companies are getting in on the action, too. In ear-
Nissan Leaf, which received a bigger battery option in early ly 2018, Walmart announced that it would install EV charging
2019, boosting its range to 226 miles. EVs like these—reason- stations at 100 of its locations around the country, and Target
ably priced and with useful ranges—will fi t the budgets and dai- said it would install more than 600 chargers at 100 stores in 20
ly driving requirements of most Americans. states during the following two years.
That leaves charging times and locations as the remaining An increasing number of public charging stations are using
signifi cant concerns. Most EV owners charge their vehicles at DC fast-charging systems, in which a 480-volt charger converts
home overnight, so people with access to a garage have a sub- 480-volt AC power to DC current. This kind of charging typical-
stantial advantage when it comes to EV ownership. The follow- ly provides 60 to 80 miles of range in 20 minutes of charging.
ing are the two common forms of home charging: DC fast-charging stations are usually located along heavy traf-
Level 1 is the most available but slowest source of charging; fi c corridors; they’re expensive, fi xed-site, high-speed units not
it uses a 120-volt AC outlet like those in typical American homes. suitable for home installation.
All EVs and PHEVs come equipped with a cord for this type Not all vehicles can accept DC fast charging, and different ve-
of charging. Level 1 charging is good for about 2 to 5 miles hicles use different types of connectors. The two most common
of range per hour of charging, meaning that it’s useful only connector types are the J1172 combo, used by Chevrolet and

30 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

BMW vehicles, and the CHAdeMO, used by Nissan, Mitsubishi,
and Toyota vehicles. If you’re thinking about buying an EV, ask
the salesperson whether it can accept DC fast charging.
Tesla continues to expand its network of Supercharger sta-
tions, which provide quick charges for Tesla owners. Most are
concentrated around large cities on the East and West Coasts,
in the Midwest, and in the South, as well as along major inter-
state highways.
In mid-2018, Tesla stated that 99 percent of the U.S. popula-
tion is within 150 miles of a Supercharger, and it plans to increase
its charging network at an accelerated pace, in part to accommo-
date the large volume of Model 3s it’s been selling. To locate a
Tesla charging station near you, go to tesla.com/supercharger.
For more information about charging-station locations and
vehicle-charging options, go to the Alternative Fuels Data Center
website, afdc.energy.gov.
A fi nal concern of prospective EV owners is that an EV’s range automakers are putting tons of R&D time and money
will be compromised in extremely hot or cold weather. Extreme
weather, especially very cold weather, will in fact reduce an
EVs range, and this can be compounded by using the EVs cli-
mate-control system.
A study by AAA and the Automobile Club of Southern
California’s Automotive Research Center tested five EVs—a
BMW i3, a Chevrolet Bolt, a Nissan Leaf, a Tesla Model S, and a
Volkswagen e-Golf—on a dynamometer (a sort of treadmill for
cars) in a controlled-temperature environment. The results: At a
constant temperature of 20ºF, when the HVAC system was used
to heat the vehicle, the average driving range decreased by
41 percent compared with a baseline ambient temperature of
75ºF. And when the temperature was 95ºF and air-conditioning
was used to cool the vehicle, the average range dropped by
17 percent.
These concerns are less pressing given today’s larger EV
batteries—those with ranges of 200-plus miles. Nonetheless, an
EV owner should be prepared to charge more frequently (or
not travel as far) in very hot or cold conditions. See Chapter 8,
“Maximizing Your MPG” (page 107), for tips on how to extend
your EV’s range in extreme weather.
In 2018, EV sales improved to 235,444 vehicles, the highest
number ever, a 125 percent increase over 2017 sales (104,487).
Top sellers included the Tesla Model 3 (138,867, page 144), the
Tesla Model S (25,200, page 160), the Tesla Model X (23,900,
page 60), the Chevrolet Bolt (18,019, page 122), and the Nissan
Leaf (14,715, page 130). EV sales represented 1.4 percent of to-
tal car and light truck sales in 2018.
There are eight EVs reviewed in the current AAA Green Car
Guide. Additionally, the EPA website, fueleconomy.gov, lists more
than a dozen currently available EVs, with information on their
MSRPs, drivetrains, estimated MPGe, annual fuel costs, and more.
Go to “Find & Compare Cars,” then click on the all-electric icon.
AAA.com/greencar
EV Myths
Busted!
We’ve already dispensed with a few prominent myths
about electric vehicles: that they’re all expensive, that
they have impractical ranges, that they take too long
to charge, that there are no places besides your home
to charge them conveniently, and that they’re really no
cleaner than other vehicles if their power sources are
less than pristine. What other misconceptions about
EVs are circulating in the ether?
Myth #1: EVs are a fad and will ultimately fail, just
like they did before.
Reality: EVs are here to stay. More new models are
introduced every year, and both domestic and foreign
into EV development.
Myth #2: Used-up EV batteries are an
environmental hazard.
Reality: EV batteries are largely recyclable. In
addition, utility companies are experimenting with
reusing batteries that are no longer suitable for vehicle
use for residential and commercial electrical storage.
Myth #3: EV adoption will put an excessive strain
on the electrical grid.
Reality: The current U.S. electrical grid can handle
millions of new EVs, in part because EV batteries are
mostly being recharged at night, when the demand
for electricity is lower.
Myth #4: If I drive an EV, my electricity bill will go
through the ceiling.
Reality: Your electricity bill will increase, but your
savings on gasoline will more than compensate for
it because it costs roughly half as much to fuel an
electric car as one powered by gasoline.
Myth #5: What happens when my EV’s battery
dies? It will cost me a fortune to replace it.
Reality: True, an EV’s battery is its most expensive
component, but the evidence so far is that EV batteries
are exceptionally long-lived and rarely require
complete replacement. Besides, EV batteries are
warrantied for either 8 years/100,000 miles or 10
years/50,000 miles, depending on the state you live
in. That should allay the fears of most car buyers. And
battery costs are likely to come down in the future.
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 31
 Purchasing a
Home Charging System
I
f you own an EV with a 200-mile-plus
range or are seriously thinking about
buying one, you should strongly
consider purchasing a Level 2 (240 volt)
charging system, too. Why? Because
for EVs with ranges greater than 75
miles, Level 1 (120 volt) simply can’t do
the job in a timely manner—literally.
Level 1 systems are good for only
about 2 to 5 miles of charging per
hour, which means it could take you the
better part of 2½ days to fully charge
your new Hyundai Kona Electric, which
has an estimated range of 258 miles.
By comparison, Level 2 systems can
provide 10 to 25 (sometimes more)
miles of range per hour of charging.
Fortunately, as is the case with EVs
themselves, you have a lot to choose
from when it comes to charging
systems. Before you buy, make sure
that your home’s electrical service
panel has enough spare capacity to
install a circuit for the charging station.
Once you’ve determined that, here are
the main things to consider about the
charger itself.
32 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
1
Basic versus complex. Like almost any electronic device these days, EV chargers
can be simple or complicated. Basic chargers are just that—you plug them in and they
charge your EV. End of story. Complex chargers have a variety of add-ons, such as
features that enable you to monitor your charging, turn the charger on or off remotely,
2 3
or review data from past charging sessions.
Hard-wired versus plug-in. First, do Low power versus high power.
you want the charger to be permanently Chargers come in various power levels,
connected to your home’s electrical typically from 16 amps to 80 amps. It’s
supply or would you rather simply plug a good idea to go for more power than
it into a 240-volt outlet? One advantage you think you need, because if you
of a plug-in charger is that if there’s buy an EV in the future, it will probably
a problem with it, a portable charger accept a larger charge than your current
is easier to deal with—just unplug it EV. Most sources recommend buying
and return it to the store or ship it to a charger that can handle at least 30
the manufacturer. Plus, you can take amps, which will give you the ability to
a portable charger with you to use at add about 30 miles of range per hour
another location. of charging.
To sum up: Regarding whether to buy a Level 2 charging system, or which one
to choose, keep the following in mind: your vehicle’s overall driving range, your
personal driving habits, your daily routine, and whether there are charging stations
along your route. Expect to pay about $600 for a good EV charger, not including
installation. Popular brands include Bosch, ChargePoint, ClipperCreek, Juicebox,
Leviton, Siemens, and Zencar. Your EV dealer may be able to recommend a
charger and someone to install it. Some states and utilities offer rebates for the
purchase and installation of Level 2 charging systems. Check with your local utility
or go to afdc.energy.gov/laws/state for more information.
COURTESY CLIPPERCREEK
AAA.com/greencar
 Ford Explorer

Flexible-Fuel Vehicles
Flexible-fuel vehicles, a.k.a. fl ex-fuel vehicles or FFVs, have more information on currently available fl ex-fuel vehicles, go
engines that can run either on gasoline or gasoline/alcohol to fueleconomy.gov, click on “Find & Compare Cars,” then
blends in ratios of up to 85 percent ethanol, a renewable choose the fl ex-fuel truck icon.
biofuel. E85, the most common fl ex-fuel, is made with an Using ethanol as a motor fuel has numerous advantages.
ethanol-gasoline blend that varies from 51 to 83 percent First, it burns more cleanly than gasoline, producing 18 to
ethanol. In the United States, almost all ethanol is made from 28 percent fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Howev-
corn. About one-third of U.S. corn production is used to make er, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, if ethanol is
ethanol, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. produced using energy from burning coal, it may offset the
E85 is available in about 3,300 service stations in the U.S., lower emission levels. Ethanol also has a higher octane rating
the vast majority of which are east of the Mississippi River. The than regular gasoline, so it can be used in high-compression
average cost of E85 is about 15 percent less than gasoline. To engines.
fi nd the locations of service stations that sell E85 fuel, go to Ethanol’s biggest drawback is that it has an energy content
the Alternative Fuels Data Center at afdc.energy.gov and click about 34 percent lower than gasoline, resulting in 15 to 27
on the yellow ethanol dispenser nozzle. The percent lower mpg. Also, ethanol can’t be sent
website e85vehicles.com also provides infor- through pipelines because it picks up water
mation on E85 fueling locations, availability, What’s Cool and contaminants in the process. It must be
Domestically produced
and pricing. renewable fuel reduces transported by truck and rail, which explains
Literally dozens of different vehicles—as dependence on why stations that sell E85 are relatively close to
many as a quarter of those currently pro- foreign oil the locations where it’s refi ned.
duced for sale in the U.S.—can run on fl ex-fuel. Cleaner burning; fewer Other countries make ethanol from sug-
A few examples include the Chevrolet Impa- greenhouse gases arcane, wood chips, and cellulosic sources
la, Dodge Charger, Ford Explorer, GMC Sier- Higher octane, produces such as corn stover, napier grass, rye straw, or
more power
ra, Mercedes-Benz CLA 250, Nissan Frontier, switchgrass rather than corn. Some studies in-
Ram 1500, and Toyota Sequoia. Many car What’s Not dicate that cellulosic-based ethanol produces
owners don’t realize they have an FFV and Lower energy content = fewer GHG emmisions than corn-based etha-
therefore a choice of fuels. That’s because lower mpg nol and 90 percent fewer GHG emissions than
fl ex-fuel vehicles look exactly the same as any Limited means of gasoline. However, ethanol production in the
transport
other vehicle except for a small badge, label, U.S. from sources other than corn is minimal
or yellow gas cap to indicate FFV status. For Limited availability and not being actively developed.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 33

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are EVs that create their own were open to the public, almost all of them in and around
electricity through a chemical process in which hydrogen fuel San Francisco and Los Angeles. That’s way behind schedule;
stored in a high-pressure fuel tank reacts with oxygen from the a total of 64 functioning stations had been anticipated by the
air. The advantages of FCVs are that they emit no pollutants—only end of 2018.
water and heat—and, unlike other EVs, they can be refi lled in Currently, two FCV sedans are available: the Toyota Mirai and
about fi ve minutes, just like gasoline-powered vehicles. the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. The Mirai (page 133) was introduced
The future of FCVs is still in doubt. The technology to manu- in late 2015 and hasn’t changed signifi cantly since. It has a range
facture them is expensive, as is the process of creating hydrogen of 312 miles and is available for sale (base price: $58,365) or
fuel. Furthermore, the infrastructure for hydrogen refueling is lease. The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell (page 61), has a range of
practically nonexistent. Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota seem fully 366 miles; it’s available for lease only.
committed to the technology, as does the state of California, the The Clarity Fuel Cell and the Mirai are eligible for gov-
only state in which FCVs are available and the only state with ernment incentives; both receive complimentary fuel (three
hydrogen refueling stations. years/$15,000 worth), and both are eligible for single-occupant
To be successful, FCVs must meet three challenges: carpool-lane access.
• They must become less expensive. Hyundai’s Tucson-based fuel cell SUV debuted in California
• A cost-effective way to produce and store hydrogen fuel in early 2014, but it’s been discontinued. The automaker’s new
must be developed. FCV, the Nexo crossover (page 61), previewed at the Consumer
• An extensive, cost-effective network of service stations must Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January 2018. The fi rst Nexo
be created so that owners can refuel their vehicles conveniently. was delivered to a resident of Ventura, California, at the end
Hydrogen fuel stations are expensive—up to of December 2018.
$1 million apiece—and their potential construc- In 2018, 2,368 FCVs were sold, a 3 per-
tion faces a chicken-and-egg dilemma: There’s What’s Cool cent increase compared with the 2,298 sold
Zero emissions and no
no point in building them if fuel cell vehicles in 2017. That included 1,700 Toyota Mirais
need to plug in
aren’t available to be refueled; on the other (down 8 percent) and 624 Honda Clarity Fuel
Fast refueling, good
hand, people won’t buy fuel cell vehicles until range, drives like a
Cells (up 44 percent). FCV sales and leases
there’s somewhere to refuel them conveniently. normal car made up just 0.01 percent of total U.S. vehicle
In late 2018, just 39 hydrogen fuel stations sales in 2018.

What’s Not
High purchase price
Minimal number of
refueling stations
Available only in California

Toyota Mirai

34 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

 Total Costs of
Vehicle Ownership
P
urchase price and monthly payments are only part of the total costs of owning a new vehicle—and not necessarily
the most important ones. Car owners need to take several other factors into account, such as depreciation, fuel
costs, insurance, and maintenance.
The following analysis is based in large part on AAA’s annual Your Driving Costs study, which evaluated more than 45
top-selling 2018 vehicles across nine vehicle categories. Here are the results, based on 15,000 miles of driving annually.

The principal costs of owning a car beyond the purchase
price are:
Depreciation. The declining value of a vehicle over time is
the biggest expense and is often overlooked. New vehicles lose
an average of $15,000 over fi ve years of ownership—most of it nual rates of 0 percent to 6 percent or more. The rate you get
in the fi rst two or three years. In 2018, sedans depreciated more depends on the market at the time you buy a vehicle, special
than in past years because of Americans’ ongoing preference
for SUVs and pickups. Hybrids and EVs depreciated less in
2018 due to a rise in popularity.
Maintenance and repair. Cars today are more reliable
than in past years. Many brands include a period of routine
maintenance—say, two years/25,000 miles—in the purchase
price. AAA examined factory-recommended maintenance,
replacement tires, extended-warranty costs, and typical wear-
and-tear expenses. New vehicles, on average, cost owners
$1,232 per year to maintain and repair.
Fuel costs. These can vary widely, depending on vehicle
type, ranging from 3.68 cents per mile (electric vehicles) to
15.05 cents per mile (pickups). On average, vehicle owners will
spend just over 11 cents a mile—about $1,700 annually—on fuel.
AAA recommends Top Tier gasoline, because AAA’s in-
dependent research indicates that it keeps engines 19 times
cleaner, improves performance and fuel economy, and helps
prevent engine damage. Also, car owners should keep in mind
that using premium gas in vehicles that don’t require it is an
unnecessary expense.
AAA did not analyze the following factors in its study of
vehicle costs, but they’re worth keeping in mind when you’re
thinking about buying a new car or light truck.
Interest on financing. Interest rates vary widely—from an-
dealer incentives, the length of the loan, and your credit score.
In general, people who take shorter loans get better rates,
and rates for used cars are typically higher than for new cars.
Insurance costs. The cost of insurance depends on many
things: your age, where you live, your driving record, and the
cost and type of car(s) you own, to name a few. To avoid an
unpleasant surprise, check with your insurance agent before
you complete your vehicle purchase.
Taxes, fees, and registry costs. The more expensive the
car, the higher the sales tax and annual registration fee.
To obtain a copy of the brochure Your Driving Costs: 2018
Edition, which has more detailed information on cost
of ownership by vehicle type, stop by your local
AAA branch or download the brochure
at newsroom.aaa.com. Type “your
driving costs” into the
search box.

Vehicle Type Annual Cost

Small sedan $6,777
Minivan $9,677
Small SUV $7,869
Large sedan $9,804
Hybrid $7,485
Medium SUV $9,697
Medium sedan $8,866
Pickup truck $10,215
Electric vehicle $8,384
Overall average $8,849

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 35

 Chevrolet Colorado

Diesel Vehicles
Diesel vehicles still face an uncertain future in the U.S. That’s can still be ordered with a diesel engine, as can the soon-to-be
certainly the case for diesel cars, although it’s diffi cult to be as discontinued Chevy Cruze. The Jaguar XE, XF, and F-Pace have
defi nitive about diesel light trucks. diesel variants sold in the U.S. (see page 61). Land Rover’s Range
Fans of diesel vehicles praise their durability, strong torque Rover, Range Rover Velar, Discovery, and Range Rover Sport
and towing power, high mpg, and the fact that they produce SUVs all can be spec’d with diesel engines, as can the Jeep
fewer CO2 emissions compared with gasoline engines. But Grand Cherokee. Most of the remaining light-duty U.S. diesels
diesel vehicles generally cost more than those powered by are pickup trucks and vans of varying sizes: the Ford Transit,
gasoline. They’re noisier, too, and diesel fuel is more expensive Ram 1500, Ford F-150, and Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon.
than gasoline. Cleaning up diesel emissions is a complex pro- In 2018, sales of diesel cars and light trucks rebounded with
cess, and even when they use low-sulfur diesel fuel and exhaust a 9 percent increase over 2017: 132,230 were sold, compared
aftertreatment, diesel vehicles still emit more nitrogen oxides with 121,165 the previous year. Bestsellers in 2018 included
and particulate matter than other vehicles. the Ford Transit (41,591, a 7 percent decrease), the Mercedes
Americans have always been ambivalent about diesels, and Sprinter (29,532, up 14 percent), the Ford F-150 diesel (18,264,
in the last few years that sentiment seems to have grown. The VW new), the Ram 1500 (9,865, up 33 percent), the Chevrolet
emission-cheating software scandal of 2015 didn’t help matters Colorado (7,902, down 10 percent), and its corporate twin,
any, and recent decisions by European and Asian automakers the GMC Canyon (2,788, down 24 percent). Diesel sales
not to import diesels haven’t, either. are likely to increase in 2019 because of the introduction of
Volkswagen, formerly the largest importer of diesel vehicles Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra diesel pickups. Total
into the U.S., no longer brings diesels into the country. In 2018, U.S. diesel sales in 2018 amounted to just under 0.8 percent
BMW sold its X5 diesel SUV and its 3- and 5-series diesel sedans of all vehicles sold.
in the States, but for 2019, no BMW diesels will be available here. Both foreign and domestic automakers are questioning
Mazda has been promising to bring a CX-5 die- the degree of their commitment to diesel
sel into the U.S. for years but has yet to deliver. technology, but it’s likely in the short run
Mercedes-Benz doesn’t bring diesels into What’s Cool that diesel passenger cars and light trucks
High fuel economy
to the U.S. anymore, nor do Audi or Porsche will continue to be produced to satisfy their
Powerful engines with lots
(both part of the VW group). In fact, Porsche customer base and because diesel technology
of low-end torque
has recently said it will stop producing diesels helps automakers meet CAFE and European
Low CO2 emissions
entirely. Hyundai no longer plans to bring the fuel-economy regulations through 2025. Four
diesel-powered Santa Fe SUV into this coun- diesel vehicles are featured in the 2019 AAA
What’s Not
try, nor Kia the Sorento diesel. Cadillac has put Green Car Guide: the Chevrolet Colorado
Diesel fuel is usually more
diesel development on hold. expensive than gasoline diesel (page 170) and Equinox diesel (page
That leaves the Chevy Equinox (and its cor- Diesels are still “dirtier” 200), the Ford F-150 diesel (page 168), and
porate twin, the GMC Terrain), both of which than most vehicles the Land Rover Discovery diesel (page 198).

36 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

 Best Fuel-Efficient Cars Based on the above criteria and the

FOR TEENS
scores from our reviews, the top
cars for teens in the 2019
AAA Green Car Guide are:
Parents and teens disagree on a lot of things; one of them is the kind
of car a teen should drive. Parents focus on practicality; teens usually
go for good looks and performance, often at the expense of safety, fuel
1 2018 Honda
Accord Hybrid
Touring
economy, and drivability. NHTSA: 5 stars; IIHS: Top Safety Pick 
Safety needs to be a key element of the decision-making process, $35,605 (as tested)

2
though, because teens have the highest crash rates of any age group, and 2018 Honda
as a parent it’s up to you to keep your teen as safe as possible. Focusing Accord Touring
on fuel effi ciency pays off, too. It’ll help you and your teen save money NHTSA: 5 stars; IIHS: Top Safety Pick
$34,690 (as tested) 
and reduce your carbon footprint. And if you buy a car with a 5-star safety
                    

3
rating from the National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration (NHTSA) or 2018 Toyota
a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), it Camry SE Hybrid
could save your child’s life if he or she is involved in a crash.
NHTSA: 5 stars; IIHS: Top Safety Pick+
$33,988 (as tested)
If you buy a car that’s new or just a few years old, be sure to look for       
one that has advanced safety features, such as blind-spot warning or
forward automatic emergency braking. They’re available on more cars 4 2019 Toyota
Camry SE
NHTSA: 5 stars; IIHS: Top Safety Pick+
every year and are extra insurance for your teen in case of a collision. (See $29,394 (as tested)
Chapter 5, “Safety First,” for more information on these features.)                   
When you’re researching cars or light trucks, avoid the ones with a lot
of horsepower, which just encourages teens to speed. Steer clear of large
5 2018 Ford
Fusion Hybrid
Platinum
SUVs, too. They don’t handle as well as smaller vehicles, and their higher NHTSA: 5 stars
center of gravity makes them more likely to roll over at their handling $38,375 (as tested)

6
limits. Instead, direct your teen toward compact or midsize crossovers
2018 Honda
(which are still considered cool) or a midsize sedan with a 4-cylinder CR-V Touring AWD
engine, an automatic transmission, and high crash-test scores. NHTSA: 5 stars; IIHS: Top Safety Pick
Read up on crash testing in Chapter 5, then go to safercar.gov or $35,145 (as tested)

7
iihs.org to learn about specifi c crash-test scores for any vehicle you’re
2018 Subaru
considering for your teen. Outback 2.5i Limited
NHTSA; 5 stars; IIHS: Top Safety Pick+
$35,695 (as tested)

8
Here’s why these features matter: 2019 Subaru
• Compact or midsize crossovers or midsize sedans are easier to Crosstrek Hybrid 
drive than full-size cars or SUVs. They handle better, and they have NHTSA: Not yet rated; IIHS: Top Safety Pick+
enough mass to provide good protection in a crash. $38,470 (as tested)
• A 4-cylinder engine limits a car’s acceleration, gets better fuel

•
economy, and produces fewer emissions.
A car with an automatic transmission lets teens pay attention to
9 2018 Subaru
Crosstrek 2.0i
Premium
steering, proper speed, and braking instead of being concerned NHTSA: 5 stars; IIHS: Top Safety Pick+
about shifting. $26,905 (as tested)
• Cars and light trucks get safer every year—especially those
equipped with advanced safety features—and a car with a high
crash-test score could save your teen’s life or reduce the chance
10 2019 Mazda
CX-3 Grand
Touring FWD
that he or she will be seriously injured in a crash. NHTSA: 5 stars; IIHS: Top Safety Pick
$28,225 (as tested)

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 37

 3
CHAPTER

38 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019

 Our Road
to Results

A
utomakers continue to change and increase the selection of vehicles
they offer to meet the demands and preferences of consumers. A
generation ago, virtually all passenger cars and light trucks were
powered by internal combustion engines that burned gasoline or diesel fuel.
Gasoline-electric hybrids were just coming to market. In the late 1990s, electric
vehicles (EVs) had been tried and deemed unfeasible. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
weren’t even a glint in any designer’s eye.
DAVID RICKS

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 39

 Twenty years later, the global automotive industry is a rad-
ically different place. Alternative-powered passenger cars and
light trucks are still a niche market, but both auto manufactur-
ers and governments are making ambitious plans. A number
of automakers—Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, for example—
have committed to increasing the number of EVs in their fleets,
largely because of the need to regulate greenhouse gases and
other pollutants. As a result, the number and variety of vehicles
available to consumers has never been greater.
To help AAA members understand the rapid changes in
vehicle technology and what’s likely to be coming down the
pipeline in future years, the Automobile Club of Southern Cal-
ifornia’s Automotive Research Center (ARC) created the AAA
Green Car Guide and began evaluating and ranking these
fuel-efficient, low emission vehicles. The 2019 AAA Green Car
Guide is the 10th edition.
To stay current with the latest fuel-efficient, low emission
vehicles, the ARC staff continually researches the car-buying
market and the latest automotive technology. ARC engineers
and technicians choose a variety of vehicles to test that meet
the ARC’s testing criteria. Vehicles in the Guide must be at least
one of the following:
1. A gasoline-powered vehicle with an EPA category-leading
fuel-economy rating or a rating within 10 percent of the
leader. (The ARC uses EPA-established categories that are
published on the agency’s website, fueleconomy.gov.).
2. A hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV).
3. A battery-electric vehicle (EV, or, less commonly, BEV).
4. A zero emission vehicle (ZEV) or partial zero emission
vehicle (PZEV).
5. A diesel vehicle that meets California emission standards.
6. A vehicle that runs on compressed natural gas (CNG).
7. A vehicle that runs on hydrogen fuel (known as a hydrogen
fuel cell vehicle [HFCV] or fuel cell electric vehicle [FCEV]).
8. A vehicle that has been awarded EPA’s SmartWay
certification.
An optical fifth wheel , shown here on a Tesla Model S,
measures acceleration and braking.
Using these criteria, the ARC staff creates a list of possible
test vehicles, updating it as new vehicle information becomes
available. The ARC then asks automakers to lend it vehicles to
test. If those vehicles aren’t part of a manufacturer’s press fleet
or are otherwise unavailable, the ARC attempts to rent the ve-
hicles or obtain them from other sources.
The ARC then reviews the selected vehicles based on the
independent, objective, and subjective testing procedures de-
scribed below. Testing takes approximately three to four days
per vehicle. Evaluation and testing is performed on state-of-
the-art test equipment at the ARC in Los Angeles, on Southern
California roads, and at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana,
California.
The 2019 AAA Green Car Guide includes only 2018 and
2019 model-year vehicles. To be included in the Guide, a 2019
model must be available for sale by January 1, 2019. A 2018
model is eligible only if its 2019 drivetrain was not changed in
a significant way (for example, receiving a new engine, trans-
mission, or electric motor).
If a vehicle isn’t reviewed in the Guide, it means that the ARC
wasn’t able to obtain and evaluate it by the publishing dead-
line. Capsule reviews of such vehicles can be found in the “But
Wait, There’s More” section of Chapter 4, “What’s Next?”
 SCORING
The ARC staff evaluates and scores vehicles according to the following 12 criteria. After all vehicles have
been tested, the ARC ranks the scores for each criterion (acceleration, interior size, ride quality, etc.) on a
0-to-10-point basis. The best-scoring vehicle receives 10 points; the lowest receives 0 points; other vehicles
receive scores between 0 and 10, depending on their test results. ARC staff then total a vehicle’s scores from
all 12 tests to determine its overall score. The maximum possible score is 120. The criteria are:

1
Fuel Efficiency. The score is calculated using gallons per mile. calculations, unless the vehicle has a drivetrain configuration
The ARC uses EPA combined city/highway fuel-economy sold only in California, in which case it uses the California rating.

estimates for this score; ratings are ranked from highest to
lowest. The vehicle with the best fuel efficiency gets 10 points;
the vehicle with the lowest gets 0. For PHEVs, the combined fuel-
economy rating used for scoring is a composite rating obtained
from the EPA. A vehicle’s annual fuel cost is obtained from its EPA
DAVID RICKS
3
Acceleration. A vehicle’s acceleration score is based on
its elapsed times on straight-line runs from 0 to 60 mph
and from 40 to 60 mph; times are measured using an
optical fifth wheel (a device used to measure time, distance, and

Fuel Economy and Environment label (see page 17). The high,
low, and average on-the-road fuel-economy scores for gasoline
and hybrid vehicles that were obtained during the test vehicle’s
evaluation are also noted but are not included in the calculation
of the fuel-economy score. In general, at least three evaluators
drive each test vehicle during a weeklong period.
speed) that is attached to vehicles when they’re tested at Auto
Club Speedway. The ARC performs a total of 12 acceleration
tests per vehicle per speed interval on a portion of the drag strip
at the Auto Club Speedway—six heading west and six heading
east. ARC staff takes the average of the best two times in each
direction. The vehicles with the best and worst elapsed times are

2
EPA Emission Score. A vehicle’s emission score is the
same number as the EPA’s smog rating, which is found
on all new-vehicle window stickers (see page 17). The
rating is from 1 to 10, with 10 being best. All vehicles sold in the
U.S. have a federal smog rating. In addition, all vehicles sold in
rated with a 5 or a 0, respectively.
All vehicles are then rated on the basis of both the 0-to-60
mph and 40-to-60 mph runs on a scale from 0 to 5 each, relative
to the other vehicles in the Guide. The maximum number of
points a vehicle can earn is 10, which would mean it has both
the best 0-to-60 mph and 40-to-60 mph times.

California must pass California exhaust-emission standards.
In some cases, automakers send California dealers (and states
that share the same emission standards) vehicles that produce
lower exhaust emissions than the same vehicles sold in other
states. The AAA Green Car Guide uses the federal rating in its
4
Braking. The braking-distance score is based on
stopping distances also measured by the optical fifth
wheel. The braking-distance score is the average of
three sudden-stopping distances from 50 mph to 0 mph.
5
Crashworthiness. A vehicle’s crashworthiness
score is based on the vehicle’s weight and number
of air bags. Typically, each vehicle is weighed on a
public scale with a full tank of gas and no occupants; sometimes
the weight is obtained from manufacturer specifications. The
maximum score based on weight is 5 points.
The ARC’s method for scoring air bags often differs from
a manufacturer’s. For example, manufacturers typically count
a full side-curtain air bag as one air bag, but because it pro-
tects both the front and rear passengers, the ARC counts it as
two. The maximum score based on the number of air bags is
5 points.
6 8
Handling. The handling score has three parts, two
of which are based on a slalom-course evaluation.
First, a minimum of two ARC evaluators drive a vehicle
through the slalom course at least six times each. The average
of the top three slalom times is the slalom time for that vehicle.
Then, two other sub scores are factored in, based on evaluators’
subjective ratings of vehicular control and ease of operation.
Additionally, a vehicle’s turning circle is measured. The vehicle
42 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
with the smallest circle receives a score of 10; the one with the
largest circle receives a 0. All others are scored relative to the
minimum and maximum radiuses. All three scores make up the
overall handling score.
7
Ride Quality. Ride quality is calculated based on
subjective scores of eight criteria: bump-impact noise,
bump-impact feel, dip response, body shake (smooth
road), body shake (rough road), ride firmness, sway (pitch), and
sway (cornering). Each ARC evaluator rates the vehicles using
scores from 0 to 10 for each attribute. The overall average is the
ride-quality score.
Interior Size. This score is based on measurements
for legroom, headroom, and shoulder room in the
front and rear seats. A total of 10 points are possible.
After all vehicles have been tested, the minimum and maximum
values for each measurement are calculated. The vehicles are
then scored relative to the scores of other vehicles in the Guide.
Legroom and headroom can receive a maximum of 2 points;
shoulder room can receive up to 1 point.
AAA.com/greencar
 9
Ease of Entry and Exit. The driver’s seat of the vehicle
is set to each evaluator’s comfort level; he or she rates
the difficulty of exiting and entering both the vehicle’s
front and rear seats, based on nine attributes. The vehicle is also
given a score based on the door swing or door angle for both
the front and rear seats. That score is factored into the overall
rating for the front and rear. The average of the two overall ratings
(front and rear) provided by each evaluator becomes the overall
score, based on a scale from 0 to 10.
10
Visibility. Each evaluator subjectively rates
four visibility categories: forward, rear, and side
visibility—each with its own set of attributes—and
side-mirror controls. Each attribute (forward-distance visibility, for
example) is rated from 0 to 10. A vehicle gets additional points
in each category if it has a rear-window defroster, rear-window
wiper, heated windshield, front park assist, rear park assist, blind-
spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, heated side mirrors,
or if either of the side mirrors tilts down when the vehicle is in
DAVID RICKS
reverse. Some attributes, including headlight illumination, are
weighted more heavily. ARC staff calculates an average score
AAA.com/greencar
based on all evaluator ratings, using the overall average of all
scores to obtain the raw score.
11
Interior Noise. ARC evaluators measure interior noise
with a decibel meter inside the vehicle on four occasions:
at idle, at a steady-state 30 mph, at a steady-state 55 mph,
and during an acceleration run from 0 to 60 mph. The vehicle
with the noisiest interior at each measured interval receives a sub
score of 0, and the vehicle with the quietest interior receives a 10.
All other vehicles are then scored relative to the minimum and
maximum decibel values, and technicians calculate an overall
score for interior noise.
12
Cargo Capacity. This refers to a vehicle’s trunk
volume, or for vehicles such as hatchbacks or
SUVs, the area behind the second seat. In most
cases, this number is taken from the current EPA Fuel Economy
Guide. The vehicle with the smallest cargo capacity is given a
score of 0; the vehicle with the largest capacity is given a 10.
All other vehicle scores are then rated relative to the range of
minimum and maximum cubic-feet values.
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 43
 4
CHAPTER

Audi e-tron

44 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019

What’s
Next?
 A
utomakers face an unrelenting series of challenges as
they attempt to anticipate and meet the ever-changing
demands of customers; at the same time, significant
disruption is occurring in the auto industry, due to vehicle
electrification, the rapid development of autonomous vehicles, and new
models of car ownership. Carmakers are also under continuous pressure to
comply with increasingly rigorous fuel-economy and safety standards.
Automakers and consumers alike have come to recognize and accept that
cars and light trucks need to be safer and less harmful to the environment.
This changing awareness stems in part from the technological achievements
that have already occurred—for example, the successful development of ad-
vanced automotive safety systems and affordable, practical electric cars and
light trucks.
Still, it’s difficult to know how rapidly and to what degree personal trans-
portation will change, as powerful forces attempt both to maintain the status
quo and create new forms of mobility.
Some trends in vehicle powertrains that will affect which vehicles come to
market in the next few years:
Continued improvements and refinements will be made to gasoline
engines. The U.S. legacy fleet consists of passenger vehicles that run primar-
ily on gasoline. Although things are changing, the U.S. does not have the in-
frastructure, let alone the demand, to support large numbers of vehicles that
run on alternative power sources—electricity, for example. It’s a given, then,
that automakers will keep working to improve the efficiency of drivetrains
with internal combustion engines (ICEs).
Electrification of vehicles will increase. Domestic and foreign auto-
makers will introduce more hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and electric
vehicles (EVs), both to help them meet emission standards and to appeal
to customers, who increasingly find EVs appealing. The leading auto com-
panies, such as General Motors, Volvo, and Daimler AG, have all stated that
electrification is the future, and they’re committing a great deal of time and
huge sums of money to develop electrified and all-electric vehicles.
The future of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is as uncertain as ever. Only
three automakers—Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota—currently offer fuel cell
vehicles in the U.S., and sales remain low. All are relatively expensive, and
prices show no signs of dropping. Even worse, only California has refueling
stations—about 40—and construction of future stations is significantly behind
projected goals.
In this chapter, the first section describes fuel-efficient, low-emitting
vehicles that are likely to come on the market later in 2019 or in the next
few years. The second part of the chapter, “But Wait, There’s More,” provides
snapshots of vehicles that are currently for sale but aren’t reviewed in the
2019 AAA Green Car Guide.

46 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

HYBRIDS
Ford Explorer Hybrid
The Explorer, Ford’s best-selling SUV, has been completely
redesigned for 2020, with a larger cabin, more features and cargo
space, and several powertrain choices. One of these, offered for
the first time, is a hybrid, which consists of a 3.3-liter V6 engine, an
electric motor, a 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, and a 10-speed
automatic transmission. Total power output is 318 hp and 336 lb-ft
of torque. Top speed is 123 mph, and towing capacity is 5,000
pounds. Both RWD and AWD are available. The battery pack is
stowed under the second-row seats, so cargo space—88 cubic feet
maximum—isn’t compromised. Neither pricing nor fuel-economy
figures were available at press time. The Explorer Hybrid will go on
sale this summer.

Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Now in its sixth decade, the Toyota Corolla sedan will for the first
time be available in a hybrid version. (The Corolla hatchback, page
136, will be gas only.) Built on the Toyota New Global Architecture
platform, the body and interior are completely redesigned.
The drivetrain, adapted from the Prius, features a 1.8-liter inline
4-cylinder engine, two electric motor-generators, and a newly
designed nickel-metal-hydride battery pack, which is located
under the backseat. Total system output is 121 hp; fuel economy is
expected to be more than 50 mpg. Standard equipment includes
four driving modes—Normal, Sport, Eco, and EV—an 8-inch touch
screen, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility, and
Toyota’s suite of advanced safety features. The 2020 Corolla Hybrid
is scheduled to go on sale in spring 2019.

PLUG-IN HYBRIDS
Audi A8 L e-tron Quattro
A PHEV version of Audi’s A8 sedan (pictured) was expected in the
U.S. in 2018; it may arrive in 2019. It will be equipped with a 3.0-liter
turbocharged V6 engine that delivers 354 hp, a 126-hp electric
motor (449 hp total), an 8-speed automatic transmission, a
14.1-kWh battery pack, and permanent Quattro AWD. All-electric
range will be about 31 miles. Additional high-tech features
will include wireless inductive charging, an electromechanical
suspension, a 48-volt mild hybrid system, and—if and when federal
regulations allow—Traffic Jam Pilot, an advanced safety feature that
provides autonomous steering, accelerating, and braking functions
under certain driving conditions.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 47

PLUG-IN HYBRIDS (cont.)
BMW 330e iPerformance
The latest 330e, BMW’s 3 Series plug-in, will have its electric range
increased by one-third, up to 37 miles, when it arrives in 2020.
The drivetrain features a 2.0-liter twin-turbo 4-cylinder engine
(180 hp), an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery pack, and an
8-speed Steptronic transmission with paddle shifters. Total system
horsepower is 248. BMW claims a 0–60 time of about 6 seconds.
Fuel-economy figures for combined city/highway driving are 30
mpg and 71 MPGe.

BMW 745e xDrive

For 2019, BMW’s redesigned flagship 7 Series sedan is available
in a PHEV version, the 745e xDrive. It’s equipped with an inline
6-cylinder gas engine (280 hp), a 113-hp electric engine with a
torque rating of 195 lb-ft, an 8-speed Sport Steptronic automatic
transmission, and a new 12.0-kWh lithium-ion battery located
under the backseat. In Sport mode, the drivetrain can put out 389
hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The 745e can accelerate from 0–60 mph
in 4.9 seconds. AWD is standard. The 745e should be available for
purchase in early to mid-2019.

BMW X5 xDrive45e iPerformance

BMW’s X5 PHEV has a new drivetrain and will arrive later in 2019: a
3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine (286 hp, 443 lb-ft of torque), a 112-
hp electric motor (394 hp total), a lithium-ion battery, an 8-speed
Steptronic transmission, and AWD. Air suspension is standard. Fuel-
economy figures weren’t available at press time. The estimated
electric-only range is up to 50 miles. Top speed in hybrid mode
is 146 mph; top electric-only speed is 87 mph. Acceleration from
0–62 mph, at 5.6 seconds, is quick for this heavy midsize SUV.

48 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

PLUG-IN HYBRIDS (cont.)
Lincoln Aviator Plug-In Hybrid
After nearly a decade and a half, Lincoln has brought back the
Aviator name in a new midsize luxury SUV with a plug-in hybrid
variant. The 2020 Aviator plug-in hybrid will make use of the
gas-powered Aviator’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine
and 10-speed automatic transmission, plus an electric motor and
batteries that provide 50 extra horsepower (450 total). Torque is
also increased, from 400 lb-ft to 600 lb-ft. The hybrid powertrain
is exclusive to the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring trim. The Aviator
includes a host of advanced driver-assist technologies, including
forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control,
blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance.

Mercedes-Benz S 560e
The plug-in hybrid version of Mercedes’ flagship large sedan,
which supplants the S 550e (shown), will have a more powerful
drivetrain, consisting of a V6 engine (362 hp and 369 lb-ft of
torque), a 121-hp electric motor, a 9-speed automatic transmission,
and a 13.5-kWh lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt battery. The S
560e has an all-electric range of about 31 miles; its 0–60 mph time
is 4.9 seconds. A feature known as Eco Assist is standard. It lets
drivers know, via a head-up display, how to drive most efficiently:
when it’s best to ease up on the accelerator, when to coast, or when
to brake for energy regeneration. The S 560e is expected in dealer
showrooms in mid-2019.

Polestar 1
Polestar, Volvo’s performance brand, is planning to release its
performance-oriented PHEV coupe in mid-2019. The powertrain
consists of a 2.0-liter supercharged and turbocharged 4-cylinder
gasoline engine that drives the front wheels and two electric
motors that drive the rear wheels. Total power output is
approximately 600 hp and 783 lb-ft of torque. The Polestar 1 will be
able to travel 93 miles solely on battery power. Most body panels
will be made of carbon fiber. Polestar execs have suggested that
the Polestar 1 is an “interim” vehicle, in that future Polestar vehicles
will be all-electric. The Polestar 1 will be produced in China and
ordered online; Volvo dealerships will provide vehicle servicing. A
smaller model, the Polestar 2, is scheduled to follow.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 49

ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Audi e-tron
In fall 2018, Audi began accepting reservations for its midsize
e-tron crossover SUV, which will become available in mid-2019.
The e-tron has two electric motors—one in the front and one in the
rear—that put out 355 hp and 414 lb-ft of torque. However, putting
the transmission in Sport mode boosts the power to 402 hp and
490 lb-ft for up to 8 seconds. The e-tron can reach 62 mph from
rest in less than 6 seconds; its electronically governed top speed is
124 mph. The 95-kWh battery pack should be good for about 250
miles of driving. A regenerative braking system enables one-pedal
driving. The Audi e-tron’s MSRP starts at $75,000.

Audi e-tron Sportback Concept

Presumably, the next EV coming from Audi will be the e-tron 4-seat
Sportback, first introduced as a concept at the Shanghai Auto Show
in 2017 and likely bound for production in late 2019. The Sportback
will have three electric motors—one on the front axle and two on the
rear—that deliver up to 500 hp in boost mode, 590 lb-ft of torque,
and a 0-to-62 mph time of 4.5 seconds. The battery capacity is 95
kWh; range is estimated at about 280 miles per charge. Top speed
will be about 130 mph. Audi has stated that by 2025, it intends to
offer 12 automobiles with all-electric drive.

BMW iX3 Concept

BMW introduced its iX3 Concept at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show,
and it’s probable that sometime in 2019, the iX3 will go into
production as a 2020 model. Specifics were scarce at press time,
but the concept looks almost exactly like a standard X3, except for
the aero-optimized wheels. The iX3’s drivetrain will likely produce
about 270 hp; the small crossover will have a range of about 250
miles. The iX3 Concept was equipped with a 70-kWh lithium-ion
battery; it’s not known if this will carry over to the production model.
Similarly, pricing hasn’t yet been announced.

50 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

ELECTRIC VEHICLES (cont.)
Kia Niro EV
The Kia Niro EV is scheduled to arrive in dealer showrooms early
in 2019. It’s equipped with a 201-hp electric motor that puts out
291 lb-ft of torque, a 64-kWh lithium-ion battery, and it has an
EPA-estimated range of 239 miles. The battery is mounted under
the floor to conserve cargo space. Fast-charging equipment is
standard, which enables a 100-mile recharge in 30 minutes or 80
percent of battery capacity in 75 minutes. The battery can be fully
charged in 9.5 hours on a Level 2 charger. Going from 0–62 mph
takes 7.8 seconds, and top speed is 104 mph. With the rear seats
folded, the cargo capacity is 53 cubic feet.

Lucid Air
Lucid Motors is planning to deliver its luxury Lucid Air sedan in
late 2020; it will feature an all-aluminum body and be available in
several configurations. The basic Air will come with one electric
motor rated at 400 hp, a floor-mounted 100-kWh lithium-ion
battery pack, RWD, and a range of 240 miles. High-end versions
will have two motors, up to 1,000 hp and 400 miles of range, and
be powered by a 130-kWh battery. Going from 0–60 mph will
take 2.5 seconds, and top speed will be more than 200 mph. An
Air prototype has reached 235 mph in high-speed testing on a
racetrack. Available features include steeply reclining rear seats,
several touch screens, air suspension, AWD, and an autonomous
driving system.

Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC

Mercedes-Benz debuted its first fully electric vehicle under its
EQ (“electric intelligence”) sub-brand at the 2019 Consumer
Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Named the EQC 400 4MATIC, it’s a
crossover SUV with two motors—one front, one rear—that produce
402 hp and 564 lb-ft of torque. The EQC has a floor-mounted,
80-kWh lithium-ion battery that provides an estimated range of
280 miles. Electronically limited top speed is 112 mph; 0–60 mph
can be reached in 4.9 seconds. Five driving modes are available:
Comfort, Eco, Max Range, Sport, and Individual. Equipped with the
latest generation of Mercedes-Benz driver-assistance systems, the
EQC is scheduled to go on sale in Europe in 2019 and the U.S. in
2020.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 51

ELECTRIC VEHICLES (cont.)
Mini Electric Concept
Following up on its limited introduction of the all-electric Mini E
in 2008 and the Mini Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 plug-in hybrid
in 2017 (see page 59), Mini is planning to release an all-electric
2-door, 4-seat hardtop based on the Mini Electric Concept (left).
Designed mainly as a city car, it will feature a closed-off front grille,
4-spoke wheels, LED headlights and taillights, and yellow accents
on various exterior parts. The Mini Electric’s motor will produce
150 horsepower; the range is expected to be about 150 miles. It’s
slated to go into production in late 2019 as a 2020 model.

Porsche Taycan
The Taycan (formerly the Mission E; camouflaged test vehicle
photo shown), due at the end of 2019 as a 2020 model, will have
two electric motors—one at each axle—producing a total of 600 hp,
a 0–62 mph time of 3.5 seconds, a range of 300-plus miles, a top
speed of 155 mph, plus AWD and all-wheel steering. Reportedly,
the Taycan will be equipped with the world’s first mass-produced
800-volt battery pack, which will allow it to add about 240 miles
of range in less than 15 minutes of charging, about twice as fast
as a Tesla Supercharger. Porsche intends to produce two models:
the Taycan sedan and the Taycan Cross Turismo, an elongated
hatchback. Pricing guesstimates are from $90,000 to $130,000.

Rivian R1T
Startup U.S. automaker Rivian plans to produce a midsize electric
pickup, the R1T, in late 2020. Built on a body-on-frame design, it
will feature aluminum-and-steel construction, electric motors at
each wheel (197 hp each), air suspension, and a choice of three
battery packs, ranging from 105 kWh to 180 kWh. The truck’s bed
is just under 5 feet square. The R1T’s fastest 0–60 mph time is 3.0
seconds, and the maximum range is 400-plus miles, according to
the automaker. Maximum payload is 1,760 pounds; maximum tow
rating is 11,000 pounds. The largest battery (“Megapack”) will take
an 80 percent charge in 50 minutes. Rivian promises standard Level
3 autonomous technology on all R1Ts. Large-battery versions will
go on sale first, at around $85,000.

52 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

ELECTRIC VEHICLES (cont.)
Volkswagen I.D. Crozz
VW has announced that a small EV crossover based on the I.D.
Crozz concept (left) will launch in the U.S. in 2020 as a 2021 model.
It will be powered by a rear-mounted 201-hp electric motor, a
101-hp motor up front, and an 83-kWh battery mounted under the
floor, and will feature AWD when needed. Range will be up to 300
miles, according to VW, and top speed is projected to be 112 mph.
The Crozz-based SUV will be about the same size as a VW Tiguan,
but its design will be much more rounded and coupe-like. The
Crozz can achieve an 80 percent battery charge in just 30 minutes
using a 150-kW DC fast charger.

Workhorse W-15
Workhorse, a small U.S. automaker specializing in delivery trucks,
has developed a midsize electric pickup intended for commercial
fleet use and for individual consumers. It plans to deliver some
vehicles in early 2019 and to go into full production later in the
year. The W-15 has two electric motors, one in the front and one
in the rear (442 hp total), AWD, a 60-kWh battery pack, and a
carbon-fiber body. Its all-electric range is estimated at 80 miles,
but a standard 1.5-liter 3-cylinder BMW gasoline engine extends
the range to 310 miles. The W-15 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph
in 5.5 seconds. Maximum payload is 2,200 pounds; the maximum
tow rating is 5,000 pounds. The W-15’s MSRP will be approximately
$50,000 before incentives.

HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLES

Mercedes-Benz GLC F-Cell
Late in 2018, Mercedes-Benz planned to release the GLC F-Cell,
a hydrogen-powered midsize SUV, as a lease vehicle in major
German cities. It will come to the U.S. in late 2019 or 2020. Instead
of being powered solely by electricity created by a chemical
process between hydrogen and oxygen, the F-Cell functions as
a kind of plug-in hybrid, with the hydrogen powertrain taking the
place of the ICE found in conventional PHEVs. The fuel cell charges
the battery pack, which can also be charged externally. The F-Cell
has a single electric motor, which drives the rear wheels, and a 13.8-
kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The F-Cell’s range is approximately
30 miles on battery power alone and about 200 miles total.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 53

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE …
The 2019 AAA Green Car Guide provides detailed data and reviews of 77 fuel-efficient, low-emission cars and light
trucks, but there are others on the market we weren’t able to test. The following are capsule reviews of those vehicles.

HIGH-MPG ICE
Chevrolet Spark
The Chevy Spark, a great city car because of its petite size, was
completely redesigned in 2016 and received a minor face-lift and
infotainment upgrades for 2019. The Spark’s 1.4-liter turbocharged
engine produces just 98 hp. It’s mated to either a 5-speed manual
transmission or a CVT. A well-equipped 2 LT model (the top trim
level) with many amenities—including leather-wrapped steering
wheel, leatherette upholstery, satellite radio, rearview camera,
heated front seats, push-button start, power mirrors, lane-departure
warning, and forward-collision alert—is priced at about $19,000.

Chevrolet Trax
The Trax, Chevy’s subcompact crossover, received a minor face-
lift inside and out in 2017. The Trax, with its low purchase price,
combines value and utility. The 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder
engine (138 hp) is matched with a 6-speed automatic. The cargo
area is large for a vehicle this small. FWD is standard; AWD is
optional. The EPA-estimated fuel economy for a FWD Trax is 25
mpg city/33 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. Available advanced
safety features include forward-collision warning, blind-spot
warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-departure warning.

Mazda CX-5
Mazda’s CX-5 compact crossover receives some important
upgrades for 2019: two new premium trim levels, each with a
standard 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine (250 hp). The
CX-5 has an athletically styled exterior; a cozy, cockpit-like interior;
and upscale ambience. Backseat room is adequate for two people,
and the cargo capacity is good for its class. Fuel economy is good,
at 23 mpg city/28 mpg highway/25 mpg combined for the new
turbocharged engine.

Mazda Mazda3
The iconic Mazda3 emphasizes driving dynamics, premium
materials, and a refined design aesthetic. The 3 is equipped with a
choice of 4-cylinder engines (155 hp or 184 hp). A 6-speed manual
transmission is standard; a 6-speed automatic is optional. Fuel
economy is very good, at an EPA-estimated 30–32 mpg combined,
depending on the powertrain. Many advanced driver-assistance
safety features—including forward automatic emergency braking,
adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot warning—are available. A
completely redesigned Mazda3 is coming in mid- to late 2019.

54 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

HIGH-MPG ICE (cont.)
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Based on Mercedes’ CLA sedan, the GLA is Mercedes’ compact
luxury crossover. The most fuel-efficient version comes with a
2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which produces 208 hp
and 258 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a 7-speed automatic
transmission. The GLA 250 is pretty quick off the line, with a 0–60
mph time of about 7 seconds. An engine stop-start system is
standard. The EPA-estimated fuel economy is 24 mpg city/33 mpg
highway/27 mpg combined for the FWD version.

Mitsubishi Mirage G4
The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 was redesigned for 2017, with minimal
changes since then. It’s propelled by a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder gasoline
engine (78 hp). It’s available with a 5-speed manual or a CVT. The
cabin is both spacious and sparse. The Mirage is a capable urban
commuter, and, to its credit, gets an EPA-estimated 37 mpg in
combined driving. It hasn’t been crash-tested by NHTSA, and no
advanced safety features are available.

Nissan Rogue
Nissan’s popular Rogue was refreshed for 2017. The new styling is
mainstream and handsome. The inside is attractive and sporty; the
cabin is spacious, with good interior storage; and the cargo area
is large and usefully shaped. The Rogue has a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder
engine (170 hp) and a CVT with Sport and Eco modes. The EPA-
estimated fuel economy is 26 mpg city/33 mpg highway/29 mpg
combined for a FWD model. IIHS awarded the Rogue a Top Safety
Pick+ rating in 2018.

Subaru Impreza
Redesigned in 2017, the Impreza has grown from a compact
car into a midsize vehicle, and is available either as a sedan or
as a 5-door hatchback. It comes with only one engine, a 2.0-liter
4-cylinder (152 hp). AWD is standard, as with most Subarus. Overall,
the Impreza is a good value, with lots of advanced safety features
for the price, including forward automatic emergency braking,
lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic
warning. Fuel economy is impressive, too—an EPA-estimated 28
mpg city/38 mpg highway/32 mpg combined.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 55

HIGH-MPG ICE (cont.)
Toyota Sienna
Toyota’s Sienna minivan, now in its third generation, has a spacious,
comfortable, and upscale seating area and lots of storage space.
Available second-row captain’s chairs fully recline and have a
pop-out footrest. The Sienna is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine
(296 hp) and an 8-speed automatic transmission. EPA-estimated
fuel economy with FWD is 19 mpg city/27 mg highway/22 mpg
combined. Toyota’s suite of advanced safety features—including
forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning,
lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and automatic
high beams—is standard equipment on all Siennas.

HYBRIDS
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid’s sleek exterior, smooth powertrain,
and advanced safety features make it a solid competitor among
midsize cars. Its 1.8-liter engine, electric motor (182 hp total),
and lithium-ion battery pack deliver an EPA-estimated 46 mpg
combined. The Malibu’s interior is its biggest downfall; it’s filled
with cheap-looking plastics. The trunk is small for a midsize sedan,
because both the hybrid battery and wheel wells take up space. For
2019, the Malibu’s front and rear fasciae have been redesigned.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The midsize Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was completely redesigned
for 2016 and significantly refreshed for 2018, principally in its sheet
metal, interior, steering, and suspension. Its drivetrain remains the
same—a 2.0-liter gasoline engine (154 hp), 51-hp electric motor
(193 total hp), 6-speed automatic transmission, and a 1.76-kWh
battery pack, which delivers an EPA-estimated 42 mpg in combined
driving. One of the top midsize sedans, the Sonata Hybrid is a
spacious highway cruiser, with a quiet, smooth ride and easy-to-use,
legible controls.

Kia Optima Hybrid

The Kia Optima Hybrid, redesigned for 2017, has a handsome
exterior and a cleanly designed, functional cabin. The cockpit-
like front seating area has decent room, and all controls are
straightforward. The trunk is surprisingly large and deep, with no
visible intrusion from the hybrid battery pack. The Optima’s hybrid
powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and electric
motor, good for 192 hp total. At an EPA-estimated 39 mpg city/46
mpg highway/42 mpg combined, fuel economy is very good. The
Optima Hybrid is available only in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii,
Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

56 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

HYBRIDS (cont.)
Nissan Rogue Hybrid
Redesigned in 2017, the Nissan Rogue Hybrid has handsome
exterior styling and an attractive, sporty interior. The hybrid
powertrain is comprised of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and an
electric motor, which puts out 176 hp total. Available advanced
safety features include forward-collision warning, forward automatic
emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic
warning. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 33 city/35 highway/34
combined.

Toyota Prius
The fourth-gen Prius, introduced in 2016, remains the iconic hybrid.
It’s powered by a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine (95 hp), a 71-hp electric
motor, a CVT, and a battery pack. Total system horsepower is 121.
Fuel economy is now an EPA-estimated 52 mpg combined, nearly
best in class. Toyota’s suite of advanced safety features—including
forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning,
lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and automatic
high beams—is standard equipment on all Prius trim levels. An
AWD Prius arrives for 2019.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Toyota completely redesigned its RAV4 Hybrid crossover SUV for
2019. The more powerful hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.5-liter
4-cylinder engine, an electric motor/generator, and a CVT that puts
out 219 hp total. A second electric motor provides traction to the
rear wheels when needed. Fuel economy is improved compared
with the previous version: 41 mpg city/37 mpg highway/39 mpg
combined. A suite of advanced safety features is standard. The
RAV4 Hybrid costs only $800 more than the standard RAV4,
enabling owners to recoup the expense in fuel savings in less than
two years.

PLUG-IN HYBRIDS
Audi A3 Sportback e-tron
Audi’s A3 e-tron hatchback features a turbo 1.4-liter 4-cylinder
engine, an electric motor (204 hp total), and a 6-speed automatic
transmission. It can travel for about 17 miles on electricity only. The
Sportback e-tron has four driving modes—EV, Hybrid, Hold, and
Charge—to maximize the efficiency of its powertrain. Unlike most
Audis, the e-tron is not available with Quattro AWD. EPA fuel-
economy estimates are 36 mpg combined in hybrid mode and
83 MPGe as an EV. Full recharge times are about 2.5 hours on
240 volts and 8 hours on 120 volts.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 57

PLUG-IN HYBRIDS (cont.)
BMW i8
BMW’s iconic plug-in hybrid sports car, introduced in 2014, gets
a few updates for 2019, the main one being that it’s now available
as a soft-top roadster. Also, the electric motor’s output has been
increased from 129 hp to 141 hp and total power output from 357
hp to 369 hp. The lithium-ion battery is more powerful, too, going
from 7.1 to 11.6 kWh. As a result, the i8’s purely electric range jumps
from 15 to 18 miles. The claimed 0–60 mph time for the i8 coupe is
4.2 seconds and 4.4 seconds for the roadster.

Karma Revero
In late 2016, Karma Automotive introduced an updated version of
the Fisker Karma—a sleek PHEV sport sedan—that’s been renamed
the Revero. General Motors supplies its turbocharged 4-cylinder
260-hp engine. The battery’s capacity is 21.4 kWh, good for about
50 miles of all-electric driving. The Revero has three drive modes
and regenerative braking. The car is built in Southern California and
is available for sale or lease at eight locations throughout North
America. Fuel economy is 20 mpg combined in hybrid mode and
60 MPGe in all-electric mode.

Kia Optima PHEV

The Kia Optima PHEV adds plug-in power to a solid midsize sedan.
The hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline
engine (154 hp), an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery, and a
6-speed automatic transmission. Total system output is 202 hp. Fuel
economy is 40 mpg in combined city/highway driving and 103
MPGe in all-electric mode. The all-electric range is up to 29 miles.
Available advanced safety features include blind-spot warning,
forward automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic warning,
and adaptive cruise control.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport P400e

The Range Rover Sport P400e is equipped with a 2.0-liter inline
4-cylinder engine rated at 296 hp, a 190-hp electric motor, an
8-speed automatic transmission, and an all-aluminum body
structure. A 13.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack resides beneath the
cargo floor. Total power is 398 hp; permanent 4WD is standard. The
all-electric range is estimated at 31 miles. The P400e’s time from 0 to
60 mph is 6.7 seconds; top speed is 137 mph. A suite of advanced
driver-assistance features is standard equipment.

58 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

PLUG-IN HYBRIDS (cont.)
Mercedes-Benz C 350e
The Mercedes-Benz C 350e plug-in hybrid is the most fuel-
efficient vehicle of M-B’s C Class sedans. It adds an 80-hp electric
motor to the C 300’s turbocharged 4-cylinder 208-hp engine for
a total power output of 275 horsepower. A 7-speed automatic
transmission and a water-cooled 6.2-kWh lithium-ion battery
round out the drivetrain. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 30 mpg
combined in hybrid mode and 51 MPGe running on electricity only.
The full battery-recharging time is 2.5 hours at 240 volts. The C 350e
can be driven for up to 19 miles solely on electric power; its 0-60
mph time is 5.8 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e

The popular GLC Class PHEV variant, the GLC 350e, is powered
by a turbocharged 4-cylinder 241-hp engine and a 112-hp electric
motor that produce 320 hp total and 413 lb-ft of torque. A 7-speed
transmission and an 8.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack complete
the drivetrain. The GLC 350e’s electric-only range is estimated
at 20 miles; full charging takes about 2.5 hours at 240 volts. The
GLC 350e’s 0–60 mph time is 6.2 seconds. AWD is standard. Fuel
economy numbers are 56 MPGe and 25 mpg in combined driving.

Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4

The Countryman S E plug-in hybrid drivetrain combines a
turbocharged 3-cylinder engine (134 hp) with an 87-hp electric
motor, a 6-speed automatic transmission, and a 7.6-kWh lithium-
ion battery. System stats are 221 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque; the
S E’s 0–60 mph time is pretty quick: 6.7 seconds. The gas engine
drives the front wheels and the electric motor drives the rear; AWD
is standard. Fuel-economy numbers are lower than some hybrids,
however: 27 mpg combined in gas-electric driving, 65 MPGe on
electricity alone, and an all-electric range of just 12 miles.

Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid

The Cayenne has been redesigned for 2019, including the model
now called the E-Hybrid. The new drivetrain combines a 3.0-liter
turbocharged V6 engine (335 hp) and a 134-hp electric motor that
produce 455 hp (39 hp more than last year) and 332 lb-ft of torque;
as before, they’re mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The
Cayenne’s all-electric range is about 27 miles, a dozen more than in
2018, and the EPA-estimated combined fuel-economy numbers are
47 MPGe on electric power and 22 mpg running as a gas-electric
hybrid. AWD is standard.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 59

PLUG-IN HYBRIDS (cont.)
Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid
Porsche produces a total of six Panamera plug-in hybrids, in two
body styles, turbo and nonturbo versions, with horsepower ranging
from 462 to 680 and prices ranging from $103,000 to $190,000.
The base car is the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, which has a 2.9-liter twin-
turbo V6 (330 hp), a 136-hp electric motor, a 14.1-kWh lithium-ion
battery, and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Total power output
is 462 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The claimed 0–60 mph time is 4.4
seconds, with a 31-mile electric-only range and a top speed of 172
mph. AWD is standard.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES
BMW i3
The i3, BMW’s premium subcompact EV, is available in two versions,
the i3 and the i3s. The latter has a more powerful engine (184 hp,
199 lb-ft of torque versus 170 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque) and sharper
handling. The i3 (the car, not the trim level) is also available with a
range-extending 2-cylinder gasoline engine. Its chassis is made
from carbon-reinforced plastic, and the back doors have rear
hinges, which makes backseat access easy. New for 2019 is a 42.2-
kWh battery (compared with 33 kWh on the 2018 version), which
extends the i3’s range by nearly 30 percent, from 114 miles to
153 miles.

Honda Clarity Electric

Honda launched the 2016 Clarity as a hydrogen-powered fuel cell
vehicle (page 61). Since then, two other Clarity types have been
developed: a plug-in hybrid (page 153) and an EV. The Clarity
Electric’s exterior styling is bold and futuristic. The cabin is roomy,
but the trunk is small. The Clarity Electric is powered by a 161-hp
electric motor. Its EPA-estimated combined fuel economy is 114
MPGe, but its range is only an EPA-estimated 89 miles. Numerous
advanced safety features are available, including adaptive cruise
control, forward-collision warning, forward automatic emergency
braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance.

Tesla Model X
The Model X was the first fully electric SUV when it was introduced
in 2016. Its many distinctive features include falcon-wing rear
doors, a panoramic windshield, air suspension, and a 17-inch
touch screen. The 2019 Model X comes in two versions: Long
Range and Performance. Both have two electric motors and AWD.
Maximum range: 295 miles. Maximum cargo space: 88 cubic
feet. The quickest 0–60 mph time, with optional Ludicrous mode,
is 2.8 seconds. Driver-assistance features like forward automatic
emergency braking and blind-spot warning are standard. Tesla’s
semiautonomous Autopilot system is a $3,000 option.

60 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

ELECTRIC VEHICLES (cont.)
Volkswagen e-Golf
Available in two trim levels, the VW e-Golf is powered by an electric
motor that generates 134 hp and 214 lb-ft of torque and is coupled
with a 35.8-kWh lithium-ion battery. Onboard DC fast charging,
which achieves an 80 percent charge in 30 minutes, is now standard.
The e-Golf’s EPA-estimated combined fuel economy is 119 MPGe.
Its range is just 125 miles, low by 2019 standards. Neither NHTSA
nor IIHS has crash-tested the e-golf. Available advanced safety
features include forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive
cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance,
blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning.

DIESEL VEHICLES
Jaguar F-Pace 20d
Jaguar offers a diesel option for three of its recently released
vehicles: its F-Pace midsize crossover SUV (left); its luxury compact
sedan, the XE; and its recently redesigned midsize luxury sedan,
the XF. All three vehicles share the same powertrain: a 2.0-liter
turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel engine rated at 180 hp and 318
lb-ft of torque, matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission
and standard AWD. EPA-estimated fuel economy in combined city/
highway driving is 29 mpg for the F-Pace, 36 mpg for the XE, and 35
mpg for the XF.

HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLES

Honda Clarity Fuel Cell
In the Clarity Fuel Cell, introduced in 2016, liquid hydrogen fuel is
converted into electricity through a chemical process in the vehicle’s
fuel-cell stack; power is then sent to a 174-hp electric motor that
drives the front wheels. The EPA-estimated range for the Clarity Fuel
Cell is 366 miles of combined city/highway driving. It’s available
only as a three-year lease from a dozen California Honda dealers
for $369 per month, with $2,868 due at signing. The Clarity is also
available as an EV (page 60) and a PHEV (page 153).

Hyundai Nexo
The Nexo has a 95-kW fuel cell, a 161-hp electric motor, and a
40-kW battery pack. Available in two trim levels, the Blue and the
Limited, the 36-month Nexo lease costs $399 (Blue) and $449
(Limited) per month. The purchase price is $59,345 and $62,845,
respectively. Those purchasing a Nexo will receive hydrogen fueling
cards worth $13,000 from Hyundai. Range is estimated at 380 miles
(Blue) and 354 miles (Limited). In the U.S., the Nexo is available only
in California. The first Nexo was delivered to a customer in Southern
California in late December 2018.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 61

 5
CHAPTER

Safety
First
C
ar crashes continue to be among the leading causes of
deaths and injuries in the United States. Over the past
four decades, deaths from car crashes were decreasing—
fatalities dropped from 51,091 in 1980 to a low of 32,479
in 2011—despite increases in the numbers of drivers, passenger vehi-
cles, and vehicle miles traveled.
But recently this trend has reversed itself; car crashes killed 37,461
people in 2016 and 37,133 people in 2017. For the first half of 2018
(the most recent data available), the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) estimates that about 17,100 people died in
motor vehicle crashes. In addition, car crashes seriously injure more than
2 million people every year.
One of the main ways the U.S. works to improve traffic safety is by
making cars safer; that is, through vehicle crash testing and the devel-
opment of advanced safety features. Two U.S. organizations crash test
new vehicles: NHTSA (safercar.gov), an agency of the U.S. Department
of Transportation, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS,
iihs.org), an independent safety-research group underwritten by
auto insurers. Both conduct their tests under conditions that simulate
real-world car crashes, and both publish test results on their web-
sites indicating how well a vehicle is likely to protect its occupants in
COURTESY IIHS

various types of crashes. The tests are similar in some ways and different
in others; taken together, they provide a more complete picture of a
vehicle’s safety capabilities.

62 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019

 INCREASE IN DEADLY VEHICLE CRASHES
Fatalities (in thousands)
Overall, fatal car crashes declined from 1980 to 2013,
but they’ve taken an uptick in the last several years.
60

1975 50
44,525
40
2017
37,133
30

20

10

0
1975 ‘80 ‘85 ‘90 ‘95 ‘00 ‘05 ‘10 ‘15

Source: NHTSA

The dummy’s position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument
panel indicates that the driver’s survival space was maintained very well.
NHTSA’s Crash Testing
NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) created the
5-Star Safety Ratings Program to provide consumers with infor-
mation about the crash protection and rollover capabilities of
new vehicles beyond what is required by federal law.  occupant deaths. In the test, a vehicle accelerates straight into a
NHTSA performs four types of crash tests: one frontal test,
two side tests, and a rollover test. Star ratings (1 through 5, with
5 being best) designate a vehicle’s safety rating in each of these
areas. The higher the number of stars a vehicle receives for a
given test, the lower the chance of occupant injury in that type of
collision. (“More stars mean safer cars” goes the NHTSA slogan.)
The agency began crash testing cars in 1978 and has contin-
ually made its crash-test standards more stringent; the last major
overhaul was in 2010. Key elements of that update:
• Using a small female dummy in the testing procedure,
rather than only a medium-size male dummy.
• Added sensors on the male dummy to measure injury
data.
• Addition of a side-pole test (described below), to simulate
a vehicle sliding sideways into a tree or light pole.
• Additional information making consumers aware of any
crash-avoidance technology on a vehicle.
• A single overall rating score, making it easier for
consumers to compare the relative safety of various
vehicles they might consider purchasing.
All vehicles sold in the U.S. must adhere to NHTSA standards,
so all cars sold in this country have become safer over the years.
The following section outlines the current NHTSA test proto-
col for frontal, side, and rollover crashes, which account for the
majority of crashes on America’s roadways.
64 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
Frontal Testing
NHTSA’s front crash test simulates a head-on crash between
two vehicles. Frontal impacts account for about half of vehicle-
rigid barrier at 35 mph; the entire width of the vehicle strikes the
barrier. Inside the vehicle are an average-size adult male dummy
in the driver’s seat and a small-size adult female dummy in the
front passenger’s seat. Both are secured by seat belts.
Sensors on both dummies record the effects of the crash.
Engineers evaluate injuries to the head, neck, chest, and femur.
Critics have claimed that a full-frontal crash test is not especially
useful because, compared with frontal-offset crashes—in which
only one side of a vehicle’s front end, not the full width, hits a
barrier—full-frontal crashes are relatively rare. Others argue that
flat-barrier testing is an effective way to gauge the effective-
ness of the restraint systems, mainly safety belts and air bags.
Because the kinetic energy of a crash is related to a vehicle’s
speed and weight, frontal crash ratings can meaningfully be
compared only between vehicles of approximately the same
weight (+/- 250 pounds).
Side Testing
Side crashes account for about one-quarter of car crash deaths.
The sides of vehicles have little space to absorb energy and
COURTESY NHTSA (2)
shield occupants in a crash. Side air bags are designed to keep
people in a side crash from colliding with the inside of the vehi-
cle, with other passengers, and with objects outside the vehi-
cle. They also help to spread impact forces over a larger area of
an occupant’s body.
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NHTSA’s side-barrier crash test simulates being “T-boned”
on the driver’s side at an intersection. In this test, in addition to
an average-size male driver dummy, a small-size adult female
dummy is positioned in the backseat behind the driver. The test
vehicle is stationary, and a 3,015-pound barrier crashes into it at
38.5 mph. The head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis of both dum-
mies are evaluated for injuries. Test results can be meaningfully
compared across vehicle classes because the kinetic energy is
the same in each test.
The side-pole crash test simulates a driver losing control of
a vehicle, sliding, and crashing into a telephone pole or similar
object on the driver’s side. The vehicle, angled at 75 degrees, is
pulled sideways at 20 mph into a 10-inch-diameter pole at the
driver’s seating location. A small-size female dummy, secured
by a seat belt, is in the driver’s seat. The dummy’s head, chest,
lower spine, abdomen, and pelvis are evaluated for injuries.
Vehicle test results for side-pole ratings can be compared with
each other because the kinetic energy is the same in all tests.
Rollover Ratings
Deaths from rollovers account for about one-fifth of all vehi-
cle crash fatalities. The rollover-resistance rating is based on an
at-rest laboratory measurement, the static stability factor, which
determines how top-heavy a vehicle is, and the results of an
extreme driving maneuver that determines how prone a vehi-
cle is to tipping over.
In addition to the scores from the four tests just mentioned,
vehicles with certain advanced safety features get extra credit.
Currently, as part of its 5-Star Safety Ratings Program, NHTSA
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This 2018 Audi Q7 was destroyed to ensure occupant safety.
It earned a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA.
encourages consumers to purchase vehicles with forward-
collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, and
lane-departure warning. For other safety systems, NHTSA hasn’t
yet established performance specifications but recognizes
the systems as promising technologies that may be added to
the 5-Star Safety Ratings list of recommended technologies
at a future date. These systems include pedestrian detection,
lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning.
NHTSA continually raises its standards and refines its test-
ing procedures. To learn more about crash testing and view
videos about how crash tests are carried out, go to nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA has also created a shopping guide to make today’s driver-
assistance technologies easier to understand. Go to nhtsa.gov
and type “vehicle shopper’s guide driver assistance technolo-
gies” into the search box.
IIHS Crash Testing
IIHS performs crash testing that’s similar and complementary to
NHTSA’s testing, although IIHS’ tests are generally regarded as
more stringent. Although cars are not legally obligated to meet
IIHS standards, automakers take its test results seriously and typ-
ically are quick to fix defects on cars that do poorly on the agen-
cy’s tests. For example, its small front-overlap test, implemented
in 2012 and described below, in effect forced automakers to
strengthen their vehicles’ crash structures.
IIHS runs six kinds of crash tests, including three frontal
crash tests, a side test, a roof-strength test, and a test of head
restraints and seats. In addition, it conducts low- and moderate-
speed track tests of vehicles with automatic emergency braking
systems, and evaluations of headlight systems and child-seat
attachment hardware.
IIHS’ frontal crash tests differ from NHTSA’s mainly in that
the Institute runs frontal-offset tests, in which only one side of a
vehicle’s front end, not the full width, hits a barrier. As a result,
a smaller part of the structure has to manage the crash energy,
and intrusion of vehicle parts into the occupant compartment
is more likely.
Frontal Testing
The three IIHS frontal crash tests are:
Moderate-overlap frontal test (formerly called the frontal-
offset test). Here, a vehicle travels at 40 mph toward a barrier with
a 2-foot-tall deformable face. Forty percent of the total width of
the vehicle strikes the barrier on the driver side. A crash dummy
representing an average-size man is positioned in the driver seat.
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 65
When IIHS began its moderate-overlap frontal tests, most vehi-
cles were rated “poor” or “marginal.” Today, however, all vehicles
earn “good” ratings because vehicle cabins are much stronger.
Driver-side small-overlap frontal test. In 2012, IIHS introduced
a driver-side small-overlap frontal crash test, which is designed to
replicate the front left corner of a vehicle colliding with another
vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole. In the test, a vehicle
travels at 40 mph toward a 5-foot-tall rigid barrier, with a dummy
representing an average-size man positioned in the driver seat.
Twenty-five percent of the total width of the vehicle strikes the
barrier on the driver side.
Small-overlap frontal crashes mainly affect a vehicle’s outer
edges, which aren’t well-protected by the vehicle’s crush-zone
structures, located in the middle 50 percent of the front end.
Therefore, crash forces go directly into the front wheel, suspen-
sion system, and firewall, resulting in potentially increased head,
chest, hip, spine, and pelvis injuries. Often, the wheel can be
forced rearward into the footwell, resulting in serious leg and
foot injuries.
Passenger-side small-overlap frontal test. The passenger-side
test, which IIHS began conducting in 2017, is the same as the
driver-side test except that the vehicle overlaps the barrier on
the right side. In addition, there are two crash-test dummies in
this test, one in the driver seat and one in the passenger seat.
IIHS analyzed 14 years’ worth of crash data and found that in
a frontal crash, drivers of vehicles rated “good” in the moderate-
overlap test are 46 percent less likely to die than drivers of
vehicles rated “poor”; drivers of vehicles rated “acceptable” or
A 2019 Subaru Ascent undergoes an IIHS
side-crash test. It received a “good” rating.
66 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
“marginal” are 33 percent less likely to die in a frontal crash than
drivers of vehicles rated “poor.”
As in NHTSA testing, frontal crash-test results from vehicles
of different sizes and weights can’t meaningfully be compared
because the kinetic energy for the frontal tests is different with
different-size vehicles. That’s why, given equivalent frontal rat-
ings in crashes between a light vehicle and a heavier one, the
heavier vehicle generally offers better protection.
Side Testing
IIHS began its side-test program in 2003. In the test, a 3,300-
pound SUV-like barrier hits the driver side of the vehicle at 31
mph. Two dummies representing small women or 12-year-old
children are positioned in the vehicle, one in the driver seat and
one in the backseat behind the driver.
IIHS testing results over the years indicate that drivers of vehi-
cles rated “good” are 70 percent less likely to die in a driver-side
crash, compared with drivers of vehicles rated “poor”; drivers
of vehicles rated “acceptable” are 64 percent less likely to die;
and drivers of vehicles rated “marginal” are just 49 percent less
likely to die than drivers of vehicles rated “poor.”
In 2003, about 80 percent of vehicles earned “poor” ratings
in side-crash tests; most current vehicle designs earn “good”
ratings. Side-crash ratings can be compared across vehicle type
COURTESY IIHS
and weight categories because the kinetic energy involved in
the side test, which depends on the weight and speed of the
moving barrier, is the same in every test.
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 Front and side curtain air bags protect a
dummy’s head in this IIHS crash test.
Rollover Testing
To protect occupants during a rollover, a
vehicle’s roof must be strong enough to
keep the cabin structure intact. IIHS tests
determine roof strength by pushing an
angled metal plate down on one side of
the roof at a slow but constant speed and
measuring the force required to crush the
roof. In every test, the roof is crushed a dis-
tance of 5 inches.
The force applied relative to the vehicle’s weight is known
as the strength-to-weight ratio. The key measurement of roof
strength is the peak strength-to-weight ratio, recorded at any
time before the roof is crushed 5 inches.
A “good” rating requires a strength-to-weight ratio of at least
4—that is, the roof must withstand a force of at least four times the
vehicle’s weight before the plate crushes the roof by 5 inches. For
an “acceptable” rating, the minimum strength-to-weight ratio is
3.25; for a “marginal” rating, 2.5. Anything lower is rated “poor.”
Head Restraint and Seat Testing
Neck sprains and strains, usually caused by rear-end collisions,
are the most frequently reported auto-insurance claims. To
determine the amount of protection offered by a vehicle’s head
restraints and seats, IIHS tests their safety with a special dummy
that has a realistic spine.
IIHS first evaluates the geometry of head restraints based on
their height and backset (distance behind the head). In prac-
tice, since 2011 nearly all seats and head restraints have been
rated as “good” or “acceptable.” The seats and head restraints
are also tested with a dummy placed on a sled that’s moved on
fixed rails to simulate a rear-end collision at 20 mph. This test—
the dynamic part—assesses how well the torso, neck, and head
of a test dummy are supported by the seat and head restraint.
IIHS combines the geometric rating with the dynamic rating
to come up with an overall evaluation score. A “good” rating
can be earned only if the seat and head restraints have both a
“good” geometric rating and a “good” dynamic rating. Research
indicates that vehicles with “good” rear-crash ratings do a better
job of preventing neck injuries in the real world.
COURTESY IIHS
Testing Front Crash
Prevention Systems
The specifics of vehicle crash testing describe tests of passive
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automotive features that are designed to reduce fatalities and
minimize injuries after a crash happens. IIHS also performs tests
of several types of advanced, active safety features designed to
help prevent crashes from occurring in the first place.
This testing is part of IIHS’ front crash prevention rating pro-
gram, which the organization launched in 2013 to help con-
sumers sort through a maze of advanced safety technologies
and find the most effective systems. The Institute’s ratings are
based on research by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI,
pronounced hil-dee), which concluded that forward-collision
warning and forward automatic emergency braking systems
help drivers avoid crashing into cars in front of them at both
slow and moderate speeds.
Forward-collision warning (FCW) typically provides a visual
and audible signal to let drivers know they’re about to collide with
the car in front of them; however, it does not slow the vehicle to
prevent or mitigate the crash. By comparison, if a rear-end colli-
sion is imminent, forward automatic emergency braking (FAEB)
applies a vehicle’s brakes, mitigating or preventing a collision if
a driver fails to take action.
IIHS rates front crash prevention systems as “superior,”
“advanced,” or “basic,” depending on how a vehicle performs
in tests at 12 mph and 25 mph. To obtain a “superior” rating, a
vehicle must have FAEB that can avoid a crash or substantially
reduce the vehicle’s speed in both tests. For an “advanced” rat-
ing, a vehicle must have FAEB and either avoid a crash or reduce
its speed by at least 5 mph in one of two test runs. Vehicles that
have only FCW earn a “basic” rating, provided the system meets
NHTSA performance criteria.
Determining Front Crash Ratings
On a test track, an engineer drives a vehicle with FAEB straight
toward an inflatable stationary target designed to simulate the
back of a car. A GPS system and other sensors monitor the test
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 67
vehicle’s lane position, speed, time to collision, braking, and other
data. An onboard camera records each test run from the driver’s
perspective, including any warnings issued by the front crash
prevention systems. The Institute awards points based on how
much the braking systems slow the vehicle either to avoid hitting
the target or lessen the severity of the impact in the two tests.
Vehicles can earn a maximum of 6 points for front crash pre-
vention. Models that receive 1 point earn a “basic” rating. A total
of 2 to 4 points qualifies a vehicle for an “advanced” rating, and
5 or 6 points earn a “superior” rating. Some vehicles advertised
as having FAEB and FCW earn only 1 point and a “basic” rating
if the FAEB fails to slow the vehicle enough to earn test points.
If the Institute hasn’t tested a vehicle’s FAEB system but NHTSA
recognizes its FCW system, the vehicle gets a rating of “basic;
autobrake not tested.”
In 2018, IIHS also began evaluating adaptive cruise control
(ACC) and lane-keeping assistance (LKA) technologies in on-road
and track testing to see how effectively they performed. IIHS
concluded that although both ACC and LKA hold promise for
their potential safety benefits (ACC likely more so than LKA), no
systems performed well enough to be a substitute for a human
driver.
Rewarding Excellence
The vehicles that perform best in IIHS’ crashworthiness and
crash-avoidance/mitigation tests qualify for its two safety awards,
Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+.
To be awarded a Top Safety Pick rating in 2019, a vehicle
must have “good” ratings in the driver-side small-overlap frontal,
moderate-overlap frontal, side, roof strength, and head-restraint
tests; a “good” or “acceptable” rating in the passenger-side small-
overlap frontal test; an “advanced” or “superior” rating for front
crash prevention; and an “acceptable” or “good” headlight rating.
To earn a Top Safety Pick+ rating, a vehicle must have “good”
ratings in the driver-side small-overlap frontal, moderate-overlap
frontal, side, roof strength, and head-restraint tests; an “accept-
able” or “good” rating in the passenger-side small-overlap front
test; an “advanced” or “superior” rating for front crash preven-
tion; and a “good” headlight rating.
IIHS continually raises its standards and refines its testing
procedures. To view instructive videos of IIHS’ frontal-crash tests,
go to iihs.org/iihs/ratings/ratings-info/frontal-crash-tests. (Click
on the left side panel for a description of other tests.)
Crash test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS for individual
vehicles, if available, are included in the AAA Green Car Guide’s
car reviews.
Building Safer Cars
Because safety features generally appear in cars without much
fanfare, it’s easy to take them for granted and forget how
68 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
spectacularly unsafe cars were in the mid-20th century. Consider
the features found (or missing) on cars built back then:
• no seat belts, air bags, or head restraints;
• hard surfaces everywhere—dashboards, steering wheels,
and window crank handles designed in a way that would
crush skulls or gouge flesh on impact;
• no energy-absorbing crumple zones, high-strength steel,
or reinforced cages around the passenger compartment;
and
• rigid steering columns that threaten to impale drivers in
the event of a collision.
It’s a wonder any of us survived.
Yes, vehicle safety levels definitely have improved over the
past several decades, in large part because of the increasing
focus on safety from government agencies, automakers, and
private safety organizations. Rigorous vehicle testing and the
development of innovative safety features have helped reduce
deaths and injuries from crashes on U.S. roads.
Until a few years ago, most vehicular safety features were pas-
sive in nature. They helped protect a vehicle’s occupants during
or following a collision, but they took no active role in preventing
a collision or in reducing its severity. Such features are known as
advanced driver-assistance systems, or ADAS.
A number of important automotive safety features have been
introduced during the past decade or so that make driving eas-
ier and also have the potential to save lives and reduce injuries
in collisions. They represent a kind of middle ground between
passive safety features and genuinely active or advanced safety
features. For example:
Rearview cameras supplement what drivers see in a vehi-
cle’s rearview and (to some degree) side-view mirrors; they’ve
been required equipment on all new cars sold in the U.S. since
May 2018. Rearview cameras provide information that’s simply
not available to a human sitting inside the car, such as objects
or small children immediately adjacent to the vehicle’s rear,
front, or sides. Some rearview cameras are quite fancy, provid-
ing wide-angle or 360-degree bird’s-eye views of a vehicle. But
drivers shouldn’t rely solely on them and should always look to
each side and over their shoulders before backing up.
Advanced headlight systems. Original-equipment head-
lights on many cars—especially halogen bulbs, which are still stan-
dard issue on most cars and light trucks—are simply inadequate
to the task of providing safe lighting. In fact, drivers can easily
“outrun” halogen headlights at speeds above about 45 mph—
that is, drivers aren’t able to see far enough ahead to stop safely
if a person, animal, or object strays into their path. Light-emitting
diode (LED) headlights enable drivers to see farther down the
road than halogen or high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights
and can therefore help prevent dangerous high-speed collisions.
More and more vehicles are coming with LED headlights as
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standard equipment, and, if possible, it’s a good idea to specify
them as an option when you purchase a new vehicle. (For more
information on headlight effectiveness, see page 111 in Chapter
9, “AAA’s Automotive Technology Research.”)
An automatic high beams feature markedly improves a driv-
er’s visibility, especially on unlit rural roads. When this feature
is activated, the headlights’ default position is high beams, but
they automatically switch back to low beams when a high-beam
setting would create glare problems for oncoming traffic or for
drivers in front of them traveling in the same direction.
Finally, adaptive headlights follow a curve as a car turns,
enabling drivers to see sections of the road they’d otherwise miss
when cornering. Adaptive headlights aren’t as widely available
as LED headlights, but they’re becoming more common every
year and currently can be found on several relatively low-priced
cars. For example, Kia and Hyundai’s Dynamic Bending Light
systems are available on the popular Kia Sorento and Sportage
and on the Hyundai Tucson, among other vehicles.
Self-dimming rearview mirrors prevent glare that often
blinds drivers, enabling them to better judge how close they are
to cars around them and to pass or change lanes more safely.
Self-dimming rearview mirrors are now available on cars and
light trucks in virtually all price ranges, but usually as an extra-
cost option except on higher trim levels.
Rearview mirrors are no longer simple devices, either. The
Chevrolet Bolt EV and Cadillac XT5 crossover, among other GM
products, offer a video rearview mirror with an LED screen that
Automatic high beams improve a driver’s vision by keeping headlights
on the high-beam setting except when another car is near.
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displays a panoramic rear view—minus images of head restraints
or the heads of anyone sitting in the backseat.
Both a medium-tech and safety device, a head-up display
projects data such as current speed, speed limits, distance from
the car in front, navigation information, etc. on a small panel
at eye level atop the dash or on the windshield so drivers can
obtain information without looking away from the road. Head-up
displays are available on relatively inexpensive cars such as the
Mazda Mazda3; they are also available for many cars as an after-
market add-on.
Driver-alert systems monitor driver behavior, such as eye
and head movements, that indicate a driver might be drowsy.
If the system senses a potential problem, it issues a visual and/
or audible alert telling the driver to pull over and get some rest.
Advanced Driver-Assistance
Systems
In the past decade, arguably the two most significant events in
the automotive world have been bringing affordable, practical
electric vehicles to market and the development of advanced
driver-assistance systems (ADAS), safety features that take an
active role in preventing collisions or mitigating their effects.
ADAS are designed to either keep drivers from making mis-
takes (drifting into a car in the next lane or backing into another
car, a pedestrian, or a light pole) or reduce the effects of mis-
takes drivers have already made (crashing into the car in front
of them that made an unexpectedly quick stop).
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 69
AAA tests ADAS features, such as forward automatic emergency braking on a test track using a “soft car” (left).
ADAS warn drivers of an impending catastrophe and/or tem-
porarily take control of one or more of a car’s functions, such
as the brakes or steering. As a general rule, ADAS systems can
be overridden by driver input—braking or taking control of the
steering wheel, for example.
According to NHTSA, about 94 percent of car crashes are
caused by human error, which makes the development of ADAS
exceedingly good news. And ADAS are foundational to the next
big thing, the development of autonomous vehicles.
Although ADAS were initially available only on luxury vehi-
cles, the technology has become standard or available equip-
ment on the vast majority of cars and light trucks for sale in the
U.S. today. For example, Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of advanced
safety features can be found on every 2019 vehicle in its lineup,
from the Land Cruiser to the Yaris. Mazda’s and Subaru’s most
popular models also have many ADAS features as standard
or available equipment on vehicles costing less than $30,000.
Unfortunately, domestic manufacturers have been slower to
include ADAS features on as many models, or have made them
available only on top trim levels, often as extra-cost options.
Perhaps the only downside of advanced safety systems is
that if you are involved in a collision, it will probably cost more
to repair your vehicle because of the extra expense of cameras,
sensors, and so on. For example, replacing a windshield on a
vehicle equipped with a camera behind the glass typically costs
about $1,500, as much as three times the amount to replace the
windshield on a car without the technology, according to AAA
research. Repairs may also take more time, because many of
these safety systems require resetting and calibrating—all the
more reason to drive safely and avoid collisions in the first place.
70 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
The newest and most sophisticated safety features still appear
initially on high-end vehicles, but it’s not long before they trickle
down to midprice and entry-level cars. And ADAS are only going
to proliferate. Here’s why:
• They have the approval of agencies that make safety a
priority, such as NHTSA, IIHS, AAA, and the National Safety
Council. That’s one reason rearview cameras are now
standard equipment on all U.S. passenger vehicles.
• Automakers realize how important they are or don’t want
to lose a competitive edge by leaving them out of their
lineups. As an example, 20 automakers voluntarily pledged
to make forward automatic emergency braking (FAEB),
one of the most important advanced safety features,
standard equipment on virtually all their vehicles by
September 2022.
• Consumers see the value in ADAS and are increasingly
likely to choose vehicles that have such safety features
and pass over vehicles that don’t. This is especially true of
features whose value they can experience every day, like
blind-spot warning or rear cross-traffic warning.
• As automakers make ADAS standard equipment across
their lineups, the cost of such systems is coming down.
The following are descriptions of the most important and
widely available advanced safety features on new cars and light
trucks today. These features are constantly evolving and being
improved. Unfortunately, they have no uniform nomenclature.
Automakers use their own distinctive terminology, so it’s import-
ant to investigate a specific safety feature’s function rather than
assume it performs the same as a safety feature with a similar
name from another automaker. The terminology used in the AAA
AAA.com/greencar
Green Car Guide consists of AAA’s recommendations for a stan-
dardized nomenclature of advanced automotive safety systems.
The car-review section of the AAA Green Car Guide lists the
available safety features for each car model reviewed.
Forward Automatic
Emergency Braking
About one in four car crashes involves a rear-end collision.
According to NHTSA, rear-end collisions result in nearly 2,000
fatalities and half a million injuries every year. That’s why forward
automatic emergency braking (FAEB), which uses radar, cam-
eras, or lasers to detect an imminent forward collision, is such an
important safety feature. FAEB first warns a driver of an impend-
ing collision with sounds or visual alerts; if he or she doesn’t take
preventive action in time, FAEB applies the brakes.
Some FAEB systems are designed to prevent a crash by stop-
ping a vehicle completely. Others only slow a vehicle, reducing a
crash’s impact. Many of today’s FAEB systems also can detect the
presence of pedestrians and bicyclists. Automakers use a vari-
ety of terms for FAEB; for example, collision-mitigation braking/
Honda Sensing (Honda), forward emergency braking (Infiniti),
and smart city brake support/smart brake support (Mazda).
Automakers recognize that various features of their ADAS
might not work under all circumstances, and they say as much in
their vehicles’ owners’ manuals. For example, in its Camry manual,
Toyota states that FAEB might not work when you’re driving on a
hill or when the sun shines directly into the windshield-mounted
camera. Anyone who buys a vehicle with ADAS should read the
owner’s manual carefully to find out the automaker’s claims about
the vehicle’s safety features and their limitations.
AAA and the Auto Club of Southern California’s Automotive
Research Center (ARC) tested five different cars equipped with
FAEB on the track at the Auto Club Speedway to determine
whether they performed according to automakers’ specifica-
tions. The systems were tested in real-world driving scenarios
intended to push the technology’s limits, based on their capa-
bilities and limitations as stated in their owners’ manuals, and
using scenarios designed to mirror and build upon those used
by NHTSA and IIHS.
More than 70 trials were run in which vehicles were driven
toward a target “soft car” designed specifically for this kind of
testing. All the vehicles automatically applied some level of brak-
ing and, in some cases, came to a complete stop before they
hit the target.
The tests revealed:
• The systems work better at lower speeds. For example,
when the difference in speed between the oncoming
vehicle and the soft car was less than 30 mph, the vehicles
were able to avoid collisions nearly 60 percent of the time,
and the average speed reduction across all vehicles was
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63 percent. By comparison, when a vehicle approached
the soft car at 45 mph, the systems avoided crashes just 24
percent of the time and reduced speeds by an average of
only 48 percent.
• The systems reduced vehicle speed both when the soft
car was stopped and when it was slowing down directly in
front of a fast-approaching test car.
• The variation among systems was greater when FAEB
systems were pushed beyond their stated limits and
proposed federal requirements.
Conclusions: First, although FAEB isn’t perfect and won’t pre-
vent a crash in every situation, in general it proved effective at
preventing collisions or reducing their impact. Because of this,
AAA encourages car buyers to consider including it on their list
of desired features when purchasing a new vehicle.
Second, not all FAEB systems are equally effective. “Some
perform better than others,” says Megan McKernan, manager
of the ARC.
Drivers should never rely on FAEB to prevent a crash. And they
should know their system’s capabilities and limitations before
they drive off the dealer’s lot. “That can literally be a matter of
life or death,” McKernan says. “An ADAS should be considered
a driver-support system, not a substitute for safe, alert driving.”
AAA surveys indicate that drivers are favorably inclined toward
FAEB systems. Nearly 40 percent of those surveyed said they
want FAEB on their next vehicle. And two out of five U.S. driv-
ers trust FAEB to work, especially those who have experienced
the technology.
Forward-Collision Warning
Forward-collision warning (FCW) functions like FAEB, providing
audible, tactile, or visual alerts that warn drivers of a potential
crash. But FCW doesn’t apply the brakes to keep a crash from
happening. Some FCW systems have become quite sophisti-
cated: Nissan equipped its Maxima sedan with a “predictive”
FCW system, which not only keeps tabs on the car directly in
front of you, but also the one in front of that, to avoid a possible
multiple-vehicle crash.
AAA tested FCW systems by driving vehicles at varying
speeds toward obstructions on a test track (traffic cones, a
weather balloon, and a Mylar “space blanket”) in an effort to
replicate conditions motorists might encounter in real-world
driving. The technicians found that FCW systems didn’t always
recognize particular obstacles or provide drivers with a warning
signal. Conclusion: People who own automobiles equipped with
FCW need to be aware of their system’s limitations.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) uses cameras, radar, or lasers to
keep a continuous safe distance between your vehicle and the
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 71
one in front of you, automatically adjusting your vehicle’s speed
as the traffic ahead of you accelerates or slows down.
ACC is designed to maintain a safe distance even if a car
moves in front of you from another lane. And when a car in front
of you moves out of your lane, ACC accelerates your vehicle to
the speed you’ve set. If traffic in front of you stops, some ACC
systems will bring your car to a complete stop, then gradually
return it to the set speed when traffic starts moving again.
Most ACC systems allow drivers to adjust the distance
between them and the vehicle in front of them—within limits.
If you habitually tailgate, a cool thing about ACC is that it can
“educate” you about what constitutes a safe following distance.
AAA tested a variety of ACC systems and concluded that,
overall, they did a good job of maintaining a specified follow-
ing distance when traveling behind slower-moving vehicles on
a highway.
Blind-Spot Warning
A very helpful ADAS feature—because you probably make use of
it more than any other—is blind-spot warning (BSW), which uses
radar sensors in your car’s rear quarter panels to let you know
there’s a car in your blind spot immediately beside and behind
your vehicle. When a car is there, a small symbol—typically in
your car’s side-view mirror—lights up to let you know it’s unsafe
to make a lane change.
If you activate your turn signal while a vehicle is in your blind
spot, the symbol flashes, and usually a warning tone sounds
as an added alert. Some BSW systems use cameras to show
you what’s going on in your car’s blind spots. For example,
the Hyundai Nexo displays side and rear views of the vehi-
cle on the center touch screen whenever it changes lanes to
the left or right.
ARC staff drove vehicles at varying speeds on the oval track
at the Auto Club Speedway to evaluate their ability to detect
another vehicle or a motorcycle in their blind spots. BSW systems
detected target vehicles under most—but not all—conditions.
Also, the detection distance varied considerably depending
on the system being tested and the speed of the approach-
ing vehicle.
On average, detection of a motorcycle happened 26 per-
cent later than detection of other types of vehicles. More
important, in every evaluation, there were times when a driver
needed to take corrective action to compensate for a system’s
shortcomings.
AAA recommends that drivers not become overly reliant on
BSW technology. The best approach is to look in a side mirror,
and if you see a lit symbol, you know it’s not safe to make a lane
change. But not seeing the lit symbol doesn’t necessarily indi-
cate that it’s safe to change lanes: A car may be moving up fast
beside you, or it might not have entered the BSW detection zone.
72 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
Rear Cross-Traffic Warning
Blind-spot warning and rearview cameras are often paired with
a rear cross-traffic warning (RCTW) function. When you’re back-
ing out of a head-in parking spot, RCTW warns you of a car and,
in some cases, a pedestrian or bicyclist approaching from the
left or right side. The systems typically flash a warning signal in
the side mirror, on the A-pillar, or in a rearview-camera display
on the center touch screen. The system also produces an audi-
ble warning tone.
AAA evaluated several RCTW systems for whether they
detected motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians as well as cars,
on the assumption that motorists might assume they would.
Some systems performed well, but others missed obstacles
or detected them late. Another problem comes from vehicles
parked beside you: Two of the five cars tested weren’t able to
detect vehicles behind them when there was a large SUV parked
on either side of the test vehicle.
Only two of the five systems could detect a pedestrian cross-
ing behind, and just three in five could detect a bicycle. AAA’s
conclusion: Motorists with RCTW systems should be aware of
their systems’ limitations and not rely on them too heavily. Drivers
should look to the side and over their shoulders in addition to
checking out the side mirrors and center touch screen.
Lane-Departure Warning/
Lane-Keeping Assistance
One of the most common types of collisions, side-swipe crash-
es—a vehicle colliding with another when making a lane change—
account for about 1.6 million crashes a year, according to the
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Lane-departure warning (LDW)
and lane-keeping assistance (LKA) are designed to prevent side-
swipe crashes or to prevent a vehicle from drifting out of its lane
to the right and going off the road.
Both LDW and LKA use cameras or sensors mounted on the
windshield near the rearview mirror to read road markings—
painted lines and raised pavement markers, for example—to help
drivers stay in their lane. If a vehicle starts to drift left or right over
the lane markings, LDW alerts drivers with a beeping sound, a
flashing icon on the instrument panel, a pulsing or vibration in
the steering wheel or driver’s seat, or a combination of all three.
When a vehicle starts to move inadvertently into the next lane,
LKA guides it back into the lane by resisting further drift and gen-
tly guiding the vehicle back into the correct lane or selectively
braking a single wheel. Such corrections are subtle, and driv-
ers can always override them by turning the wheel themselves.
LDW and LKA systems don’t function when drivers activate a
turn signal, because they assume, probably correctly, that driv-
ers actually want to change lanes. But if there’s a vehicle in the
next lane, BSW will alert you to it if you signal a turn.
Some people believe that an LKA system enables you to take
AAA.com/greencar
 Safety
Features
at Lane-departure

Work
warning
systems read
road markers to
help keep you
from drifting out
of your lane.

Forward automatic emergency braking

automatically applies the brakes to prevent
or lessen the severity of a rear-end collision.

Rear cross-traffic warning alerts

you to cars or pedestrians behind
you when you’re backing up.

Blind-spot
warning lets
you know if cars
are in your blind
spots behind
and beside you.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 73

your hands off the wheel and allow the vehicle to steer itself.
Nope—most vehicles with LKA alert you to regrip the wheel if
the system senses you’ve gone hands-free for more than about
10 seconds.
AAA technicians drove three different vehicles on the road
to evaluate LDW and LKA systems. They found that LDW sys-
tems did a good job detecting various lane markings to alert
drivers both visually and audibly that they were crossing into
another lane.
The ARC found that LDW systems worked most of the time,
but not always. And sometimes their warnings annoyed the test
drivers—which means that car owners might be inclined to turn
the systems off. Also, some systems detected certain types of
lane markings better than others, and there was no consistent
marker recognition among different vehicles. Worn pavement
markers, construction zones, and intersections sometimes caused
the LDW system to lose track of lane location.
Similarly, LKA systems generally worked well, although the
vibration alert in the steering wheel coupled with the slowing
down of the vehicle as it moved back into its lane, typical of some
systems, was disconcerting to some test drivers.
Reverse Automatic
Emergency Braking
Reverse automatic emergency braking does pretty much what
its name says: It applies your vehicle’s brakes to prevent low-
speed collisions when you’re backing up. Such systems use radar
or sonar in the rear bumper to detect obstacles behind a vehi-
cle. The vehicle issues an audible alert, and if the driver doesn’t
brake, the system automatically applies the brakes. Chrysler,
74 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
General Motors, and Subaru, among other automakers, offer
reverse automatic emergency braking systems.
Dynamic Driving Assistance
Dynamic driving assistance refers to features that control
vehicle acceleration, braking, and steering. One example is lane-
centering assist: If you drift out of your lane, not only does the
feature move you back into your lane, it also centers your car in
the lane. And though it’s not as common as LDW or LKA, lane-
centering assist isn’t just for high-end vehicles—Nissan’s ProPilot
Assist and Honda’s Honda Sensing system, among others, offer
it. And like LKA systems, lane-centering assist doesn’t allow you
to drive your car or light truck hands-free.
Traffic-Jam Assist
Traffic-jam assist combines lane-centering assist and adaptive
cruise control. It brakes and accelerates a vehicle automatically,
keeping it a safe distance from the one in front of it and centered
in its lane. These systems are intended for (as the name states)
low-speed traffic; they function at speeds up to about 37 mph,
depending on the automaker.
BMW (Driving Assistant Plus), Mercedes-Benz (Drive
Pilot), and Volvo (Pilot Assist) were among the first carmak-
ers to offer traffic-jam assist; it’s also standard on the Acura
RLX. Audi announced it would equip its 2019 A8 sedan with
traffic-jam assist but for legal reasons it didn’t do so.
For 2019, BMW will offer traffic-jam assist on its X5, but with
a twist: The feature will be called Extended Traffic Jam Assistant
System, and it will also have cameras mounted at the top of the
instrument cluster to monitor a driver’s alertness level.
The following are some newer ADAS technologies that don’t
yet have widespread adoption but that nonetheless show prom-
ise for making driving safer.
Tesla’s Auto Lane Change feature lets drivers
change lanes or enter an exit ramp automatically.
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Active Lane-Change Assist
On command, this feature uses blind-spot warning to check the
adjoining lanes for cars, and if the lanes are open, it automatically
executes a lane change. It’s part of BMW’s Driving Assistant Plus
and Mercedes-Benz’s Drive Pilot packages. Tesla’s Auto Lane
Change feature also enables drivers to automatically change
and merge into adjacent lanes and exit off-ramps.
Crossroads/Intersection Warning
If a car pulls out from a side road or an intersection into your path,
this feature, like automatic emergency braking, stops your car.
BMW and Lexus are among the automakers offering this feature.
Speed-Limit Pilot
This feature uses cameras to detect the posted speed limit, inte-
grates it into the car’s cruise control and navigation functions,
and keeps the car at or below the posted limit. Mercedes-Benz
offers this feature. Mercedes-Benz is also working on a system
that senses when a vehicle is coming into a city or town and
automatically lowers its speed; the system also automatically
decelerates around curves and comes to a stop at T-intersections.
Advanced Pedestrian Detection
The Lexus LS sedan can be equipped with a pedestrian-detection
feature that alerts a driver via a head-up projection on the wind-
shield. If the driver doesn’t react to avoid hitting the pedestrian,
the LS will either stop or, if conditions are right, actively swerve
around the pedestrian.
ADAS Concerns
The results of AAA’s ADAS testing found that most advanced
driver-assistance systems work pretty well overall, although some
systems work better than others. None of the systems work 100
percent of the time. But what do we know about ADAS in real-
world usage? A number of important questions arise:
• Do ADAS make driving safer?
• Do drivers trust and use ADAS?
• Are drivers informed about ADAS and how they work?
• What can be done to improve things?
• Are there limitations and downsides to ADAS?
Making Driving Safer
To begin, automakers, government agencies such as NHTSA,
and organizations such as IIHS, AAA, and others concerned with
improving highway safety have touted the potential benefits
of advanced safety features such as forward automatic emer-
gency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot warning
for several years.
Now evidence is beginning to come in that these features
are effective in reducing the number of car crashes or mitigating
AAA.com/greencar
Under certain conditions, Lexus’s advanced pedestrian
detection system can automatically steer around a
pedestrian in the road.
their severity. “This technology really can save lives and has the
potential to prevent thousands of deaths once it’s on every vehi-
cle,” says Jessica Cicchino, vice president for research at IIHS.
IIHS research into vehicles equipped with lane-keeping assis-
tance and blind-spot warning found that those vehicles had
lower crash rates than the same vehicles not equipped with
the systems. The LKA study examined police crash data from 25
states between 2009 and 2015 and found that lane-keeping sys-
tems lowered the crash rates of head-on, side-swipe, and single-
vehicle crashes of all severities by 11 percent. Additionally, injury
crashes were lowered by 21 percent.
These figures may even be underrepresentative because
many U.S. drivers find lane-departure warning and lane-keeping
assistance features annoying and turn them off. In sum, the study
concluded that LDW prevents the kinds of crashes it is intended
to, and if all passenger vehicles had been equipped with LKA
in 2015, IIHS estimated that 85,000 crashes could have been
prevented.
The IIHS study of blind-spot warning concluded that it low-
ered the rate of all lane-change crashes by 14 percent and the
rate of injury crashes by 23 percent. The Institute concluded that
BSW is effective in preventing lane-change crashes of all severity
levels, and that if all vehicles were equipped with BSW, about
50,000 crashes a year could be prevented.
Another IIHS study, of vehicles equipped with forward-
collision warning and forward automatic emergency braking,
found that such vehicles were involved in 39 percent fewer rear-
end crashes than vehicles without FCW and FAEB.
The results of these studies are encouraging: They’re a suffi-
cient reason for drivers whose cars already have advanced safety
features to always keep them turned on and for motorists in the
market for a new vehicle to make sure it’s equipped with ADAS.
Finally, a AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study using 2016
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 75
NHTSA crash data stated that:
• ADAS technologies could prevent or mitigate 40 percent
of all crashes—more than 2.7 million—if all vehicles were
equipped with them.
• Most of these would be rear-end crashes, but a large
share of lane-departure crashes and crashes involving
pedestrians and bicyclists would also be included.
• Most important, nearly 9,500 deaths (a reduction of 29
percent) and more than 2.7 million injuries (a reduction of
37 percent) could be prevented.
Driver Acceptance and Usage
Drivers’ attitudes toward ADAS technologies can affect whether
they accept them and are able to use them effectively. A 2018
AAA Foundation study examined in detail the experiences, opin-
ions about, and understanding of specific ADAS technologies
by surveying the owners of 2016–17 vehicles equipped with
forward-collision warning, forward automatic emergency brak-
ing, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot
warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and adaptive cruise control.
Early findings are positive: The study reveals that a signifi-
cant majority of drivers have favorable impressions of ADAS
technology, trust it, find it useful (more than 75 percent), feel
safer because of it, would want it in the next vehicle they buy,
and would recommend it to others (at least 70 percent). And—
no surprise—drivers who’d previously owned a vehicle with a
specific technology were more likely to feel favorably about it.
More specifically, drivers have the most trust in blind-spot
warning (84 percent), followed by adaptive cruise control (78
percent), rear cross-traffic warning (82 percent), lane-departure
warning (77 percent), lane-keeping assistance (73 percent),
forward-collision warning (69 percent), and forward automatic
emergency braking (66 percent).
Misinformation, Misunderstanding,
and Misuse
Nonetheless, in spite of acceptance of and trust in ADAS, the
AAA Foundation study found there’s still a large knowledge gap
regarding how advanced safety systems work and what they can
and cannot do. This is true even among drivers whose vehicles
are equipped with multiple ADAS technologies.
For example, before test-driving a vehicle, only about half
of the respondents surveyed were aware that the vehicle was
equipped with a particular safety feature. Nearly 40 percent of
drivers whose vehicles were equipped with FAEB or FCW didn’t
know the systems’ limitations or they confused the two technol-
ogies. And about 16 percent of drivers didn’t know whether or
not their vehicle had FAEB.
This lack of understanding can lead drivers to ignore, misuse,
or overrely on the technologies, which could result in a deadly
crash in an emergency. If drivers don’t realize a feature’s impor-
tance or find it annoying, they’re more likely to deactivate it.
For example, a study of 2013–2015 Hondas at two dealerships
revealed that only one-third had their lane-departure warning
systems turned on, but that 264 of 265 vehicles observed had
their forward-collision warning turned on.
Other examples of system misunderstandings as revealed
by the AAA Foundation study:
• Just 21 percent of vehicle owners with BSW identified
its inability to spot bicyclists or pedestrians or to detect
vehicles passing at high speeds. Other respondents
held various misconceptions about BSW’s function or
limitations.
• 33 percent of owners whose cars had FAEB didn’t realize
that the systems’ accuracy relied on cameras or sensors
that could be blocked by snow, ice, or dirt.
Overreliance and misuse are another potential hazard.
Car owners may be wary of new safety systems at first, but after
they become familiar with them, complacency often sets in
and the risk of accidents increases. If technology makes
driving easier, it’s also likely that people are going to pay less
attention when they drive. For example, the AAA Foundation
study found:
• 29 percent of respondents felt comfortable at least
occasionally engaging in other activities while driving,
relying on ACC to keep them safe.
• 30 percent of owners with BSW reported relying on their
systems to the point of changing lanes without visually
checking their car’s blind spots.
• 25 percent of vehicle owners with RCTW reported at least
sometimes backing up without looking sideways or over
their shoulders.

Visit AAA.com/DriverAssistanceSystem to learn more about the functions and limitations of popular ADAS technologies. Also,
go to nhtsa.gov/driver-assistance-technologies to see several excellent NHTSA videos explaining how ADAS technologies work
and the benefits they offer. And the website MyCarDoesWhat.org, a collaboration of the National Automobile Dealers Association,
the National Safety Council, and the University of Iowa, explains the advanced safety technology in today’s cars. Some advanced
safety features—including rearview cameras, blind-spot warning, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and parking
sensors—are available as aftermarket add-ons. But installing these features typically isn’t a DIY project. Many—if not most—systems
require professional installation.

76 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

 In general, respondents didn’t seem
to understand or appreciate that these
technologies are designed to assist driv-
ers, but that drivers must still be attentive
at all times to ensure driving safety.
Additionally, few of those surveyed
indicated that they sought information
about safety technologies beyond what
they received from their dealership,
from the owner’s manual, or from trial
and error in their own experience. Only
about 10 percent looked for information
on the Internet, and even fewer sought it
from government agencies. (In fact, there
are hundreds of helpful videos posted by
automakers and car dealers on YouTube
that clearly explain how various safety Car salespeople need to inform customers about the features and limitations of ADAS.
systems work.)
Getting Things on Track
What can be done to realize the full potential of advanced
driver-assistance safety features? Three approaches should be
pursued:
First, automakers must play a larger role in educating new-
car buyers about the advanced safety systems in their vehicles.
They must work closely with dealers, providing them with train-
ing materials and protocols, and setting up systems of account-
ability to ensure that everyone who buys a new or used car with
advanced safety features receives sufficient instruction in how
the systems work as well as their limitations. This training can
include providing information to consumers for use after the vehi-
cle purchase (for example, printed fliers with instructional infor-
mation, where to locate instructional videos on the Internet, the
addresses of government or safety-organization websites, etc.).
Dealers need to educate their salespeople to make sure they
completely understand their entire lineup’s advanced safety
features. Depending on the size of the dealership, dealers may
need one or more “tech specialists” whose sole responsibility is
to educate in a hands-on fashion anyone purchasing a car or light
truck with ADAS, including visits to a buyer’s home or office to
make sure they have a complete understanding of the features.
ZUMA PRESS INC/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
Consumer education and training can take place with indi-
viduals or small groups. As an example, a Toyota dealership
in Maine brought a dozen new-vehicle owners into its service
bays for a 90-minute tutorial, luring them with free sandwiches
and refreshments. Reportedly, a Mercedes-Benz dealership in
Fairfield, California, spends as much as two hours with new-car
buyers reviewing vehicles’ high-tech features.
Second, car buyers must take the initiative to become thor-
oughly informed about the capabilities and limitations of their
AAA.com/greencar
vehicle’s high-tech safety features. They need to ask dealers
questions about how safety systems work before they leave the
dealership, read their owner’s manuals once they get home,
and call or visit the dealer with follow-up questions. They must
develop a complete, experiential awareness of how their vehicle
functions so that they don’t become complacent or overreliant
on its safety features. This might include exercising the patience
needed to deal with a potentially difficult learning curve in order
to master a vehicle’s safety systems.
Third, automakers must design safety systems that work as
intended, are easy to understand and use, are nonirritating, and
aren’t prone to producing false alerts. If consumers think safety
systems are too complicated to bother with (as is the case with
numerous infotainment systems today), they’ll either tune out
or come away with only a partial understanding, and everyone
loses out.
ADAS technologies have the potential to improve safety,
mobility, and convenience for motorists. AAA supports the con-
tinued development of technologies leading to their safe imple-
mentation. And to educate consumers on the effectiveness of
the latest vehicle technologies, AAA is committed to ongoing,
unbiased testing of automated-vehicle technologies.
“When properly utilized, ADAS technologies have the
potential to prevent 40 percent of all vehicle crashes and nearly
30 percent of traffic deaths,” says David Yang, PhD, executive
director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “However,
driver understanding and proper use is crucial in reaping the
full safety benefits of these systems. Findings from this new
research show that there is still a lot of work to be done in
educating drivers about proper use of ADAS technologies
and their limitations.”
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 77
 6
CHAPTER

Drivers who text on their cell phone are

eight times as likely to be involved in a crash.

78 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019

 Driving Is
Job One
T
raffic deaths have been on the rise in
the past couple of years, and one of
the most pernicious causes is driver
distraction: 10 percent of fatal crashes
and 15 percent of injury crashes are due to distracted
driving. In 2016—the most recent available statistics—
an estimated 3,450 people died because of driver
distraction. That’s nearly 10 people a day, plus another
1,000 or so who are injured.
The actual number of distracted-driving deaths is
probably much higher, for two reasons: First, unlike
speeding or drunk driving, it’s difficult to pinpoint dis-
tracted behavior after a crash, and second, drivers are
reluctant to admit having been distracted. For teens,
the number is definitely higher: Distraction contrib-
utes to 59 percent of crashes in that age group, ac-
cording to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety studies.
The AAA Foundation defines distracted driving
as any activity that diverts attention from driving, in-
cluding talking or texting on your phone, eating and
drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, putting on
makeup or combing your hair, or adjusting the stereo,
entertainment, or navigation system. As one indicator
of how prevalent distracted driving is, approximately
660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating
ANDOR BUJDOSO/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

electronic devices at any given time during daylight

hours, according to NHTSA studies.
The hard truth is that distracted driving puts you,
your passengers, drivers and passengers of other
cars or motorcycles, bicyclists, and pedestrians at
increased risk. For example, drivers talking on a cell
phone are four times as likely to crash as those who
aren’t, and texters are eight times as likely to be in
a crash.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 79

 According to the most recent AAA
Foundation Traffic Safety Culture Index
(TSCI), 88 percent of drivers believe that
distracted driving is on the rise, much
more so than other risky behaviors such
as aggressive driving, drunk driving,
and drivers using drugs. Statistics bear
out this concern: Nearly half of all driv-
ers report talking on a handheld cell
phone while driving (an increase of
46 percent since 2013), 45 percent of
drivers have read a text or email, and
35 percent have sent a text or email.
In addition, nearly 50 percent of driv-
ers surveyed reported regularly seeing
other drivers texting or emailing while
driving. All this despite the fact that 97
percent of adult drivers say that texting
or emailing behind the wheel is a “serious” or “very serious” safety
threat—revealing an obvious disconnect between awareness
and behavior.
Generally speaking, distracted driving has three components:
• Manual—taking your hands off the wheel.
• Visual—taking your eyes off the road.
• Cognitive—taking your mind off driving.
Some distractions involve a combination of these elements
and are therefore more dangerous—texting, for example, which
involves all three. And hands-free technology doesn’t eliminate
the mental distraction of talking or texting. Furthermore, distrac-
tion doesn’t stop when you bring your eyes back to the road: This
phenomenon is known as “distraction latency,” which means that
for as much as 27 seconds, your mind is still on the burger you
ate, that touch-screen music app, or the friend you just talked to.
Barriers to Safe Driving
Driving is the riskiest task most of us engage in on a daily basis.
Yet most people aren’t aware how potentially unsafe it is, let
alone how dangerous distracted driving can be.
Drivers have undoubtedly succumbed to the lure of various
distractions since the invention of the automobile. That being
said, a recent major contributor to distracted driving has been
modern technology—specifically smartphones and in-car info-
tainment/navigation systems, which have become increasingly
prevalent in today’s vehicles.
Smartphones create risk for many reasons:
• They’re versatile. You can use them to talk, text, email, surf
the Internet, take photos and videos, update social media,
and click on a seemingly infinite number of apps.
• They’re everywhere. More than three-quarters of
Americans (250 million people) own one, up from just one
80 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
Drivers who talk on a cell phone are four
times as likely to be involved in a crash.
in three Americans in 2013.
• They’re used more frequently than ever: a daily average
of 2.5 hours now compared with 1.5 hours in 2012. On 88
percent of trips taken, drivers used their cell phones an
average of 3.5 minutes for every hour driven, according to
2017 research by the driver-monitoring app Zendrive.
• They can be addictive. Psychiatrist David Greenfield,
founder of the Center for Internet and Technology
Addiction, told Consumer Reports, “The addictive nature
of the phone does not stop when we enter the vehicle.
The more complex cars have become, the greater the
distraction becomes.”
Infotainment and navigation systems create distractions,
too. AAA Foundation research indicates that:
• Using a navigation system is the task most demanding of a
driver’s attention, followed by text messaging, radio tuning,
and talking on/dialing a phone.
• All navigation/infotainment tasks require a high level of
mental effort.
• Radio tuning and navigation require a higher level of visual
(eyes off the road) demand than calling/dialing or text
messaging.
CULTURA CREATIVE (RF)/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
• Text messaging and navigation tasks take longer to
complete than tuning the radio or answering the phone.
With respect to demands of individual systems, all 30 systems
that AAA tested—which used touch screens, voice commands,
and dials—placed excessive demands on “driver workloads.”
None offered an interface that was safe and minimally distracting.
Specifically, most drivers took more than 24 seconds to finish
common tasks, including 40 seconds on average to program
the navigation function, the most demanding task. Using voice
commands reduced eyes-off-the-road times but took longer
AAA.com/greencar
 than using a button or a touch screen.
In all, the AAA Foundation judged that 23 of the 30 systems
tested required “relatively high demand” from drivers. The con-
clusion: Use of many infotainment features should be restricted
to times when a vehicle isn’t in motion.
What does the future hold in this arena? Unfortunately, just
like drivers who condemn certain risky driving behaviors like
texting but engage in them anyway, automakers and tech com-
panies often behave in conflicting ways. On the one hand, they
acknowledge the importance of driving safety, but on the oth-
er hand, the last thing they want to do is limit the use of their
products or services.
As a result, automakers are continually adding high-speed
Internet connections and more sophisticated interfaces to their
infotainment systems to keep up with customer demand for
constant connectivity. A spokesman for one major automaker
said that the company’s goal is to “optimize interactions with
the driver while avoiding distractions.” Translation: We’ll keep
expanding our systems’ capabilities, but we’ll try to make them
less distracting to use.
Another example of a disconnect: In fall 2018, Chevrolet
launched a smartphone app named Call Me Out. If the phone
senses it’s being physically picked up in a vehicle traveling more
TETRA IMAGES, LLC/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
AAA.com/greencar
than 5 mph, the app plays messages from the driver’s family
or friends telling them to put the phone down and keep their
eyes on the road.
But GM also introduced its Marketplace interface in late 2017,
which enables drivers to order restaurant takeout, prepay for gas
at a nearby station, and make hotel reservations from a vehicle’s
touch-screen display. Hyundai and BMW are developing similar
systems, according to a Wall Street Journal article.
“Auto industry executives see the new apps as an added
convenience and revenue generator,” the article states, “with
merchants paying to have their icons and discount deals dis-
played on the touch screen . . . the opportunity to add more
retailing services will only grow over time, say auto executives
and analysts.” The rationale automakers offer is that the features
they’re developing give drivers safer options for executing tasks
on their smartphones that they admit doing anyway.
Naturally, safety advocates contend that such features only
contribute to driver distraction. Automakers “are trying to build
cars that are like phones, rather than acknowledging that if you’re
driving, you shouldn’t be trying to do these tasks at all,” says
Deborah Hersman, former president and CEO of the National
Safety Council and currently chief safety officer at autonomous-
vehicle developer Waymo.
Virtually all infotainment
systems require high levels
of driver attention.
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 81

Creating Solutions
Workable solutions to the problem of distracted driving can
come from many different sources, including automakers, tech
companies, government agencies, safety-conscious organiza-
tions, and individuals.
Automakers should:
• Simplify and standardize infotainment systems so they
don’t require drivers to take their eyes off the road for
more than a safe time interval.
• Design certain features—streaming video, game apps, web
browsing—so they can’t be used while a vehicle is moving.
•  Ensure that pairing capabilities between vehicles and
smartphones are easy to use.
•  Develop effective driver-monitoring systems to warn drivers
who aren’t paying attention or are becoming drowsy.
•  Include safety features that mitigate crashes (e.g., forward
automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control) as
standard equipment in every new car.
Government agencies and other policymakers should:
• Continually revise and update guidelines based on the
latest science to address cognitive distraction during
driving.
• Encourage or require automakers to equip their vehicles
with active safety features that have been proven to save
lives in vehicle crashes.
82 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
Traffic crashes killed nearly 6,000
pedestrians in 2016, many of whom
allowed themselves to be distracted.
Tech companies should:
• Collaborate with automakers to ensure easy-to-use pairing
capabilities and simplified interfaces into smartphones and
similar electronic devices.
A couple of caveats: Individuals and organizations shouldn’t
pin their hopes on technology to be a quick fix for raising driver
awareness and effecting changes in risky driving behavior. A
2016 IIHS study found that receiving warnings from advanced
safety features such as adaptive cruise control neither encour-
aged nor discouraged distracted driving behavior.
In an IIHS status report, researcher David Kidd notes, “We
hypothesized that collision alerts might lead drivers to focus
more closely on driving, but that wasn’t the case. At the same
time, fears that warning features might have the opposite effect
appear to be unfounded.” Of course, advanced safety features
MINT IMAGES LIMITED/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
can and do play a big role in eliminating a significant number
of crashes.
And then there’s the matter of adoption time. More and more
new vehicles are coming with crash-avoidance technology as
optional or standard equipment, but there’s a huge legacy fleet
in the U.S. that lacks such features. And typically it takes three
decades from the time they’re introduced for safety features to
spread through the fleet—more precisely, for a given feature to
appear on 95 percent of vehicles, according to Highway Loss
Data Institute (HLDI) research.
AAA.com/greencar
 Traffic Safety Culture
B
esides making vehicles safer, societies attempt to improve traffic
safety—that is, reduce the number of deaths and injuries in car
crashes—through such measures as public education, driver train-
ing, and traffic legislation and enforcement campaigns. These approaches
attempt to influence the human rather than the technological elements of
traffic safety—to change our traffic safety culture.
A society’s traffic safety culture consists of its beliefs, perceptions, val-
ues, and behaviors regarding driving and traffic safety. Traffic safety culture
defines acceptable and unacceptable driving risks and appropriate ways
to manage them. In brief, traffic safety culture reflects the degree to which
a society values and actively pursues a high level of traffic safety.
For the past 10 years, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has exam-
ined the nation’s traffic safety culture. The AAA Foundation conducts re-
search into crashes and educates the public about ways to prevent them
and reduce injuries. It publishes the results of its findings in its annual Traf-
fic Safety Culture Index (aaafoundation.org; type “traffic safety culture”
into the search box).
After a decade of study, the AAA Foundation’s overarching conclusion
is that there are significant discrepancies between what U.S. drivers say
they believe or value regarding traffic safety and their actual driving be-
havior. Put another way, there’s been a continuing attitude among Ameri-
can motorists of “Do as I say, not as I do.”
The driving public say they strongly value safe and secure travel, but
they also admit to frequently engaging in risky driving behavior. In the
2017 Index, released in March 2018, almost 90 percent of drivers inter-
viewed admitted to engaging in at least one of the risky driving behaviors
examined in the survey.
Although 92 percent of drivers said that driving through a traffic light
that had just turned red when they could have stopped is unacceptable,
43 percent admitted to doing so in the previous month. And 97 percent
of drivers said they considered texting or emailing while driving to be a
serious threat, yet 45 percent had read a text and 35 percent had typed or
sent a text in the past 30 days. Finally, although 76 percent of drivers said
that driving 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway is unacceptable, 50
percent of drivers admitted doing so in the previous month.
AAA.com/greencar
It’s Not My Fault
Given this inconsistency between belief and
behavior, it’s not surprising that, according
to the AAA Foundation, “most drivers think
their own driving is pretty good; it’s every-
body else that’s the problem.”
Obviously, drivers can’t have it both ways
and have a society that maintains a high lev-
el of driving safety. To believe that you can
“have your cake and eat it too” is the same
kind of self-deception that enables people
to think that it’s safe to talk on a hands-free
phone but not a handheld one—or that it’s
safe to talk on the phone at all while driving.
Rationalizing our own dangerous driv-
ing behavior and viewing the problem as
“out there” among other drivers on the road
won’t reduce the number of fatalities and
injuries on our roads. Instead, we need to
acknowledge the disconnect between our
attitudes about traffic safety and how we
actually drive, and then work to eliminate
that disconnect, honestly examining the
ways each of us contributes to our collective
traffic-safety problems.
In sum, improving our traffic safety cul-
ture is a complex, difficult undertaking
that requires both individual and societal
changes. It will take time, because estab-
lishing new, safer driving habits isn’t easy.
“Changing people’s behavior isn’t rock-
et science,” says Peter Kissinger, former
AAA Foundation president and CEO. “It’s
much harder.”
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 83
 Setting up “Do Not Disturb”
As part of AAA’s Don’t
Drive Intoxicated. Don’t
Drive Intexticated.
campaign, we asked
members to pledge to not For an iPhone:
text while driving. Here’s Access settings and
tap control center.
how to turn on the “do For Android:
Tap customize
not disturb while driving” Open the
controls and add “do Play Store.
setting on your phone to not disturb while Download an
avoid distractions. driving” (pictured). app that enables
Swipe to access "do not disturb
the control center. while driving"
Tap the car (pictured).
button to turn on Follow app
“do not disturb instructions, as
while driving.” settings may vary.

Getting Personal
Ultimately, much of the responsibility for eliminating distracted
driving comes down to decisions each of us makes every day
when we drive. Safety-promoting behaviors include:
• Preprogramming your navigation system and adjusting
your seats, mirrors, climate control, and infotainment
settings before driving off.
• Silencing your smartphone and putting it in the glove box
when you get in your car to avoid the temptation to use it.
• If you have to make a call or text while driving, pull off the
road safely and stop.
• If someone is riding with you, ask for their help to navigate,
make a call, or send a message.
• If you’re a passenger, speak up if your vehicle’s driver is
distracted.
• Don’t call or text others when you know they’re driving.
• Don’t call, text, or play games while you’re walking or
cycling. Traffic crashes in the U.S. killed 5,987 pedestrians
and 840 bicyclists in 2016.
• Using an app to block calls and text messages. Such apps
are available through major wireless providers, including
AT&T (DriveMode), Sprint (Drive First; Android only), and
Verizon (Safely Go; Android only).
Smartphone manufacturers are also addressing the problem.
Samsung’s In-Traffic Reply app sends preset responses to mes-
sages received while a user’s vehicle is in motion. Apple’s iOS
12 system includes an optional Do Not Disturb While Driving
feature that mutes incoming phone calls and text messages. It
will also automatically send a message that you’re driving and
will respond later.
Distracted-driving apps from tech companies include, among
others, LifeSaver, TrueMotion Family, and Mojo. In addition to
blocking your ability to use your phone while driving and sending
messages to callers that you’re driving, the apps sometimes pro-
vide reward systems for safe driving behavior. They’re available
through Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
One obvious limitation of this technology is that drivers must
opt in—and not override the system. For instance, if you pick up
an iPhone in Do Not Disturb While Driving mode, it allows you
to push an “I’m Not Driving” tab, even if you are.
Getting Real
Adding to the aforementioned risks, drivers sometimes delude
themselves about their own risky driving behavior. For example,
they often claim to believe one thing (e.g., that texting is danger-
ous) but do it anyway. Such self-delusion probably means they
talk themselves into believing that they text a lot less than they
actually do. Another form of self-deception: thinking that using
a hands-free cell phone is safer than talking on a handheld one.
It’s not, because cognitive distraction still occurs. Incidentally,
talking on a hands-free cell phone requires about 2.5 times the
mental work of simply driving.
Two other factors make drivers more willing to engage in
distracted behavior while driving: complacency and misplaced
confidence in their driving abilities. First, it’s easy to become
complacent about driving after doing it for years, and to forget

84 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

just how demanding a task it can be. That’s especially true if you
think you’re a better-than-average driver, which, ironically, studies
indicate most people do. Check Out Your
In addition—and this is a big one—engaging in distractions can Traffic Safety Attitudes
become habitual and can increase self-deception: Every time you and Behavior
safely make a phone call or read a text while driving, you become See how your traffic safety attitudes and behaviors rate and
more convinced that you can “get away with it” the next time. how consistent your beliefs are with your day-to-day driving,
answer the following questions, then total your score.
Getting Focused
Score the following items from 0–3:
One significant, and often overlooked, factor about distracted
0 = very often or always; 1 = often;
driving is how modern life makes it so easy to become distracted 2 = sometimes; 3 = never.
and so difficult to focus. Continual fragmentation of our time and
1. ___ Do you signal when changing lanes?
our capacity to concentrate has become the norm. This affects
every aspect of our lives, including our ability to drive safely, with 2. ___ Do you get regular eye checkups to keep your
full concentration and awareness. vision at its sharpest?
Another factor that makes it hard to focus is that many peo-
3. ___ Do you check with your doctor or pharmacist
ple—80 percent of respondents in a recent Gallup survey—expe-
about how medications you take might affect your
rience the feeling of not having enough time to do what they
driving?
want to each day. This “time poverty” results in stress and anxiety,
a need to do things in a hurry, to continually be in a rush—not the Score the following items from 0–3:
best state of mind to be in when you’re driving. 0 = never; 1 = sometimes; 2 = often;
3 = very often or always.
Many of us are available, distractable, and on call 24/7. We
check our phones continually (80 times a day on average, ac- 4. In the past 30 days, how often have you:
a. ___ driven 15 mph or more over the speed limit on
cording to one study), often starting soon after we wake up. For
a residential street?
many of us, there’s no separation between work and the rest of b. ___ driven when you were so tired that you had a
our lives unless we make a concerted effort to create one. hard time keeping your eyes open?
The immediate cause is digital technology—our smartphones, c. ___ driven through a traffic light that had just
tablets, and computers—which provides us/bombards us with turned red when you could have safely stopped?
seemingly endless streams of information, videos, music, and d. ___ read, typed, or sent a text message or email
while you were driving?
news, none of which was available to this degree a little more than
e. ___ talked on the phone (including hands-free)
a decade ago. The effect is to undermine our ability to concentrate while driving?
for more than a few minutes at a time. Most of us have adapted to
this human-created environment, this new normal, but at a cost. 5. When driving in traffic, do you get angry:
The price we pay is that, although we may be alert, we find it a. ___ at traffic jams?
difficult to give our full attention to anything—people we’re con- b. ___ at slow drivers?
c. ___ when drivers cut you off?
versing with, tasks we’re engaged in. Even with so-called leisure
d. ___ at tailgaters?
activities, we’re often antsy and agitated. We close a book after
reading a few pages or grab our smartphone in case we feel the 6. ___ Does your spouse (or friends) tell you to calm
need to call someone when we go for a walk. This too doesn’t down when you’re driving?
bode well for our ability to drive safely.
Score the following item from 0–8:
Many people consider driving a monotonous activity, and in
0 = no points; 1 = 2 points; 2 = 4 points;
some ways it is: It’s behavior that’s largely repetitive—braking, 3 = 6 points; 4 or more = 8 points.
accelerating, and turning the wheel. And yet, the scene around
7. ___ How many traffic tickets, warnings, or discussions
you is constantly changing as you move through it, and each of with police officers have you had in the past two
your seemingly repetitive actions is actually a response to a spe- years?
cific circumstance—a stop sign, the car in front of you accelerating
or stopping, a little girl stepping off the curb next to your car. Scores closer to 0 indicate better traffic safety behavior
And if you don’t respond correctly, you could become involved and support for a better traffic safety culture; scores
closer to 45 indicate the opposite.
in a deadly crash.
So resolve to “just say no” to distractions when you’re driving,

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 85

although it will likely take some effort. But, believe it or not, you
might find that your drive is more enjoyable if you do. In his
TED talk, psychologist Matt Killingsworth traced the connection
between mind wandering and happiness, based on more than
650,000 responses from more than 15,000 people.
His conclusion? “People are substantially less happy when
their minds are wandering than when they’re not, no matter
what they’re doing,” Killingsworth says. “People don’t really like
commuting to work very much; it’s one of their least enjoyable
activities. And yes, they are substantially happier when they’re
focused only on their commute than when their mind is going
off to something else.”
Forming New Habits
If you feel like you want to be able to focus better, to concen-
trate, to be more relaxed, and to not be controlled or stressed
by the random thoughts running through your mind, what can
you do? Overall, making these changes requires deliberately
reducing needless distractions and exercising some self-dis-
cipline, especially where social media is concerned. Here are
a few options:
• For specific periods of time, deliberately decide to go “off
the grid.” For example, turn off your smartphone alerts for
incoming texts and email.
• Silence your smartphone at night or for periods of time
when you’re at work. At least keep it out of your bedroom.
(You’re not going to put it in the glove box when you
drive if you need it on the nightstand while you sleep.)
• Sit still in a relaxed position with your eyes closed and
listen to calming music for 5 or 10 minutes at a time.
Allow your body to relax more and more. Focus your
attention on the music. If random thoughts enter your
head, just let them pass by.
• Go for a 10-to-15-minute walk—without your smartphone—
and pay conscious attention to what you see and feel,
saying to yourself “Now I am aware of . . ..” Doing this can
help reinforce your capacity to concentrate.
• Read a book—not a digital reader—for 30 minutes at a
time. Pay attention to the words, and resist the impulse to
skim read.
• Get enough rest. Experts say that most people need a
minimum eight hours of sleep, regardless of age. Do your
best to establish a regular time to go to bed and wake up.
Not all of these practices will appeal equally to everyone. Try
a few and see if they work for you. And give yourself time—two
to three weeks—to experience their beneficial effects.

Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated.

Traffic safety is a fundamental part of AAA’s mission to be an advocate for motorists and to make driving safer for everyone. With our
latest multiyear traffic safety initiative, launched in April 2018, we’re committed to changing attitudes and behaviors surrounding the
deadly problem of drivers who use their smartphones behind the wheel.
The campaign centers on the theme Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated. It’s designed to help audiences understand
that the consequences of using a smartphone while driving are the same as drinking and driving—both can result in crashes, injuries,
and deaths. The campaign targets drivers who would never consider drinking a beer behind the wheel and yet regularly use mobile
devices that dangerously take their eyes, hands, and minds off the road. The ultimate goal of the campaign is to make smartphone
use while driving as socially unacceptable as drinking and driving.
AAA recognizes that more than 50 years of public education efforts against alcohol-impaired driving have helped to achieve
changes to alcohol-impaired driving laws, increased enforcement, and, critically, created a shift in public attitudes and behaviors
toward drinking and driving. Although much more needs to be done, anti-drunk driving campaigns and related efforts have helped
cut the number of alcohol-impaired crash fatalities in half—from more than 20,000 deaths to around 10,000 annually—since the 1980s.
The same change in public perception toward drinking and driving that changed the destructive behavior needs to happen in
order to dramatically reduce distracted-driving crashes. Motorists need to realize that distracted driving can have exactly the same
deadly consequences as drinking and driving, and change their behavior accordingly.
AAA shot a television public service announcement (PSA) on a closed segment of a freeway in Southern California. Safety was a
priority during all aspects of the shoot. We used precision drivers, robotic cameras, and professional actors to portray the dangerous
and all-too-common results of driving while intexticated.
AAA will be conducting surveys before and after campaign ads air to measure awareness and attitudes about distracted driving.
Also, the creative theme and PSAs have been tested in focus groups of members and nonmembers. Focus group members reported
that the campaign was highly effective and likely to change their behavior.
Participants said the theme and PSAs were unique, and that the term intexticated is memorable. They also said the television, radio,
and print PSAs elicited strong emotional reactions including worry, concern, sadness, depression, and shock. Some participants said
that reviewing the PSAs was like an “aha” moment for them that shifted the conversation regarding engaging in deadly behaviors
behind the wheel.

86 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

Thursday, 4:17pm
The moment when Thomas realizes he has saved
enough money on gas to treat his boys to some sweets
after hockey practice.

5 ¢ PER
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ON EVERYDAY
savings with Shell. FILL UPS

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At participating Shell stations only.
Discounts, products and vendors are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions apply. AAA does not IN THE PALM
endorse any vendor and disclaims responsibility for any product, promotion or content featured herein or on
the AAA Discounts & Rewards® website. Discounts and vendors herein current as of 3/6/2019. For full terms DOWNLOAD
OF YOUR
and conditions and to view current discounts, visit AAA.com/discounts.
Copyright © 2019 Auto Club Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved. THE APP HANDS.
 7
CHAPTER

AUTONOMOUS
VEHICLES:
THE
THE COMING
COMING DISRUPTION
DISRUPTION

88 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

T
he development of autonomous vehicles (AVs) signals the biggest change in transportation and personal mobility
since the invention of the automobile. That’s a bold statement, but it’s not an exaggeration: AVs have the potential
to revolutionize countless aspects of our lives in ways rivaled only by the development of computers, the Internet,
and smartphones over the past 20 years.
The question is no longer if autonomous vehicles are coming; the question is when. Of course, that depends on what defines
their arrival. If we mean, when will small numbers of fully autonomous vehicles be capable of transporting people and goods from
place to place in controlled environments? the answer is “sooner than you think.” If we mean, when will AVs become fully integrated
into the transportation landscape in large numbers? the answer is “most likely not for a while.”
But make no mistake about it: Not only are automated vehicles coming, they also have the potential to create significant
disruption in the auto industry.

What Is an Autonomous Vehicle?

An autonomous vehicle, a.k.a. an AV or self-driving car, is a vehicle
that uses a variety of technology—radar, lidar (light detection and
ranging), ultrasonic sensors, GPS, cameras, and high-definition
mapping—to navigate its surroundings as it travels between
destinations. The vehicle itself—not a human being—controls
and executes all major functions, such as steering, braking, and
acceleration.
This definition describes full autonomy, and although
a variety of automakers, tech companies, and other
private concerns are moving rather quickly in
that direction, several levels below full auton-
omy are already available on many vehicles. SAE
International (formerly the Society of Automotive
Engineers) devised a classification system for vehi-
cle autonomy in 2014 that describes the relative capa-
bilities and limitations of various automated systems; it was
subsequently adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA).
Its six levels of autonomy establish a common vocabulary
for AVs and an evolutionary line from traditional cars to fully
autonomous vehicles.
Level 0 (no automation): The human driver controls and is
responsible for all safety-critical vehicle functions: steering, brak-
ing, and acceleration. He or she also must monitor the driving
environment. Some driver aids may be present in Level 0 vehi-
cles, such as blind-spot warning and lane-departure warning,
but they don’t control vehicle behavior. Until about a decade
ago, this level described virtually all passenger vehicles.
Level 1 (driver assistance): Most vehicle functions are con-
trolled by the driver, but a specific vital function—such as steering,
braking, or accelerating—can be performed by the vehicle auto-
matically. Adaptive cruise control is one example. Nonetheless,
the driver is still responsible for the control and actions of the
vehicle. In 2018, Level 1 features were standard or optional on
cars and light trucks in virtually all price ranges.
Level 2 (partial automation): Under some circumstances,
automated features can assist with acceleration, braking, and
steering in a coordinated fashion. But the driver remains in control
of the vehicle and continues to monitor the driving environment.
Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, which controls steering, acceleration,
and braking functions, is a Level 2 feature available on
midpriced vehicles (the current generation Rogue SUV
and Leaf EV). It steers the car, keeping it centered
in its lane, and maintains a safe distance from the
vehicle in front. The driver must keep his/her hands
on the wheel. Other examples of Level 2 autonomy
include Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot, Tesla Autopilot,
and Volvo Pilot Assist.
Level 3 (conditional automation): A Level 3 automated
system can take full control of a vehicle when certain specified
operating conditions are present. However, the human driver
must be prepared to take control of the vehicle if requested by
the vehicle; the vehicle is not capable of completely controlling
braking, acceleration, or steering.
The difficulty here, as verified in both Google’s early AV test-
ing and in nonautomotive research, is that human beings are
notoriously unreliable fallbacks: If people think a machine is in
charge, they tend to become distracted and are often unable to
resume vehicle operation in a safe and timely manner. That’s par-
ticularly problematic in the case of Level 3 automation because
the autonomous system isn’t designed to respond if the driver
doesn’t reengage.
This realization has led some companies, such as Waymo
(formerly Google’s self-driving car project) and Ford, to aban-
don Level 3 automation as a goal and go for Level 4 or 5, where
human backup is not required.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 89


Workers at a Michigan plant attach a sensor module to a Cruise AV built on a
Chevrolet Bolt EV platform.
One example of Level 3 automation is Super Cruise, which
debuted in 2017 on the Cadillac CT6 and is set to roll out to other
GM vehicles by 2020. Super Cruise provides hands-free driving
at highway speeds on divided highways without intersections;
as long as drivers remain attentive, it doesn’t require them to
grip the steering wheel. It also maintains a safe distance from
the car in front of it, as well as centering the vehicle in its lane.
To ensure safety, a camera and infrared scanners monitor the
driver’s face and eyes to make sure he or she is paying attention
to the roadway. If the vehicle “decides” otherwise, it will issue a
series of warnings. If the driver ignores those warnings, the sys-
tem will pull the car to a stop on the shoulder. The system makes
use of a unique, detailed digital-mapping database of 160,000
miles of U.S. highways.
Audi’s Traffic Jam Pilot can handle the task of driving in
slow-moving highway traffic at speeds up to 37 mph. According
to Audi, “Unlike at Level 2, [drivers] no longer have to continu-
ously monitor the car and can focus on another activity sup-
ported by the onboard infotainment system. . . . They must merely
remain alert and capable of taking over the task of driving when
the system prompts them to do so.”
Traffic Jam Pilot uses cameras to check whether a driver is pre-
pared to resume the task of steering. If not, the system prompts
the driver with visual and audible alerts. It also warns drivers in
case of an emergency—an imminent collision, for example.
Audi equipped its 2019 A8 sedan with Traffic Jam Pilot, but
the feature hasn’t received legal approval for use in the United
States, so A8s equipped with this feature won’t be brought into
90 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
the country yet. Currently, no other pro-
duction vehicles are equipped with Level
3 autonomy.
Level 4 (high automation): Cars func-
tioning at Level 4 are designed to perform all
safety-critical driving functions for an entire
journey without human intervention and to
monitor roadway conditions as well. The
driver doesn’t have to pay attention unless
the vehicle requests it. However, the vehicle
does have some constraints: Driving might
be confined to a specific geographical area,
to highway driving only, or the system might
operate only below a certain speed. Level 4
vehicles might still have pedals and a steer-
ing wheel in case a human driver chooses
to take over the driving.
Level 4 vehicles have backup systems
in case some aspect of the safety technol-
ogy fails. If the car determines it’s not safe
to continue, it may pull over and shut itself
down. Examples: No Level 4 vehicles are cur-
rently available for purchase. Companies like Waymo and Cruise
Automation, GM’s self-driving division, are testing fleets of Level
4 vehicles. In December of last year, Waymo launched a pilot
self-driving taxi service in the Phoenix area, with backup opera-
tors on board, using its Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid AVs.
Level 5 (full automation): The Level 5 automated system
is capable of performing all driving tasks under all conditions,
with no expectation or requirement that a human will intervene.
Examples: No such vehicles are currently available for purchase.
However, Cruise Automation has stated its intent to produce a
Level 5 Chevrolet Bolt EV with no steering wheel, accelerator,
or brake pedal.
AV Pluses and Minuses
AVs have the potential to make vehicular travel safer, more con-
venient, and more affordable. For example: Experts estimate that
human error is responsible for 94 percent of traffic crashes. But
COURTESY GENERAL MOTORS/JEFFREY SAUGER
because AVs don’t lose focus, become sleepy, have a problem
“seeing” at night, or get drunk or high, they could prevent up to
80 percent of vehicle crashes, thereby reducing the carnage on
America’s roads—35,000 deaths, millions of injuries, and billions
of dollars in economic losses annually.
Similarly, AVs could make vehicle travel more comfortable
and productive. AVs have the potential to communicate with one
another and the infrastructure, so they’ll be able to travel pre-
dictably and efficiently, in close proximity to each other, reduc-
ing or avoiding the rush-hour gridlock now so typical in cities
large and small.
AAA.com/greencar
 Not only could this save individual Americans hundreds or
thousands of hours of driving every year, it could reduce the
stress of the daily commute as well, freeing people to relax,
converse with others, watch a video, read a book, or catch up
on the news.
In the future, as a result of AVs’ efficiency, fewer people may
feel the need or desire to own a personal vehicle—or at least not
multiple vehicles per household. Instead of individual car owner-
ship as the norm, private companies or municipalities may own
fleets of AVs. People may find it more economical and conve-
nient to subscribe to a service that, within a few minutes, sends
an AV to their door to take them to work or on an errand, drops
them off, and returns for them later.
AVs could also provide mobility for people who have a hard
time getting around because they can’t afford a car or are unable
to drive—children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and the
poor, for example.
But, as with any revolutionary force, AVs also have the poten-
tial to disrupt the status quo in negative ways. Mainly, this would
consist of threats posed to the economic interests of people,
businesses, and industries that depend on the current trans-
portation system: oil companies, gas stations, and truck, bus,
delivery, and taxi drivers, to name a few.
In sum, many issues need to be resolved before AVs can
become integrated into our lives. For a couple of decades, we’ll
probably be in a mixed environment of AVs and human-piloted
A Level 2 automated feature, Nissan’s ProPilot Assist steers the vehicle, keeping it centered in its lane, and maintains a
safe distance from the vehicle in front (drivers must keep their hands on the wheel). It’s currently available on the Rogue
SUV and Leaf EV.
AAA.com/greencar
cars, and it will take a great deal of patience, care, and determina-
tion to smoothly make the transition to a high level of autonomy.
Moving Toward Full Autonomy
Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), described in
Chapter 5, are available on an increasing number of today’s
vehicles. These features—forward automatic emergency braking,
blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assist, for example—per-
form some of the same functions and use technology similar to
that currently found on vehicles in AV test fleets.
And yet, there’s a core difference. The purpose of ADAS is to
make cars safer by intervening to prevent or mitigate the effects
of car crashes, whereas the purpose of similar technology in
AVs is to create vehicles that don’t require human drivers. The
fact that AVs become safer because of such technology is only
one of its benefits.
Because AVs are fundamentally different from conventional
vehicles, the ways they’re being developed are unique. In con-
ventional vehicles, the main areas of research and development
are mechanical in nature; in AVs, the key area of expertise is soft-
ware development.
As a result, firms involved in the creation and development
of AVs include automakers such as Audi, Ford, General Motors,
Fiat Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, and Volvo; tech firms and
software companies like Waymo, Cruise Automation, Intel, and
Apple; automotive suppliers like Aptiv, Bosch, and Magna;
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 91
ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft, which are inter-
ested mainly in self-driving taxi applications; and cities and
municipalities that are seeking to transform and improve their
transportation systems.
Two development strategies are emerging:
1. Some software/tech companies are partnering with one or
more automakers to develop AVs. For example, in 2017 Waymo
acquired and modified 600 Chrysler Hybrid minivans for its var-
ious self-driving projects. This approach allows software com-
panies to avoid the labor- and capital-intensive requirement of
manufacturing vehicles.
“Our model at Waymo isn’t to be a car company,” said CEO
John Krafcik. “Our role is to build the world’s most experienced
driver and deploy that driver to as many places as we can to
make the world a better place.”
2. Other companies are building their own complete cars—
hardware and software. If they don’t have the in-house talent,
they either contract with or acquire firms that do—for example,
GM purchased software company Cruise Automation to develop
AVs based on the Chevrolet Bolt EV platform.
As a part of this process, many companies are investing in or
forming what might seem unlikely partnerships: For example,
Waymo created a partnership with Avis to maintain and service
its AVs. And many of the partnerships between various firms are
nonexclusive and nontraditional. Lyft, for example, has partner-
ships with multiple car companies—Ford, GM, and Jaguar—and
software developer Waymo.
Major Developments
An increasing number of companies have been entering the AV
arena. Here’s a roundup of the most significant developments
in recent years:
General Motors has become a major force in autonomous
vehicles, acquiring Cruise Automation (now the company’s AV
unit) in 2016 and tech startup Strobe, which makes lidar systems,
in late 2017. Mary Barra, chairwoman and CEO of GM, has said
that GM believes the future of personal mobility will be driven
by the convergence of electrification, autonomous vehicles,
connectivity, and shared mobility services.
In January 2018, GM sought approval from the federal

Evolving Mobility
Because AVs are fundamentally different from conventional vehicles in both their concept and execution, a new acronym
has been created to describe them and the radically different mobility paradigms they make possible: ACES. The letters
stand for autonomous, connected, electric, and shared.
Autonomy is defined at the beginning of this chapter. Connectivity refers to the fact that a critical element of AVs will
be their ability to wirelessly communicate with each other and with their environments, what’s known as vehicle-to-vehicle
(V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication.
V2V communication enables vehicles to share data about their speed, location, rate of acceleration, and direction with
other vehicles and to receive similar information from them. Such data—collected from a vehicle’s cameras, sensors, and
GPS systems—could help vehicles become aware of and avoid traffic tie-ups and potential crashes.
V2I technology enables vehicles to communicate with the transportation infrastructure that supports them—traffic signs
and signals, bridges, intersections, overpasses, and lane markers—in order to obtain data that can be used to improve traf-
fic safety and help traffic move more efficiently.
Electric vehicles, now closer to viability as a form of personal transportation for most Americans, are simpler to make,
easier to service, more efficient in terms of energy use, environmentally cleaner, and likely more reliable than their gasoline-
and diesel-powered counterparts. EVs will become increasingly attractive as their prices drop and more public charging
stations become available.
Finally, shared. The increasing popularity of car-sharing and ride-hailing businesses is gradually changing people’s views
on the necessity of owning a car, especially among the younger generation. The expected benefits of shared vehicles,
especially in cities, include less congestion, less fuel/energy consumption, reduced need for parking spaces, and lower
road-maintenance costs.
For a shared transportation model to work, however, it would have to be at least as cost-efficient and convenient as per-
sonal car ownership. And even if large numbers of people use shared transportation, it doesn’t necessarily mean that per-
sonal car ownership would be replaced; instead, the shared transportation model might just evolve as a complement to
personal car ownership. Similarly, the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles doesn’t preclude people from driving
if they choose to.

92 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar


government for a fully autonomous car—with no steering wheel,
brake pedal, or accelerator pedal—to enter the company’s first
commercial ride-sharing fleet, which it plans to launch in late
2019, most likely in San Francisco. GM or its partner Lyft could
manage the AV fleet.
This project is important to GM in part because it projects
that the lifetime revenue of one of its self-driving cars could be
several hundred thousand dollars, compared with the $30,000,
on average, the company gets for selling conventional vehicles.
The fourth-generation Cruise AV, as GM’s Level 4 vehicle is
known, is equipped with 21 radar units, 16 cameras, and five
lidars; it will be able to operate in AV mode only in premapped
urban areas. In March 2018, GM announced that it would be
investing more than $100 million in two Michigan factories that
will produce the Cruise AV.
In addition to San Francisco, GM is testing Cruise AVs out-
side of Detroit and in Phoenix. GM has also been working with
the state of California regarding the requirements necessary to
get a pilot self-driving program in place.
In October 2018, GM’s AV unit received a boost from the
announcement by Honda, which had been seriously consid-
ering a partnership with Waymo, that it would invest $2.75 bil-
COURTESY APTIV/JOHN F. MARTIN
lion in Cruise Automation over a period of 12 years to develop
and deploy AVs.
At the beginning of 2019, GM president Dan Ammann
moved from Detroit to San Francisco to take over as CEO of
Cruise Automation, signaling the importance GM places on its
AV enterprise.
Compared with its rivals, Ford is ramping up to full AV status
more slowly, developing its technology and a business model for
AAA.com/greencar
Tech firm
Aptiv PLC and
ride-hailing
company Lyft
provided self-
driving rides
at the 2018
Consumer
Electronics
Show in Las
Vegas.
AVs simultaneously. The company had stated that sometime in
2018 it would develop a test version of a Level 4 vehicle without
a steering wheel, accelerator pedal, or brake pedal for use in a
ride-hailing service. That didn’t happen, and the automaker has
revised its prediction to 2019. The company’s driverless vehicles
are slated to arrive in 2021.
In 2017, Ford invested $1 billion over a five-year period in
AV tech company Argo AI. In early 2018, Ford deployed a fleet
of Fusions outfitted with Argo’s self-driving software to Miami,
where they’re delivering pizzas (through Domino’s, as they did in
Ann Arbor, Michigan) and working with courier service Postmates
to deliver packages. The Fusion AVs operate in autonomous
mode but have drivers behind the wheel as a safety precau-
tion. Additionally, the company has invested in Lyft, with which
it plans to develop a ride-sharing program in Miami.
In 2017, Lyft opened an automated-vehicle R&D facility in Palo
Alto, California. In early 2018, Magna International, one of the
world’s largest automotive suppliers, invested $200 million in Lyft
as part of a long-term collaboration to build self-driving systems
that can be adapted to vehicles from a variety of automakers.
Lyft co-founder Logan Green has said that Lyft wants auto-
makers and tech companies to develop AVs, and for those vehi-
cles to operate on the Lyft network.
In late spring 2018, tech company Aptiv PLC announced
the launch of a fleet of 30 AVs operating on the Lyft network
in “high-demand locations” in Las Vegas, with safety drivers for
backup. The combination of Aptiv’s AV technology and Lyft’s
ride-hailing app was introduced several months earlier at the
2018 Consumer Electronics Show, a pilot program that provided
more than 400 self-driving rides to the public.
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 93
In addition to its Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids, Waymo plans to add up to 20,000 Jaguar I-Pace EVs (above) to its AV fleet over
the next few years.
Tesla continues to update Autopilot, its semiautonomous
driving feature, and wirelessly transmit the changes to Tesla own-
ers, who have, as of late November, driven 1 billion miles with
Autopilot engaged—10 percent of the total mileage racked up
by Teslas. CEO Elon Musk remains confident that Autopilot will
someday morph into a fully autonomous system.
Late in 2018, referring to the company’s Navigate on
Autopilot, Musk said it’s “one of the first major steps toward
full self-driving. . . . It’s basically integrating navigation with the
Autopilot capability. I think we’ll get to full self-driving next year,
as a generalized solution.”
In March 2018, Toyota and two of its suppliers invested
$2.8 billion in Toyota Research Institute-Advanced Development,
or TRI-AD, a new company in Silicon Valley that will develop
software for AVs. The automaker is also working on short-range
wireless technology to be used for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and
vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication.
In August 2018, Toyota announced that it had invested
$500 million with ride-hailing company Uber to jointly work
on the development of autonomous vehicles. And in October
2018, Toyota opened a 60-acre autonomous testing facility in
southeast Michigan to test the limits of its AV technology—a
driver-assist system named Guardian and the fully autonomous
Chauffeur platform—in extreme scenarios.
Uber’s self-driving projects received a lot of press in 2018,
most of it negative. In March, a Volvo XC90 crossover equipped
with Uber’s self-driving technology and occupied by a safety
94 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
driver struck and killed a woman walking her bike across a mul-
tilane road in Tempe, Arizona, late at night. It was the first time a
pedestrian had been fatally injured by an autonomous vehicle.
Uber immediately halted its self-driving programs, which had
been operating in Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Toronto, as well
as in the greater Phoenix area.
In July, the company put its vehicles back on the streets of
Pittsburgh (Uber has a tech center nearby) but only in manual
mode, meaning that although its autonomous sensors and lidar
would be operating, they would be doing so only to update the
mapping of Pittsburgh’s streets and roads. Two Uber employ-
ees—so-called mission specialists—rode in the vehicle, the driver
to maintain vehicle safety and the front passenger to monitor
events. The XC90s were also equipped with driver-monitoring
systems to keep track of driver attentiveness.
At the beginning of November, Uber asked Pennsylvania for
permission to resume AV operations on public roads. The state
had issued new, tougher AV guidelines, asking companies to
submit details regarding the results of their testing. Uber stated
that it had improved its AV software, enabling it to detect poten-
tial problems sooner and respond to them more quickly.
In November 2018, Volkswagen announced that it would
spend $50.2 billion between that date and 2023 on EVs,
digitalization, autonomous driving, and new mobility services.
VW has also been in talks with Ford about an alliance to develop
self-driving vehicles.
Waymo, which has been working on AVs since 2009, longer
AAA.com/greencar
than any other developer, is involved on multiple fronts and is Brookings Institution published in late 2017 stated that invest-
arguably the leader in AVs. As of October 2018, Waymo had ments in AV technologies between August 2014 and June 2017
accumulated more than 10 million self-driving miles in 25 cities totaled more than 160 separate deals worth some $80 billion.
in six states: Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan, Texas, and Additionally, more than 100 automakers, chip makers, and soft-
Washington, plus more than 5 billion simulated driving miles. ware and search-engine developers have offices in Silicon Valley
Waymo’s four areas of focus are ride-hailing services, logistics, and the greater San Francisco Bay Area alone.
connecting people to public transportation, and supplying AV The reasons for this flurry of activity? If AVs truly can revolu-
technology for installation in privately owned vehicles. tionize transportation—making it more convenient, safer, and
In March 2018, the company unveiled an Atlanta-based pilot cheaper—there are billions of dollars to be made. Goldman Sachs
project for self-driving trucks that would carry goods to Google’s predicted that AVs will help the ride-hailing business grow from
data centers. Autonomous trucks represent a potentially lucra- $5 billion in current revenue to $285 billion by 2030.
tive option: By weight, the trucking industry moves about 70 There’s also the fear factor: Because the traditional business
percent of the country’s freight, around $740 billion of cargo model of automakers—selling vehicles mainly to individual buy-
annually, and the industry has a reported shortage of about ers via dealerships, which service and maintain them—is likely to
50,000 drivers; that number is expected to grow to around be upended as AVs come to market, companies fear that if they
275,000, according to Waymo CEO John Krafcik. don’t find a way to adapt, they may fall by the wayside.
Waymo also partnered with Jaguar Land Rover in spring
2018, making plans to add up to 20,000 Jaguar I-Pace EV cross- AV Applications
overs in the next few years as a luxury segment in its ride-hailing The first widespread use of AV technology is likely to be in com-
fleet. Waymo said it would release an app to enable the public mercial applications rather than individual passenger-car usage:
to hail self-driving taxis in certain test locations, an extension of ride-hailing/taxi services; city buses; vanpool services; shipping
its Early Rider program in Phoenix. Waymo also arranged with and logistics companies such as Amazon, UPS, FedEx, and DHL;
Fiat Chrysler to provide it with 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid shuttle transportation around university and industrial campuses;
minivans, in addition to the 600 it has already converted into AVs. and long-haul trucking.
In summer 2018, Waymo launched a pilot program in which That’s because in these areas, in addition to safety gains,
it shuttled Walmart customers in self-driving minivans to pick there’s more likely to be an identifiable economic incentive—a
up their online purchases. Waymo also offered rides to a shop- more direct payback for the operator. In such applications, it’s
ping center in south Phoenix, and to a hotel in nearby Chandler, easier for a business owner or company management to calcu-
Arizona. late when adopting AV technology would make economic sense.
At the end of October, after meeting a number of safety- The U.S. military is also eager to adopt autonomous tech-
related conditions, Waymo received the first California DMV nology. A high percentage of combat casualties occur when
permit allowing it to test fully self-driving vehi-
cles in the state. The AVs will operate at speeds
up to 65 mph in Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Los
Altos, Los Altos Hills, and Palo Alto. Initially, only
employees will be permitted to be passengers.
And in December, Waymo began offering
a self-driving commercial taxi service, Waymo
One, using its Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid mini-
vans. Available 24 hours a day, it carries riders
around metropolitan Phoenix and four of its
suburbs (Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, and Gilbert).
Initially, human safety operators were present
in the vehicles as backups.
It should be apparent from this high level
of corporate involvement that bringing AVs
to market is a really big deal, with hundreds In early 2019, Daimler AG, parent company of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
and Freightliner trucks, among other companies, purchased Torc Robotics, a
of companies—many with very deep pock-
self-driving truck software developer based in Virginia, to help in its push to
ets—getting in on the action. As an example
develop autonomous heavy-duty semi trucks.
of the scale of this undertaking, a report by the

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 95


military personnel deliver food, fuel, and supplies, and the use
of autonomous vehicles could reduce those deaths and injuries.
Military applications are also a natural fit: The Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency, better known as DARPA, has been
funding research and sponsoring competitions to develop auton-
omous technology for years. In fact, many of the people now
working for tech companies like Waymo got their start by par-
ticipating in DARPA projects.
There are several additional advantages of using AVs in com-
mercial applications: First, there are fewer safety concerns about
hauling cargo than humans. Second, autonomous delivery vehi-
cles could easily operate 24/7, including throughout the night
and at other times when roads are less occupied.
But perhaps the biggest benefit is that if people get used to
experiencing robot vehicles seamlessly delivering, say, groceries
and merchandise from big-box stores to their homes, it’s likely
to boost their confidence in such a system and hasten their will-
ingness to use AVs for personal transportation.
Are AVs Safe?
Numerous surveys indicate that, at best, the American public
feels ambivalent about whether AVs are or ever will be safe
enough to ride in, and their opinions for or against AVs can
change quickly and dramatically.
Put simply, it seems that people’s unwillingness to ride in an
AV is related to how recently they’ve heard about someone being
killed in a crash involving a semiautonomous vehicle (such as
the fatal Tesla crashes in Florida in 2016 and California in 2018,
96 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
In the mid 2000s, the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an agency of
the U.S. Department of Defense, created three
competitions in the high desert northeast of Los
Angeles to spur the development of autonomous
vehicles: the 2004 and 2005 Grand Challenges
and the 2007 Urban Challenge. In this photo,
Sandstorm, an entry from the Red Team of
Carnegie Mellon University, one of the event’s
strongest entrants, passes Mile 8 in the 2005
Grand Challenge, on its way to a second-place
finish in the 132-mile course. Its time was 7:05,
11 minutes behind Stanley, the winning entrant
from the Stanford Racing Team. Highlander,
another Red Team entrant, finished third, in 7:14.
Five of 23 entrants completed the course.
both involving Autopilot, and the Uber crash that killed a pedes-
trian in Arizona).
Americans have never been overwhelmingly in favor of using
autonomous vehicles for personal transportation; they don’t trust
the technology to be safe. AAA continues to conduct research
in this area. In 2017, a AAA study found that 78 percent of those
surveyed said they’d be afraid to ride in a self-driving vehicle. In
a later study, that number dropped to 63 percent, which seems
like a significant increase in confidence—until you realize it still
means that two people in three wouldn’t set foot in an AV.
Then, in March 2018, the Uber fatality occurred; also, the
driver of a Tesla Model X with Autopilot engaged was killed
after his car slammed into a median barrier on the 101 free-
way in Mountain View, California. Unsurprisingly, the results of
a AAA survey released soon afterward revealed that the num-
ber of people unwilling to trust an AV’s safety had jumped back
up to 73 percent.
A study by Cox Automotive in late 2018 found that although
an increasing number of people (24 percent over two years)
have become aware of fully automated vehicle technology, the
perception of its safety has plummeted by nearly 20 points. In
the current survey, nearly half of respondents said they’d never
buy a Level 5 autonomous vehicle, up from 30 percent two years
earlier. And nearly 85 percent said they felt they should always
COURTESY DARPA
have the option to drive, even in a self-driving vehicle.
Nevertheless, AV development is pushing ahead relentlessly.
But for AV technology to successfully make the transition to per-
sonal vehicles, several developments will no doubt need to occur:
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1. AV technology must improve to the point that it’s nearly
flawless. This won’t be easy; as AV developers admit,
although it’s difficult to get a technology to the point that it
works perfectly 90 to 95 percent of the time, overcoming
that last 5 to 10 percent is really difficult.
2. AV developers need to explain what they’re doing, why
they believe it’s safe, and why the public should trust them.
They also need to be upfront about the technology’s
limitations. For example, Waymo CEO John Krafcik
conceded that it’s unrealistic to expect AVs to be able to
drive safely in inclement weather, such as in ice and snow.
3. Americans must be persuaded that AVs are viable
substitutes for the cars and light trucks they’re driving now.
That is, drivers must be convinced, through experience with
AVs, that they’re less expensive, safer, more useful, or more
pleasant to use than the vehicles they’re used to driving.
AV development has attracted attention from federal and
state officials as well. In October 2018, the Department of
Transportation released follow-up guidance for AVs: Automated
Vehicles 3.0: Preparing for the Future of Transportation, which
builds upon AV 2.0. Among other things, the new regulations
provide guidance for states to consider regarding the training
and licensing of AV test drivers.
Already around half of individual states have either passed
AV-related legislation or adopted regulations via a governor’s
executive order. California, New York, and Arizona have taken
the lead in this area, which is moving toward allowing AVs to be
tested on public roads with no humans in the vehicles.
The federal government has so far taken a hands-off approach
to regulation, stating that it doesn’t believe regulation is the
right way to deal with a technology that’s advancing so rapidly.
Instead, the government relies on AV companies to voluntarily
submit reports attesting to vehicle safety, although there are no
standards for the kinds of data that the companies must provide.
One encouraging sign regarding AV acceptance is, accord-
ing to AAA research, that 75 percent of those who own vehicles
equipped with semiautonomous technology were more likely
to trust it than those whose vehicles didn’t have it. Also, people
who have the technology explained to them and get the chance
to voluntarily ride in an AV almost always change their minds
about the technology’s safety. Waymo found this to be true of
people in its Early Rider program in Phoenix, which involved
volunteers who’d expressed an interest in participating in the
company’s AV testing.
Looking Ahead
Autonomous vehicles have the potential to revolutionize trans-
portation, improving the safety, convenience, and efficiency
of personal mobility in the U.S. and around the world. But
AVs are likely to be a disruptive force as well, bringing about
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technological, cultural, and economic changes that could require
a great deal of adaptation.
No one knows for sure when, how, and in what numbers AVs
will arrive, but the autonomous-vehicle revolution is most defi-
nitely underway. As automakers and others press forward with
AV development, AAA supports the gradual, safe introduction of
these technologies so that American drivers are informed, pre-
pared, and comfortable with this unprecedented shift in mobility.
Different Ways to Get Around
Three alternatives to traditional car ownership that have emerged
in the past 20 years are ride hailing, car sharing, and car subscrip-
tion services. Ride hailing is by far the most popular of the three,
while car subscription services are the most recent.
Ride Hailing
Ride hailing is an alternative to travel by personal car, taxi, or pub-
lic transportation. Ride hailers access a vehicle from their smart-
phones, indicating when and where they want to be picked up,
their destination, and the kind of vehicle they want to ride in. A
map on their phone’s touch screen tracks the progress of the
vehicle that will pick them up, along with an ETA. Riders pay for
their ride at the end of the trip via an on-file credit card, and they
rate the driver, who also rates them as passengers. Ride hailing
requires no membership fees.
Started about a decade ago, ride hailing has developed a
customer base in the hundreds of millions and continues to
grow exponentially. To attract more customers (and engender
customer loyalty), ride-hailing companies continually add to the
services they provide and programs they offer.
Ride-hailing drivers are private contractors, not employees
of the ride-hailing company, and they drive their own vehicles.
Drivers and their vehicles are vetted in advance by ride-hailing
companies. For example, a prospective driver for Uber (the
world’s largest ride-hailing company) must undergo a multipoint
review of his or her driving history and criminal record (if any).
“Screenings check for moving violations, drinking- and drug-
related offenses, violent crime, and felonies,” the company says.
Merely getting the job isn’t enough. Drivers must remain in
good standing: Uber conducts criminal and motor-vehicle checks
every year. If a driver has been charged with a new offense, Uber
possesses technology that will notify the company.
Uber (uber.com) is the most popular ride-hailing service in
the U.S. Founded in 2010, it’s based in San Francisco, and its ser-
vices are available in more than 250 U.S. cities and more than
600 cities on six continents. Worldwide, Uber completed its
10 billionth trip in June 2018; about 15 million Uber trips take
place every day. Gallup Inc., a management-consulting com-
pany, estimates that Uber controls a 70 to 80 percent share of
the ride-hailing market.
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 97
 In 2018, Uber started a subscription steady pace from 2018–2022, primar-
service called Ride Pass, in which for a ily because of an “increasing urban-
fee starting at $15, select riders in certain ization level worldwide and rising
markets can lock in consistent prices for smartphone penetration, especially
any rides they take. Uber also initiated a in emerging economies.”
rewards program in nine cities in which For ride hailing’s demographics,
riders earn points for money they spend Gallup found that the heaviest con-
on rides; the points can be redeemed centration of users is among those
for future rides and other perks. Uber ages 18–29 (45 percent) and 30–49
also operates a fleet of e-scooters, and (36 percent). People ages 65 and
acquired dockless electric bike company older use the services the least (13
Jump in 2018. percent).
Lyft (lyft.com), launched in 2012 and Likewise, says the McKinsey Center
based in San Francisco, is Uber’s chief rival for Future Mobility, the more affluent
in the U.S. Lyft operates in about 640 U.S. use ride hailing in higher numbers
and nine Canadian cities. In September (41 percent of those making $90,000
2018, Lyft announced that it had delivered or more annually and 28 percent of
1 billion total rides. Gallup estimated that those earning $60,000 to $90,000).
Lyft commands 20 to 30 percent of the City and suburban dwellers (37 and
ride-hailing market. 34 percent, respectively) use the ser-
Lyft introduced several customer- vices more than rural residents and
loyalty programs in 2018. In February, the those living in towns (16 percent).
company’s Business Rewards program The main reasons for using ride
began providing a $5 ride credit for hailing, according to McKinsey, are
every five rides (priced at $10 or more) ease of use, lower prices than con-
taken by business customers. The All- Ride-hailers can track their routes and the ventional taxis, and convenience.
Access Plan, introduced in October, is a progress of the vehicle that will pick them Furthermore, ride hailers choose a
subscription service that discounts ride up on their smartphones. ride-hailing company based on the
prices: For $299, riders receive 30 rides driver’s behavior, price, the condi-
(up to $15 each) during a 30-day period. tion and cleanliness of the vehicle,
The Lyft Rewards program, which rolled and wait times.
out in December, gives select customers points for money they The most commonly reported critique of ride hailing is that it’s
spend on rides; points can be redeemed for a more luxurious too expensive during “surge pricing” periods, such as during rush
ride or for discounts on future fares. hour. Ride hailing appears to have displaced taxi and bus use,
Lyft acquired a bike-sharing company in 2018: Motivate, which which declined 10 percent and 5 percent respectively between
accounted for three-fourths of bike-share rides in the U.S. in 2014 and 2016, according to the McKinsey study.
2017. Lyft also owns e-scooter fleets in Austin, Texas; Arlington,
Virginia; Denver; Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California; and Does Ride Hailing Save Money?
Washington, D.C. Many people are attracted to ride hailing because they think
it costs less than using a conventional taxi service or owning a
Ride Hailing’s Popularity personal vehicle. But is that true? According to a recent AAA
It’s difficult to know precisely how many Americans use ride- study comparing the cost of vehicle ownership with that of ride
hailing services, although the growing number of rides delivered hailing, there’s no contest: Owning a car is still the less expensive
certainly attests to its popularity. Researchers have concluded way to go.
that anywhere from 15 to 43 percent of Americans have made AAA analyzed the costs of ride-hailing services, including
use of ride-hailing services. the occasional use of a rental car, in 20 major urban areas. Its
Ride hailing is expected to grow at an annual rate of 15 per- research was based on data gathered from nearly a quarter-
cent through 2022, according to Statista, an online statistics, mar- million ride-hailing trips. Those using ride-hailing services spent
ket research, and business intelligence portal. In 2018, Business an average of $13.15 per trip, which took 15 minutes and covered
Wire projected that the global ride-hailing market will grow at a nearly 7 miles.

98 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

 To use ride hailing to cover 10,841 miles of travel annually
(the average annual mileage tallied by American motorists),
it would cost $20,118 per year, on average, for a large urban
area. Boston was the nation’s most expensive ride-hailing mar-
ket ($27,545); the least expensive market was Dallas ($16,944).
By contrast, the average annual cost to own and operate a
new midsize sedan is $7,321 for 10,841 miles of travel—less than
half the cost of the least expensive ride-hailing service, based
on data from AAA’s annual Your Driving Costs study and the
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s American Driving Survey.
Even when figuring in parking costs ($2,728, on average), it’s
still cheaper by far to own and drive a car.
“For those who travel a very limited number of miles
annually, or have mobility issues that prevent them from driving
a personal vehicle, ride hailing can be a viable and important
option,” said John Nielsen, managing director, Automotive
Engineering and Repair for AAA. “But for everyone else, the
car is still king.”
Car Sharing
Car sharing is a type of car rental, usually in urban areas, that’s
different from that offered by traditional car-rental companies.
It’s designed mainly for people who want to rent a car for a short
period of time—say, a few hours or a day.
With car sharing, you pay only for the amount of time you
COURTESY CAR2GO
Car2Go rents smart fortwo city cars and Mercedes-Benz (shown here) vehicles in seven U.S. and three Canadian cities.
It’s owned by automaker Daimler AG.
AAA.com/greencar
use the car and how many miles you drive. Another advantage
of car sharing is that it allows you to access a car anytime, not
just during typical business hours.
Environmental benefits of car sharing include fewer vehicles
on the road, increased usage of smaller and newer vehicles,
reduction in vehicle miles traveled, and reduced greenhouse
gas emissions.
Car sharing takes two basic forms: business-to-consumer,
in which a company owns a fleet of vehicles and rents them to
members, and peer-to-peer, in which private individuals share
their personal vehicles, often to offset ownership costs.
Business-to-Consumer Models
Business-to-consumer car sharing requires membership.
Some companies charge monthly or yearly fees; others do not.
Membership provides access to vehicles at specific locations
around the world, such as airports, college campuses, and res-
idential neighborhoods.
Members book a vehicle via a smartphone app or online, go
to the vehicle’s location, open it with a credit card-like device pro-
vided by the company or (more often these days) a smartphone
app, drive the vehicle, and then return it to the same location or
to another within a defined region. Gas, insurance (often with a
deductible), and sometimes a set number of driving miles per
day are included in the fee.
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 99

Zipcar, the world’s largest car-sharing company, has more
than a million members and 12,000 vehicles in its fleet.
The following are several examples of business-to-consumer
car-sharing companies:
Zipcar (zipcar.com), the world’s largest business-to-consumer
car-sharing company, has vehicles at hundreds of locations in 30
major metropolitan regions in the U.S. The company operates in
10 countries, mostly in North America, Europe, and the Middle
East, including 500 cities and towns and 600 college campuses.
Zipcar has more than 1 million members, and its fleet com-
prises about 12,000 vehicles, many of which are hybrids and
other fuel-efficient models. The company bills by the minute,
hour, or day. Membership fees are $7 per month or $70 per
year; 180 miles per day are included in the rental fee. Zipcar is
a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group.
Car2Go (car2go.com) is owned by Daimler AG, parent com-
pany of Mercedes-Benz. It has more than 3 million members and
operates in 26 locations in eight countries on three continents,
with a fleet of approximately 14,000 smart and Mercedes-Benz
vehicles, including some 1,400 EVs. In North America, Car2Go
rents smart fortwo and Mercedes-Benz GLA and CLA vehicles
in seven U.S. and three Canadian cities. Members locate a car
by smartphone, use it, and it drop it off at any public parking
space within a specific coverage area; parking fees are included.
Gig Car Share (gigcarshare.com) is a car-sharing program
started by AAA that operates out of the California “Homezone,”
which includes Oakland, Berkeley,Alameda, and Albany. Gig
rents only Toyota Prius c small sedans, each equipped with a
bike rack. Cars can be driven anywhere in the U.S. and returned
to anywhere in the Homezone.
Enterprise CarShare (enterprisecarshare.com), owned by the
Enterprise car-rental company, operates in 15 U.S. cities, includ-
ing Albuquerque, New Mexico; Honolulu; Houston; Philadelphia;
and St. Louis, and about 90 college campuses and a half dozen
business locations in the U.S. Its fleet includes sedans, SUVs,
100 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
luxury cars, pickup trucks, cargo vans, hybrids, and EVs.
Maven (maven.com/us), owned by General Motors, rents a
variety of GM cars (including EVs) in 11 U.S. cities and Toronto
to more than 150,000 members. Members locate vehicles, open
them, and start them all from their smartphones. An offshoot,
Maven Gig, provides rental cars—many of them Chevy Bolt EVs—
on a weekly basis for freelance ride-hailing drivers and delivery
services in 10 cities. And a new pilot peer-to-peer car-sharing
program in Chicago, Detroit, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, enables
GM owners and eligible lessees to rent their personal Chevrolet,
Buick, GMC, or Cadillac car or truck, model year 2015 and newer,
to driving members. There is no fee for Maven membership.
Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing
With peer-to-peer car sharing, members reserve another mem-
ber’s vehicle and agree to use it for a given time period. Vehicles
are typically delivered to the renter, picked up from the owner’s
home, or picked up at designated parking lots such as airports.
There are two well-known peer-to-peer car-sharing companies:
Turo (turo.com) provides access to thousands of cars from
more than 5,500 cities and 300 airports across the United States,
Canada, and the United Kingdom. More than 1,500 of those cities
are in the U.S.; top North American cities include Atlanta, Boston,
Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Montreal, San
Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, and Washington, D.C., as
well as 10 airports. Car delivery and insurance are included, and
there’s no membership fee.
Getaround (getaround.com), based in San Francisco, oper-
ates out of 10 major U.S. cities, mostly on the East and West
Coasts. There’s no membership fee, and insurance and road-
side assistance are provided with the rental fee.
The most rapid growth in car-sharing membership occurred
between 2010 and 2016 (from 516,000 to 1.8 million); that num-
ber is expected to rise to 3 million members by 2021, according
to the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), based in Ann Arbor,
Michigan. Overall, however, car-sharing growth has slowed due
to competition from ride hailing, which many consider a more
convenient service.
Car Subscription Services
Another recent alternative to traditional car ownership is the car
subscription service, a variation on the car-rental theme that’s
designed to appeal mainly to younger shoppers who tend to
shun long-term commitments like car purchases and leases.
A contract with a car subscription service could be as short as
a month, in contrast to the typical lease, which runs from two to
COURTESY ZIPCAR
four years and is notoriously difficult to end early. Another dis-
tinction: With a car subscription, no down payment is required.
Each month, you’ll make a single payment that covers all
the costs of a car except fuel—fees/taxes, depreciation, routine
AAA.com/greencar
Don’t need a brand-new set of wheels? Ford’s Canvas subscription service offers a wide range of recent Ford vehicles in the
San Francisco and Los Angeles areas.
maintenance, repairs, and even liability and comprehensive
insurance.
Car subscription services deliver everything from mainstream
vehicles to luxury rides. But perhaps their biggest selling point
is that they let you switch vehicles according to your needs or
whims. For instance, on the weekend you might swap your every-
day commuter car for a brawny pickup to haul building supplies
home for a backyard project.
These are early days for car subscriptions, but more auto-
makers (and others) seem to be getting into the act all the time.
Here are some examples of subscription plans currently being
offered:
• Audi select (audiselect.com) provides access to five Audi
models for a monthly fee of $1,395. Two vehicle swaps
per month are allowed. As of early 2019, Audi select was
available only in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
• Book by Cadillac (bookbycadillac.com) had an initiation
fee of $500 and a monthly fee of $1,800, with a 2,000-mile
monthly limit. However, in late 2018 Cadillac hit the pause
button, suspending the service pending a reanalysis of its
viability.
• Care by Volvo (volvocars.com/us/shopping-tools/
purchase/care-by-volvo), provides customers with either
an XC40 crossover (from $800 per month) or an S60 sedan
(from $850 per month). The subscription includes up to
15,000 miles of driving per year and allows subscribers to
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transition into a new vehicle after one year.
• Canvas (drivecanvas.com), a used-car subscription service
in the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas, offers monthly
subscriptions for late-model pre-owned Ford vehicles.
Subscriptions run from 1 to 12 months; the longer the
subscription, the lower the cost. Fees start at about $350
per month.
• Porsche Passport (porschepassport.com) has an initiation
fee of $500 and two programs: Launch ($2,000 per month)
and Accelerate ($3,000 per month). The main difference is
that with Accelerate, you get access to a greater selection
of models.
Where Do We Go From Here?
It’s still too early to say if or how quickly vehicle owners might
embrace these new ways of getting around. Some may turn out
to be short-lived fads; others, like ride hailing, may take off and
become hugely successful.
Alternatives to traditional car ownership are expand-
ing quickly, but it’s not clear which will prevail or how eager
Americans are to forgo ownership of personal vehicles. One
thing is certain, however: Automakers (and other interested
parties) are aware that the old ways of doing things are begin-
ning to crumble. As a result, they’re working hard to keep their
options open, investigating and investing in any approach to
mobility that seems promising.
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 101
 8
CHAPTER

Maximizing
Your MPG

102 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

T
he average American household spends about
$2,000 annually on fuel, so saving money on gas
can keep more money in your wallet—sometimes
quite a bit more. Who can quarrel with that? And
using less fuel is good for the environment—conserving a non-
renewable resource, creating less pollution—as well.
Arguably the single best way to save money on fuel is to buy
a fuel-efficient car, but that might not be in your plans at the
moment. And the fact is, you can save money on fuel regard-
less of the car you drive.
But before we leave the topic of buying a fuel-efficient car,
here’s some helpful information on the subject. When the cost
of gas rises, so does the demand for—and price of—fuel-efficient
cars. And, because people have short memories in this area,
when gas prices go down, so does the demand for cars that
get high mpg.
So you may not want or need a new car right now, but the
next time you do, see if you can time your purchase to when gas
prices are low. That’s when dealers are likely to make their best
offers. And a fuel-efficient car will be good insurance against
future fuel-price spikes.
Besides checking out the vehicle reviews in this book, go to
fueleconomy.gov and click on the “Find & Compare Cars” tab,
which will help you find a fuel-efficient car or light truck that
suits your needs.
Many motorists say they’re willing to change their driving
habits or lifestyle to offset higher gas prices, according to a 2018
AAA study. One in four say they’d start making changes when
gas prices reach $2.75 per gallon, while 40 percent say $3 is
their tipping point. (These prices refer to national averages. For
Western states and Hawaii, where gas prices tend to be much
higher, the tipping point would likely be higher, too.)
And it’s also true that human beings are creatures of habit.
So if you buy fuel at the same gas station out of habit or con-
venience, you might need to create a new habit—price aware-
ness—which at first can require a little discipline. Actually, making
these changes can be fun. You can even make a game out of,
say, finding the cheapest gas prices near you.
There are four areas to focus on:
• using less fuel;
• paying less for fuel;
• keeping your vehicle in good running order; and
• making different driving choices.
In each of the areas below, we’ll focus first on the tips that
will achieve the greatest results.
AAA.com/greencar
How to Use Less Fuel
Changing the way you drive is the most significant behavioral
adjustment you can make if you want to spend less money on
gas.
Slow down. Accelerate gently and smoothly and, as much
as possible, maintain an even speed. Aggressive driving—rapid
acceleration, high cruising speeds, and hard braking—is extremely
detrimental to fuel economy.
It’s easier to drive efficiently if you avoid the fast (far-left) lane
of the freeway, where tailgaters are more likely to pressure you
to drive even faster. Plus, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how
moving over a lane or two makes driving a more relaxing expe-
rience. You won’t lose much time by slowing down, either. A
60-mile trip at 60 mph takes only about eight minutes longer
than driving the same distance at 70 mph.
What’s more, rapid acceleration uses more fuel and produces
more carbon-monoxide emissions than any other kind of driv-
ing. It can lower gas mileage by 15 to 30 percent in highway
driving and 10 to 40 percent in stop-and-go traffic, according
to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). It’s also annoying and
potentially dangerous to other drivers and pedestrians, and
harder on your vehicle as well.
A 2018 Automobile Club of Southern California study
looked at whether highway driving above the speed limit
negatively affected fuel economy. The Auto Club tested a
number of randomly selected vehicles on a dynamometer, run-
ning them at 5 mph increments between 60 mph and 80 mph,
using 65 mph as a baseline. The results? All vehicles—hybrids,
pickup trucks, etc.—experienced 7–37 percent decreases in fuel
economy as speed increased. Conversely, as vehicle speed
decreased from 65 mph to 60 mph, fuel economy increased
by 6–12 percent (see page 114 for study details).
Even a gas-mileage champ like the Toyota Prius got 58 mpg
at a steady-state 60 mph, but just 47 mpg at 70 mph and 42 mpg
at 80 mph. To put this mpg change in monetary terms, based on
a per-gallon price of $2.87, gas for the Prius would cost $2.87
at 50 mph, $3.10 at 55 mph, $3.37 at 60 mph, $3.70 at 65 mph,
$4.10 at 70 mph, and $4.59 per gallon at 75 mph. Check out
fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.jsp and click on “What is the
penalty for my car?” in the second box to learn how an increase
in speed affects the cost of driving your vehicle.
Furthermore, because driving at a steady speed is much more
fuel-efficient than continually varying your speed, use cruise con-
trol when you drive on the highway whenever it’s safe to do so.
Braking gently and less frequently also saves gas. It’s more
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 103
efficient to leave plenty of space between you and the car in
front of you and to look farther down the road when you drive.
Then, when you see that you need to slow down or stop, lift your
foot off the gas, coast (which uses very little fuel), then apply your
brakes gently to come to a complete stop. That way, instead of
accelerating aggressively and compensating by jamming on
the brakes, you let inertia do the work. You’ll also be more calm
and relaxed rather than tense when you drive.
Going easy on the brakes will also save you money on main-
tenance and repairs because it’s gentler on your car’s suspen-
sion and brake systems. It’s also safer: If you avoid hard braking,
you’re less likely to rear-end the car in front of you or be rear-
ended by the one behind you.
Use your car’s “Eco” setting. Many newer vehicles (both
hybrids and gasoline-powered) have more than one driving
mode: often a Power/Sport mode, a Normal mode, and an Eco
mode. Putting the car in Eco increases fuel economy via:
1. earlier transmission shifts that keep engine revs down; 
 as you might think. Here’s how to pay less:
2. changing the throttle response—to get the same
acceleration you’d get in Normal, you have to press the
gas pedal farther; and
3. reducing the load the climate-control system places on the
engine. 
 One easy way to find the lowest gas prices in your area is to
Don’t warm up your car when starting a cold engine.
Because of improvements to motor oil and engine design, warm-
ing up modern cars before driving them is unnecessary and just
wastes gas. Consult your owner’s manual, which will probably
tell you to start your car, put it in gear, and drive off at a moder-
ate speed until the engine warms up.
104 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
Avoid excessive idling. When you’re in a long line at a bank’s
drive-up window or waiting a few minutes to pick someone up,
turn your car off instead of letting it idle. Depending on your car’s
engine size and whether the air conditioner is on, idling can use
between a quarter and a half gallon of fuel per hour, according
to the DOE. By contrast, it takes only about 10 seconds worth
of fuel to restart your vehicle.
Cool it with the AC. Air-conditioning can reduce gas mile-
age from 1 to 4 percent, depending on the vehicle, but it offers
the advantage of dehumidifying a car, which can help keep driv-
ers alert (and, presumably, safer). Rolling down the windows, by
comparison, provides ventilation and doesn’t reduce fuel econ-
omy significantly at speeds below about 70 mph.
Pay Less for Fuel
Motorists pay more than they need to for gas for a variety of rea-
sons, some of which—that habit thing again—aren’t as obvious
Price shop. As mentioned earlier, motorists tend not to price
shop unless gas prices reach a certain “tipping point,” and they’re
often willing to overpay for gas due to habit, convenience, or
procrastination.
download the AAA app. You may be surprised to find a price
differential of 60 cents per gallon within a 10- or 15-mile radius.
That’s $15 more for a fill-up if your pickup truck has a 25-gallon
tank.
Pay the cheapest way. How you pay for fuel makes a dif-
ference, too. Some gas stations offer a discount for cash, and
gasoline-company credit cards also offer per-gallon discounts.
AAA members can receive a discount of 5 cents per gal-
lon per fill-up (up to 20 gallons) on Shell gasoline at more than
13,000 Shell stations in the U.S. via AAA’s partnership with the
Fuel Rewards program. Discounts are good through the end of
2019. Members can register at AAA.com/Shell.
Finally, warehouse clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club often have
the lowest prices for gas in a given area. And if you pay for
the gas with the warehouse club’s rewards credit card,
you can earn cash back as well.
Don’t buy premium gas if you don’t need
it. About 70 percent of cars are designed to run
on regular gas, and it’s a waste of money to use a
higher grade. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual will
tell you what type of fuel your car requires. If the
manual says “premium required,” use premium.
But if midgrade or premium is merely recom-
mended, you can use regular, although you may
experience reduced power or slightly reduced
fuel economy.
Cost savings from using regular can be
AAA.com/greencar
 Looking for a
considerable. In late 2018, nation- of fuel per year, based on 11,000 miles
good repair shop? You’ll find a
wide prices for premium averaged of driving, according to a University of
list of AAA Approved Auto Repair
55 cents a gallon higher than regu- facilities at AAA.com/repair. Each Michigan study. That’s about $100 in
lar, according to gasprices.AAA.com. shop is inspected on a regular basis savings, assuming that gas is priced at
That’s $13.75 more to fill up a 25-gal- to verify that it lives up to strict AAA $3 per gallon.
lon tank. quality standards. Fill up with care. When you fill
You’d think that by now most up, don’t top off the tank, as tempt-
people would realize that the major- ing as it may be to add just a little more
ity of cars run just fine on regular. Well, gas. Gasoline is a hazardous substance—it’s
think again. A 2016 AAA study of gaso- extremely flammable and has toxic, carcino-
line use found that 16.5 million U.S. driv- genic fumes. It can pollute water and poison
ers who didn’t need to use premium fuel did wildlife, and spilled gasoline contributes to the
so at least once a month, collectively wasting creation of smog when it evaporates.
$2.1 billion annually. (For more on this AAA study, Track your fuel economy. Many, if not most,
see page 115.) new cars display a computerized fuel-economy
Another AAA study determined that vehicles indicator on their instrument panels, or you can down-
recommending but not requiring premium gas did load an app (enter “fuel-economy calculator” into your
experience moderate performance and fuel-economy app store’s search function) for the purpose. Periodically
gains when using premium gas—but not enough to offset the record your mileage in a notebook or on a mileage-tracking app
extra cost. (For more on this AAA study, see page 116.) like fuelly.com. If the mpg drops suddenly, let your dealer or inde-
Fill up before your tank is nearly empty. Lots of folks wait pendent repair facility know so the problem can be corrected.
till they have just a quarter of a tank or till the gas light comes On a related note, if your car has an energy monitor—a gauge
on to fill up. Obviously, that makes it harder to delay buying gas that tells you, in real time, when you’re driving efficiently—use it.
until you find a good price. In such instances, you might wind Most energy monitors make it easy for you to see when you’re
up refueling at a station near a major highway, where gas prices in the Eco zone. Some cars, like the Toyota Prius, provide a mes-
typically are higher—probably exactly because the owners know sage on the instrument panel at the end of each trip suggesting
that many people wait till the last minute to fill up. steps you can take to drive more efficiently on your next outing.

Keep Your Vehicle in Shape Make Different Driving

Have your vehicle serviced according to the automaker’s main-
tenance schedule; that’ll go a long way toward keeping it run-
ning smoothly, prolonging its life, and saving fuel. You can find
the maintenance schedule in your car’s owner’s manual or on
the automaker’s website. You can also take a number of helpful
steps toward that end.
Maintain the pressure. For every 3 pounds your car’s tires
drop below the recommended pressure, fuel economy also
drops by about 1 percent, so keep your tires properly inflated.
Doing so is safer, too, because underinflated tires are more
prone to overheat, which could cause a blowout. The correct
inflation information is posted on the driver’s doorjamb, inside
the glove-box lid, and in your owner’s manual. Tires normally
lose 1–2 pounds of pressure per month because of osmosis of
air through the tire casing, so buy a good tire gauge and check
the tire pressure regularly.
Lower your resistance. Ask your dealer or independent
service facility about low-rolling-resistance tires the next time
you need new tires. Low-rolling-resistance tires save energy
because they have stiffer sidewalls, which flex less than those of
conventional tires. On average, they can save about 32 gallons
Decisions
Finding ways to use less gas also involves seeing the bigger driv-
ing picture—the ways in which day-to-day decisions form larger
behavior patterns that you might want to consider changing.
Drive less. Much of our driving consists of trips we want to
take, not ones we have to take. So the next time you’re going
somewhere, before you pick up the car keys, ask yourself if you
really need to make the trip at all. If you do, consider other ways
of getting where you need to go: walking, cycling, or taking
public transit. The American Public Transportation
Association has information about public
transportation resources in your state;
go to apta.com.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 105

 Drive your most efficient vehicle. Nearly 60 percent of
American households own more than one vehicle. Nonetheless,
people sometimes use the vehicle they’re used to driving, even if
a more fuel-efficient one would serve their purposes equally well
or better. If U.S. drivers decided to use their most efficient vehi-
cles most of the time, they could collectively save $25 billion in
fuel costs and reduce CO2 emissions by 100 million metric tons,
according to the EPA. That’s the equivalent of taking almost 20
million cars—about 7 percent of the American fleet—off the road.
Drive the most efficient route; combine trips. Drive to the
post office and the grocery store as part of the same trip, rather
than creating separate errands. Get in the habit of using your
smartphone app or your car’s navigation system to figure out
the most efficient route. Taking steps like this will save gas, time,
and wear and tear on your vehicle.
Drive when there’s less traffic. Driving when the roads are
clogged with cars burns more gas, increases pollution, and is
more stressful than driving during off-peak hours, so see if you
can do more of your driving when traffic is lighter. Maybe you
can change your work schedule, perhaps telecommuting one
or more days a week. And before you start your drive, check the
AAA app on your smartphone so that you can avoid running into
road construction, accidents, and traffic jams.
Share the ride. Many employers and communities sponsor
or support carpooling or vanpooling programs. Ride sharing is
another option (check out eRideShare.com), as is car sharing
(see page 99 for more information).
Empty the trunk; ditch the rack. Extra weight in your car
is a drag—literally. Every 100 pounds you take out of the trunk
can reduce fuel consumption by up to 2 percent. But when you
do need to carry bulky items, store them in the trunk whenever
possible rather than on a roof rack, which creates aerodynamic
drag even when it’s empty. When you’re not using a rack, take
a few minutes to remove it from your vehicle.
Give a pass to gas guzzlers. The next time you buy a
car, make high mileage and low emissions a priority. But be
106 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
forewarned: Once you drive a car or light truck that gets out-
standing mileage, you may never want to go back.
Current Concerns—EV Tips
A 2018 University of Michigan study found that electric vehicles
(EVs) cost less than half as much to operate as gasoline-powered
vehicles—$485 annually versus $1,117. That’s because electricity
costs less than gasoline. Electricity rates are much more stable,
too, so if you drive an EV, you can ignore the inevitable spikes
in the price of gas. (You can compare the cost of driving with
electricity versus driving with gasoline at energy.gov/eGallon,
a website that’s continually updated to reflect current gasoline
and electricity prices by state.)
Nonetheless, it’s a good idea to maximize your EV’s range for
three reasons. First, you’re less likely to run out of juice before
you reach your destination. Second, you’ll save some money.
Third, you’ll save energy, which is good for the planet.
In many important respects, the same fuel-saving tips that
apply to cars with internal combustion engines (ICEs) also
apply to EVs—slow down, drive at a steady pace, keep your tires
pumped up, and monitor accessory usage. But other tips apply
specifically to EVs or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):
Don’t get aggro. Take it easy! Driving an EV or PHEV
aggressively can reduce its range by as much as 30 percent.
Accelerating smoothly and maintaining a steady pace is the
most important tip for maximizing electric range.
Brake gently. This tip applies to EVs, PHEVs, and hybrids,
as well as to cars with ICEs, but for a different reason. With EVs,
PHEVs, and hybrids, gentle braking (and coasting) activates the
vehicle’s regenerative braking system: The electric motor acts as
a generator, slowing the vehicle and recharging the battery pack.
Hard braking, by contrast, engages a vehicle’s friction brakes,
which only generates heat. If your EV has a feature that lets you
accelerate and brake with just the accelerator (the Nissan Leaf’s
e-Pedal, for example), learn to use it. It will help train you to accel-
erate and stop smoothly.
Use Eco mode. As is the case with conventional vehicles,
the Eco setting conserves energy by reducing throttle sensitiv-
ity. Using it may encourage you to apply a lighter touch to the
throttle generally, too.
Takin’ it to the streets. EVs run more efficiently on city streets
than on the freeway.
Your goal: 4 miles/kWh. EVs often are equipped
with real-time efficiency indicators so that drivers
can adjust their driving to conserve energy. A
common parameter is miles per kilowatt
hour, as opposed to miles per gallon.
Getting 4 (or more) miles/kWh is effi-
cient; 3 or less indicates you’re wasting
energy.
AAA.com/greencar
 Read a good book—your car owner’s manual, that
is. Okay, it’s not a best-selling novel, but it does con-
tain a lot of good information. It will let you know how
your EV or PHEV best manages energy, as well as the most
efficient ways to maximize your range.
Keep it charged. Keeping a PHEV’s battery fully charged
will let you drive the maximum number of miles on electricity
instead of having to switch to the gasoline engine. “Topping off”
a partially charged lithium-ion battery typically doesn’t degrade
it or reduce its life. Some manufacturers advise against repeated
recharging if a battery is at 95 percent or higher, however. Consult
your owner’s manual or talk to the service advisers at your deal-
ership about optimum charging procedures.
Take advantage of off-peak hours. Check with your local
electric company to see if it charges less for electricity in the eve-
ning or on weekends, when there’s usually lower overall demand.
Monitor accessory use. Your EV’s major electrical systems—
heating, air-conditioning, headlights, and entertainment sys-
tems—can be a big draw on its battery, so be judicious in their owner’s manual to see whether your vehicle has a precondition-
use, depending on the length and conditions of your trip. ing feature and, if so, how to use it.
Use the seat and steering-wheel warmers to keep warm.
At the Limits Gasoline-powered vehicles use heat from the engine to warm
Believe it or not, plenty of EVs are driven in extreme weather the cabin. That’s not an option for EVs, which must rely on energy
(Norway has the highest rate of EV adoption anywhere), but from the battery. But turning on the seat and steering-wheel
really cold or hot weather can have a big effect on an EV’s or warmers uses far less energy than the cabin heater. Also, dress
PHEV’s battery range. In general, cold temperatures are more of for the cold: Wear layered clothing to stay warm while you keep
a concern than hot temperatures, because cold batteries have a the heater at a lower setting.
greater resistance to charging and don’t hold a charge as well. Park indoors or in an enclosed space, which helps retain
In early 2019, AAA and the ARC released study battery power. Garaging your vehicle at home keeps your
findings in which five EVs were subjected to vehicle a little cooler or warmer than the ambient
cold- and hot-weather testing. When the outdoor temperature, so it’ll take less energy
temperature was kept at 20°F and the to cool or heat the vehicle.
heater was used, the average driv- For more Pay attention to climate-control
ing range decreased by 41 percent. information on fuel savings, use in hot weather. Set the climate
pick up a copy of the AAA Gas Watcher’s
And when the ambient tempera- control at a moderate level in hot
Guide: Tips for Conserving Fuel, Saving
ture was 95°F and the air-con- weather. A 2018 study by the ARC
Money, and Protecting the Environment at
ditioner was used, the average indicates that heavy AC use can
your local AAA branch, or download it by
range dropped by 17 percent lower an EV’s range by 17 percent,
typing “AAA Gas Watcher’s Guide” into your
(see the next chapter for study search engine. The brochure is updated so roll down your windows when-
details). annually. ever it’s feasible. Also, driving in
So heed these tips when driving Eco mode reduces AC output and
your EV or PHEV in extreme weather: can improve your driving range by
Warm the battery and cabin in up to 10 percent.
advance. When the weather’s cold, bring Plug in whenever you can. Because
the battery and cabin to optimal tempera- your EV’s range is reduced in cold weather
ture while you’re charging the vehicle. This (and in hot weather if you overuse the AC), it’s
process is called “preconditioning.” A warm important to be aware of charging stations you
battery holds energy better, and warming up the might not otherwise use. Fortunately, smartphone
car’s interior while charging the battery is more apps or displays in EVs themselves provide the
efficient than when you’re driving. Check your locations of nearby charging stations.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 107

 9
CHAPTER

AAA’s
Automotive
Technology
Research
S
ince its founding in 1902, AAA has provided members with practical automotive
information to help them keep up-to-date with the latest auto-related trends and
technology. The AAA Green Car Guide is devoted to helping prospective car buy-
ers understand the differences between various types of fuel-efficient, low-emitting
vehicles, the pros and cons of each, and how well these vehicles perform relative to each other in
controlled testing and real-world driving scenarios.
AAA also devotes its research efforts and technical expertise to the independent, unbiased test-
ing of products and technologies related to car ownership to help members save time and money
and stay safe on the road. Additionally, AAA uses its research findings and related information to
advocate for motorists with government agencies and the automotive industry.
The following are summaries of some of AAA’s latest and ongoing research projects, with a focus
on information that will help motorists make smarter decisions in their day-to-day ownership expe-
riences, addressing questions such as: How do partially automated driver-assistance systems work,
and what are their limitations? How does ambient temperature affect an EV’s range? What are the
risks of driving on worn tires? Which headlights are the safest? Is synthetic oil worth the extra cost?
Do I need to use premium fuel in my car? And are some brands of gasoline better than others?

Automated Vehicle ProPilot Assist, Tesla’s Autopilot, and Volvo’s

Testing
A growing number of cars and light trucks
today are equipped with Level 2, or partially
automated, driver-assistance systems. A Level
2 system is defined as one that’s capable of
controlling steering, acceleration, and brak-
ing functions so that a vehicle can maintain
both proper lane position and a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of it. Examples include
Mercedes-Benz’s Steering Assist, Nissan’s
Pilot Assist II systems.
Unfortunately, as the above examples make
clear, driver-assistance systems lack consistent
and unambiguous names, which makes it dif-
ficult for vehicle owners to understand their
capabilities. This confusion is illustrated by the
fact that in a recent AAA study, 40 percent of
the drivers surveyed expected systems such
as the ones mentioned above to drive a vehi-
cle entirely by themselves—a potentially fatal

108 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 109

disconnect between driver expectations and reality.
“With today’s advances in vehicle technology, there’s a greater
need for naming that clearly signals to a driver what the system
does,” says Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of automotive engi-
neering and industry relations. “Vague or confusing terminol-
ogy may lead someone to overestimate a system’s capability,
unintentionally placing the driver and others on the road at risk.”
To help bring clarity to the situation, AAA’s automotive engi-
neering team identified the variety of unique names that 34
different vehicle brands use to market ADAS and is proposing
terminology that is intended to be simple, specific, and based
on system functionality.
In addition, to understand the capabilities of Level 2 tech-
nology, AAA, in partnership with the Auto Club of Southern
California’s Automotive Research Center (ARC), tested Level 2
automated systems in a 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a 2018
Nissan Rogue, a 2017 Tesla Model S, and a 2019 Volvo XC40.
Testing was conducted on a closed course at the Auto Club
Speedway in Fontana, California, and on Southern California
streets and roads.
In general, the automated technology performed as expected
in both closed-course and real-world environments. However,
the systems were significantly challenged by routine conditions
such as indistinct lane markings, atypical traffic patterns, and sta-
tionary objects. And in a number of situations, the systems per-
formed unpredictably, requiring drivers to intervene to avoid
collisions. Specifically:
110 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
In the testing of ADAS features such as adaptive
cruise control, all vehicles recognized a slower tow
truck ahead of them and reduced their speed.
• In real-world testing, driver-assistance systems performed
best on open freeways and freeways with stop-and-go
traffic. The systems were challenged on freeways that had
moderate traffic and on city streets. Almost 90 percent
of the events that required driver intervention occurred
because a vehicle was unable to maintain its lane position.
• In closed-course testing, vehicles were able to maintain
lane position relatively easily if they were not following a
lead vehicle. All vehicles recognized a slower tow truck
in front of them and reduced their speed accordingly.
However, three of four vehicles were unable to safely
respond to a simulated distracted or impaired driver and
to a scenario in which a lead vehicle changed lanes to
reveal a stationary one in front of it. In both of the latter
examples, drivers had to intervene to avoid a crash.
In sum, both real-world and closed-course testing exposed
separate yet equally serious limitations with driver-assistance
systems. The testing reinforced the notion that there’s still much
work to be done to educate consumers on the nuances among
system names and functionality, and that it’s much too early to
refer to these vehicle technologies as automated.
As automated technology becomes more prevalent, it will
become necessary to create a standardized naming system that
clearly reflects how the technology functions. Greater consistency
across the industry will help car owners understand the technol-
ogy their vehicle has, along with how, when, and where to use it.
To reduce the misuse of partially automated vehicle systems,
AAA.com/greencar
AAA encourages drivers to educate themselves by asking dealer-
ship personnel to demonstrate the technology and to thoroughly
read their vehicle’s owner’s manual. In addition, AAA cautions
motorists not to take vehicle system names at face value and
never to use them as a replacement for alert, engaged driving.
To find out more about AAA’s testing of Level 2 automated sys-
tems, go to newsroom.aaa.com and type “partially automated”
into the search box.
EV Range Testing
In the past several years, more EVs have come on the market
with driving ranges of 200-plus miles—not only the three Tesla
models, but the Chevrolet Bolt, the Hyundai Kona EV, the Kia
Niro EV, and the Nissan Leaf Plus. EVs like these do much to
alleviate the “range anxiety” some EV owners experience when
their normal drive gets extended unexpectedly.
Nevertheless, EV owners and prospective EV owners should
be aware that EPA-estimated ranges are reduced when driving
in extremely hot or cold weather—especially when the HVAC
system is used to heat or cool the vehicle. In early 2019, AAA
and the ARC released the findings from a study of five EVs, two
of which had battery ranges estimated at more than 200 miles:
a BMW i3, a Chevrolet Bolt, a Nissan Leaf, a Tesla Model S, and
a Volkswagen e-Golf.
The ARC tested vehicles on a dynamometer, varying the ambient temperature to determine its effect on EV range.
AAA.com/greencar
All vehicles were subjected to cold- and hot-weather testing
on a dynamometer (a sort of treadmill for cars) in a controlled-
temperature environment. Changes in driving range were
compared with results from driving at an outside temperature
of 75ºF. When the temperature was kept at 20ºF and the HVAC
system was used to heat the EVs, the average driving range
decreased by 41 percent. And when the ambient temperature
was 95ºF and the HVAC system was used to cool the EVs, the
average range dropped by 17 percent.
Given these findings, AAA urges drivers, especially when
planning an extended trip in their EVs, to monitor weather con-
ditions and make note of charging locations to minimize the
chance of being stranded because of a dead battery.
Headlight Lens Deterioration
As a car ages, its clear plastic headlight covers become cloudy
and yellow—sometimes completely opaque. Besides being
unsightly, such deterioration is also highly unsafe.
How much of a safety issue? AAA research in 2018 found that
clouded or yellowed headlights produced only 22 percent of
the amount of light that new headlights produced, resulting in
dangerous nighttime driving conditions.
Only 25 percent of driving is done at night, but that’s when
50 percent of crashes occur, so AAA urges drivers to check their
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 111
 Restored Cloudy

HEADLIGHT LENS RESTORATION:

COST VERSUS EFFECTIVENESS

METHOD PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL COST

RESTORED LIGHT
Replacement—original equipment 100 percent $330—$430

Replacement—certified aftermarket headlights 90 percent $130—$260

Replacement—noncertified aftermarket headlights 83 percent $100—$190

Restoration—professional 70 percent $80

Restoration—DIY 70 percent $20

headlights for signs of deterioration and, if present, to take steps
to remedy it. The most effective—but most expensive—solution is
to replace the headlights (see the chart above), which, of course,
restores headlight efficiency to 100 percent.
A second approach is to replace the headlights with after-
market parts, which works well, restoring between 83 and 90
percent of the light output.
A third solution, restoring the headlights either professionally
or using a kit available in auto parts stores, is the most cost-
effective remedy, but it offers the smallest improvement in light
output—just 70 percent of the original. Generally, the effects of
restoration last only about a year, when the process must be
repeated.
Eliminating the cloudiness or yellowing on headlight cov-
ers is especially important for safety, given that U.S. automotive
headlight systems are only minimally effective at higher speeds,
especially on roads without overhead lighting (see the following
study for more details).
European Versus
U.S. Headlight Performance
Although only about 25 percent of automotive travel occurs at
night, nearly 52 percent of driver fatalities occur then, at least in
part because current automotive lighting systems often don’t
provide enough light for the posted speed limits.
In fact, AAA research shows that on highways without over-
head lighting, today’s headlights provide adequate light on a
low-beam setting for maximum speeds of only 39 to 45 mph,
depending on the type of headlight. On a high-beam setting,
they provide adequate light for safe travel at speeds from just
48 mph to 55 mph, again depending on headlight type (see
the following page). This means that on a dark country road, for
example, drivers can easily “outrun” their headlights’ effective
range, even with the most advanced systems currently available.
So, to make nighttime driving safer, how is it possible to
increase headlight illumination without creating glare for oncom-
ing and preceding motorists? To answer this question, AAA

112 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

compared the performance of U.S. headlights with that of the
more advanced headlight type found on some European cars,
known as adaptive driving beam (ADB) technology.
With ADB lighting, the high beams are always on, and glare
is prevented by controlling sections of the headlight beam to
create “shadowed” areas in the locations of oncoming and pre-
ceding vehicles. ADB lighting is not currently permitted on U.S.
vehicles because U.S. regulations prohibit simultaneous oper-
ation of high- and low-beam headlamps.
After conducting a variety of static and dynamic tests on a
closed course and public roadways, AAA concluded that in
real-world traffic conditions, ADB lighting systems consistently
provided more roadway lighting (as much as an 86 percent
increase) when an oncoming vehicle was approaching or a pre-
ceding vehicle was near, and at the same time mitigated glare as
effectively as the automatic high-beam systems found on newer
U.S. cars, which, when there’s no preceding or oncoming traffic,
HALOGEN HID LED
HIGH BEAM HIGH BEAM
500FT 500FT
HIGH BEAM
417FT LOW BEAM
450FT
LOW BEAM
400FT
LOW BEAM
300FT
Choosing a vehicle with HID or LED headlights could
save your life. AAA recommends that as a safety measure,
motorists use their high beams during nighttime driving
whenever it’s safe to do so.
Source: AAA
AAA.com/greencar
automatically switch the headlights to the high-beam setting to
illuminate more of the road.
As a result of its testing, AAA concluded that “ADB headlamp
systems, with selective activation or shading of specific elements
of the headlight beam, hold the promise to successfully address
this major shortcoming of all current headlamp systems”—that is,
the need to switch to a low-beam setting to avoid causing glare to
other vehicles, resulting in a sharp reduction in roadway lighting.
Going forward, AAA recommends:
• Supporting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s
proposal to allow ADB headlights in the U.S.
• Advocating for performance-based testing to increase the
efficiency of all headlight systems.
• Advocating for increasing the U.S. high-beam output thresh-
old to match European standards (more than two times the
current U.S. limit).
In the meantime, AAA recommends that when driving at night
on unlit roadways, motorists should use high beams whenever it’s
safe. They should also carefully monitor and adjust their speed
so they can stop their vehicles in time to avoid hitting pedestri-
ans, animals, or objects on the roadway.
For more information on the limitations of headlight perfor-
mance, go to newsroom.aaa.com and type “headlights” into
the search box.
Wet-Weather Tire Testing
Many motorists are misinformed about tire tread depth—and could
be endangering themselves as a result.
For decades, the industry standard has been that tires are safe
to drive on until the tread depth reaches 2/32 inch; then it’s time
for them to be replaced. Well, that’s true—as long as you drive
only on dry pavement.
But everything changes when roads and highways get wet.
AAA research, in partnership with the ARC, revealed that driving
on tires with a tread depth of 4/32 inch at highway speeds in wet
conditions can increase stopping distances by an average of 43
percent compared with driving on new tires. That works out to an
additional 87 feet at 60 mph. Handling ability was also reduced
significantly—an average of 33 percent for cars and 28 percent
for light trucks.
“AAA’s testing demonstrates the impact that tire tread has on
safety,” says Megan McKernan, manager of the ARC. “If tested side
by side at 60 mph, vehicles with worn tires would still be traveling
at an alarming 40 mph when reaching the same distance it takes
for vehicles with new tires to make a complete stop.”
AAA’s research found that tire performance varies by brand, but
that worn-tire performance deteriorated for all tires tested. Also,
tire price is not necessarily an indicator of quality. On average,
more expensive all-season tires tested didn’t perform significantly
better than less expensive ones in any of the driving scenarios.
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 113
Wet-weather testing indicates that tire-tread depths previously considered to be safe resulted in dangerously long stopping
distances. The photo shows AAA’s closed-course testing of a late-model Toyota Camry.
The significance of these findings can’t be overstated. Tires
are what keep a car connected to the road, and even the most
advanced safety systems rely on a tire’s basic ability to maintain
traction. In wet conditions, tires can lose contact with the road
entirely, a condition known as hydroplaning. And the lower a
tire’s tread depth, the more likely that a car will hydroplane.
Nearly 800,000 crashes occur on wet roads annually. AAA
encourages drivers to keep their car’s tires properly inflated, to
check the tread depth regularly, and to replace tires when they
reach a depth of 4/32 inch. An easy indicator of a worn-out tire
is to place an upside-down quarter in a tire tread. If you can see
the top of Washington’s head, it’s time to replace your tires. A
final bit of advice: Slow down and increase following distances
significantly when driving in the rain.
For more information on AAA’s conclusions regarding wet-
weather tire performance, go to newsroom.aaa.com and type
“hydroplaning” into the search box.
Synthetic Versus Regular Oil
Synthetic oil, introduced in the 1970s, is crude oil that has been
refined and broken down into its basic molecules, then blended
with additives to give it specific quality-enhancing properties—better
performance at extremely high or low temperatures, for example.
Synthetic oil has become increasingly popular in recent years
because it promises to provide superior protection. In fact, some
carmakers require its use while their vehicles are under warranty.
But the tradeoff, not surprisingly, is that an oil change using
synthetic oil costs about twice as much as one using regular
oil—about $70 versus $38, on average, when performed by a
repair shop.
So is synthetic oil worth the extra cost? If you want to protect
your car’s engine, the answer is yes.
“Oil protects critical engine components from damage, and
114 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
AAA found that synthetic engine oils performed an average of
47 percent better than conventional oils in a variety of industry-
standard tests,” says John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of
automotive engineering and repair. With its superior resistance
to deterioration, synthetic oil is particularly beneficial for newer
vehicles with turbocharged engines and vehicles that frequently
drive in stop-and-go traffic, tow heavy loads, or operate in
extremely hot or cold conditions.
AAA also found that using synthetic oil costs the average
driver only about $64 more per year compared with the cost of
regular oil. The extra $30 per oil change could save money in
the long run by protecting critical engine components over time.
AAA strongly encourages vehicle owners to perform preven-
tive maintenance to reduce costs over the long run. For more
information on services offered by AAA Approved Auto Repair
facilities, visit AAA.com/autorepair.
For more information on the benefits of synthetic oil, go to
newsroom.aaa.com and type “synthetic oil” in the search box.
Fuel-Economy Testing

It’s common knowledge that as vehicle speed increases, fuel
consumption increases as well. But does the increase in fuel
consumption apply uniformly to all vehicle types, sizes, and
powertrains?
A fuel-economy study released by the Auto Club of Southern
California in early 2018 tracked changes in fuel economy against
changes in vehicle speed, using a dozen randomly chosen vehi-
cles representing a variety of body styles and powertrains.
The Auto Club created a test cycle for the vehicles on a dyna-
mometer. The test vehicles were driven at steady-state speeds in
5 mph increments, between 60 and 80 mph. A typical highway
speed limit of 65 mph was used as a baseline (see the chart on
the following page).
AAA.com/greencar
 All vehicles experienced decreases in fuel economy as
speeds increased. Losses ranged from as little as 1.8 mpg at
70 mph to more than 16 mpg at 85 mph, with percentage
losses ranging from 6.6 to 37 percent. Conversely, by decreas-
ing speed from 65 mph to 60 mph, fuel-economy gains ranged
from 1.6 mpg to 3.7 mpg (3 mpg on average), with percentage
increases ranging from 6.1 to 12 percent.
Conclusion: Fuel economy drops continuously as speed
increases for all vehicle types, and the amount of decrease var-
ies by vehicle. Vehicles with better overall fuel-economy ratings
experienced the greatest mpg decreases at higher speeds.
AAA Fuel Studies
Motorists prefer to spend as little money at the gas pump as
possible. AAA’s fuel studies can aid them in doing just that—
and help prevent engine damage as well.
Many motorists wonder whether they should, at least occa-
sionally, use premium fuel in their vehicles—which may indicate
that they think premium fuel is higher in quality than regular
or midrange. But that’s a potentially costly misunderstanding.
The term premium refers to the gasoline’s octane—its ability to
withstand compression before igniting—not to its quality. Typical
U.S. gasoline octane ratings are 87 (regular), 89 (midgrade),
and 91 or 93 (premium).
Some cars with high-performance engines have high
compression ratios that require high-octane, or premium, gas
to perform well. But the vast majority of U.S. vehicles—about 70
percent—require only regular gas. Midgrade is recommended
for 10 percent, and premium gas is required by 15 percent; 5
percent of cars run on alternative energy sources.
Apparently a significant number of motorists either aren’t
aware of these facts or believe otherwise. In its survey, AAA
found that 16.5 million drivers who don’t need to are filling their
tanks with premium fuel at least once a month. And since the
average car owner spends about $1,300 a year on gasoline,
that’s a total of $2.1 billion wasted on fuel annually.
To find out whether premium fuel provided any benefits to
vehicles that required only regular gas, AAA and the ARC ran
tests on such vehicles using both premium and regular gaso-
line. The test protocol analyzed horsepower, fuel economy, and
tailpipe emissions, using standard EPA drive cycles.
Researchers discovered no significant differences in any of
the test parameters when premium was used rather than regular
fuel. The consensus? Using premium gas when it’s not required
or recommended provides no benefits and is simply a waste
of money. AAA advises vehicle owners to check their owner’s
manual or consult the automaker’s website, and use only the
grade of fuel that’s recommended or required.
Motorists also wonder whether some brands of gasoline
are of better quality than others. To answer this question, AAA

VEHICLE SPEED VS. FUEL ECONOMY

60

55
Toyota Prius
50

45

40
MPG

35
Average
30

25
Ford F-150
20

15

10
60 65 70 75 80 85

Source: Auto Club of Southern California

MPH

The Auto Club of Southern California’s testing of a dozen vehicles conclusively demonstrates that as vehicle speed increases,
fuel economy decreases. The extremes are illustrated by the Toyota Prius and the Ford F-150 (top and bottom lines). The
middle line represents the average fuel-economy numbers for all 12 vehicles.

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 115

 AAA FUEL-QUALITY RESEARCH—TOTAL ENGINE DEPOSITS
2,401
2,400
Non-TOP TIER Fuel
2,200
Total Engine Deposits (mg)
2,000
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
Fuel #1
Vehicles using Top Tier gasoline had 19 times fewer valve deposits.
conducted a study that compared Top Tier gasoline with non–
Top Tier gasoline.
What’s the difference between the two? All refiners are
required to add a certain amount of detergent to their gaso-
line to prevent the buildup of carbon deposits in the engine. But
a few years back, some manufacturers decided that the mini-
mum standards weren’t high enough; those who increased the
amount of detergent in their product subsequently labeled it
Top Tier gasoline.
Does the extra detergent make a difference? Is Top Tier gas
really better, or is it just advertising hype?
AAA tested Top Tier gas and non–Top Tier gas using labora-
tory procedures that simulated 4,000 miles of driving. The results
were truly eye-opening. Using Top Tier gas left engines much
cleaner: There were 19 times fewer deposits on the valves of
engines that used Top Tier gas. (See the chart above.)
And using Top Tier gas not only prevents deposits from occur-
ring on newer engines, it also helps remove existing deposits
from older, dirty engines. Furthermore, Top Tier gas averages
only a few cents more per gallon than ordinary gas, a differ-
ence that can easily be made up through better performance
and improved fuel economy. To find brands of Top Tier gas, go
to toptiergas.com.
Another motorist concern stems from the fact that auto-
makers sometimes recommend using premium fuel for a
vehicle but don’t require its use. In such instances, does using
116 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
TOP TIER Fuel
1,857
1,723
1,502 1,487
1,374
Fuel #2 Fuel #3 Fuel #4 Fuel #5 Fuel #6
Source: AAA
premium fuel improve a vehicle’s fuel economy and/or increase
its performance/horsepower?
To address this question, AAA conducted a series of labo-
ratory and real-world tests on a variety of vehicles to simulate
extreme driving scenarios, such as towing, hauling cargo, or high
levels of acceleration. When using premium fuel under these
conditions, AAA found:
1. Most vehicles showed a modest improvement in
fuel economy—an average of 2.7 percent.
2. Most vehicles showed a modest increase in
performance—an average of 1.4 percent.
However, since the average U.S. price difference between reg-
ular and premium gas is about 50 cents a gallon, AAA concluded
that the modest fuel-economy and performance improvements
gained from using premium fuel don’t offset its higher cost.
For more information on AAA’s gasoline studies, go to
newsroom.aaa.com and type “not all gas created equal” into
the search box.
***
As the newest technology continues to be incorporated into
today’s automobiles, consumers will need a source of unbiased,
factual information on which to base their purchasing decisions.
AAA is dedicated to providing trustworthy, reliable information
to help members and other motorists better understand the lat-
est automotive trends and technology and continue to use and
enjoy their vehicles for many years to come.
AAA.com/greencar
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 OVERALL GREEN CAR SCORES
The cars tested by the ARC are evaluated on the basis of 12 categories: EPA emissions score, braking, crashworthiness,
visibility, handling, ride quality, fuel efficiency, interior noise, acceleration, ease of entry and exit, interior size, and cargo
capacity. The scores for the categories are totaled, and the cars are ranked from high to low by vehicle type.

SUBCOMPACT
RANK YEAR MAKE MODEL TYPE SCORE
1 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Premier Electric 80.67
2 2018 Lexus LC 500h Hybrid 72.64
3 2018 Honda Fit EX-L Navi Nonhybrid High MPG 63.30
4 2018 Toyota Prius c Hybrid 59.46
5 2018 Kia Rio EX Nonhybrid High MPG 56.61
6 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage GT Hatchback Nonhybrid High MPG 51.28
7 2019 Toyota Yaris XLE Nonhybrid High MPG 51.18

COMPACT
RANK YEAR MAKE MODEL TYPE SCORE
1 2018 Nissan Leaf SL Electric 81.87
2 2019 Chevrolet Volt Premier Plug-In Hybrid 75.29
3 2018 Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cell 69.85
4 2018 Toyota Prius Prime Advanced Plug-In Hybrid 69.83
5 2019 Honda Insight Touring Hybrid 69.44
6 2019 Toyota Corolla XSE Hatchback Nonhybrid High MPG 67.95
7 2019 Volkswagen
Golf SE Nonhybrid High MPG 67.74
8 2018 Honda Civic Si Nonhybrid High MPG 67.39
9 2019 Kia Forte EX Nonhybrid High MPG 67.13
10 2018 Honda Civic Touring Nonhybrid High MPG 65.33
11 2018 Ford Focus Titanium Nonhybrid High MPG 62.08
12 2018 Nissan Sentra SV Nonhybrid High MPG 60.88
13 2018 Hyundai Elantra Eco Nonhybrid High MPG 58.39

MIDSIZE
RANK YEAR MAKE MODEL TYPE SCORE
1 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range—RWD Electric 85.81
2 2018 BMW 530e iPerformance Plug-In Hybrid 79.83
3 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring Hybrid 78.15
4 2018 Honda Accord Touring Nonhybrid High MPG 76.38
5 2018 Toyota Camry SE Hybrid Hybrid 74.62
6 2019 Lexus ES 300h Premium Hybrid 73.58
7 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Limited Electric 73.20
8 2019 Toyota Camry SE Nonhybrid High MPG 72.61
9 2018 Honda Clarity Touring PHEV Plug-In Hybrid 71.41
10 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid Platinum Hybrid 70.92
11 2019 Volkswagen
Jetta SEL Premium Nonhybrid High MPG 70.67
12 2018 Ford Fusion Energi Platinum Plug-In Hybrid 70.21
13 2019 Nissan Altima SR Nonhybrid High MPG 68.41
14 2018 Hyundai Ioniq SEL Hybrid Hybrid 67.82
15 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid Plug-In Hybrid 67.31

118 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

 LARGE
RANK YEAR MAKE MODEL TYPE SCORE
1 2018 Tesla Model S P100D Electric 90.49
2 2018 Volvo S90 T8 E-AWD Inscription Plug-In Hybrid 81.79
3 2018 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid 76.51
4 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited Hybrid 74.11
5 2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid Hybrid 72.62

PICKUP
RANK YEAR MAKE MODEL TYPE SCORE
1 2018 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercrew Nonhybrid High MPG 68.58
2 2018 Ford F-150 4x2 Supercrew Diesel 65.62
3 2019 Honda Ridgeline AWD RTL-E Nonhybrid High MPG 64.88
4 2018 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 4WD Diesel Diesel 48.94

SUV/MIMIVAN
RANK YEAR MAKE MODEL TYPE SCORE
1 2019 Jaguar I-Pace EV400 HSE Electric 93.90
2 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited Plug-In Hybrid 81.28
3 2018 Volvo XC90 T8 E-AWD PHEV Inscription Plug-In Hybrid 79.28
4 2019 Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD R-Design Plug-In Hybrid 79.02
5 2018 Audi Q7 Quattro Tiptronic Nonhybrid High MPG 77.66
6 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric Ultimate FWD Electric 76.70
7 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE Hybrid 75.77
8 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite Nonhybrid High MPG 73.85
9 2018 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Inscription Nonhybrid High MPG 73.17
10 2019 Subaru Ascent Premium Nonhybrid High MPG 72.38
11 2019 Lexus RX 450h AWD Hybrid 72.27
12 2019 Subaru Forester Sport Nonhybrid High MPG 71.41
13 2019 Kia Niro Touring Hybrid 70.84
14 2018 Kia Soul EV+ Electric 70.73
15 2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Advance Hybrid 70.60
16 2018 Honda CR-V Touring AWD Nonhybrid High MPG 70.38
17 2018 Kia Niro PHEV Plug-In Hybrid 69.51
18 2018 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD Nonhybrid High MPG 69.08
19 2018 Lexus NX 300h Hybrid 68.91
20 2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited Nonhybrid High MPG 68.55
21 2019 Lexus UX 250h F Sport—AWD Hybrid 68.54
22 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Plug-In Hybrid 68.04
23 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT S-AWC Plug-In Hybrid 67.74
24 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Premium Nonhybrid High MPG 67.37
25 2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD Nonhybrid High MPG 65.91
26 2018 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury TD6 Diesel 65.30
27 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL S-AWC Nonhybrid High MPG 65.18
28 2018 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD Diesel Diesel 65.14
29 2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring FWD Nonhybrid High MPG 64.21
30 2018 Buick Encore Premium Nonhybrid High MPG 62.56
31 2018 Nissan Kicks SR PT Nonhybrid High MPG 61.01
32 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SEL AWC Nonhybrid High MPG 59.71
33 2018 Ford EcoSport Titanium Nonhybrid High MPG 54.75

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 119

 CATEGORY
RANKING BY PRICE SUBCOMPACT

COMPACT
For the car buyer, there’s more to what makes a green car desirable than just
MIDSIZE
performance data. When it comes to purchase price, green cars run the gamut.
Here’s a breakdown of the 77 cars from this year’s Guide listed in ranking order LARGE
in three price categories. To see how a particular vehicle measured up against all
PICKUP
other vehicles regardless of price, refer to the Overall Scores chart on page 118.
SUV/MINIVAN

UNDER $30,000
RANK YEAR MAKE MODEL TYPE CATEGORY SCORE PRICE AS TESTED
1 2019 Toyota Camry SE Nonhybrid High MPG 72.61 $29,394
2 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL Premium Nonhybrid High MPG 70.67 $27,795
3 2018 Kia Niro PHEV Plug-In Hybrid 69.51 $28,975
4 2019 Honda Insight Touring Hybrid 69.44 $28,985
5 2019 Toyota Corolla XSE Hatchback Nonhybrid High MPG 67.95 $27,823
6 2018 Hyundai Ioniq SEL Hybrid Hybrid 67.82 $26,010
7 2019 Volkswagen Golf SE Nonhybrid High MPG 67.74 $26,140
8 2018 Honda Civic Si Nonhybrid High MPG 67.39 $25,195
9 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Premium Nonhybrid High MPG 67.37 $26,905
10 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid Plug-In Hybrid 67.31 $26,395
11 2019 Kia Forte EX Nonhybrid High MPG 67.13 $23,010
12 2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD Nonhybrid High MPG 65.91 $29,805
13 2018 Honda Civic Touring Nonhybrid High MPG 65.33 $27,695
14 2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring FWD Nonhybrid High MPG 64.21 $28,225
15 2018 Honda Fit EX-L Navi Nonhybrid High MPG 63.30 $22,395
16 2018 Ford Focus Titanium Nonhybrid High MPG 62.08 $27,430
17 2018 Nissan Kicks SR PT Nonhybrid High MPG 61.01 $22,630
18 2018 Nissan Sentra SV Nonhybrid High MPG 60.88 $19,970
19 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SEL AWC Nonhybrid High MPG 59.71 $29,110
20 2018 Toyota Prius c Hybrid 59.46 $26,160
21 2018 Hyundai Elantra Eco Nonhybrid High MPG 58.39 $21,560
22 2018 Kia Rio EX Nonhybrid High MPG 56.61 $20,225
23 2018 Ford EcoSport Titanium Nonhybrid High MPG 54.75 $25,740
24 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage GT Hatchback Nonhybrid High MPG 51.28 $17,585
25 2019 Toyota Yaris XLE Nonhybrid High MPG 51.18 $19,470

$30,000 — $50,000
RANK YEAR MAKE MODEL TYPE CATEGORY SCORE PRICE AS TESTED
1 2018 Nissan Leaf SL Electric 81.87 $38,260
2 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited Plug-In Hybrid 81.28 $48,580
3 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Premier Electric 80.67 $43,905
4 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring Hybrid 78.15 $35,605
5 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric Ultimate FWD Electric 76.70 $45,830
6 2018 Honda Accord Touring Nonhybrid High MPG 76.38 $34,690
7 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE Hybrid 75.77 $45,149
8 2019 Chevrolet Volt Premier Plug-In Hybrid 75.29 $40,855

120 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

 $30,000 — $50,000 (CONT.)
RANK YEAR MAKE MODEL TYPE CATEGORY SCORE PRICE AS TESTED
9 2018 Toyota Camry SE Hybrid Nonhybrid High MPG 74.62 $33,988
10 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited $45,118
Hybrid 74.11
11 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite Nonhybrid High MPG 73.85 $47,610
12 2019 Lexus ES 300h Premium $48,075
Hybrid 73.58
13 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Limited $36,885
Electric 73.20
14 2019 Subaru Ascent Premium Nonhybrid High MPG 72.38 $39,430
15 2018 Honda Clarity Touring PHEV Plug-In Hybrid 71.41 $37,495
15 2019 Subaru Forester Sport Nonhybrid High MPG 71.41 $31,815
17 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid Platinum $38,375
Hybrid 70.92
18 2019 Kia Niro Touring $33,655
Hybrid 70.84
19 2018 Kia Soul EV+ $38,160
Electric 70.73
20 2018 Honda CR-V Touring AWD Nonhybrid High MPG 70.38 $35,145
21 2018 Ford Fusion Energi Platinum Plug-In Hybrid 70.21 $41,100
22 2018 Toyota Prius Prime Advanced Plug-In Hybrid 69.83 $33,995
23 2018 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD Nonhybrid High MPG 69.08 $43,409
24 2018 Lexus NX 300h $48,767
Hybrid 68.91
25 2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited Nonhybrid High MPG 68.55 $35,695
26 2019 Lexus UX 250h F Sport—AWD $41,335
Hybrid 68.54
27 2019 Nissan Altima SR Nonhybrid High MPG 68.41 $31,050
28 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Plug-In Hybrid 68.04 $38,470
29 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT S-AWC Plug-In Hybrid 67.74 $42,225
30 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL S-AWC Nonhybrid High MPG 65.18 $32,310
31 2018 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD Diesel $33,185
Diesel 65.14
32 2019 Honda Ridgeline AWD RTL-E Nonhybrid High MPG 64.88 $42,915
33 2018 Buick Encore Premium Nonhybrid High MPG 62.56 $35,420

OVER $50,000
RANK YEAR MAKE MODEL TYPE CATEGORY SCORE PRICE AS TESTED
1 2019 Jaguar I-Pace EV400 HSE $93,630
Electric 93.90
2 2018 Tesla Model S P100D $144,700
Electric 90.49
3 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range—RWD $56,000
Electric 85.81
4 2018 Volvo S90 T8 E-AWD Inscription Plug-In Hybrid 81.79 $82,140
5 2018 BMW 530e iPerformance Plug-In Hybrid 79.83 $66,460
6 2018 Volvo XC90 T8 E-AWD PHEV Inscription Plug-In Hybrid 79.28 $84,990
7 2019 Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD R-Design Plug-In Hybrid 79.02 $69,640
8 2018 Audi Q7 Quattro Tiptronic Nonhybrid High MPG 77.66 $81,200
9 2018 Lexus LS 500h $104,125
Hybrid 76.51
10 2018 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Inscription Nonhybrid High MPG 73.17 $74,090
11 2018 Lexus LC 500h $101,195
Hybrid 72.64
12 2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid $62,865
Hybrid 72.62
13 2019 Lexus RX 450h AWD $57,195
Hybrid 72.27
14 2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Advance $60,545
Hybrid 70.60
15 2018 Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cell 69.85 $59,285
16 2018 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercrew Nonhybrid High MPG 68.58 $60,475
17 2018 Ford F-150 4x2 Supercrew $54,620
Diesel 65.62
18 2018 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury TD6 $81,395
Diesel 65.30
19 2018 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 4WD Diesel $50,535
Diesel 48.94

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 121

 BASE PRICE: $40,905; PRICE AS TESTED: $43,905

SUBCOMPACT SUBCOMPACT
WINNER
The term subcompact used to be synonymous
with entry-level car, something you had to settle
for if you couldn’t afford anything nicer. Not CHEVROLET
anymore. An increasing number of subcompact
cars are equipped with the latest safety and Bolt Premier
convenience features. Advanced safety systems
are standard or optional on six of the seven When it was introduced as a 2017 model, the Chevrolet Bolt was
subcompacts reviewed in this year’s AAA Green revolutionary in its impact, the first truly affordable EV with an EPA-
Car Guide. And features such as push-button estimated driving range of more than 200 miles. And although it’s
start, satellite radio, automatic climate control, no longer the only game in town—the Hyundai Kona EV, Kia Niro
and Bluetooth connectivity have become EV, Nissan Leaf Plus, and Tesla Model 3 base model all claim ranges
commonplace on subcompacts.
above 200 miles—the Bolt is still a strong contender in the reasonably
Subcompact cars have lower purchase
priced EV arena. The Bolt’s exterior is appealing in a nondescript sort
prices and ownership costs than their mid- or
of way. The interior has a high-tech appearance, with environmentally
full-size counterparts. Small sedans are the most
economical vehicle type to own and operate— friendly–looking recycled material on the dash and the vehicle’s
an average of about $6,800 per year—according displays, but there are also some hard, cheap-looking plastics on top
to the 2018 AAA Your Driving Costs study. Part of the door panels and the dash. The manually adjustable front seats
of the reason is that subcompacts get better gas are comfortable but snug. There’s an electronic shifter like that on the
mileage and cost less to maintain and insure. Toyota Prius, but the Bolt’s is more awkward and reluctant to shift into
And some—the Chevy Bolt, Honda Fit, and reverse. Although the rear seatback is upright, there’s still adequate
Toyota Yaris, for example—are fun to drive. headroom and good legroom. The powertrain is responsive, and
Naturally, there are tradeoffs. Subcompacts the Bolt accelerates quickly and smoothly. The steering response
are noisier and not as comfortable as other
and effort are good, and the ride quality is very comfortable and
vehicle types, higher-end features like leather
controlled. The handling is somewhat sporty and good for a small car,
seating are pretty much unavailable, and for
and the body structure is solid, like that of a larger car.
some folks, subcompacts just aren’t roomy
enough. But before you rule them out, consider
your driving needs. You may find that a
subcompact—perhaps one reviewed in these
pages—fills the bill.

AAA.com/greencar
 SUBCOMPACT ELECTRIC
Chevrolet Bolt Premier

Green Car Scores Vehicle Price

Score For This Vehicle Base Price: $40,905
80.67 Price as Tested $43,905
Annual Fuel Cost: $550
120V Charge Time: 4 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 25 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity
DC Fast Charger: up to 90 miles in 30 min Battery Capacity (kWh): 60
EPA City MPGe: 128
Available Safety Features
EPA Highway MPGe: 110
Rearview camera
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined MPGe: 119
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning
Lane keeping assistance EPA Estimated Range: 238 miles
Forward-collision warning
Forward automatic emergency braking
Advanced headlights

Overall Observations
When it was introduced as a 2017 model, the Chevrolet Bolt was
revolutionary in its impact, the first truly affordable EV with an
NHTSA SAFETY
EPA-estimated driving RATING
range of more than 200 miles. And
although it’s no longer the only game in town - the Hyundai Kona
EV and AVAILABLE
Kia Niro EVSAFETYboth claim FEATURES
ranges above 200 miles - the Bolt OVERALL SCOREPoint
Strong/Weak
• Forward-collision warning
is still •a Rearview camera in the reasonably-priced
strong contender EV arena. The LOWEST HIGHEST
CATEGORY
• Forward automatic RANKING
Blind-spot warning
Bolt’s exterior is appealing in a nondescript
• sort of way. The Strong Points

1
48.94 EV powertrain Weak 93.90
Rear across-traffi
interior• has high-tech appearance, with emergency
c warning
braking
environmentally friendly- • Smooth Points
• Advanced headlights • Good handling, steering • Difficult-to-use shifter
looking• Lane-departure
recycled material on the dash and the vehicle’s displays -
warning 80.67 • Some cheap interior plastics
response and feel
but there are also some
• Lane-keeping hard, cheap-looking plastics on top of
assistance • Displays have a high-tech
the door panels and the dash. The manually adjustable front look
seats areSTRONG POINTS
comfortable but snug. There’sWEAK POINTS
an electronic shifter like • VeryFUEL INFORMATION
good ride quality
that on the Toyota Prius,
Smooth EV powertrain but the Bolt’s is more awkward and
Difficult-to-use shifter • Solid body structure
Fuel Type: ................................ ELECTRICITY AVERAGE MPG
reluctant to shift to reverse. Although the rear seat back is
upright, but Good handling,
there’s still steering
adequate headroom Some
andcheap
good interior
legroom. plastics Battery Capacity (kWh):.............................60 AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
response,
The powertrain is and feel
responsive, and the Bolt accelerates quickly EPA City MPGe: ....................................... 128
and smoothly.Displays have
The a high-tech
steering response and effort are good, and EPA Highway MPGe:............................... 110 N / A
look is very comfortable and controlled. The handling
the ride quality EPA Combined MPGe:........................... 119 ANNUAL FUEL COST
is a somewhat sporty
Very good rideand good for a small car, and the body
quality EPA Electric Range (mi): ......................... 238 $550
structure is solid, like that of a larger car.
Solid body structure BATTERY 120V: 4 MILES PER HOUR
CHARGE 240V: 25 MILES PER HOUR
TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: UP TO 90 MILES IN 30 MINUTES
TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS

Fuel efficiency: 9.75 Model year tested: 2019

EPA emissions score: 10.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3580
Acceleration: 7.28
Exterior length (in): 164.0
Braking: 3.88 Exterior width (in): 69.5
Crashworthiness: 8.27 Exterior height (in): 62.8
Handling: 6.86 Wheelbase (in): 102.4
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.90
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 5.96 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 215/50 R17
Ease of entry and exit: 7.06 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 7.70 Headlight type: HID
Transmission type: Single speed
Interior noise: 5.65
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 0.36 Engine/motor: Single Permanent Magnet
Engine horsepower: N/A
Electric motor horsepower: 200 hp

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 123

6
SUBCOMPACT HYBRID

Lexus LC 500h Lexus LC 500h

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
Score For This Vehicle Base Price: CATEGORY
LOWEST $96,510
HIGHEST RANKING

2
72.64 48.94 Price as Tested $101,195
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1400
72.64
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Premium
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 22.2
EPA City mpg: PREMIUM
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 26 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED35
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................22.2
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................26
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 30 0 2 1
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................35
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................30
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,400
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $96,510; PRICE AS TESTED: $101,195
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 21.4
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS HONORABLE
MENTION
The Lexus LC 500h hybrid sports coupe, new for
Overall Observations
model year 2018, occupies a position in the class of AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Lexus LC 500h hybrid
high-performance, sports coupe,
$100,000-plus newnear-exotics
hybrid for model year • Adaptive cruise control
2018, occupies a position in the class of high-performance, • Rearview camera
such as the BMW i8 and Acura NSX. The LC’s low, sleek, wide exterior • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
$100,000-plus hybrid near-exotics such as the BMW i8 and
Acura styling
NSX. Theis striking. The interior
LC’s low, is equally
sleek, wide dazzling,
exterior with
styling is white leather
striking. • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic

seats and purple dazzling,

and orange leather Strong/Weak Point emergency braking with
The interior is equally with whiteand synthetic
leather seatssuede
and panels • Lane-departure warning
pedestrian detection
purple on
andthe seats, dash,
orange door
leather andinserts, and headliner.
synthetic suede panels The front
on theseats are • Lane-keeping assistance
Strong Points • Advanced headlights
seats, supportive
dash, doorand inserts, and headliner.
comfortable. The rearThe seatsfront seats
are tight butare
adequate for
supportive and comfortable. The rear seats are tight but • Extremely smooth, Weak Points
short trips; the trunk, however, is tiny (4.7 cubic feet). The LC’s 3.5-liter powerful hybrid powertrain • Lacks steering feel
adequate for short trips; the trunk, however, is tiny (4.7 cubic • Tiny trunk
V6 hybrid engine (295 hp) is smooth • Explosive acceleration and
feet). The LC’s 3.5-liter V6 hybrid engine and(295powerful; total system
hp) is smooth and • WEAK
SyntheticPOINTS
power STRONG
responsive POINTS
handling engine growl
powerful; totalis system
354 hp. Acceleration
power is 354ishp. veryAcceleration
quick, and the ispowertrain
very • Striking exterior and interior
Extremely smooth, Lacks steering feel
quick, emits
and thea satisfying growl,
powertrain although
emits it sounds
a satisfying a bitalthough
growl, synthetic.itHandling stylingpowerful hybrid
soundsisasporty
bit synthetic.
and sharp;Handling is sporty
the steering and sharp;
is responsive the steering
but lacks feel. The • Decent gas mileage Tiny trunk
powertrain
is responsive but lacks feel. The ride quality is firm but not Synthetic engine growl
ride quality is firm but not uncomfortable. The LC 500h achieves a Explosive acceleration
uncomfortable. The LC 500h achieves a very good EPA-rated 30
mpg invery good EPA-rated
combined driuving,30 mpg in combined
demonstrating driving, demonstrating
that high and responsive handling
that high style/performance
style/performance and low environmental
and low environmental impact are not impact are
mutually Striking exterior and
not mutually
exclusive. The Lexus exclusive.
SafetyThe LexusPlus,
System Safetyconsisting
System Plus, of consisting
automaticof interior styling
emergency
forwardbraking with emergency
automatic pedestrianbraking
detection, withadaptive
pedestrian cruise
detection, Decent gas mileage
control, auto high beams, lane-departure warning, and lane-
adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, lane-departure warning,
keeping assist, is standard.
and lane-keeping assistance, is standard.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.91 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/2
Curb weight (lbs): 4500
Acceleration: 8.26
Exterior length (in): 187.4
Braking: 6.40 Exterior width (in): 75.6
Crashworthiness: 9.06 Exterior height (in): 53.0
Handling: 8.38 Wheelbase (in): 113.0
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 8.21
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 1.96 Tire manufacturer and size: Bridgestone 275/40R20
Ease of entry and exit: 4.71 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.80 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 5.94
Drivetrain type: Rear wheel
Cargo capacity: 0.00 Engine/motor: 3.5L V6 VVT-I Hybrid
Engine horsepower: 295 @ 6600 (354 total)

124 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 41

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 SUBCOMPACT NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Honda Fit EX-L Navi Honda Fit EX-L Navi
Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE
Vehicle Price
Score For This Vehicle Base Price: $21,520 CATEGORY
LOWEST HIGHEST RANKING

3
63.30 48.94 Price as Tested $22,395
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1100
63.30
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 10.6
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 31 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED36
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA Highway mpg: 10.6
(gal):.................................
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................31
Lane-departure warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 33 0 3 6
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................36
Lane keeping assistance
Adaptive cruise control EPA Combined mpg: ................................33
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Forward-collision warning $1,100
Forward automatic emergency braking
BASE PRICE: $21,520; PRICE AS TESTED: $22,395 Auto Club Average MPG: 36.2
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Honda’s Fit is a sporty yet practical subcompact hatchback. The
Overall Observations
exterior has an efficient wedge shape, and the uncluttered interior AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Honda’s Fit is astyled.
is cleanly sportyOuryettest
practical
car was subcompact
equipped with hatchback. The
a sporty factory
exterior has an efficient wedge shape, and the uncluttered Rearview camera
• • Forward-collision warning
performance package, which includes a sport-tuned suspension, Lane-departure warning
• • Forward automatic
interior is cleanly styled. Our test car was equipped with a sporty
factorybody kit, tailgate
performance spoiler, red
package, carpeted
which floor
includes a mats, and black 16-
sport-tuned • Lane-keeping assistance emergency braking
inch wheels.
suspension, body kit,Thetailgate
manually adjusted
spoiler, redfront seats are
carpeted comfortable,
floor mats, Strong/Weak Point
• Adaptive cruise control
and black 16-inchand
supportive, wheels. The Taller
attractive. manually adjusted
drivers might fifront seats are
nd legroom lacking,
comfortable, supportive, and attractive. Tallerthedrivers might find Strong Points
however. There’s excellent visibility from driver’s seat because of • Good value: $25,200 as Weak Points
legroom lacking, however. There’s excellent visibility from the
the low dash. The tops of the door panels sport some hard plastic, tested, including the • Low power and engine
driver’s seat because of the low dash. The tops of the door
performance package torque
panelsbut thesome
sport dashboard plastics are
hard plastic, but fithe
ne. dashboard
Some controls are traditional
plastics are • WEAK
knobs, but theyare work well. Theknobs,
rear seat is they
comfortable, too,The
with STRONG
• Great outwardPOINTS
visibility POINTS
Ride quality can be stiff and
fine. Some controls traditional but work well. • Versatile fold-flat or fold-up bumpy
rear seat is comfortable Good value: $22,395 Low power and engine
a generous amounttoo, with a generous
of legroom. amountseatbacks
The second-row of legroom.fold rear seats • Loud (but sporty) engine
The second-row as tested, including the torque
flat, creatingseatbacks foldspace
a large cargo flat, creating a large cargo
with a completely flat flspace
oor and performance package
with a completely flat floor and a low lift-over height. The rear Ride quality can be stiff and
a low lift-over height. The rear seat bottoms also flip up against Great outward visibility bumpy
seat bottoms also flip up against the seatbacks - Honda’s
the seatbacks—Honda’s
renowned Magic Seat systemrenowned - to allowMagic Seat system—to
for storage allow
of taller items. Versatile fold-flat or Loud (but sporty) engine
for storage
The 130-hp of taller
4-cylinder items.has
engine Thegreat
4-cylinder 128-hp
drivability butengine
feels has
low great fold-up rear seats
drivability
on power with the butCVT
feelstransmission.
low on powerThe withsteering
the CVT transmission.
is responsive, The
and the handling
steering is lively, though
is responsive, and the there’s moderate
handling is lively,understeer
though there’s
and body roll. The ride quality can be bumpy over uneven or
moderate understeer and body roll. The ride quality can be bumpy
broken pavement.
over uneven or broken pavement.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.62 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 2740
Acceleration: 2.87
Exterior length (in): 161.4
Braking: 5.55 Exterior width (in): 67.0
Crashworthiness: 7.04 Exterior height (in): 60.0
Handling: 7.44 Wheelbase (in): 99.6
Restraint type: 8 air bags
Ride quality: 6.57
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 4.09 Tire manufacturer and size: Firestone 185/55 R16
Ease of entry and exit: 7.28 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.20 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 3.20
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.45 Engine/motor: 1.5L 4-Cyl. i-VTEC
Engine horsepower: 128 @ 6600

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AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 125
SUBCOMPACT HYBRID

Toyota Prius c Toyota Prius c

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle LOWEST Base Price: $24,965
HIGHEST RANKING

4
59.46 48.94 Price as Tested $26,160
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $800
59.46
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
Fuel Capacity (gal): 9.5
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR
EPA City mpg: AVERAGE 48 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED43
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):....................................9.5
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................48
Lane-departure warning NHTSA Rating: 4 EPA Combined mpg: 46 0 4 6
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................43
Forward-collision warning
EPA Combined mpg: ................................46
Forward automatic emergency braking
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Advanced headlights $800
BASE PRICE: $24,965; PRICE AS TESTED: $26,160
Auto Club Average MPG: 45.5
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Toyota’s Prius c is the smallest and least expensive vehicle in the
Overall Observations
Prius lineup. Even in the top trim level, Four, it’s still a pretty basic AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Toyota’s
carPrius c is the
that hasn’t smallest
changed andsince
much leastitsexpensive
introduction vehicle in the
in 2012. The • Rearview camera
Prius lineup. Even in the top trim level, Four, it’s still a pretty
Prius c has a modern, attractive interior. For a small car, it’s relatively • Lane-departure warning
basic car that hasn’t changed much since its introduction in 2012.
spacious
The Prius c hasinathe front cabin
modern, area. The
attractive rear seats,
interior. For atoo,
smallarecar,
surprisingly
it’s • Forward-collision warning
roomy,
relatively and are
spacious in comfortable
the front cabin for two
area.average-size adults.too,
The rear seats, The hybrid Strong/Weak
• Forward automatic
Point
powertrainroomy,
are surprisingly consists andof aare
4-cylinder
comfortable73-hpfor engine, a 60-hp electric
two average-size emergency braking
adults.motor
The hybrid Strong Points headlights
• Advanced
(99 hppowertrain consists of a 73-hp
total), a nickel-metal-hydride 4-cylinder
battery, and a hybrid CVT. • Great fuel economy Weak Points
engine, a 60-hp electric motor (99 hp total), a nickel-metal-
The powertrain is a bit underpowered and noisy, but it gives the • Modern, relatively spacious • Underpowered, noisy
hydride battery, and a hybrid CVT. The powertrain is a bit
Prius c great
underpowered andfuel economy:
noisy, an EPA-estimated
but it gives the Prius c great48 mpgfuelcity/43 mpg
interior powertrain
STRONG
• Small turningPOINTS
circle, easy • WEAK POINTS
Lots of wind noise
highway/46
economy: mpg combined.
an EPA-estimated 48 mpg Thecity/43
Prius c’smpg
ride highway/46
quality is decent for a • Lacks interior storage areas
to park
Great fuel economy Underpowered,
small car, and
mpg combined. Thethe handling
Prius c’s rideis surprisingly
quality is decentsportyfor
in everyday
a small driving,
noisy powertrain
car, and the handling
although handling is surprisingly sportyThere’s
limits are modest. in everyday driving,
some powertrain Modern, relatively
although limits are modest. There’s some powertrain and wind spacious interior Lots of wind noise
and wind noise on the highway, however. Our test Prius c was well
noise on the highway, however. Our test Prius c was well- Small turning circle, Lacks interior
equipped, including advanced
safetysafety features
suchsuch as forward
equipped, including advanced features as automatic easy to park storage areas
automatic
emergency emergency
braking, braking and
lane-departure lane-departure
warning, and auto warning.
high
beams, plus a satellite radio.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 6.63 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 2960
Acceleration: 1.00
Exterior length (in): 159.8
Braking: 3.63 Exterior width (in): 67.5
Crashworthiness: 6.73 Exterior height (in): 58.7
Handling: 6.13 Wheelbase (in): 100.4
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.29
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 2.55 Tire manufacturer and size: Bridgestone 195/50R16
Ease of entry and exit: 6.64 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 5.90 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 4.52
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.45 Engine/motor: 1.5L 4-Cyl. VVT-I Hybrid
Engine horsepower: 73 @ 4800 (99 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 60 hp

126 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 69

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 SUBCOMPACT NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Kia Rio EX Kia Rio EX

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $18,700
HIGHEST RANKING

5
56.61 48.94 Price as Tested $20,225
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1100
56.61
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 11.9
EPA City mpg:REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 28 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED 37
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity (gal):
EPA.................................11.9
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................28
Forward-collision warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 32 0 2 8
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................37
Forward automatic emergency braking IIHS Top Safety Pick + (with optional front
EPA Combined mpg: ................................32
crash prevention and specific headlights)
ANNUAL FUEL COST
$1,100
BASE PRICE: $18,700; PRICE AS TESTED: $20,225 Auto Club Average MPG: 28.4
NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The entry-level Kia Rio we tested is a practical hatchback that’s (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
Overall Observations
sporty and fun to drive. It’s also available as a sedan. The manually AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The entry-level
adjustableKia Rio
front wehave
seats tested is of
a lot a practical hatchback
lumbar support. The that’s
front cabin
sporty and fun to drive. It’s also available as a sedan. The Rearview camera
•
features a sporty three-spoke steering wheel and a low dashboard Forward-collision warning
•
manually adjustable front seats have a lot of lumbar support. The
that provides
front cabin featuresgood forward
a sporty visibility. All
three-spoke the controls
steering wheelare andeasy
a to use, • Forward automatic
including the
low dashboard thatmanual
provides climate
goodcontrols.
forwardThe rear seat
visibility. All is
theslightly tight, Strong/Weak
emergency brakingPoint
and,
controls unfortunately,
are easy to use,the cargo area
including theismanual
surprisingly
climatesmall. However, the
controls.
The rear Strong Points
rearseat
seatsisfold
slightly
down tight, and, unfortunately,
to increase storage space. the
Thecargo
Rio isarea
powered • Light, responsive steering Weak Points
is surprisingly small. However, the rear seats fold down to
by a 1.6-liter direct injection 4-cylinder engine. It puts out only 130 • Good forward visibility • Low power and torque
increase storage space. The Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter direct • Tight backseat
hp 4-cylinder
injection and 119 lb-ft of torque,
engine. so acceleration
It puts out only 130ishp slow,
andand119low-speed
lb-ft of
• Nimble handling
• 5STRONG
year/60,000POINTS
mile basic •WEAK POINTS
Ride quality is comfortable
torque,drivability suffers from
so acceleration someand
is slow, minor roughness.
low-speed Also, the
drivability 6-speed
suffers warranty but Low
not well-controlled
Light, responsive steering power and torque
automatic
from some minor transmission
roughness.shifts Also,down abruptly when
the 6-speed coasting to a stop.
automatic
transmission shiftsisdown
The steering abruptly
light and when coasting
responsive, however, to anda the
stop. The is
handling Good forward visibility Tight backseat
steering is light and responsive, however, and the handling is Nimble handling Ride quality is comfortable
nimble. Fuel economy, at an EPA-estimated 28 mpg city/37 mpg
nimble. Fuel economy, at an EPA-estimated 28 mpg city/37 mpg but not well controlled
highway/32 5-year/60,000-mile basic
highway, 32 mpg mpg combined,
combined, is good
is good butexceptional.
but not not exceptional. TheThe 2019
Kia Rio warranty
2019 Kia Rioearns
earnsa aTop TopSafety
SafetyPickPick
rating fromfrom
rating IIHS.IIHS.

TESTDATA
TEST DATA TEST VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0(0
toTO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.40 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 3.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 2600
Acceleration: 3.15
Exterior length (in): 160.0
Braking: 5.32 Exterior width (in): 67.9
Crashworthiness: 4.92 Exterior height (in): 57.1
Handling: 7.16 Wheelbase (in): 101.6
Restraint type: 6 air bags
Ride quality: 6.71
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 4.69 Tire manufacturer and size: Continental 185/65 R15
Ease of entry and exit: 6.34 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 5.80 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Auto 6 speed
Interior noise: 3.63
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.50 Engine/motor: 1.6L 4-Cyl. GDI
Engine horsepower: 130 @ 6300

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SUBCOMPACT NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Mitsubishi Mirage GT Hatchback

Mitsubishi Mirage GT hatchback

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $16,595
HIGHEST RANKING

6
51.28 48.94 Price as Tested $17,585
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $900
51.28
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 9.2
EPA City mpg: REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 37 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED43
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):....................................9.2
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................37
NHTSA Rating: 4 EPA Combined mpg: 39 0 3 1
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................43
EPA Combined mpg: ................................39
ANNUAL FUEL COST
$900
BASE PRICE: $16,595; PRICE AS TESTED: $17,585 Auto Club Average MPG: 30.8
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Mitsubishi’s subcompact Mirage GT Hatchback, redesigned for 2017
Overall Observations
after a year’s absence, is basic urban transportation. It’s propelled AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Mitsubishi’s subcompact
by a 1.2-liter Mirage
3-cylinder GT Hatchback,
gasoline redesigned
engine that produces justfor
78 hp
2017 after a year’s absence, is basic urban transportation. It’s
• Rearview camera
and 74 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is weak and the engine is loud
propelled by a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine that produces
just 78and unrefi
hp and ned,
74 especially
lb-ft of torque. when revved. The
Acceleration is cabin
weakisand lacking
the in
engineamenities, yetunrefined,
is loud and the front seating area feels
especially whenspacious,
revved. Theand visibility
cabin to Strong/Weak Point
the front
is lacking and sidesyet
in amenities, is good. In city
the front driving,
seating the feels
area Mirage is a capable
spacious,
and visibility to the frontBut and Strong Points
urban commuter. onsides is good.itsInlack
the highway, cityofdriving,
power,the straight- • Excellent fuel economy: Weak Points
Mirage is a capable urban commuter. But on the highway, its lack
line wandering, road noise, dismal ride and handling, and raucous EPA-estimated 39 mpg • Loud, unrefined engine
of power, straight-line wandering, road noise, dismal ride and
engine • Straight-line wandering on
andsounds make a drive of anymake
distance unpleasant.
of any Its low
combined
handling, raucous engine sounds a drive
price—an MSRP of STRONG
• Easy POINTS
to maneuver WEAK
the highwayPOINTS
distance unpleasant. Itsabout $16,500 including
low price—an MSRP ofthe destination
about $16,500fee—is • Weak brakes
• Good front and
Excellent side
fuel economy: Loud, unrefiwith
ned aengine
soft
the the
including Mirage’s major attraction.
destination fee—is the Gas mileage,major
Mirage’s too, isattraction.
quite good: visibility
EPA-estimated 39 mpg pedal
Gas mileage, too, is37quite
an EPA-rated mpggood:
city/43an EPA-rated
mpg highway/39 37 mpg
mpgcity/43
combined. • Lowcombined
purchase price Straight-line wandering on
mpg highway/39 mpg combined. Another perk: the Mirage’s 5- the highway
Another perk: the Mirage’s 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and Easy to maneuver
year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile Weak brakes with a soft
10-year/100,000-mile
powertrain warranty. Apart from powertrain warranty.
a legally mandated Apartrearview
from a legally Good front and side pedal
camera,mandated rearview
the Mirage has nocamera, the Mirage
available advanced has safety
no available advanced
features. visibility
safety features. Low purchase price

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 5.71 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 5.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 2120
Acceleration: 0.00
Exterior length (in): 149.4
Braking: 6.66 Exterior width (in): 65.6
Crashworthiness: 5.00 Exterior height (in): 59.4
Handling: 4.65 Wheelbase (in): 96.5
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 6.33
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 2.90 Tire manufacturer and size: Yokohama 175/55R15
Ease of entry and exit: 6.48 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 5.90 Headlight type: HID
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 1.19
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.45 Engine/motor: 1.2L 3-Cyl. DOHC MIVEC
Engine horsepower: 78 @ 6000

128 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 48

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 SUBCOMPACT NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Toyota Yaris XLE Toyota Yaris XLE

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle LOWEST Base Price: $18,550
HIGHEST RANKING

7
51.18 48.94 Price as Tested $19,470
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1100
51.18
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 11.6
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR
EPA City mpg: AVERAGE 32 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED40
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................11.6
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................32
Forward-collision warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 35 0 3 7
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................40
Forward automatic emergency braking
EPA Combined mpg: ................................35
ANNUAL FUEL COST
$1,100
BASE PRICE: $18,550; PRICE AS TESTED: $19,470
Auto Club Average MPG: 37.3
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
If you’re looking for good basic transportation and a new Toyota,
Overall Observations
the 2019 Yaris is your best choice. We tested the Yaris sedan; the AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
If you’re lookinghatchback
two-door for good basic
body transportation and a new Toyota,
style has been discontinued for 2019. Rearview camera
•
the 2019 Yaris is your best choice. With a starting price of
The Yaris’ exterior styling is nondescript, save for the gaping grille. Forward-collision warning
•
$15,450, it’s the least expensive vehicle in Toyota’s lineup. We
tested Inside,
the Yaristhe sedan;
cabin feels
the narrow,
two-door although
hatchback there’s good
body headroom
style has • Forward automatic
in the front seating
been discontinued area.The
for 2019. TheYaris’
rear seat is tight,
exterior but headroom
styling is is Strong/Weak
emergency brakingPoint
acceptable.
nondescript, save Interior
for the figaping
t and finish is Inside,
grille. good, with the generally
cabin feels decent
narrow,materials,
althoughalthough
there’s good headroom in the front The
seating Strong Points
there are some hard plastics. trunk is large • Sporty handling Weak Points
area. The rear seat is tight, but headroom is acceptable. Interior
for a subcompact. A 7-inch central display controls the Bluetooth • Good straight-line stability • Low power and torque
fit and finish is good, with generally decent materials, although
andsome
there are audio.hard
Using the rotary
plastics. The controller
trunk is knob
largeon forthe
a center console
• Quick, responsive steering • Slow acceleration
STRONG
• Good POINTS
fuel economy • WEAK POINTS
Lots of engine, road, and
isn’t intuitive,
subcompact. but central
A 7-inch fortunately adjustments
display controlscan thebe made viaand
Bluetooth the touch windLow
noise
audio. screen. Sporty handling power and torque
Using the Therotary
Yaris iscontroller
powered knobby a 1.5-liter
on the 4-cylinder
center consoleengineisn’t
that puts • Tight rear seat
intuitive,
outbut106fortunately
hp and 103 adjustments
lb-ft of torque.canBecause
be made viapower
both the touch
and torque Good straight-line stability Slow acceleration
screen.areThe Yaris is powered by a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that
lacking, acceleration is slow. Handling is agile and sporty, as is Quick, responsive steering Lots of engine, road, and
puts out 106 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque. Because both power and wind noise
torquethearesteering,
lacking,but the ride quality
acceleration is bumpy.
is slow. Handling Fueliseconomy
agile andis good for Good fuel economy
Tight rear seat
sporty,aasnonhybrid: an EPA-rated
is the steering, but the32ride
mpg city/40
quality ismpg
bumpy.highway/35
Fuel mpg
economy combined.
is good for a nonhybrid: an EPA-rated 32 mpg city/40
mpg highway/35 mpg combined.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 5.02 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 3.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 2480
Acceleration: 3.29
Exterior length (in): 171.2
Braking: 2.70 Exterior width (in): 66.7
Crashworthiness: 4.81 Exterior height (in): 58.5
Handling: 6.49 Wheelbase (in): 101.2
Restraint type: 6 air bags
Ride quality: 6.38
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 2.66 Tire manufacturer and size: Toyo 185/60 R16
Ease of entry and exit: 5.96 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.10 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 6 speed
Interior noise: 3.80
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 0.97 Engine/motor: 1.5L 4-Cyl. DOHC 16-Valve
Engine horsepower: 106 @ 6000

AAA.com/greencar 71
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 129

COMPACT
Compact cars improve upon subcompacts in
almost every way. They have more passenger
and cargo space, they’re more comfortable,
they’re quieter, their cabin materials are higher
in quality, and they have more standard or
available safety and convenience features than
subcompacts—leather seating, dual automatic
climate control, and LED headlights, for
example. And they get close to the same gas
mileage—especially if you go for a hybrid or EV.
Perhaps less obvious, compacts offer more
variety in terms of body styles and powertrains.
In this year’s AAA Green Car Guide, we review
13 compact hatchbacks and sedans, including
eight cars with advanced internal combustion
engines, one hybrid, two plug-in hybrids, one
electric vehicle, and even one hydrogen fuel
cell vehicle. Of course, compacts cost more
than subcompacts, but not always a lot more.
And you may decide that the extra room,
comfort, and features are worth it.
BASE PRICE: $36,200; PRICE AS TESTED: $38,260
COMPACT
WINNER
NISSAN
Leaf SL
Introduced in 2010, the Leaf underwent a major redesign for 2018.
And despite competition from recently released EVs, the new Leaf
stays near the top of the heap. The exterior and interior styling are
now more mainstream and ˮnormalˮ looking. The cabin is a little
larger, with good headroom in the front. Power comes from a 147-
hp electric motor and a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery, providing the
Leaf with an EPA-estimated range of 151 miles. The Leaf’s steering
is responsive, with decent feel. The ride is comfortable, particularly
for a small car, and handling is very good, but not as sporty as the
original’s. Acceleration is fine, although the new Leaf doesn’t have as
much low-end punch as most EVs. Using the standard e-Pedal feature,
drivers can slow or stop the Leaf via regenerative braking without
having to touch the brake pedal. Available advanced safety features
include forward-collision warning, forward automatic emergency
braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning with rear
cross-traffic warning, and adaptive cruise control. An optional feature,
ProPilot Assist, automatically maintains a set distance from the vehicle
in front and keeps the Leaf centered in its lane. In early 2019, Nissan
released the Leaf Plus, with a 214-hp electric motor, a 62-kWh battery,
and a range of 226 miles.
AAA.com/greencar
 COMPACT ELECTRIC
Nissan Leaf SL

Green Car Scores Vehicle Price

Score For This Vehicle Base Price: $36,200
81.87 Price as Tested $38,260
Annual Fuel Cost: $600
120V Charge Time: 4 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 19 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity
DC Fast Charger: 80% in 40 min Battery Capacity (kWh): 40
EPA City MPGe: 125
Available Safety Features
EPA Highway MPGe: 100
Rearview camera
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined MPGe: 112
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning
Lane keeping assistance EPA Estimated Range: 151 miles
Adaptive cruise control
Forward-collision warning
Forward automatic emergency braking

Overall Observations
Introduced in 2010, the Leaf underwent a major redesign for
2018. And despite competition from recently released EVs, the
new LeafNHTSA SAFETY
stays near RATING Notheap.
the top of the RatedThe exterior and interior
styling are now more mainstream and "normal"looking. The cabin
AVAILABLE
is a little larger, withSAFETY FEATURES
good headroom in the front. Power comes OVERALL SCOREPoint
Strong/Weak
Rearviewelectric
from a• 147-hp cameramotor and a 40-kWh • Adaptive cruisebattery,
lithium-ion control CATEGORY
LOWEST HIGHEST RANKING
• Blind-spot
providing the Leafwarning
with an EPA-estimated • Forward-collision warning
range of 151 miles. Strong Points

1
48.94steering response
• Great 93.90
Weak Points
(Nissan plans
• Rear to offerc an
cross-traffi optional 60-kWh
warning batteryautomatic
• Forward that will provide
and effort • Small rear seat area
the Leaf• Lane-departure warning range.) Theemergency
with a 200-mile-plus braking
Leaf’s steering is
• Solid body structure; very 81.87• Small trunk
responsive, with decent
• Lane-keeping assistancefeel. The ride is comfortable, particularly good bump absorption • Slow charge rate with 6.6-
for a small car, and handling is very good, but not as sporty as • Good handling and ride kW onboard charger
STRONG
the original’s. POINTS is fine, although
Acceleration WEAK the POINTS
new Leaf doesn’t qualityFUEL INFORMATION
have as Great
muchsteering
low-end punch
response
as most Evs.Small rearthe
Using seatstandard
area e- • Available 360-degree
Pedal feature, drivers can slow or stop the Leaf via regenerative Fuel Type:
Around ................................
View camera and ELECTRICITY AVERAGE MPG
and effort
braking without having to touch the brake Small pedal.trunk Battery Capacity
Assist (kWh):.............................40 AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Available ProPilot
Solid bodyfeatures
structure;include
very forward-collision warning, EPA City MPGe: .......................................
semiautonomous technology 125
advanced safety Slow charge rate with 6.6-kW
good bump absorption
automatic emergency braking with pedestrian onboard chargerblind-
detection, EPA Highway MPGe:............................... 100 N / A
Good handling
spot monitoring andcross-traffic
with rear ride quality alert, and adaptive cruise EPA Combined MPGe:........................... 112 ANNUAL FUEL COST
control. An optional
Available feature, Around
360-degree ProPilot Assist, automatically EPA Electric Range (mi): ......................... 151 $600
maintains a set
View distance
camera from the vehicle in front and keeps the
and ProPilot
Assist semiautonomous
Leaf centered in its lane. BATTERY 120V: 4 MILES PER HOUR
technology CHARGE 240V: 19 MILES PER HOUR
TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: 80% IN 40 MINUTES
TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS

Fuel efficiency: 9.63 Model year tested: 2018

EPA emissions score: 10.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3500
Acceleration: 6.30
Exterior length (in): 176.4
Braking: 5.05 Exterior width (in): 70.5
Crashworthiness: 8.20 Exterior height (in): 61.4
Handling: 6.91 Wheelbase (in): 106.3
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.79
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 4.38 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 215/50R17
Ease of entry and exit: 6.96 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.70 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Single speed
Interior noise: 7.65
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 2.30 Engine/motor: AC Synchronous
Engine horsepower: N/A
Electric motor horsepower: 147 @ 3282 - 9795

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019

53 131
COMPACT PLUG-IN HYBRID

Chevrolet Volt Premier

Chevrolet Volt Premier

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $38,120
HIGHEST RANKING

2
75.29 48.94 Price as Tested $40,855
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $650
75.29
120V Charge Time: 4 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 23 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity/Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 8.9
Fuel Type: ...........
EPA ELECTRICITY/REGULAR
City mpg: AVERAGE43 MPG
Available Safety Features (GASOLINE AND ELECTRICITY)
Fuel Capacity EPA (gal):....................................8.9
Highway mpg: 42
AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................43
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5
EPA Highway mpg: EPA ....................................42
Combined mpg: 42 0 5 0
Rear cross traffic warning EPA CombinedEPA mpg: ................................42
Combined MPGe: 106
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined MPGe:........................... 106 ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance EPA Electric Range EPA (mi):
Estimated Range:
............................53 53 miles $650
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $38,120; PRICE AS TESTED: $40,855 BATTERY 120V: 4 MILES PER HOUR
Forward-collision warning CHARGE Auto
240V:Club Average
23 MILES MPG:
PER HOUR 50.4
Forward automatic emergency braking TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: N/A
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
HONORABLE

Introduced in 2011 and redesigned in 2016, the

MENTION NHTSA SAFETY RATING
Overall Observations
second-generation Volt PHEV is more conventionally
Introduced
styled than theand
in 2011 redesigned
original, with a more in 2016,
muted theinterior.
second-
generation Volt PHEV is more conventionally styled than the AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The front seating area is comfortable but snug, and the rear bucket
original, with a more muted interior. The front seating area is • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
seats are
comfortable buttight,
snug, especially
and theinrear shoulder
buckets room.
seatsTheare
Volttight,
is powered • Forward-collision warning
• Blind-spot warning
Strong/Weak Point
by a in
especially 1.5-liter
shoulder4-cylinder
room.gasoline
The Voltengine and two
is powered byelectric motors,
a 1.5-liter 4- • Forward automatic
• Rear cross-traffic warning
cylindergenerating
gasoline aenginetotal ofand
149twohp and 294 lb-ft
electric of torque.
motors, Its all-EV
generating a range emergency braking
• Lane-departure
Strong Points warning
total ofis149 hp and 294
an excellent lb-ft of
53 miles; torque.
after Itsinternal
that, its all-EV combustion
range is an engine • Advanced headlights
• Lane-keeping
• Super-smooth assistance
hybrid Weak Points
excellent 53 miles; after that, its internal combustion engine
powers an electric generator to extend its range (EPA-estimated at powertrain • The interior is basic, with
powers an electric generator to extend its range (EPA estimated
at 420 420 miles total).
ItsIts 18.4-kWhlithium-ion
lithium-ionbattery
battery can
can be becharged in
• Long electric-only range some cheap-looking materials
miles total). 18.4-kWh • WEAK POINTSfeel
justinover STRONG POINTS
(EPA-estimated at 53 miles) Soft brake-pedal
charged justtwo
overhours with a 240-volt,
two hours 32-amp 32-amp
with a 240-volt, chargingcharging
unit. The Volt’s • Small
• Comfortable, controlled
Super-smooth hybrid Thebackseat
interior is basic, with
powertrain
unit. The is very smooth
Volt’s powertrain andsmooth
is very the rideandquality
theisride
comfortable.
quality is The ride quality
powertrain some cheap-looking
comfortable. The brake
brake pedal is a bitpedal is a bit
soft during soft drivers
stops; during canstops; drivers
initiate regenerative materials
can initiate regenerative braking by pulling the steering-wheel Long electric-only range
braking by pulling the steering-wheel paddle. Many advanced safety (EPA-estimated at 53 miles) Soft brake-pedal feel
paddle. Many advanced safety features are available, including
features arewarning,
forward-collision available,forward
including forward-collision
automatic emergency warning, forward
braking, Comfortable, controlled Small backseat
automatic
lane-keeping emergency
assist, braking, lane-keeping
and blind-spot warning with assistance, and blind-
rear cross-traffic ride quality
warning.spot warning with
Chevrolet has rear cross-traffi
decided to stop c warning.
producing Chevrolet
the Volt hasin decided
the to
near future, although the
stop producing at press
Volt intime the exact
the near future,date hadn’t
although been time the
at press
announced.
exact date hadn’t been announced.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 8.76 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 5.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3580
Acceleration: 5.83
Exterior length (in): 180.4
Braking: 5.83 Exterior width (in): 71.2
Crashworthiness: 8.27 Exterior height (in): 56.4
Handling: 7.42 Wheelbase (in): 106.1
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.71
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 4.60 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 215/50 R17
Ease of entry and exit: 5.99 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.20 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 6.00
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.70 Engine/motor: 1.5L 4-Cyl. Range Extender
Engine horsepower: 101 @ 5600 (149 total)

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 COMPACT HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
Toyota Mirai Toyota Mirai

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $58,365
HIGHEST RANKING

3
69.85 48.94 Price as Tested $59,285
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1250
69.85
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Hydrogen
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 32.3
Fuel Type: ..................................HYDROGEN
EPA City MPGe: AVERAGE 67 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED67
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(kg):..................................32.3
Highway MPGe:
Rearview camera EPA City MPGe: ..........................................67
Lane-departure warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined MPGe: 67 N / A
EPA Highway MPGe:..................................67
Adaptive cruise control
EPA Combined MPGe:..............................67
Forward-collision warning
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Forward automatic emergency braking EPA EstimatedEPA
Range: Range: 312 312 miles$1,250
............................
Estimated
Advanced headlights
BASE PRICE: $58,365; PRICE AS TESTED: $59,285
Auto Club Average MPG: 0.0
NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is named Mirai, which means
Overall Observations
“future” in Japanese. As with all FCVs, the Mirai is powered by AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Toyota’s hydrogen
electricity fuel cell
created fromvehicle is named Mirai,
an electrochemical which
reaction means
between Rearview camera
• • Forward automatic
“future” in Japanese. As with all FCVs, the Mirai is powered by
hydrogen fuel and oxygen. FCVs emit only heat and water, making Lane-departure warning
• emergency braking
electricity created from an electrochemical reaction between
them zero-emission Advanced headlights
and oxygen.vehicles. The Mirai’s powertrain consists of a • Adaptive cruise control •
hydrogen fuel FCVs emit only heat and water,
makingfuel-cell stack, a 151-hpvehicles.
them zero-emission electric motor, a battery
The Mirai’s pack, and a single-
powertrain Strong/Weak Point
• Forward-collision warning
speed
consists of a transmission.
fuel-cell stack, Its range
a 153-hpis approximately
electric motor, 300a miles;
battery refueling
pack, and Strong Points
takesa about
single-speed
five to 10transmission. Its range
minutes. The Mirai is
accelerates relatively slowly, • High-tech feel and Weak Points
approximately 300 miles; refueling takes about five to 10
without the low-end punch of most EVs, but it does pull strongly all operation • Fuel stations—about
minutes. The Mirai accelerates relatively slowly, without the low-
the way
end punch through
of most EVs, its but
power range.
it does The
pull alldriving
the way position
through doesn’t
its feel
• Quick refueling, like a 40—are located only in
STRONG
gasoline POINTS
vehicle WEAK POINTS
California
power quite
range. right,
Thebecause the driverdoesn’t
driving position isn’t centered behind
feel quite the steering
right, • Good range: about 300 • Available for sale or lease
High-tech feel and Fuel stations—about 40—are
becausewheel. The backseat
the driver has a wide,
isn’t centered fixedthe
behind center console/armrest,
steering wheel. The miles operation onlylocated
in California
only in California
backseat
whichhasallows
a wide,
for fixed
just two center console/armrest,
passengers. The Mirai has which allows
a soft brake • Excellent build quality • Small trunk
for just two passengers. The Mirai has a soft brake pedal, with Quick refueling, like Available
• Polarizing for salestyling
exterior or lease
pedal, with long stopping distances, and the steering has little feel a gasoline vehicle only in California
long stopping distances, and the steering has little feel or
or feedback.
feedback. The cabin
The interior interioriscabin is comfortable
comfortable and quiet,
and quiet, but a faint
but a faint Good range: about Small trunk
whine whine
emerges emerges
from thefrom the powertrain
powertrain duringduring acceleration.
acceleration. Toyota
Toyota 300 miles
Polarizing exterior styling
provides
provides a fuel acardfuelgood
card good for three
for three yearsyears
and and $15,000
$15,000 worth
worth of of Excellent build quality
complimentary
complimentaryhydrogenhydrogenfuel. Thefuel.Mirai is available
The Mirai for for
is available salesale
or or lease
lease only in California, the only state with hydrogen fuel stations.
only in California, the only state with hydrogen fuel stations.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 8.22 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 10.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/2
Curb weight (lbs): 4080
Acceleration: 4.77
Exterior length (in): 192.5
Braking: 0.00 Exterior width (in): 71.5
Crashworthiness: 7.70 Exterior height (in): 60.5
Handling: 4.76 Wheelbase (in): 109.5
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.19
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 3.90 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 215/55 R17
Ease of entry and exit: 6.75 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.40 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Single speed
Interior noise: 7.21
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 0.95 Engine/motor: Permanent Magnet
Engine horsepower: N/A
Electric motor horsepower: 151 hp

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AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 133
COMPACT PLUG-IN HYBRID

Toyota Prius Prime Advanced

Toyota Prius Prime Advanced

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $33,100
HIGHEST RANKING

4
69.83 48.94 Price as Tested $33,995
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $600
69.83
120V Charge Time: 4 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 12 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity/Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 11.4
Fuel Type: ...........
EPA ELECTRICITY/REGULAR
City mpg: AVERAGE55 MPG
Available Safety Features (GASOLINE AND ELECTRICITY)
Fuel CapacityEPA (gal):.................................11.4
Highway mpg: 53
AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................55
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R
EPA Highway mpg: EPA ....................................53
Combined mpg: 54 0 5 7
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick EPA CombinedEPA mpg: ................................54
Combined MPGe: 133
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined MPGe:........................... 133 ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance EPA Electric Range EPA (mi):
Estimated Range:
............................25 25 miles $600
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $33,100; PRICE AS TESTED: $33,995 BATTERY 120V: 4 MILES PER HOUR
Forward-collision warning CHARGE Auto
240V:Club Average
12 MILES MPG:
PER HOUR 57.4
Forward automatic emergency braking TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: N/A
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
The Prius Prime is the plug-in hybrid version of the popular Toyota NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
Overall Observations
Prius. The bold exterior styling of the standard Prius (page 57) is
The Prius Prime
toned down isfor
thetheplug-in
Prime.hybrid
Inside,version of the
too, styling popular
is more subdued
Toyota Prius. The bold exterior styling of the standard Prius is AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
than on the previous Prime. The front seats are comfortable and
toned down for the Prime. Inside too, styling more subdued than • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
on the supportive,
previous Prime.and headroom
The frontinseats the front
are of the cabin isand
comfortable very good. The
• Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
centerand
supportive, stack is dominated
headroom in the byfront
an available high-tech
of the cabin 11.5-inch
is very good. by Strong/Weak Point
• Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
6-inchstack
The center display in a portrait by
is dominated orientation.
an availableThe display
high-tech looks high-tech,
11.5- emergency braking
• Lane-departure
Strong Points warning
inch bybut
6-inch display
it’s diffi cult toinuse a portrait
and prone orientation. The display
to misoperation because looks
of its small • Advanced
high-tech, but it’s difficult to use and prone to misoperation • Lane-keeping
• Plug-in assistance
hybrid electric Weak Points headlights
switches. In addition, the screen easily washes out from glare and efficiency • Engine and transmission
because of its small switches. In addition, the screen easily
washes is out
often diffiglare
from cult toandread. isThe
oftenhybrid powertrain
difficult to read.combines
The hybrid a 1.8-liter • Huge, 11.5-inch by 6-inch noise
4-cylinder engine with an electric motor and an 8.8-kWh lithium- STRONG POINTS
display • WEAK POINTS
Difficult-to-use center
powertrain combines a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric • Smooth hybrid power display that’s easily affected
Plug-in hybrid electric Engine and transmission
ion battery.
motor and an 8.8-kWhTotal system
lithium-ionoutput is onlyTotal
battery. 121 hp, so acceleration
system output is is • Somewhat sporty handling
efficiency by glare
noise
only 121 hp,and
slow, so the
acceleration is slow, is
hybrid powertrain and the hybrid
smooth powertrain
but noisy. The rideisis • Low vehicle height restricts
smoothcomfortable
but noisy. The ride is comfortable but firm, and the Huge, 11.5-inch by 6-inch Difficult-to-use center
entrance
but firm, and the brakes have a natural feel, without display display that’s easily
brakes have a natural feel, without much regenerative effect. The • Two-person-only rear affected
much regenerative
Prime has an estimated 25 effect.
milesTheofPrime has anrange.
all-electric estimated 25 miles of all-
Charge Smooth hybrid power
by glare
seating
time iselectric
just over range.
2 hours Chargeon a time is just
Level over volt)
2 (240 2 hours on a Level 2 (240-volt)
system, Somewhat sporty handling
Low vehicle height restricts
system,
increasing increasing
to about 5-1/2tohours
abouton 5½ahours
Levelon a Level
1 (120 1 (120-volt)
volt) charge. charge. entrance
And theAndfueltheeconomy
fuel economyin hybrid modemode
in hybrid is EPA-rated
is EPA-ratedat anat an excellent 54 Two-person-only rear
excellent
mpg 54inmpg in combined
combined driving.driving. seating

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 8.72 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/2
Curb weight (lbs): 3400
Acceleration: 1.79
Exterior length (in): 182.9
Braking: 3.01 Exterior width (in): 69.3
Crashworthiness: 8.11 Exterior height (in): 57.9
Handling: 6.61 Wheelbase (in): 106.3
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.38
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 5.42 Tire manufacturer and size: Toyo 195/65 R15
Ease of entry and exit: 6.65 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.10 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 5.23
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.82 Engine/motor: 1.8L 4-Cyl. DOHC VVT-I
Engine horsepower: 95 @ 5200 (121 total)

134 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 70

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 COMPACT HYBRID
Honda Insight Touring
Honda Insight Touring

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $28,090
HIGHEST RANKING

5
69.44 48.94 Price as Tested $28,985
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $800
69.44
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 10.6
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 51 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED45
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................10.6
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................51
Lane-departure warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 48 0 4 8
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................45
Lane keeping assistance IIHS Top Safety Pick +
Adaptive cruise control EPA Combined mpg: ................................48
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Forward-collision warning $800
Forward automatic emergency braking
BASE
Advanced PRICE: $28,090; PRICE AS TESTED: $28,985
headlights Auto Club Average MPG: 48.0
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The Honda Insight Touring has had two previous iterations: from 2019
Overall Observations
model years 2000-2006 and model years 2010-2014. The third AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Honda Insighta Hybrid
generation, has had two
sedan, appeared previous
in 2019, takingiterations:
the placefrom
of the • Forward automatic
model years 2000 - 2006 and model years 2010 - 2014. The third
• Rearview camera
Civic Hybrid. The new Insight, which resembles the larger Accord, emergency braking
generation, a sedan, appeared in 2019, taking the place of the • Lane-departure warning
combines • Advanced headlights
Civic Hybrid. TheHonda’s excellent
new Insight, build
which quality with
resembles thegreat fuel economy
larger • Lane-keeping assistance
Accord, and overall value.
combines It’s available
Honda’s excellent only as aquality
build hybridwithand great
matesfuela 1.5-liter Strong/Weak Point
• Adaptive cruise control
economy inline
and4-cylinder gasoline
overall value. It’sengine
availablewithonly
an electric motorand
as a hybrid to produce • Forward-collision warning
mates 151 a 1.5-liter Strong Points
hp andinline 4-cylinder
191 ft-lb of torque.gasoline
A 1.1-kWh engine with anbattery
lithium-ion electricresides
• Great fuel economy: EPA- Weak Points
motor to produce 151 hp and 191 ft-lb of torque. A 1.1-kWh
under the backseat. A CVT transmission paired with paddle shifters rated at 48 mpg in combined • Lack of steering feel
lithium-ion battery resides under the backseat. A CVT
rounds paired
out thewith
drivetrain. driving • Lethargic handling
transmission paddleDrivability is good,
shifters round out but
theacceleration
drivetrain. is slow • WEAK
due istogood,
the lack ofacceleration
horsepower. The powertrain is also a bit STRONG
• Many advancedPOINTS
safety POINTS
Rear-seat headroom is tight
Drivability but is slow due to the lack of loud, features are available,
Great fuel economy: Lack of steering feel
especially
horsepower. Theon acceleration.
powertrain The interior
is also a bit loud,is roomy, with comfortable
especially on including forward automatic
EPA-rated at 48 mpg in
acceleration. Thethat
front seats interior
aren’tisoverly
roomy, with comfortable
bolstered. front seats
Interior materials are high emergency braking and lane- Lethargic handling
combined driving
that aren’t overly bolstered. Interior materials are high quality, keeping assist Rear-seat headroom is tight
quality, with a minimal use of hard plastic. Fit and finish are very Many advanced
• Surprisingly safety
large trunk
with a minimal use of hard plastic. Fit and finish are very good,
good, andpush-button
and a high-tech a high-tech push-button
shifter located shifter
on located
the center on the center
console features
• Great are available,
price: $28,985 fully
including forward automatic
saves console saves space.
space. Handling Handling isbut
is competent competent
not sporty; butthe
not steering
sporty; the loaded
emergency braking and
is light steering
but lacks is light
feel. but
Fuellacks feel. Fuel
economy foreconomy
the Touring for the
trimTouring
level istrim lane-keeping assistance
51 mpglevelcity/45
is 51mpg
mpghighway/48
city/45 mpgmpg combined.
highway/48 mpg combined.
Surprisingly large trunk
Great price: $28,985 fully
loaded

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 6.84 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3080
Acceleration: 4.76
Exterior length (in): 183.6
Braking: 3.80 Exterior width (in): 71.6
Crashworthiness: 7.33 Exterior height (in): 55.6
Handling: 6.94 Wheelbase (in): 106.3
Restraint type: 8 air bags
Ride quality: 7.76
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 4.36 Tire manufacturer and size: Continental 215/50 R17
Ease of entry and exit: 6.73 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.40 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 6.31
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.21 Engine/motor: 1.5L 4-Cyl. i-VTEC
Engine horsepower: 107 @ 6000 (151 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 129 hp

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AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 135
COMPACT NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Toyota Corolla XSE Hatchback

Toyota Corolla XSE Hatchback

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $24,090
HIGHEST RANKING

6
67.95 48.94 Price as Tested $27,823
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1150
67.95
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 13.2
EPA City mpg: REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 30 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED38
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................13.2
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................30
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 33 0 3 0
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................38
Lane-departure warning IIHS Top Safety Pick (with specific headlights)
Lane keeping assistance EPA Combined mpg: ................................33
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Adaptive cruise control $1,150
Forward-collision warning
ForwardBASE
automatic $24,090; PRICE
PRICE: emergency AS TESTED: $27,823
braking Auto Club Average MPG: 30.4
Advanced headlights NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Toyota established its Scion brand in 2003 to appeal to younger 2019 (with specific headlights)
Overall Observations
buyers. In 2016, it introduced the Scion iM, a Corolla-based AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Toyotahatchback.
established its Scion
When Scion brand in 2003into2016,
was dissolved appeal thetovehicle
youngerwas • Forward-collision warning
buyers. In 2016, it introduced the Scion iM, a Corolla-based
• Rearview camera
renamed the Toyota Corolla iM and later the Toyota Corolla • Blind-spot warning • Forward automatic
hatchback. When Scion was dissolved in 2016, the vehicle was emergency braking
renamed Hatchback.
the ToyotaAlthough
Corolla it’siMCorolla-based,
and later thethe Hatchback
Toyota Corollaretains the • Lane-departure warning
youthful, fun driving appeal of a Scion. Strong/Weak Point • Advanced headlights
Hatchback. Although it’s Corolla-based, theIt’s powered by
Hatchback a 2.0-liter
retains • Lane-keeping assistance
4-cylinder
the youthful, fun engine
driving rated
appeal at 168
of a hp and 155
Scion. lb-ft of torque.
It’s powered Power
by a 2.0- • Adaptive cruise control
liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 168 hp andmore155 lb-ft of torque. Strong Points
and acceleration are good, although low-end torque would • Sporty handling Weak Points
Power and acceleration are good, although more low-end torque
be welcome. The engine is coupled to a CVT that shifts quickly • Aggressive appearance • Firm ride quality
would be welcome. The engine is coupled to a CVT that shifts • Lots of engine, road, and
quicklybutbutsometimes abruptly. The powertrain is noisy and occasionally • Quick and responsive
sometimes abruptly. The powertrain is noisy and
stumbles at low speeds, and a lotandof wind STRONG POINTS
steering WEAK
wind noisePOINTS
occasionally stumbles at low speeds, a lotand road noise
of wind enter the
and road • Good acceleration • Tight rear seat
Sporty handling Firm ride quality
cabin the
noise enter as well.
cabinSteering
as well. and handling
Steering arehandling
and razor sharp.are The ride quality
razor • Heavy rear hatch
sharp. isThe
firmride
andquality
sporty isbutfirm
notand sporty but not
uncomfortable. uncomfortable.
Inside the cabin, the styling Aggressive appearance Lots of engine, road, and
Inside the cabin, the styling is modern but modest, with sporty, wind noise
is modern but modest, with sporty, bolstered bucket seats in front Quick and responsive
bolstered bucket seats in front and tight seating in back. The steering Tight rear seat
and tight
cargo area isn’tseating in back.
very large, andThe thecargo area isn’t
rear hatch very
feels large,toand the rear
heavy
Good acceleration Heavy rear hatch
close. hatch feels heavy
The Corolla to close. The
Hatchback’s Corolla Hatchback’s
EPA-estimated EPA-estimated
fuel economy is
fuel economy
very good, at 30 mpg is very
city/38good,mpgathighway/33
30 mpg city/38 mpgmpg highway/33 mpg
combined.
combined.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.62 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 6.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3120
Acceleration: 4.94
Exterior length (in): 169.9
Braking: 7.35 Exterior width (in): 69.9
Crashworthiness: 7.87 Exterior height (in): 57.1
Handling: 7.75 Wheelbase (in): 103.9
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 6.81
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 3.88 Tire manufacturer and size: Yokohama 225/40 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 5.82 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.80 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 4.54
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.58 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. DOHC 16-Valve
Engine horsepower: 168 @ 6600

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 COMPACT NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Volkswagen Golf SE Volkswagen Golf SE
Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE
Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle LOWEST Base Price: $25,245
HIGHEST RANKING

7
67.74 48.94 Price as Tested $26,140
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1200
67.74
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 13.2
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR
EPA City mpg: AVERAGE 29 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED37
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................13.2
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................29
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 32 0 3 0
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................37
Rear cross traffic warning
EPA Combined mpg: ................................32
Lane-departure warning
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,200
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $25,245; PRICE AS TESTED: $26,140
Forward-collision warning Auto Club Average MPG: 30.0
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
The Volkswagen Golf has always been more than just good basic
Overall Observations
transportation—it’s a dynamically capable “modern hatchback,” to AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Volkswagen Golf has always
use VW’s terminology. been is
The exterior more than justVW
recognizably goodandbasic
little • Forward-collision warning
• Rearview camera
transportation—it’s a dynamically capable “modern hatchback,”
changed since a 2015 redesign. The interior is modern though • Blind-spot warning • Forward automatic
to use VW’s terminology. The exterior is recognizably VW and emergency braking
a bit bland,
little changed sincewith supportive,
a 2015 well-bolstered
redesign. The interior seats, good front-
is modern • Rear cross-traffic warning
Strong/Weak Point • Advanced headlights
thoughseata bitheadroom,
bland, with and a racecar-like
supportive, flat-bottomed
well-bolstered steering
seats, good wheel • Lane-departure warning
and headroom,
front-seat paddle shifters.
andThe rear seats have
a racecar-like only decentsteering
flat-bottomed headroom • Lane-keeping assistance
wheel andand legroom,
paddle shifters. The Strong Points
however. Therear
Golfseats have onlybydecent
SE is powered a 1.4-liter • Adaptive cruise control
• Great ride quality Weak Points
headroom and legroom, however. The Golf SE is powered by a
turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 147 hp and 184 lb-ft of • Sporty handling • Transmission can be jerky
1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 147 hp and
torque.
184 lb-ft Despite
of torque. these modest
Despite numbers,
these modest the Golfthe
numbers, accelerates
Golf well. • Long basic warranty: 6 at low speeds
STRONG miles
years/72,000 POINTS • WEAK POINTS
Bland interior
The engine
accelerates is mated
well. The engineto aisnew 8-speed
mated automatic
to a new that feels much
8-speed • Steering, thoughcanquick, can at
Great ride quality Transmission be jerky
like athat
automatic dual-clutch
feels much transmission in the waytransmission
like a dual-clutch it shifts—quicker, although
in the be too
lowlight in effort
speeds
way it shifts—quicker, although jerky
in this instance sometimes in this
at instance
low speeds. sometimes
Handlingjerky
is fun and Sporty handling
at low sporty.
speeds. Handling is fun and sporty. The steering is quick Bland interior
The steering is quick and responsive, although the effort Long basic warranty:
and responsive, although the effort can, at times, be too light. 6 years/72,000 miles Steering, though quick, can
can, at times, be too light. for The ride car:
quality is excellent
controlledforand
a small
The ride quality is excellent a small well be too light in effort
comfortable. The Golf SE’s fuel economy is very good, at an EPA- is
car: well controlled and comfortable. The Golf SE’s fuel economy
rated atvery
29good, at an EPA-rated
mpg city/37 29 mpg city/37
mpg highway/32 mpg highway/32
mpg combined. Another mpg
nice perk: The Golf’s
combined. basic
Another nicewarranty
perk: Theis unusually
Golf’s basiclong: 6 is unusually
warranty
years/72,000 miles.
long: 6 years/72,000 miles.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.40 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3000
Acceleration: 5.08
Exterior length (in): 167.6
Braking: 5.35 Exterior width (in): 70.8
Crashworthiness: 5.26 Exterior height (in): 58.2
Handling: 7.58 Wheelbase (in): 103.8
Restraint type: 6 air bags
Ride quality: 7.81
Warranty (months/miles): 72/72,000
Interior size: 5.79 Tire manufacturer and size: Hankook 205/55 R16
Ease of entry and exit: 6.79 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.80 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Auto 8 speed
Interior noise: 4.54
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.33 Engine/motor: 1.4L 4-Cyl. Turbo TSI
Engine horsepower: 147 @ 5000

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AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 137
COMPACT NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Honda Civic Si Honda Civic Si

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
Score For This Vehicle Base Price: $24,300 CATEGORY
LOWEST HIGHEST RANKING

8
67.39 48.94 Price as Tested $25,195
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1300
67.39
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 12.4
EPA City mpg: REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 28 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED38
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................12.4
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................28
NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 32 0 3 2
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................38
EPA Combined mpg: ................................32
ANNUAL FUEL COST
$1,300
BASE PRICE: $24,300; PRICE AS TESTED: $25,195 Auto Club Average MPG: 32.2
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Small sporty sedans are on the endangered species list, as crossover
Overall Observations
SUVs continue to grow in popularity. The Honda Civic Si, one of the AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Small sporty
originalsedans are on carries
sports sedans, the endangered
on today, andspecies list, as
still offers a manual
crossover SUVs continue to grow in popularity. The Honda Civic • Rearview camera
transmission. (It’s also available as a coupe.) Typical of the breed, the
Si, one of the original sports sedans, carries on today, and still
offers aSi manual
has heavily bolstered low
transmission. seats
(It’s alsothat you have
available asto a climb
coupe.)into; a three-
Typicalspoke
of thesteering
breed, wheel
the Siand
hasfaux carbon
heavily fiber onlow
bolstered theseats
dash confi
that rm Strong/Weak Point
you haveits sporty reputation.
to climb A tablet-like steering
into; a three-spoke display handles
wheel andentertainment
faux
carbonand fiber on the dash confirm Strong Points
vehicle settings, but the its
lacksporty reputation.
of volume knob for A the
tablet-
radio is • Sporty handling; quick, Weak Points
like display handles entertainment and vehicle settings, but the
annoying. The 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine produces 205 hp responsive steering • Firm ride quality
lack of volume knob for the radio is annoying. The 1.5-liter turbo • Low vehicle height and
and engine
providesproduces
strong acceleration; • Excellent 6-speed manual
4-cylinder 205 hp andit’s mated tostrong
provides an excellent 6-speed
manualit’s transmission STRONGand
transmission POINTS
clutch WEAKposition
seating POINTS
acceleration; mated to (no automatic6-speed
an excellent is available).
manualThe engine is a bit braking • No volume knob for the radio
Sporty handling; quick, Firm ride quality
loud during
transmission acceleration,
(no automatic but that diminishes
is available). The engineat cruising
is a bitspeeds.
loud
responsive steering
during The
acceleration, but that
shifter is precise, anddiminishes
the clutchat cruising
is light and speeds. The
easy to modulate. Low vehicle height
shifter is precise, and the clutch is light and easy to modulate. Excellent 6-speed and seating position
Handling is excellent for a FWD vehicle, due in part to the standard manual transmission
Handling is excellent for a FWD vehicle, due in part to the No volume knob
standardlimited-slip differential,
limited-slip which
differential, minimizes
which wheelwheel
minimizes spin andspinimproves
and for the radio
improvestraction. RideRide
traction. quality is on the
quality is onfirm
theside
firmand can
side andbecan
roughbeover
rough uneven
over unevenpavement.pavement.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.40 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 3.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 2900
Acceleration: 6.27
Exterior length (in): 182.8
Braking: 10.00 Exterior width (in): 70.8
Crashworthiness: 5.18 Exterior height (in): 55.5
Handling: 9.40 Wheelbase (in): 106.3
Restraint type: 8 air bags
Ride quality: 7.36
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 4.32 Tire manufacturer and size: Goodyear 235/40 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 6.78 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.40 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Manual 6 speed
Interior noise: 3.08
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.21 Engine/motor: 1.5L 4-Cyl. Turbo
Engine horsepower: 205 @ 5700

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 COMPACT NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Kia Forte EX Kia Forte EX

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $21,990
HIGHEST RANKING

9
67.13 48.94 Price as Tested $23,010
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1100
67.13
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 14.0
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 30 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED40
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................14.0
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................30
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 34 0 3 0
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................40
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................34
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,100
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $21,990; PRICE AS TESTED: $23,010
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 30.4
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
Kia’s Forte, fully redesigned for 2019, is a sporty compact sedan
Overall Observations
that’s a viable alternative to the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Kia’s Forte,
The Fortefullystands
redesigned
out with foravailable
2019, isadvanced
a sporty compact
safety andsedan
technology
that’s a viable alternative to the Toyota Corolla and the Honda • Rearview camera • Forward-collision warning
features, many of which are standard. The exterior is attractive, • Blind-spot warning • Forward automatic
Civic. A good value, the Forte stands out with available advanced
safety with
and styling like that
technology of the larger
features, manyOptimaof which and
are the sporty Stinger.
standard. The • Rear cross-traffic warning emergency braking
exteriorThe interior haswith
is attractive, modernstylingstyling
like as
thatwell.
of The front bucket
the larger Optima seats
andare Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning • Advanced headlights
sporty
the sporty and firm,
Stinger. Thewith a slightly
interior has low seat height.
modern styling,An as8-inch
well. navigation/
The • Lane-keeping assistance
front bucket seats are sporty and display,
firm, with a slightly Strong Points
entertainment touch-screen located in thelow seatof the
center • Adaptive cruise control
• Quick, responsive steering Weak Points
height. An 8-inch navigation/entertainment touch-screen display,
dash, is easy to use. It features both Apple CarPlay and Android • Sporty handling • Low power and torque
located in the center of the dash, is easy to use. It features both • Soft brake pedal
Auto. Dual automatic • Long warranties, including
Apple CarPlay and Androidclimate
Auto. Dualcontrol is standard.
automatic The Forte’s
climate controlrear
• WEAK
seat is The
spacious for rear
two adults,
a 5STRONG POINTS
year/60,000 mile basic POINTS
Ride quality, though
is standard. Forte’s seat isand the trunk
spacious foristwo
large and deep.
adults, and warranty comfortable, isn’t well-
Quick, responsive steering Low power and torque
Unfortunately,
the trunk is large andthe 2.0-liter
deep. 4-cylinder engine—the
Unfortunately, the 2.0-liter only one offered—
4-cylinder controlled
engineproduces
- the onlyjust one offered
147 hp and - produces
132 lb-ft ofjust 147 allowing
torque, hp and 132 lb-ft
for only Sporty handling Soft brake pedal
of torque, allowing for only adequate acceleration. The Forte has Long warranties, including Ride quality, though
adequate acceleration. The Forte has responsive steering, but it lacks
responsive steering, but it lacks feel. The new CVT transmission a 5-year/60,000-mile basic comfortable, isn’t
feel. The new
shifts smoothly, andCVT transmission
overall drivability shifts smoothly,
is good. and overall
Handling drivability
is sporty warranty well controlled
and fun,is good. Handlingthe
and generally is sporty and fun,
ride quality is and generally the
comfortable, ride quality is
although
it’s notcomfortable,
well-controlled although it’s notroads.
over rough well controlled over rough
Fuel economy, at anroads. Fuel
EPA-estimated
economy,30 mpg
at an city/40 mpg 30
EPA-estimated highway/34
mpg city/40 mpg mpg combined,
highway/34
is very good.
mpg combined, is very good.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.83 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 5.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 2900
Acceleration: 4.49
Exterior length (in): 182.7
Braking: 7.88 Exterior width (in): 70.9
Crashworthiness: 6.18 Exterior height (in): 56.5
Handling: 6.65 Wheelbase (in): 106.3
Restraint type: 6 air bags
Ride quality: 7.10
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 5.39 Tire manufacturer and size: Kumho 225/45 R17
Ease of entry and exit: 6.85 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.60 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 4.95
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.21 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. DOHC 16-Valve
Engine horsepower: 147 @ 6200

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AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 139
COMPACT NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Honda Civic TouringHonda Civic Touring

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE
Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle LOWEST Base Price: $26,800
HIGHEST RANKING

10
65.33 48.94 Price as Tested $27,695
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1000
65.33
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 12.4
EPA City mpg: REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 32 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED42
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................12.4
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................32
Lane-departure warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 36 0 3 0
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................42
Lane keeping assistance
EPA Combined mpg: ................................36
Adaptive cruise control ANNUAL FUEL COST
Forward-collision warning $1,000
Forward automatic emergency braking
BASE PRICE: $26,800; PRICE AS TESTED: $27,695
Auto Club Average MPG: 29.6
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The Honda Civic was one of the best-selling cars in the U.S., and it’s
Overall Observations
still in the top 20 vehicles sold. But in recent years, it’s lost market AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Honda share Civic was oneand
to crossovers of the best-selling
SUVs—a 14 percent cars in the
drop U.S.,for
in 2018, and
• Rearview camera • Forward automatic
it’s still in the top 20 vehicles sold. But in recent years, it’s lost
example. Nevertheless, the Civic is a good choice if you’re looking • Lane-departure warning emergency braking
market share to crossovers and SUVs—a 14 percent drop in
2018, for for example.
a compactNevertheless,
sedan with a conventional
the Civic is powertrain.
a good choiceIts medium-
if • Lane-keeping assistance

you’re size exterior

looking for acontains
compact a roomy
sedaninterior. The sporty front bucket seats
with a conventional Strong/Weak Point
• Adaptive cruise control
are a snug
powertrain. fit, but headroom
Its medium-size exterioris very good.aAlthough
contains the backseat
roomy interior. • Forward-collision warning
The sporty front bucket seats areheadroom,
a snug fit,there’s
but headroom is very Strong Points
is snug, with only adequate surprisingly good • Sporty handling; quick, Weak Points
good. Although the backseat is snug, with only adequate
legroom. The trunk is big and deep, especially for a compact. responsive steering • Low-speed drivability can be
headroom, there’s surprisingly good legroom. The trunk is big
and deep, Our especially
test Civic was forpowered
a compact. by aOur1.5-liter turbocharged
test Civic was powered4-cylinder • Advanced safety features somewhat rough
engineturbocharged
that produces 4-cylinder
174 hp andengineacceptable—although slightly STRONG
including POINTS
forward-collision WEAK POINTS
• Infotainment touch screen
by a 1.5-liter that produces 174 warning, lane-keeping too sensitive, prone to
Sporty handling; quick, Low-speed drivability can
hp andslow—acceleration.
acceptable - although The engine
slightlyis slow
paired to a good CVTThe
- acceleration. and exhibits assist,responsive
and forward misoperation
steering be somewhat rough
enginemostly
is pairedgoodto drivability,
a good CVT butand exhibits
suffers mostly
from slight good at low speeds.
surging automatic emergency • Excessive wind noise
drivability, but suffers from slight surging at low speeds. Steering Many advanced
braking (standard on the safety Infotainment touch screen
Steering is quick and responsive, handling is sharp and sporty, features are available too sensitive, prone to
is quick and responsive, handling is sharp and sporty, and the Touring model)
and the ride quality is slightly fi rm. A tablet-like
ride quality is slightly firm. A tablet-like display handles display handles • Reasonably
Reasonablypriced:
priced:
misoperation
entertainment
entertainment and vehicle
and vehicle settings,
settings, butradio
but the the radio
hashasno no volume
volume $26,800 as tested
$27,695 as tested Excessive wind noise
knob, which
knob, which some some
people people
may findmayannoying.
find annoying. FuelFuel economy
economy is is
excellent at an EPA-estimated
excellent at an EPA-estimated 32 mpg
32 mpgcity/42 mpgmpg
city/42 highway/36
highway/36 mpg
mpg combined.
combined.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 5.21 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 3.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 2920
Acceleration: 5.75
Exterior length (in): 182.3
Braking: 5.37 Exterior width (in): 70.8
Crashworthiness: 7.19 Exterior height (in): 55.7
Handling: 6.86 Wheelbase (in): 106.3
Restraint type: 8 air bags
Ride quality: 7.67
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 4.46 Tire manufacturer and size: Firestone 215/50 R17
Ease of entry and exit: 6.89 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.30 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 5.41
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.21 Engine/motor: 1.5L 4-Cyl. Turbo
Engine horsepower: 174 @ 6000

140 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 20

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 COMPACT NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Ford Focus Titanium Ford Focus

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $24,175
HIGHEST RANKING

11
62.08 48.94 Price as Tested $27,430
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1300
62.08
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 12.4
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 24 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED34
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................12.4
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................24
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 28 0 2 6
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................34
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................28
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Advanced headlights $1,300
BASE PRICE: $24,175; PRICE AS TESTED: $27,430 Auto Club Average MPG: 26.0
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Going up against the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla is a difficult
Overall Observations
task. But the Ford Focus Titanium sedan takes up the challenge AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Going with
up against the Honda
sporty handling, Civic and
available Toyota Corolla
entertainment is a difficultand
and technology,
task. But the Ford Focus Titanium sedan takes up the challenge • Rearview camera
value. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, if slightly • Blind-spot warning
with sporty handling, available entertainment and technology,
snug.The
and value. Thefront
dashboard appears
seats are hard, butand
comfortable it’s made of a soft-touch
supportive, if • Rear cross-traffic warning
slightlymaterial.
snug. The Thedashboard
entertainment and navigation
appears hard, but systems
it’s made areofhoused
a in an Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning
8-inch
soft-touch touch screen
material. controlled by Ford’s
The entertainment easy-to-usesystems
and navigation Sync software. • Advanced headlights
are housed in an is8-inch touchfront
screen controlled by Ford’s easy- Strong Points
Headroom adequate and rear, and though the rear seat is • Sporty handling Weak Points
to-use Sync software. Headroom is adequate front and rear, and
tight, it works fine for two people. The trunk is big and deep, with just • Good ride quality • Coarse, noisy engine
though the rear seat is tight, it works fine for two people. The
• Easy-to-use Sync • Automatic dual-clutch
trunk isover
big 13andcubic
deep, feetwith
of space. Our13
just over test car was
cu.ft. powered
of space. Ourbytest
a 2.0-liter
inline 4-cylinder engine inline
mated4-cylinder
to a 6-speed dual-clutch STRONG POINTS
navigation/entertainment WEAK POINTS
transmission is rough at low
car was powered by 2.0-liter engine mated automatic
to a 6- system speeds
speed transmission. Sporty handling Coarse, noisy engine
Like many transmission.
dual-clutch automatic 4-cylinder engines Like today,
many it’s not very
4-cylinder • Lots of advanced safety • Rear seat is tight
engines today,and
smooth it’s isnot very smooth
somewhat noisy.and is somewhat
Additionally, noisy.
the transmission lacks Good
features ride
in an quality
inexpensive Automatic dual-clutch
Additionally, the transmission lacks smoothness at low speeds. vehicle transmission is rough at
smoothness at low speeds. The steering is responsive but lacks feel. Easy-to-use Sync
The steering is responsive but lacks feel. Handling is good - even low speeds
navigation/entertainment
Handling
a bit sporty - forisagood—even
small sedan. a bit
Thesporty—for
same isatrue smallforsedan. The same is
the ride system Rear seat is tight
quality,true for the
which ride composed
is very quality, which
forisavery
smallcomposed
car. The for a small
best part,car. The
Lots of advanced safety
though,best part,
is the though,
price is the price—$27,430
- $27,430 as tested for the as tested for the
high-end high-end
Titanium features in an inexpensive
version.Titanium version. vehicle

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.35 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3080
Acceleration: 3.55
Exterior length (in): 178.7
Braking: 5.09 Exterior width (in): 80.5
Crashworthiness: 4.83 Exterior height (in): 57.8
Handling: 7.28 Wheelbase (in): 104.3
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 6.95
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 3.80 Tire manufacturer and size: Continental 215/50 R17
Ease of entry and exit: 6.37 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.30 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Auto 6 speed
Interior noise: 4.59
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 0.97 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. TI-VCT GDI
Engine horsepower: 160 @ 6500

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COMPACT NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Nissan Sentra SV Nissan Sentra SV

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle LOWEST Base Price: $19,085
HIGHEST RANKING

12
60.88 48.94 Price as Tested $19,970
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1100
60.88
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 13.2
EPA City mpg: REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 29 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................13.2
Highway mpg: 37
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................29
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 4 EPA Combined mpg: 32 0 2 7
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................37
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick (with optional front
EPA Combined mpg: ................................32
Adaptive cruise control crash prevention and specific headlights) ANNUAL FUEL COST
Forward automatic emergency braking $1,100
BASE PRICE: $19,085; PRICE AS TESTED: $19,970
Auto Club Average MPG: 26.9
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The seventh-generation Nissan Sentra, last fully redesigned in 2018 (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
Overall Observations
2013, must continually compete with two compact car icons—the AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The seventh-generation
Toyota Corolla and Nissan the Honda Sentra,
Civic.last
But fully
with redesigned in space,
its large interior • Rearview camera
2013, must
relatively low price, and available advanced safety features,the
continually compete with two compact car icons - it’s up to
Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. But with its large interior • Blind-spot warning
the task. We tested the second-lowest
space, relatively low price, and available advanced safety SV trim level. The front seating • Rear cross-traffic warning
area
features, it’sis up
spacious,
to the with
task.plenty of headroom.
We tested The dashboard
the second-lowest is low,
SV trim Strong/Weak Point
• Adaptive cruise control
providing
level. The good front
front seating area visibility. The rear
is spacious, withseat is alsoofroomy, with good
plenty • Forward automatic
headroom. Theand dashboard is low, providing Strong Points braking
emergency
legroom headroom for two, and thegood trunkfront visibility. large
is surprisingly
The rear seat is also roomy, with good legroom and headroom • Spacious cabin Weak Points
and deep. The Sentra’s 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine produces only 124 • Large trunk with fold-down • Slow acceleration
for two, and the trunk is surprisingly large and deep. The Sentra’s
1.8-literhp4-cylinder
and 125 lb-ft of torque, so acceleration is and
leisurely.
125 But
lb-fttheof CVT
seats • Bland steering and handling
engine produces only 124 hp STRONG
• Many POINTS
advanced driver- WEAK
• Soft POINTS
brake pedal, with long
transmission is smooth and features preprogrammed
torque, so acceleration is leisurely. But the CVT transmission is shift points,
assistance safety
Spacious systems
cabin stopping
Slow distances in
acceleration
smoothsoand it feels like a conventional
features preprogrammed automatic transmission.
shift points, The steering
so if feels like are available everyday driving
a conventional
and handling automatic
are fine, transmission.
although notThe at allsteering
sporty. Manyand advanced Large trunk with Bland steering and
handling arefeatures
fine, although not at including
all sporty.forward
Many advanced fold-down seats handling
safety are available, automatic emergency
safety features are available, including forward automatic Many advanced Soft brake pedal, with
braking, blind-spot warning, and rear
emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic cross-traffi c warning. The driver-assistance long stopping distances
Sentra’s fuel economy is also very
warning. The Sentra’s fuel economy is also very good: good: 29 mpg city/37
29 mpgmpg safety systems in everyday driving
city/37highway/32
mpg highway/32 mpg combined.
mpg combined. It was an IIHS Top
It was Safety
an IIHS TopPick for 2018. are available
Safety Pick for 2018.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.40 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 2900
Acceleration: 2.64
Exterior length (in): 182.1
Braking: 4.90 Exterior width (in): 69.3
Crashworthiness: 5.18 Exterior height (in): 58.9
Handling: 6.92 Wheelbase (in): 106.3
Restraint type: 6 air bags
Ride quality: 6.52
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 5.12 Tire manufacturer and size: Continental 205/55 R16
Ease of entry and exit: 6.94 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 5.30 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 4.76
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.21 Engine/motor: 1.8L 4-Cyl DOHC
Engine horsepower: 124 @ 6000

142 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 54

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 COMPACT NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Hyundai Elantra EcoHyundai Elantra Eco
Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE
Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $20,550
HIGHEST RANKING

13
58.39 48.94 Price as Tested $21,560
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1050
58.39
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 14.0
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 32 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED40
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................14.0
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................32
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 4 EPA Combined mpg: 35 0 2 9
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................40
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick + (with optional front
EPA Combined mpg: ................................35
crash prevention and specific headlights)
ANNUAL FUEL COST
$1,050
BASE PRICE: $20,550; PRICE AS TESTED: $21,560 Auto Club Average MPG: 29.3
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Hyundai’s sixth-generation Elantra was redesigned for 2017, giving it 2018 (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
Overall Observations
a sleeker shape. It remains competitive in the compact-car segment AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Hyundai’s sixth-generation
because it offers manyElantra
standardwas redesigned
safety for 2017,
features and good fuel • Adaptive cruise control
giving it a sleeker shape. It remains competitive in the compact- Rearview camera
•
economy at a low price. Inside the cabin, front seat space is good Blind-spot warning
• • Forward-collision warning
car segment because it offers many standard safety features and
andeconomy
good fuel the seats are
at acomfortable. In the the
low price. Inside backseat,
cabin,headroom
front seatand • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
Strong/Weak Point emergency braking
space legroom
is good andare fithe
ne, seats
but overall the rear cabinInfeels
are comfortable. the narrow.
backseat,The Eco • Lane-departure warning
version
headroom andhas the most
legroom arefuel-effi cient
fine, but of thethe
overall Elantra’s engines:
rear cabin a 1.4-liter
feels • Lane-keeping assistance
narrow.turbocharged
The Eco version has the Strong Points
4-cylinder thatmost
makes fuel-efficient
128 hp and of the
156 lb-ft of torque. • Nicely styled cabin Weak Points
Elantra’s engines: a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder that makes
That’s 19 hp less than the next engine up, so, as you might imagine, • Large trunk • Low power, slow
128 hp and 156 lb-ft of torque. That’s 19 hp less than the next acceleration
• Many advanced driver
engineacceleration
up, so as you is slow.
mightThe engine is
imagine, mated to a 7-speed
acceleration is slow. dual-clutch
The • WEAK
STRONG
safety featuresPOINTS
are standard POINTS
Jerky dual-clutch
enginetransmission,
is mated to a a type normally
7-speed found on
dual-clutch performanceavehicles.
transmission, type In transmission
Nicely styled cabin Low power, slow
thefound
normally Elantra’s
on case, it deliversvehicles.
performance jerky shifts.
In The
the Elantra
Elantra’shascase,
light-effort
it • Poor EPA smog rating
acceleration
delivers jerky shifts.
steering and a The Elantra ride.
comfortable has a light
The effort
body steering
feels andAvailable
very solid. a Large trunk
comfortable ride. The body feels very solid. Standard advanced Jerky dual-clutch
advanced safety technology includes blind-spot warning, rear cross- Many advanced driver
safety technology includes blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic transmission
safety features are standard
traffi
warning, c warning,
forward forward-collision
collision warning, lane-departure
warning, lane-departure warning, andwarning,
Poor EPA smog rating
and lane-keeping
lane-keeping assist. Fuel assistance.
economyFuel economy
is very good,isatvery
an good, at an EPA-
EPA-rated
ratedcity/40
at 32 mpg 32 mpg city/40
mpg mpg highway/35
highway/35 mpg combined.
mpg combined. But oddly,Butthe
oddly,
EPA’s the
smog rating
EPA’s smog is rating
poor: is
3 poor:
out of3aoutpossible 10. 10.
of a possible

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 5.02 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 3.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 2840
Acceleration: 4.20
Exterior length (in): 179.9
Braking: 2.42 Exterior width (in): 70.9
Crashworthiness: 4.62 Exterior height (in): 56.5
Handling: 6.80 Wheelbase (in): 106.3
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 7.05
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 5.44 Tire manufacturer and size: Nexen 195/65 R15
Ease of entry and exit: 6.62 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 7.00 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Auto 7 speed
Interior noise: 5.12
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.09 Engine/motor: 1.4L 4-Cyl. Turbo GDI
Engine horsepower: 128 @ 5500

AAA.com/greencar 27
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 143
 BASE PRICE: $35,000; PRICE AS TESTED: $56,000

MIDSIZE
MIDSIZE
WINNER

TESLA
Midsize cars are still among the most popular
vehicles, although they continue to lose sales
to SUVs and pickups. Total midsize car sales
in 2018 were about 2.2 million (out of 17.33 Model 3 Long Range—RWD
million vehicles total), down about 14 percent
from the year before. No car in recent years has been as highly anticipated as the Tesla
Regardless of trends, however, midsize
Model 3. But does it live up to expectations? In many ways, yes. The
cars have a lot going for them. Because the
exterior is sleek and aerodynamic—the Model 3 looks like it’s moving
segment is so competitive, they offer a lot of
even at a standstill. The cabin is snug and dominated by a 15-inch
bang for the buck, arguably as much or more
display that looks like a PC monitor. Most of the Model 3’s controls
than any other vehicle category. For about
$30,000, you can buy a really great new or are in the big central display; the first few times you drive the car,
low-mileage used midsize car that’s stylish, it feels strange not to have gauges and instruments in front of you.
comfortable, a pleasure to drive, big enough Initially, drivers have to hunt around the screen to accomplish a task.
for five people, fuel-efficient, reliable, and The Model 3’s electric powertrain—one 271-hp electric motor—is
chock-full of the latest safety and convenience smooth and powerful. Acceleration is quick, with a 0–60 mph time of
features. 5.4 seconds. The range for the Long Range version is 310 miles. Both
In the 2019 AAA Green Car Guide, we RWD and AWD are available. Steering and handling are excellent and
review 15 midsize cars, ranging from the appropriate for a sports sedan. Ride quality is well controlled but a
moderately priced (Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, bit firm. In sum, the Tesla Model 3 is not just a smaller version of the
Toyota Camry) to the higher end of the scale
Model S, but stands on its own as a stellar midsize sports sedan.
(BMW 530e, Lexus 300h, Tesla Model 3). As
you’d expect, midsize cars cost more to own
and operate than small cars—about $2,100
more per year, according to the 2018 AAA Your
Driving Costs study. That may be the segment’s
only downside.

AAA.com/greencar
 MIDSIZE ELECTRIC
Tesla Model 3 Long Range - RWD

Green Car Scores Vehicle Price

Score For This Vehicle Base Price: $35,000
85.81 Price as Tested $56,000
Annual Fuel Cost: $500
120V Charge Time: 6 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 31 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity
DC Fast Charger: 170 miles in 30 minutes Battery Capacity (kWh): 70
EPA City MPGe: 136
Available Safety Features
EPA Highway MPGe: 123
Rearview camera
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined MPGe: 130
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning
Lane keeping assistance EPA Estimated Range: 310
Adaptive cruise control
Forward-collision warning
Forward automatic emergency braking
Advanced headlights
Overall Observations
No car in recent years has been as highly anticipated as the
Tesla Model 3. But does it live up to expectations? In many ways,
yes. TheNHTSA SAFETY
exterior RATING
is sleek and aerodynamic - the Model 3 looks
like it’s moving even at a standstill. The cabin is snug and
dominatedAVAILABLE SAFETY
by a 15-inch FEATURES
display that looks like a PC monitor. Most OVERALL SCOREPoint
Strong/Weak
Rearview
of the •Model 3’s camera • Adaptive
controls are in the big central cruisethe
display; control
first CATEGORY
LOWEST HIGHEST RANKING
Blind-spot warning Forward-collision
few times you drive the car, it feels strange not to have gauges
• • warning Strong Points

1
48.94 powerful electric
• Smooth, 93.90
Weak Points
• Rear cross-traffi
and instruments c warning
in front • Forward
of you. Initially, drivers automatic
have to hunt
drivetrain • Center display looks too
around• the screen to accomplish
Lane-departure warning a task. Theemergency
Model 3’sbraking
electric 85.81
• Sporty steering and much like a computer display
powertrain - one 258-hp
• Lane-keeping electric motor - •isAdvanced
assistance smooth and powerful.
headlights handling and may be too complicated
Acceleration is quick, with a 0 - 60 mph time of 5.4 seconds. The • Good driving range: more for some drivers
range STRONG
for the Long Range version is 310WEAK
POINTS miles. POINTS
Both RWD and FUEL
than 300 INFORMATION
miles • Firm ride quality
AWD areSmooth,available. Steering and
powerful electric handling are excellent
Center display looksand too much • Quiet cabin • Slightly heavy steering
Fuel Type: ................................ ELECTRICITY AVERAGE MPG
appropriate for a sports sedan. Ride qualitylike
drivetrain is awell controlled
computer butand
display • Awkward rear-seating
a bit firm. In sum, the Tesla Model 3 is not may just be
a smaller version for Battery Capacity (kWh):.............................70
position AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
too complicated
Sporty
S,steering and to stand on its own as a midsize EV EPA City MPGe: ....................................... 136
of the Model but is able some drivers
handling
sports sedan. EPA Highway MPGe:............................... 123 N / A
Firm ride quality
Good driving range: more EPA Combined MPGe:........................... 130
than 300 miles Slightly heavy steering ANNUAL FUEL COST
EPA Electric Range (mi): ......................... 310 $500
Quiet cabin Awkward rear-seating position
BATTERY 120V: 6 MILES PER HOUR
CHARGE 240V: 31 MILES PER HOUR
TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: 170 MILES IN 30 MINUTES
TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLESPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS

Fuel efficiency: 9.92 Model year tested: 2018

EPA emissions score: 10.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3920
Acceleration: 9.13
Exterior length (in): 184.8
Braking: 5.18 Exterior width (in): 82.2
Crashworthiness: 8.06 Exterior height (in): 56.8
Handling: 7.84 Wheelbase (in): 113.2
Restraint type: 8 air bags
Ride quality: 7.05
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 6.11 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 235/45 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 6.11 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 7.40 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Single speed
Interior noise: 7.79
Drivetrain type: Rear wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.21 Engine/motor: Permanent Magnet
Engine horsepower: N/A
Electric motor horsepower: 271 hp

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019

60 145
MIDSIZE PLUG-IN HYBRID

BMW 530e iPerformance

BMW 530e iPerformance

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $51,400
HIGHEST RANKING

2
79.83 48.94 Price as Tested $66,460
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1250
79.83
120V Charge Time: 2 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 8 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity/Premium
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 12.1
EPA
Fuel Type: .......... City mpg:
ELECTRICITY/PREMIUM AVERAGE 27 MPG
Available Safety Features (GASOLINE AND ELECTRICITY)
Fuel Capacity EPA (gal):.................................12.1
Highway mpg: 31
AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................27
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA ....................................31
EPA Highway mpg: Combined mpg: 29 0 3 1
Rear cross traffic warning EPA CombinedEPA mpg: ................................29
Combined MPGe: 72
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined MPGe:..............................72 ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance EPA EstimatedEPA Estimated
Range Range:
(mi): .......................16 16 miles $1,250
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $51,400; PRICE AS TESTED: $66,460 BATTERY 120V: 2 MILES PER HOUR
Forward-collision warning
CHARGE Auto
240V:Club Average
8 MILES MPG:
PER HOUR 30.8
Forward automatic emergency braking TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: N/A
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS HONORABLE

BMW arrived a little late to the vehicle-electrification

MENTION NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
Overall Observations
party, relying until recently on diesels for high fuel-
BMW arrived a little late to
efficiency numbers. Butthe vehicle-electrification
with the 530e, introducedparty, in relying
until recently on diesels for high fuel-efficiency numbers. But with AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
2018, BMW makes one of its first mainstream attempts at plug-in
the 530e, introduced in 2018, BMW makes one of its first • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
hybridattempts
mainstream power—with mixed results.
at plug-in hybridThe sleek,
power handsome
- with exterior
mixed results. • Forward-collision warning
• Blind-spot warning
Strong/Weak Point
benefi
The sleek, ts from a 2017
handsome redesign.
exterior benefitsInside, theasports
from 2017 seats are quite
redesign. • Forward automatic
• Rear cross-traffic warning
Inside,fithe
rm, reducing
sports seats theirare
comfort.
quiteThe firm,dash features
reducing a 10-inch
their comfort.iPad-like
The emergency braking
• Lane-departure
Strong Points warning
dash features a 10-inch
multifunction iPad-like
display, multifunction
but it’s not display,
well integrated but overall
into the it’s
• Lane-keeping
• Sporty handling assistance Weak Points
not well integrated into the overall design and looks like an
design and looks like an afterthought. In the backseat, headroom and • Strong acceleration • Low electric-only range: 16
afterthought. In the backseat, headroom and legroom are good.
legroom are good. The trunk is battery
deep, but because the battery miles
thepack
• Controlled ride quality
The trunk is deep, but because the pack lies beneath • WEAK
lies beneath the floor, volume STRONG POINTS POINTS
Firm seats covered with
floor, volume is compromised. Theis530e’s
compromised.
drivetrain The 530e’s drivetrain
consists of a hardLow
leather
Sporty handling electric-only range:
consists
2.0-liter of a 2.0-liter
turbocharged turbocharged
4-cylinder engine4-cylinder
(180 hp),engine
a 111-hp (180 hp), a 111- • Small trunk
16 miles
electrichpmotor,
electricand a 9.2-kWh
motor, batterybattery
and a 9.2-kWh pack. Total
pack. power output
Total power is is
output Strong acceleration
248 hp. Despite somewhat limited power for a heavy midsize Firm seats covered with
248 hp. Despite somewhat limited power for a heavy midsize sedan, Controlled ride quality
sedan, the 530e accelerates quickly. Handling is sharp, and the hard leather
the 530e
ride quality accelerates
is very quickly. Handling
good. However, is sharp,
unlike with mostand the ride
BMWs, thequality Small trunk
throttleisand
verythe
good. However,
steering feelunlike with most BMWs,
a bit disconnected fromthethe
throttle
driver.and the
steering
The 530i’s feel apack
battery bit disconnected from the driver.
can be fully recharged Thethan
in less 530i’sthree
battery
hours (240 volts);
pack can be its
fullyall-electric
rechargedrange in lessis about
than three16hours
miles. (240 volts); its
Interestingly, the 530e’s base price (about $53,000) is exactly the
all-electric range is about 16 miles. Interestingly, the 530e’s base price
same as the conventional 530i’s.
(about $51,000) is the same as the conventional 530i’s.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 5.39 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 4340
Acceleration: 6.59
Exterior length (in): 194.6
Braking: 6.43 Exterior width (in): 73.5
Crashworthiness: 8.42 Exterior height (in): 58.4
Handling: 7.25 Wheelbase (in): 117.1
Restraint type: 8 air bags
Ride quality: 8.58
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 5.97 Tire manufacturer and size: Pirelli 245/45R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.00 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 9.10 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 7.50
Drivetrain type: Rear wheel
Cargo capacity: 0.61 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. TwinTurbo
Engine horsepower: 180 @ 4000-6500 (248 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 111 @ 3170

146 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 4

AAA.com/greencar
 MIDSIZE HYBRID
Honda Accord Hybrid Touring
Honda Accord Hybrid Touring

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $34,710
HIGHEST RANKING

3
78.15 48.94 Price as Tested $35,605
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $750
78.15
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 12.8
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR
EPA City mpg: AVERAGE 47 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED47
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................12.8
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................47
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 47 0 4 5
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................47
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick (with specific headlights)
EPA Combined mpg: ................................47
Lane-departure warning
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $750
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $34,710; PRICE AS TESTED: $35,605
Forward-collision warning Auto Club Average MPG: 44.7
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
Even as consumers shun sedans in favor of crossovers, the popular 2018 (with specific headlights)
Overall Observations
Honda Accord soldiers on; the hybrid version is a great fuel-saving AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Even as consumers
family shun sedans
car. The Accord in favor
had a major of crossovers,
redesign the
last year, gaining sleek • Adaptive cruise control
• Rearview camera
popular Honda Accord soldiers on; the hybrid version is a great
fastback styling and interior updates. We tested the highest trim • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
fuel-saving family car. The Accord had a major redesign last
level, the Touring. Our test car had comfortable
year, gaining sleek fastback styling and interior updates. We but fi rm seats and a • Rear cross-traffi c warning • Forward automatic
Strong/Weak Point emergency braking
tested slightly lowertrim
the highest driving position.
level, The dashboard
the Touring. Our testiscarlowhad
also, so forward • Lane-departure warning
• Advanced headlights
visibility
comfortable is good.
but firm seatsAs with
andmany new vehicles,
a slightly the Accord
lower driving Hybrid has
position. • Lane-keeping assistance
The dashboard is display
low also, so forward visibilitywith
is good. As with Strong Points
a tablet-like in the center console, easy-to-use knobs • Great fuel economy: EPA- Weak Points
many new vehicles, the Accord Hybrid has a tablet-like display in
for volume and tuning. The rear seats are comfortable, although rated 47 mpg in combined • Soft brake pedal, with
the center console, with easy-to-use knobs for volume and
the headroom is tight. The trunk is large
tuning. The rear seats are comfortable, although the headroom is and deep. The Accord’s driving somewhat long stopping
2.0-liter 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain is smooth, with great STRONG
• Easy-to-use POINTS
controls WEAK POINTS
distances in everyday driving
tight. The trunk is large and deep. The Accord’s 2.0-liter 4- drivability. • Many advanced safety EPA- • The steering lacks feel
Great fuel economy: Soft brake pedal, with
cylinderThe powertrain
hybrid powertrainmakesis212 hp and
smooth, includes
with great paddle shifters
drivability. Thefor features are47available, • The rear-seatlong
headroom is
rated mpg in combined somewhat stopping
powertrain makes 212 hp and includes paddle shifters
deceleration. Acceleration is adequate, but handling and steering for including forward
driving automatic tight distances in everyday driving
deceleration. Acceleration is adequate, but handling and steering emergency braking and
aren’t as sporty and fun as with some other Accord models. The ride Easy-to-use controls The steering lacks feel
isn’t as sporty and fun as with some other Accord models. The blind-spot warning
quality
ride quality isiscomfortable,
comfortable,ifif aa bit bit soft.
soft. Many
Manyadvanced
advancedsafety
safetysystems
Many advanced safety The rear-seat headroom
systems areare
available,
available, including blind-spot
including warning,
blind-spot forward
warning, automatic
forward features are available is tight
emergency
automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping
braking, lane-keepingassistance.
assist, and road-
departure mitigation.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 6.74 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3400
Acceleration: 6.34
Exterior length (in): 192.2
Braking: 5.43 Exterior width (in): 73.3
Crashworthiness: 8.11 Exterior height (in): 57.1
Handling: 6.51 Wheelbase (in): 111.4
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 8.19
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 5.33 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 225/50 R17
Ease of entry and exit: 7.19 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 9.00 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 6.86
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.45 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. i-VTEC
Engine horsepower: 143 @ 6200 (212 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 181 hp

AAA.com/greencar 17
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 147
MIDSIZE NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Honda Accord Touring

Honda Accord Touring

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $33,800
HIGHEST RANKING

4
76.38 48.94 Price as Tested $34,690
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1150
76.38
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 14.8
EPA City mpg: REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 29 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED35
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................14.8
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................29
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 31 0 2 8
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................35
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick (with specific headlights)
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................31
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,150
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $33,800; PRICE AS TESTED: $34,690
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 27.5
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The Honda Accord underwent a major redesign for 2018, gaining 2018 (with specific headlights)
Overall Observations
sleek fastback styling and a new interior. Our Accord Touring test car AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Honda Accord
was well underwent
equipped, a major redesign
with comfortable seats andfora2018,
slightlygaining
low seating • Rearview camera • Forward-collision warning
sleek fastback styling and a new interior. Our Accord Touring test
position. Honda’s two-tiered center-stack display is gone, replaced • Blind-spot warning • Forward automatic
car was well-equipped, with comfortable seats and a slightly low
seatingbyposition.
a tablet-like display
Honda’s with easy-to-use
two-tiered knobs for
center-stack volume
display and tuning
is gone, • Lane-departure warning emergency braking
of the
replaced by infotainment system. Honda’s
a tablet-like display LaneWatch
with easy-to-use system
knobs for(a right-side Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-keeping assistance
volumerear-facing
and tuning camera)
of the has been replaced
infotainment by a Honda’s
system. more conventional blind- • Adaptive cruise control
LaneWatch system (asystem
right-side Strong Points
spot monitoring thatrear-facing camera)
works well. The has engine—a
new base been
• Sharp, sporty handling Weak Points
replaced by a more conventional blind-spot monitoring system
1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder—comes up short, however. It’s not • Good fuel economy—31 • Low power and torque
that works well. The new base engine - a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-
very
cylinder smoothup
- comes and is noisy
short, when revved.
however. It’s notInvery
addition,
smoothit generates
and is only
mpg in combined driving • The engine sounds
192 hp, so the InAccord isn’t quick. The CVT transmission, though, STRONG steering
• Responsive POINTS WEAK POINTS
unrefined
noisy when revved. addition, it generates only 192 hp, so the is • Many available advanced • Soft suspension intorque
normal
Sharp, sporty handling Low power and
Accordsmooth and isThe
isn’t quick. equipped with paddle shifters.
CVT transmission, though, Handling
is smooth is sporty
and and safety features, including setting
is equipped
fun, andwith
thepaddle
steering shifters. Handling isRide
is very responsive. sporty andisfun,
quality and
somewhat Good fuel economy—31
automatic emergency The engine
• Automatic sounds
climate control
the steering is very responsive. Ride quality is somewhat soft in mpg
braking inblind-spot
and combined driving has unrefi ned time holding
a difficult
soft in the normal setting. Drivers can firm that up by choosing the
the normal setting. Drivers can firm that up by choosing the sport monitoring
Responsive steering the indicated temperature
Soft suspension in normal
setting,sport
but setting,
then thebut then the- which
steering steering—which
is perfectisinperfect
normal in normal
mode -mode— Many available advanced
setting
tightens
tightens up tooup too much.
much. The EPA-estimated
The EPA-estimated fuelfuel economy
economy forfor the
the safety features Automatic climate control
AccordAccord
Touring Touring
is 29 is 29 mpg
mpg city/35
city/35 mpgmpg highway/31
highway/31 mpgmpg combined.
combined. has a difficult time holding
the indicated temperature

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.16 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3300
Acceleration: 5.41
Exterior length (in): 192.2
Braking: 6.61 Exterior width (in): 73.3
Crashworthiness: 8.02 Exterior height (in): 57.1
Handling: 7.98 Wheelbase (in): 111.4
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 8.25
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 5.80 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 235/40R19
Ease of entry and exit: 7.04 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.90 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 5.77
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.45 Engine/motor: 1.5L 4-Cyl. Turbo DOHC VTEC
Engine horsepower: 192 @ 5500

148 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 18

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 MIDSIZE HYBRID
Toyota Camry SE Hybrid
Toyota Camry SE Hybrid

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $29,500
HIGHEST RANKING

5
74.62 48.94 Price as Tested $33,988
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $800
74.62
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 13.0
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR
EPA City mpg: AVERAGE 44 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED47
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................13.0
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................44
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 46 0 4 3
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................47
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick + (with specific
EPA Combined mpg: ................................46
Lane-departure warning headlights)
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $800
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $29,500; PRICE AS TESTED: $33,988
Forward-collision warning Auto Club Average MPG: 43.1
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The Toyota Camry was completely redesigned for 2018 and now 2018 (with specific headlights)
Overall Observations
sports bold, aggressive sheet metal. Other upgrades include an AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Toyota
improved Camry was completely
drivetrain, better fuelredesigned
economy, and for a2018 and now
suspension tuned • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
sports bold, aggressive sheet metal. Other upgrades include an
for sportier handling. The SE Hybrid's interior features high-quality • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
improved drivetrain, better fuel economy, and a suspension
plastics
tuned for and handling.
sportier knurled aluminum
The SE’strim on the
interior dash. The
features front bucket
high-quality • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
plasticsseats
andare firm but
knurled comfortable.
aluminum All controls
trim on the dash.areThe
easy to use
front and well
bucket Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
marked.
seats are firm butThecomfortable.
backseat is fine Allfor two people
controls but tight
are easy forand
to use three. The • Lane-keeping assistance
well marked. Strong Points
trunk isThelargebackseat
and deepisbecause
fine for the
twohybrid
peoplebattery
but tightpackforis now
• Smooth hybrid powertrain, Weak Points
three. The trunk is large and deep because the hybrid battery
positioned under the backseat. The Camry’s hybrid powertrain—a good drivability • Lacks steering feel
pack is now positioned under the backseat. The Camry’s hybrid
2.5 liter
powertrain - a 4-cylinder engine that
2.5 liter 4-cylinder generates
engine 176 hp, a 118-hp
that generates 176 hp, electric
a
• Surprisingly good handling • Ride is a bit too firm
STRONG
• Excellent fuelPOINTS
economy • WEAK POINTS
Slightly tight backseat
118-hpmotor,
electrica 1.6-kWh
motor, anickel-metal-hydride battery, and battery,
1.6-kWh nickel-metal-hydride a CVT—is smooth, (EPA-estimated 46 mpg
Smooth hybrid powertrain, Lacks steering feel
with great
and a CVT drivability.
- is smooth, Total
with power
great output is
drivability. 208 power
Total hp. Theoutput
SE has combined)
good drivability
is 208 good
hp. The SE has good
acceleration, withacceleration,
responsive and with responsive
sporty handling,and although Ride is a bit too firm
sporty handling, although the steering is imprecise and has an Surprisingly good
the steering is imprecise and has an artificial feel. Adaptive cruise Slightly tight backseat
artificial feel. Adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency handling
brakingcontrol, forward automatic
with pedestrian detection,emergency brakingwarning,
lane-departure with pedestrian
lane- Excellent fuel economy
keeping detection,
assist, andlane-departure warning,
auto high beams arelane-keeping
now standard assistance,
advanced and (EPA-estimated 46 mpg
safety auto high beams
equipment. The are nowSE’s
Hybrid standard advanced is
fuel economy safety equipment. The
an EPA-rated combined)
46 mpgHybrid
in combined
SE’s fuelcity/highway
economy is an driving, excellent
EPA-rated 46 mpg forinacombined
midsized city/
sedan.highway driving, excellent for a midsize sedan.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 6.63 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3620
Acceleration: 5.41
Exterior length (in): 192.7
Braking: 4.81 Exterior width (in): 72.4
Crashworthiness: 8.30 Exterior height (in): 56.9
Handling: 6.28 Wheelbase (in): 111.2
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 8.29
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 5.25 Tire manufacturer and size: Hankook 235/45R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.09 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.90 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 7.44
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.21 Engine/motor: 2.5L 4-Cyl. VVT-I Hybrid
Engine horsepower: 176 @ 5700 (208 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 118 hp

AAA.com/greencar 64
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 149
MIDSIZE HYBRID

Lexus ES 300h Premium

Lexus ES 300h Premium

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $41,310
HIGHEST RANKING

6
73.58 48.94 Price as Tested $48,075
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $800
73.58
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 13.2
EPA City mpg: REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 44 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED45
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA(gal):.................................13.2
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................44
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 44 0 4 1
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................45
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick + (with specific
EPA Combined mpg: ................................44
Lane-departure warning headlights) ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $800
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $41,310; PRICE AS TESTED: $48,075
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 41.3
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
The Lexus ES 300h, introduced in 2013, received a major redesign 2019 (with specific headlights)
Overall Observations
for 2019. Riding on a similar chassis to the Toyota Avalon’s benefits AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Lexus
vehicle ESstability
300h, and introduced
rear-seatinspace.
2013,But received a major
the biggest improvements • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
redesign for 2019. Riding on a similar chassis to the Toyota
for 2019 are ride quality, body structure, and handling. Inside the ES, • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
Avalon’s benefits vehicle stability and rear-seat space. But the
you’ll find a luxurious cabin that looks and
biggest improvements for 2019 are ride quality, body structure, feels more upscale than • Rear cross-traffi c warning • Forward automatic
the outgoing
and handling. Insideversion’s.
the ES,Ayou’ll
new, larger
find a screen
luxuriousfor radio,
cabin navigation,
that Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
and feels
looks and settings
more is controlled by a touchpad.
upscale than the outgoing Theversion.
rear seating area has a
A new, • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
larger screen forof radio, navigation, and settings is controlled Strong Points
great deal legroom, but the headroom is only adequate,by a
because • Smooth hybrid powertrain Weak Points
touchpad. The rear seating area has a great deal of leg room, but
of the sharply sloping roofline. The trunk is larger and shows almost • Comfortable, controlled • Difficult-to-use
the headroom is only adequate, no doubt because of the sharply
no signs of hybrid-battery intrusion. The ES’s
sloping roof line. The trunk is larger and shows almost no signs 2.5-liter 215-hp hybrid ride quality entertainment system
STRONG
• Tight POINTS
body structure • WEAK POINTS
Little steering feel
powertrain intrusion.
of hybrid-battery is very smooth The and
ES’sproduces decent acceleration.
215-hp 2.5-liter inline 4 • Many advanced
Smooth hybridsafety and
powertrain Difficult-to-use
hybrid Handling
powertrain is sportier, and the body
is very smooth structure is
and produces very solid. The steering
decent convenience systems entertainment system
acceleration. Handling
is light and responsiveis sportier, and the
but provides body
little feel.structure
Fuel economyis very
has Comfortable, controlled
available
solid. The steering is light and responsive but provides little feel. ride quality
• Excellent fuel economy Little steering feel
improved to an impressive EPA-estimated 44 mpg combined.
Fuel economy has improved to an impressive EPA-estimated 44 Tight body structure
mpg combined. Many advanced safety
and convenience systems
are available
Excellent fuel economy

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 6.39 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3800
Acceleration: 5.19
Exterior length (in): 195.9
Braking: 2.95 Exterior width (in): 73.4
Crashworthiness: 8.46 Exterior height (in): 56.9
Handling: 5.87 Wheelbase (in): 113.0
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 8.62
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 4.61 Tire manufacturer and size: Bridgestone 235/45 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 6.96 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 9.00 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 7.43
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.09 Engine/motor: 2.5L 4-Cyl. 16-Valve DOHC
Engine horsepower: 176 @ 5700 (215 total)

150 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 40

AAA.com/greencar
 MIDSIZE ELECTRIC
Hyundai Ioniq Electric
HyundaiLimited
Ioniq Eletctric Limited

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $36,000
HIGHEST RANKING

7
73.20 48.94 Price as Tested $36,885
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $500
73.20
120V Charge Time: 5 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 27 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity
FUEL INFORMATION
Battery Capacity (kWh): 28.0
DC Fast Charger: 30 minutes to 80%
Fuel Type: ................................
EPA City MPGe: ELECTRICITY AVERAGE 150 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED122
BY AUTO CLUB
Battery Capacity EPA (kWh):
Highway.............................28
MPGe:
Rearview camera EPA City MPGe: ....................................... 150
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined MPGe:122 136
EPA Highway MPGe:............................... N / A
Rear cross traffic warning EPA Combined MPGe:........................... 136
Lane keeping assistance EPA Electric Range (mi): ......................... 124
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Adaptive cruise control EPA Estimated Range: 124 miles $500
Forward automatic emergency braking
PRICE: $36,000; PRICE AS TESTED: $36,885
BASEheadlights BATTERY 120V: 5 MILES PER HOUR
Advanced CHARGE 240V: 27 MILES PER HOUR
TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: 80% IN 30 MINUTES
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The Hyundai Ioniq EV, one of the midsize hatchback’s three available NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
Overall Observations
powertrains, is very high-tech. With your smartphone, you can
The Hyundai
lock theIoniq EV,start
vehicle, onethe
of engine,
the midsize hatchback’s
schedule and monitor three
the car’s
available powertrains, is very high tech. With your smartphone, AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
charging, adjust the climate controls, and schedule maintenance.
you can lock the vehicle, start the engine, schedule and monitor • Rearview camera • Forward automatic
Thecharging,
the car’s Ionic EV isadjust
powered the by an electric
climate motor
controls, andthat produces 118 hp
schedule emergency braking
• Blind-spot warning
and 218 The
maintenance. lb-ft of torque;
Ionic EV isit’spowered
mated toby a 28-kWh
an electriclithium-ion
motor that polymer Strong/Weak Point
• Rear cross-traffic warning • Advanced headlights
battery.
produces 118The powertrain
hp and 218 lb-ftis very smooth,
of torque; it’sbut overall
mated to power
a 28-kWh is barely • Lane-keeping
Strong Points assistance
lithium-ion polymer
adequate andbattery. The is
acceleration powertrain is verythe
slow. On paper, smooth,
torque butnumber • Adaptive
• Smooth cruise control
EV powertrain Weak Points
overall power is barely adequate and acceleration is slow. On
seems adequate, but it’s not at all evident in how the car drives. The • Available DC charging • Little powertrain torque,
paper, the torque number seems adequate, it’s not at all evident
in howIoniq EV’sdrives.
ride quality is controlled and comfortable, but the car’s • Regenerative braking is slow acceleration
the car The Ioniq’s EV’s ride quality is controlled • WEAK POINTS
biggest issue is its STRONGviaPOINTS
controllable steering- Short operating range: 124
and comfortable, but thelimited range: 124
car’s biggest miles.
issue When
is its limitedtherange:
car was first column paddles miles
Smooth EV powertrain Little powertrain torque,
introduced,
124 miles. When thethis car
rangewaswas acceptable.
first introduced, Butthis
nowrangemanywas EVs in its price • Low handling limits
slow acceleration
acceptable. ButChevrolet
class—the now many EVs
Bolt, in its price
Hyundai Kona,class—the
and NissanChevrolet
Leaf Plus, for Available DC charging
Bolt, Hyundai Kona, and Nissan Leaf Plus, for example—have Short operating range:
example—have operating ranges well above 200 miles. Reportedly, Regenerative braking is
operating ranges well above 200 miles. Reportedly, the Ionic 124 miles
controllable via steering-
the battery
Electric’s Ionic Electric’s
will soon battery will soon be
be upgraded so upgraded
that its rangeso that
willits range column paddles Low handling limits
exceedwill exceed
200 miles200 milesalthough
as well, as well, although
at pressattime
press thetime thehadn’t
date date hadn’t
been announced.
been announced. The IoniqThe Ioniq
is also is also available
available as aashybrid
a hybrid (page 158)
(page
TK) andanda aPHEV
PHEV(page
(page TK).159).

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 10.00 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 10.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3260
Acceleration: 4.91
Exterior length (in): 176.0
Braking: 2.18 Exterior width (in): 71.7
Crashworthiness: 6.99 Exterior height (in): 57.1
Handling: 5.02 Wheelbase (in): 106.3
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 6.67
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 4.81 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 205/55 R16
Ease of entry and exit: 6.65 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.90 Headlight type: HID
Transmission type: Single speed
Interior noise: 6.91
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 2.18 Engine/motor: Interior-Permanent Magnet
Engine horsepower: N/A
Electric motor horsepower: 118 hp

AAA.com/greencar 28
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 151
MIDSIZE NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Toyota Camry SE Toyota Camry SE

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $25,550
HIGHEST RANKING

8
72.61 48.94 Price as Tested $29,394
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1200
72.61
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 16.0
EPA City mpg: REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 28 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED39
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA(gal):.................................16.0
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................28
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 32 0 3 1
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................39
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick + (with specific
EPA Combined mpg: ................................32
Lane-departure warning headlights) ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,200
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $25,550; PRICE AS TESTED: $29,394
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 30.5
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
The Toyota Camry used to be the best-selling car in the U.S. Even 2019 (with specific headlights)
Overall Observations
though sales have dropped a bit, Toyota still sells more than AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Toyota
300,000 Camry
units used
a year.toOverall,
be thethe best-selling
Camry is acar good in the U.S.
value, but our • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
Even though sales have dropped a bit, Toyota still sells more
test car demonstrated a lack of dynamic performance that was a bit • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
than 300,000 units a year. Overall, the Camry is a good value,
surprising given the SE’s history and sales
but our test car demonstrated a lack of dynamic performance that success. The main issue is • Rear cross-traffi c warning • Forward automatic

was a the powertrain,given

bit surprising a combination
the SE’s of a 2.5-liter
history and 4-cylinder
sales success. engine (203 Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
The mainhp, 184
issue lb-ft
is of
thetorque) and ana8-speed
powertrain, automatic
combination of a transmission.
2.5-liter 4- • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
cylinder Strong Points
Onengine
paper,(208 hp, 184
the power andlb-ft
torqueof torque)
figures andaren’tanbad.8-speed
But the car • Cabin is comfortable, with Weak Points
automatic transmission. On paper, the power and torque figures
feels sluggish off the line, bogging down in the lower gears. The a modern design • Low power, slow
aren’t bad. But the car feels sluggish off the line, bogging down in
engine isn’t smooth; there’s little felt torque;
the lower gears. The engine isn’t smooth; there’s little felt torque;and the shifts are slow. • Great fuel economy, acceleration
STRONG
especially for aPOINTS
nonhybrid: • WEAK
Poor ridePOINTS
quality
and the Once
shifts you’re cruising,
are slow. Once the you’re
powertrain settlesthe
cruising, down and is fine. The
powertrain • Noisy
EPA-rated
Cabin32 mpg combined
is comfortable, with a Lowpowertrain
power, slow
settlessuspension
down and is istuned so that
fine. Ride the car
quality isflanother
oats, witharea
littlethat
control
couldover • Good value: design
$29,400, well- acceleration
modern
use improvement.
bumps. On smooth The suspension is tunedimproves,
roads the situation so that the butcar
thefloats,
suspension equipped
with little control over bumps. On smooth roads the situation Great fuel economy,
• Many advanced safety Noisy powertrain
is still too soft. Inside, the Camry has a comfortable cabin with modern especially for a nonhybrid:
improves, but the suspension is still too soft. Inside, the Camry features are available,
styling. The rear
has a comfortable seatwith
cabin is roomy
modern andstyling.
can fit three
The people
rear seat in aispinch. As EPA-rated
including forward 32automatic
mpg combined
roomyon andmostcanToyotas,
fit threeallpeople
the controls are easy
in a pinch. Astoonuse.
most Crash-test
Toyotas, scores are emergency braking$29,400,
Good value: with well
pedestrian detection, lane-
equipped
all the excellent,
controls are andeasymanyto advanced
use. safety features are standard.
keeping assist, and blind-
Many advanced safety
spot warning
features are available

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.40 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3420
Acceleration: 5.85
Exterior length (in): 192.7
Braking: 5.76 Exterior width (in): 72.4
Crashworthiness: 8.13 Exterior height (in): 56.9
Handling: 7.89 Wheelbase (in): 111.2
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.33
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 5.19 Tire manufacturer and size: Hankook 235/45 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 6.90 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 7.00 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 8 speed
Interior noise: 6.07
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.09 Engine/motor: 2.5L 4-Cyl. Dual VVT-I
Engine horsepower: 203 @ 6600

152 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 63

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 MIDSIZE PLUG-IN HYBRID
Honda Clarity Touring
Honda PHEV
Clarity Touring PHEV

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
Score For This Vehicle Base Price: $36,600 CATEGORY
LOWEST HIGHEST RANKING

9
71.41 48.94 Price as Tested $37,495
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $650
71.41
120V Charge Time: 4 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 21 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity/Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 7.0
EPA
Fuel Type: ........... City mpg:
ELECTRICITY/REGULAR AVERAGE44 MPG
Available Safety Features
Fuel CapacityEPA (gal):....................................7.0
Highway mpg: 40
(GASOLINE AND ELECTRICITY)
AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................44
Lane-departure warning NHTSA Rating: N/R
EPA Highway mpg: EPA ....................................40
Combined mpg: 42 0 6 5
Lane keeping assistance EPA CombinedEPA mpg: ................................42
Combined MPGe: 110
Adaptive cruise control EPA Combined MPGe:........................... 110 ANNUAL FUEL COST
Forward-collision warning EPA EstimatedEPA Estimated Range:
Range (mi): .......................47 47 miles $650
Forward automatic emergency braking
BASE PRICE: $36,600; PRICE AS TESTED: $37,495 BATTERY 120V: 4 MILES PER HOUR
CHARGE Auto
240V:Club Average
21 MILES MPG:
PER HOUR 65.4
TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: N/A
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
When the second-generation Honda Clarity debuted in 2017, it NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
Overall Observations
was as a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. In 2018, the Clarity became an
When entire
the second-generation
line of green vehicles, Honda withClarity debuteda in
three variants: 2017,
fuel it
cell vehicle
was as a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. In 2018, the Clarity became AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
(page 61), an EV (page 60), and the PHEV reviewed here. The Clarity
an entire line of green vehicles, with three variants: a fuel cell • Rearview camera • Forward-collision warning
Plug-In
vehicle, an EV, Hybrid
and themayPHEV
be thereviewed
best of the threeThe
here. because
ClarityofPlug-In
its 340-mile • Forward automatic
• Lane-departure warning
Strong/Weak Point
Hybriddriving
may berange and the
the best flexibility
of the of using either
three because of its electricity
340-mile or gasoline • Lane-keeping assistance
emergency braking
drivingas
range andClarity’s
fuel. The the flexibility
exterior ofstyling
using iseither
a bit electricity or polarizing.
futuristic and • Adaptive
Strong Points cruise control
gasoline as athe
Inside, fuel. The
front Clarity’s
seating areaexterior
is roomy styling is a bit futuristic
and comfortable, and the
and polarizing. Inside, the front seating area is roomy and • Extensive range from Weak Points
suede-like material on the dash and doors is upscale and luxurious. PHEV powertrain • Poor rear visibility
comfortable, and the suede-like material on the dash and doors
Mostandof the Clarity PHEV’s controls are easy to use.controls
The exception • Quiet cabin • Tiny trunk
is upscale luxurious. Most of the Clarity PHEV’s are is • WEAK
No radioPOINTS
STRONG POINTS
• Comfortable, controlled volume knob
easy tothe radio,
use. Thewhich lacks aisvolume
exception knob,
the radio, a mild
which annoyance.
lacks a volume Visibility to ride quality
knob - the Extensive range from PHEV Poor rear visibility
rearannoyance.
a mild is blocked byVisibility
a horizontal divider
to the rear isin the window.
blocked by aThe 1.5-liter • Many advanced safety
powertrain
horizontal dividerengine
4-cylinder in the (103
window.
hp) andThethe1.5-liter
electric4-cylinder
motor (181 engine
hp) produce features are available, Tiny trunk
(103 hp) and the electric motor (181 hp) produce 212 hp total Quiet
including cabin automatic
forward
212 hp total and 232 lb-ft of torque, enough for good acceleration. No radio volume knob
and 232 lb-ft of torque, enough for good acceleration. Steering emergency brakingcontrolled
Comfortable, and lane-
has anSteering has an
appropriate appropriate
effort effortresponsive,
and is fairly and is fairly and
responsive,
the rideand keeping
rideassist
quality
qualitythe ride quality isand
is comfortable comfortable
controlled. andThecontrolled.
Clarity hasTheanClarity has an
excellent
Many advanced safety
excellent
all-electric range all-electric
of 47 miles;rangeitsofEPA-rated
47 miles; its EPA-rated
fuel economy fuel
is economy
110 is features are available
MPGe110 andMPGe
42 mpg. and 42 mpg.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 8.64 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 8.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 4040
Acceleration: 5.65
Exterior length (in): 192.7
Braking: 1.96 Exterior width (in): 73.9
Crashworthiness: 8.66 Exterior height (in): 58.2
Handling: 5.68 Wheelbase (in): 108.3
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.24
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 4.89 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 235/45 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.25 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.30 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 5.92
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.21 Engine/motor: 1.5L 4-Cyl. i-VTEC DOHC
Engine horsepower: 103 @ 5500 (212 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 181 hp

AAA.com/greencar 21
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 153
MIDSIZE HYBRID

Ford Fusion Hybrid

FordPlatinum
Fusion Hybrid Platinum

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $37,275
HIGHEST RANKING

10
70.92 48.94 Price as Tested $38,375
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $850
70.92
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 14.0
EPA City mpg: REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 43 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED41
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................14.0
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................43
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 42 0 3 9
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................41
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................42
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $850
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $37,275; PRICE AS TESTED: $38,375
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 39.0
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
Ford recently announced it will stop producing most sedans for U.S.
Overall Observations
consumption. That’s too bad, because it means the Fusion Hybrid, AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Ford recently announced
an excellent midsize sedan,it will stop producing
has been put onmost sedansThe
life support. for Fusion
• Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
U.S. consumption. That’s too bad, because it means the Fusion
has ample headroom in the front, and the front bucket seats and • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
Hybrid, an excellent midsize sedan, has been put on life support.
headrests
The Fusion has are comfortable
ample headroom andinluxurious,
the front,with
andcontrasting
the front piping • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
bucketandseatsa quilted pattern onare
and headrests thecomfortable
seats’ bolsters thatluxurious,
and carries over to the
with Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
door panels.
contrasting An 8-inch
piping and a quiltedtouch-screen
pattern on display in the bolsters
the seats’ center stackthat • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
carriescontrols
over tovehicle
the door panels. Strong Points
settings andAn 8-inch touch-screen
entertainment, using Ford’s display in
excellent • Smooth hybrid powertrain Weak Points
the center stack controls vehicle settings and entertainment,
Sync system. The Fusion also has plenty of interior storage space. • Many available advanced • Lack of usable trunk space
using Ford’s excellent Sync system. The Fusion also has plenty
In the
of interior backseat,
storage there’s
space. In athe
suffi cient amount
backseat, of headroom
there’s a sufficient and technology safety and due to hybrid-battery
STRONGsystems
convenience POINTS WEAK POINTS
placement
amountlegroom.
of headroomBut because the hybrid
and legroom. Butbattery
because placement intrudes, the
the hybrid • Some
• Comfortable, controlled
Smooth hybrid powertrain Lackhard interior
of usable plastics
trunk space
batterytrunk is small,intrudes,
placement with an odd, the two-tiered shapewith
trunk is small, thatan compromises
odd, two- • Lacks
ride quality duetorque
to hybridwhen
battery
tiered shape thathybrid
utility. The compromises
powertrain—a utility. The hybrid
2.0-liter 4-cylinderpowertrain
engine and-a Many available advanced
• Great fuel economy: EPA- accelerating from a standstill
placement
2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor that produce 188 technology
estimated 42 mpgsafety and
combined • Glare is projected from the
an electric motor that produce 188 hp total—is very smooth and convenience systems rearSome hard the
shelf onto interior
insideplastics
rear
hp total - is very smooth and quiet throughout the powerband.
Once thequietcarthroughout
gets up tothe powerband.
speed there’s Once
enough thepower,
car getsand up to
thespeed Comfortable, controlled window
Lacks torque when
Fusion’sthere’s
ride enough power,
quality is and the Fusion’s
exceptionally ride quality
comfortable is exceptionally
and controlled. ride quality accelerating from a
comfortable
Unfortunately, and minimal
there’s controlled. Unfortunately,
torque there’s minimal
when accelerating. Thetorque standstill
Great fuel economy:
steering hasaccelerating.
when decent feel The andsteering
response, hasalthough
decent feel it feels a little
and response, EPA-estimated 42 mpg Glare is projected from the
heavy.although
Our testitcar was equipped with many advanced safety combined rear shelf onto the inside
feels a little heavy.
features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, rear window
blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.
TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 6.14 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3840
Acceleration: 4.31
Exterior length (in): 191.8
Braking: 2.52 Exterior width (in): 83.5
Crashworthiness: 7.99 Exterior height (in): 58.0
Handling: 6.52 Wheelbase (in): 112.2
Restraint type: 8 air bags
Ride quality: 8.29
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 4.85 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 235/45 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.23 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.80 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 6.41
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 0.85 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. IVCT
Engine horsepower: 141 @ 6000 (188 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 118 hp

154 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 16

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 MIDSIZE NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Volkswagen Jetta SEL Premium
Volkswagen Jetta SEL Premium

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $26,945
HIGHEST RANKING

11
70.67 48.94 Price as Tested $27,795
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1100
70.67
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 13.2
EPA City mpg: REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 30 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED40
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................13.2
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................30
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 34 0 2 8
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................40
Rear cross traffic warning
EPA Combined mpg: ................................34
Lane-departure warning
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,100
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $26,945; PRICE AS TESTED: $27,795
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 27.5
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
The Volkswagen Jetta had a major redesign for 2019. Some previous
Overall Observations
Jettas were uninspired and seemed built to be sold at a low price, AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Volkswagen
but the newJetta Jetta had
is verya major redesign
appealing and afor 2019.
sporty Some to the
alternative • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
previous Jettas were uninspired and seemed to have been built
Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. The restyled exterior is handsome • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
to be sold at a low price, but the new Jetta is very appealing and
and upscale,
is a sporty alternative withtoa the
coupelike
Toyotasilhouette. Inside,
Corolla and Hondathe theme is also
Civic. The • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
restyledmodern
exteriorand is sporty.
handsome Evenand the displays
upscale,look
withattractive
a bit of aand upscale.
coupe- Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
The supportive
like silhouette when viewedseats are in heavily
profile.bolstered
Inside, theand the steering
theme is also wheel is • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
modern and sporty. Even the displays Strong Points
flat-bottomed, like some race cars.look attractive
The rear and feature snug
seats also • Modern interior with Weak Points
upscale. The supportive seats are heavily bolstered and the
buckets. The headroom in back is good, although legroom is just attractive displays • Little bottom-end power
steering wheel is flat-bottomed, like some race cars. The rear
adequate.
seats also feature The trunk
snug is surprisingly
buckets. big and deep.
The headroom in backTheisnew
good,Jetta is • Excellent ride quality • Transmission can be jerky
STRONG
• Many POINTS
advanced safety atWEAK POINTS
low speeds
althoughpowered
legroom by isa 1.4-liter turbocharged
just adequate. 4-cylinder
The trunk engine rated
is surprisingly big at 147 features are available, • Steering, although quick, is
Modern interior with Little bottom-end power
hp and
and deep. The184new lb-ft of torque,
Jetta is poweredboth modest figures.
by a 1.4-liter Although the4-
turbocharged power including forward-collision a bit too light
attractive displays
cylinder engine
is good atrated
cruising at 147
speeds, hp and 184 lb-ftfrom
acceleration of torque,
rest is aboth
bit sluggish, warning, forward automatic Transmission can be jerky at
modest figures. Although the power is good at cruising speeds, Excellent
emergency ride quality
braking, and low speeds
with little power on the bottom end. The quick-shifting 8-speed
acceleration from rest is a bit sluggish, with little power on the lane-keeping assist safety
Many advanced Steering, although quick, is
bottomautomatic
end. Thetransmission
quick-shifting is sometimes a bit jerkytransmission
8-speed automatic at slow speeds. is • Good value at
features are$28K
available a bit too light
Handling
a bit jerky at timesis quite sporty
at slow and fun,
speeds, butand the ride quality
is otherwise okay.is excellent for (loaded)
Good value at $27,795
Handlinga small sedan.
is quite sporty and fun, and the ride quality is excellent (loaded)
for a small sedan.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.83 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3120
Acceleration: 4.68
Exterior length (in): 185.1
Braking: 7.67 Exterior width (in): 70.8
Crashworthiness: 6.37 Exterior height (in): 57.4
Handling: 7.61 Wheelbase (in): 105.7
Restraint type: 6 air bags
Ride quality: 7.81
Warranty (months/miles): 72/72,000
Interior size: 5.17 Tire manufacturer and size: Bridgestone 205/55 R17
Ease of entry and exit: 6.86 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.80 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 8 speed
Interior noise: 4.79
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.09 Engine/motor: 1.4L 4-Cyl. Turbo TSI
Engine horsepower: 147 @ 5000

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AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 155
MIDSIZE PLUG-IN HYBRID

Ford Fusion Energi

FordPlatinum
Fusion Energi Platinum

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $41,305
HIGHEST RANKING

12
70.21 48.94 Price as Tested $41,100
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $750
70.21
120V Charge Time: 3 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 8.4 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity/Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 14.0
EPA
Fuel Type: ........... City mpg:
ELECTRICITY/REGULAR AVERAGE 43 MPG
Available Safety Features (GASOLINE AND ELECTRICITY)
Fuel Capacity EPA (gal):.................................14.0
Highway mpg: 41
AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................43
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R
EPA Highway mpg: EPA ....................................41
Combined mpg: 42 0 4 5
Rear cross traffic warning EPA CombinedEPA mpg: ................................42
Combined MPGe: 97
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined MPGe:..............................97 ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance EPA Estimated EPA RangeEstimated Range:
(mi): .......................21 21 miles $750
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $41,305; PRICE AS TESTED: $41,100 BATTERY 120V: 3 MILES PER HOUR
Forward-collision warning CHARGE Auto
240V:Club Average
8.4 MILES MPG:
PER HOUR 44.5
Forward automatic emergency braking TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: N/A
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
Ford has announced that it will stop producing most sedans for the NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
Overall Observations
U.S. market, so it’s near the end of the road for the Fusion. That’s a
Ford hasshame, becausethat
announced it will stop
the Fusion producing
Energi Platinum most sedans for
is an excellent midsize
the U.S. market, so it’s near the end of the road for the Fusion. AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
sedan. Its powertrain and other major specifications are the same as
That’s a shame, because the Fusion Energi Platinum is an • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
those
excellent of the Fusion
midsize sedan.Hybrid (page 154),
Its powertrain andexcept
other for its larger hybrid
major • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
battery and
specifications areplug-in
the samecapacity, which
as those ofgives it an estimated
the Fusion all-electric
Hybrid (page Strong/Weak Point
• Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
range of
xxx), except for21itsmiles.
largerThe Fusion’s
hybrid frontand
battery bucket seatscapacity,
plug-in and headrests are emergency braking
• Lane-departure
Strong Points warning
which very
givescomfortable.
it an estimated There’sall-electric
plenty of range
headroom of 21inmiles. Thelots of
the front, • Advanced
Fusion’s front bucket seats and headrests are very comfortable. • Lane-keeping
• Smooth assistance
plug-in hybrid Weak Points headlights
interior storage space, and sufficient headroom and legroom in the powertrain • Leisurely acceleration
There’s plenty of headroom in the front, lots of interior storage
• Tiny trunk
space,backseat. The trunk is small because of theinhybrid-battery placement, • Many available advanced
and sufficient headroom and legroom the backseat. • WEAK
withis
ansmall
unusual two-tiered confi guration that makes it barely usable, STRONG
technology POINTS
safety and Some hard POINTS
interior plastics
The trunk because of the hybrid-battery placement, with convenience • Torque steer during hard
Smooth systems
plug-in hybrid Leisurely acceleration
but attwo-tiered
an unusual least the rear seats fold down.
configuration that The
makesplug-in hybrid
it barely powertrain
usable, • Comfortable,
powertraincontrolled acceleration
but at combines
least the rear seats4-cylinder
a 2.0-liter fold down. The plug-in
engine hybrid motor (188
with an electric ride quality Tiny trunk
powertrain combines a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric Many
• 21-mile available range
all-electric advanced
hp total) with a 7.6-kWh lithium-ion battery. The powertrain is very Some hard interior plastics
motor (188 hp total) with a 7.6-kWh lithium-ion battery. The technology safety and
smooth throughout Torque steer during
powertrain is very smooththe powerband
throughout theand also very quiet.
powerband The cabin
and also convenience systems
hard acceleration
is quiet
very quiet. The as cabin
well, and the Fusion’s
is quiet as well,ride
and quality is comfortable
the Fusion’s ride and Comfortable, controlled
qualitycontrolled.
is comfortableAcceleration is adequate,
and controlled. though a bit
Acceleration is leisurely.
adequate, Our test ride quality
thoughcar a bit
wasleisurely.
equippedOur withtest
many caradvanced
was equippedsafety with many
and convenience 21-mile all-electric range
advanced safety and convenience features, including forward-
features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance,
collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring,
active blind-spot warning,
parking assist, andand adaptive
adaptive cruise
cruise control.
control.
TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 7.61 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 4120
Acceleration: 4.81
Exterior length (in): 191.8
Braking: 1.94 Exterior width (in): 83.5
Crashworthiness: 8.23 Exterior height (in): 58.0
Handling: 5.36 Wheelbase (in): 112.2
Restraint type: 8 air bags
Ride quality: 8.05
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 4.69 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 235/45 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.01 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.70 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 6.43
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 0.36 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. IVCT
Engine horsepower: 141 @ 6000 (188 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 118 hp

156 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 15

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 MIDSIZE NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Nissan Altima SR Nissan Altima SR

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle LOWEST Base Price: $29,150
HIGHEST RANKING

13
68.41 48.94 Price as Tested $31,050
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1300
68.41
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 16.2
EPA City mpg: REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 25 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................16.2
Highway mpg: 34
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................25
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 29 0 2 5
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................34
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick (with specific headlights)
EPA Combined mpg: ................................29
Lane-departure warning
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,300
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $29,150; PRICE AS TESTED: $31,050
Forward-collision warning Auto Club Average MPG: 25.4
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
You can be excused for mistaking the brand-new Nissan Altima for its 2019 (with specific headlights)
Overall Observations
larger sibling, the Maxima. The styling is nearly identical: aggressive AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
You can withbea excused
sporty touch. for mistaking the brand-new
But the slightly smaller Altima Nissan Altima
doesn’t quite • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
for its larger sibling, the Maxima. The styling is nearly identical:
deliver the alleged “four-door sports car” experience of the Maxima. • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
aggressive with a sporty touch. But the slightly smaller Altima
doesn’tThe Altima
quite is more
deliver the aalleged
mainstream midsize
“four-door sedan,
sports car”although it has
experience • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
what Nissan
of the Maxima. The claims
Altimaas is
themore
first variable-compression
a mainstream midsized engine, which Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
sedan,theoretically
although it allows
has what for increased powerasand
Nissan claims thetorque in addition to
first variable- • Lane-keeping assistance
compression engine, which theoretically allows Strong Points
more fuel efficiency. The 2.0-liter turbo inlinefor increased
4-cylinder delivers • Comfortable ride quality, Weak Points
power 236 andhp torque in addition to more fuel efficiency. The 2.0-liter
and 267 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is good, although the with good control • Excessive engine noise
turbo inline 4-cylinder delivers 236 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque.
exhaustisnote
Acceleration good, is somewhat
although thetinny. Fuel economy
exhaust note is is also good, with
somewhat
• AWD is available • Automatic climate control is
an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined. However, the engine is also STRONG
• Good POINTS
fuel economy: EPA- WEAK only
available POINTS
on high trim
tinny. Fuel economy is also good, with an EPA-estimated 29 mpg rated Comfortable
29 mpg combined levels
ride quality, Excessive engine noise
combined.rough overall, noisy
However, during acceleration,
the engine is also roughand even noisy
overall, produces some • Many advanced safety • Handling doesn’t match
with good control
during diesel-like
acceleration, and
clatter evencold
during produces some
start-ups. diesel-like
Variable clatter is a
compression systems are available Automatic
sporty image climate control is
during newcoldtechnology,
start-ups. Variable AWD is available available only on high trim
however,compression
and hopefullyiswe’ll a new
seetechnology,
improvement levels
however, and hopefully we’ll see improvement in future years. Good fuel economy: EPA-
in future years. The Altima’s
area isfront seatingandareathe
is spacious,
controls and
are the
The Altima’s front seating spacious, rated 29 mpg combined Handling doesn’t match
controls are easy to use. The dashboard is
easy to use. The dashboard is low, which allows for good forward low, which allows for good sporty image
Many advanced safety
forward
visibility. The rearvisibility.
seats The
arerear seats are comfortable,
comfortable, but headroom but headroom
is tight. is systems are available
Handling is Handling
tight. fine, but not very
is fine, butsporty,
not veryand the steering
sporty, and the is a lightisinlight in
steering
feel and unresponsive.
feel and unresponsive.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.64 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 5.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3440
Acceleration: 7.15
Exterior length (in): 192.9
Braking: 7.31 Exterior width (in): 72.9
Crashworthiness: 7.14 Exterior height (in): 57.4
Handling: 7.51 Wheelbase (in): 111.2
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.38
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 4.55 Tire manufacturer and size: Hankook 235/40 R19
Ease of entry and exit: 7.11 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.90 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 3.50
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.21 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. Turbo
Engine horsepower: 236 @ 5600

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AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 157
MIDSIZE HYBRID

Hyundai Ioniq SELHyundai

Hybrid Ioniq SEL Hybrid
Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE
Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $24,000
HIGHEST RANKING

14
67.82 48.94 Price as Tested $26,010
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $650
67.82
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 11.9
EPA City mpg: REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 55 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED54
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................11.9
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................55
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 55 0 4 8
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................54
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick (with optional front
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................55
crash prevention and specific headlights)
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $650
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $24,000; PRICE AS TESTED: $26,010
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 47.8
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
The Ioniq hatchback, introduced in 2017, is available as an EV (page 2018 (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
Overall Observations
151), a PHEV (page 159), and the hybrid reviewed here. Hyundai AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Ioniq hatchback,
apparently wantsintroduced
the Ioniq toinbe2017,
thoughtis available
of as more asmainstream
an EV
• Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
(page xxx), a PHEV (page xxx), and the hybrid reviewed here.
than other green vehicles; its exterior styling is conventional • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
Hyundai apparently wants the Ioniq to be thought of as more
compared with the bold styling of, say, a
mainstream than other green vehicles; its exterior styling isToyota Prius. Inside, there’s • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
good headroom
conventional comparedinwith front,the
and the styling
bold cloth seats in oura test
of, say, car were
Toyota Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
Prius. comfortable.
Inside, there’s The rear headroom
good seats are also in comfortable
front, and the forcloth
two people,
seats • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
in our test Strong Points
with car were comfortable.
satisfactory headroom and Thelegroom.
rear seats are also
Visibility to the front is • Smooth hybrid powertrain Weak Points
comfortable for two people, with satisfactory headroom and
good because of the low dashboard. To the rear, however, the split • Excellent fuel economy: • Slow acceleration
legroom. Visibility to the front is good because of the low • Poor ride quality on rough
window is small, with a horizontal bar that blocks
dashboard. To the rear, however, the split window is small, with a the view somewhat. EPA-rated 55 mpg combined
The bar
hybrid powertrain combines a 1.6-liter The
4-cylinder STRONG
• Great POINTS
value ($26,010 as WEAK
roads, POINTSthrough
transmitted
horizontal that blocks the view somewhat. hybridengine (104 tested) chassis
Smooth hybrid powertrain Slow acceleration
hp) with
powertrain a 43-hpaelectric
combines motor
1.6-liter and 1.56-kWh
4-cylinder engine lithium-ion
(104 hp) withpolymer
a • Compromised rear visibility
43-hp electric motor
battery. The andpowertrain
hybrid 1.56-kWh islithium-ion
quite smooth, polymer battery.total
but because Excellent fuel economy: EPA- because Poor ride
of a quality
horizontalon rough
bar
The hybrid powertrain is quite smooth, but because total system rated 55 mpg combined roads
system output is a modest 139 hp, acceleration is lackluster. There’s
output is a modest 139 hp, acceleration is lackluster. There’s not Great value ($26,010 as Compromised rear visibility
not much
much torque from torque from themotor,
the electric electriceither.
motor,Buteither.
theBut the steering
steering is is tested) because of a horizontal bar
responsive
responsive and has andahas a good
good feel.feel.
TheTheIoniqIoniq Hybrid’s
Hybrid’s fuel
fuel economy is
economy
is ratedrated
at anat excellent
an excellent EPA-estimated55
EPA-estimated 55mpg
mpgcity/54
city/54 mpg highway/55
highway/55 mpg combined.
mpg combined. We averaged
We averaged 48 mpg48 mpgour
during during our
testing.
testing.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 7.46 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3060
Acceleration: 4.29
Exterior length (in): 176.0
Braking: 1.11 Exterior width (in): 71.7
Crashworthiness: 6.82 Exterior height (in): 56.9
Handling: 5.90 Wheelbase (in): 106.3
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 7.24
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 5.17 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 195/65 R15
Ease of entry and exit: 6.72 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.90 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 6.56
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 2.67 Engine/motor: 1.6L 4-Cyl. GDI
Engine horsepower: 104 @ 5700 (139 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 43 hp

158 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 30

AAA.com/greencar
 MIDSIZE PLUG-IN HYBRID
Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid
Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $25,350
HIGHEST RANKING

15
67.31 48.94 Price as Tested $26,395
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $600
67.31
120V Charge Time: 3 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 13 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity/Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 11.4
Fuel Type: ...........
EPA ELECTRICITY/REGULAR
City mpg: AVERAGE 52 MPG
Available Safety Features (GASOLINE AND ELECTRICITY)
Fuel Capacity EPA (gal):.................................11.4
Highway mpg: 53
AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................52
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R
EPA Highway mpg: EPA ....................................53
Combined mpg: 52 0 6 0
Rear cross traffic warning EPA CombinedEPA mpg: ................................52
Combined MPGe: 119
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined MPGe:........................... 119 ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance EPA EstimatedEPA RangeEstimated Range:
(mi): .......................29 29 miles $600
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $25,350; PRICE AS TESTED: $26,395 BATTERY 120V: 3 MILES PER HOUR
Forward-collision warning CHARGE Auto
240V:Club Average
13 MILES MPG:
PER HOUR 59.6
Forward automatic emergency braking TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: N/A
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
The midsize Ioniq hatchback is available as a hybrid (page 158), NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
Overall Observations
an EV (page 151), and the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) reviewed here.
The midsize Ioniq hatchback
The Ioniq’s exterior is looks
styling available
prettyasmuch
a hybridlike any(page xxx),
hatchback
an EV (page xxx), and the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) reviewed here. AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
and is perhaps best described by the word conventional. The
The Ioniq’s exterior styling looks pretty much like any hatchback • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
and is manually
perhaps adjusted
best described front seats, covered
by the word in a durable clothThe
"conventional." fabric,
• Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
manuallyare adjusted
comfortable. frontThe headroom
seats, covered in front is good, cloth
in a durable and the rear
fabric, Strong/Weak Point
• Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
seats are comfortable
are comfortable. The headroom for twoin people,
front is with
good, adequate
and theamountsrear of • Lane-departure
emergency braking
Strong Points warning
seats are comfortable
headroom for two people,
and legroom. Forwardwith adequate
visibility is goodamountsbecauseof of the • Advanced headlights
• Lane-keeping
• Smooth assistance
hybrid powertrain Weak Points
headroom and legroom. Forward visibility is good because of the
low dashboard, but rear visibility is compromised by a horizontal • Responsive steering • Slow acceleration
low dashboard, but rear visibility is compromised by a horizontal
bar thatbar that the
splits splits thewindow.
rear rear window.The The hybrid
hybrid powertrain
powertrain combines
combines a a
• Estimated 29 miles all- • Poor ride quality on rough
STRONG
electric range.POINTS WEAK
roads, POINTSthrough
transmitted
1.6-liter1.6-liter 4-cylinder
4-cylinder engine engine with
with an a 43-hp
electric electric
motor and motor and lithium-
lithium-ion chassis
Smooth hybrid powertrain Slow acceleration
polymer ionbattery.
polymerTotal battery. Totaloutput
system systemisoutput is a modest
a modest 139 hp, 139sohp, so • Compromised rear visibility
acceleration is slow.
acceleration The hybrid
is slow. powertrain,
The hybrid powertrain,though,
though, is quite
is quite smooth, Responsive steering fromPoor ride quality
horizontal on rough
bar across
smooth, and the steering is responsive. The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid roads, transmitted through
the window
and the steering is responsive. The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid has an Estimated 29 miles
has an estimated all-electric range of 29 miles. The Level 2 (240 chassis
all-electric range
estimated
volt) charge timeall-electric
is 2 hoursrange and 18of 29 miles. The
minutes, whichLevel 2 (240-volt)
increases to charge Compromised rear visibility
aroundtime is 2 hours
9 hours and 18 minutes,
on household Level 1 which
(120increases to around
volt) charging. In 9 hours from horizontal bar across
on household
electric-only mode, the Level 1 (120-volt)
Ioniq PHEV gets charging. In electric-only119
an EPA-estimated mode, the the window
MPGe;Ioniqas aPHEV
hybrid,gets it’sanrated at an excellent
EPA-estimated 52 mpg
119 MPGe; as in combined
a hybrid, it’s rated
city/highway driving.
at an excellent 52 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 8.64 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3360
Acceleration: 4.27
Exterior length (in): 176.0
Braking: 2.31 Exterior width (in): 71.7
Crashworthiness: 5.08 Exterior height (in): 56.9
Handling: 5.94 Wheelbase (in): 106.3
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 7.05
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 5.82 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 205/55 R16
Ease of entry and exit: 6.61 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.00 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 6.41
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 2.18 Engine/motor: 1.6L 4-Cyl. GDI
Engine horsepower: 104 @ 5700 (139 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 43 hp

AAA.com/greencar 29
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 159

LARGE
When some people hear the words large
car, they envision the land yachts that
populated America’s roads in the 1960s
and ’70s, like the Lincoln Continental,
Buick Roadmaster, and Cadillac
Fleetwood—expensive, ponderous
gas-guzzlers. Fortunately, the best large
cars today are nothing like that. They
offer a great deal of comfort, responsive
handling, and fuel efficiency, and have
plenty of room for four to five passengers
and their stuff. The five large cars
reviewed in this year’s AAA Green Car
Guide include three hybrids, a plug-in
hybrid, and an electric vehicle, with a base
MSRP starting around $37,000. However,
large cars are expensive to own and
operate—an average of $9,800 per year,
second only to the cost of owning and
operating a pickup truck, according to
AAA’s 2018 Your Driving Costs study.
BASE PRICE: $135,000; PRICE AS TESTED: $144,700
LARGE
WINNER
TESLA
Model S P100D
The Model S, introduced in 2012, still impresses with its sleek styling,
sporty handling, quick acceleration, and sophisticated aura. Major
updates worth noting include a new front fascia and upgrades in
battery sizes. All Model S versions are now 100-series cars, have 300-
plus miles of range, and dual-motor AWD. The entry Model S is priced
at $85,000 before incentives. The Model S Performance offers quicker
acceleration and a bit more range for $112,000 before incentives.
If that’s not quick enough, Ludicrous Mode, which was a feature on
our test car, provides more power and is available for an additional
$20,000. During instrumented testing, we recorded a 0–60 mph time
of 3.0 seconds in this mode. Dynamically, the Model S is excellent,
with smooth and quiet acceleration, sporty handling, and responsive
steering. Ride quality, however, is on the firm side. Inside, there’s a
huge 17-inch center display that handles audio, navigation, vehicle
settings, and Internet access, and contributes to the cabin’s modern
look. However, the plastic-looking carbon fiber–like trim detracts from
the otherwise minimalist cabin.
AAA.com/greencar
 LARGE ELECTRIC
Tesla Model S P100D

Green Car Scores Vehicle Price

Score For This Vehicle Base Price: $135,000
90.49 Price as Tested $144,700
Annual Fuel Cost: $650
120V Charge Time: 4 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 26 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity
DC Fast Charger: 1 hour 15 minutes to 80 Battery Capacity (kWh): 100
EPA City MPGe: 92
Available Safety Features
EPA Highway MPGe: 105
Rearview camera
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined MPGe: 98
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning
Lane keeping assistance EPA Estimated Range: 315 miles
Adaptive cruise control
Forward-collision warning
Forward automatic emergency braking
Advanced headlights
Overall Observations
The Tesla Model S was introduced in 2012. Major differences
worth noting have are a new front fascia and changes in battery
sizes.NHTSA
Yet the SAFETY
Model S RATING
still impressesNot with
Ratedits sleek styling, sporty
handling, quick acceleration, and a sophisticated aura. The major
change AVAILABLE
for the 2019 SAFETY
Model S FEATURES
is the elimination of the smaller OVERALL SCOREPoint
Strong/Weak
• Adaptive cruise control
battery• Rearview
packs—and camera
the respective cheaper vehicle prices. All LOWEST HIGHEST
CATEGORY
• Forward-collision RANKING
Model• SBlind-spot
versionswarning
are now 100 series cars, have 300-pluswarning
miles Strong Points

1
• Forward 48.94 powerful electric
• Smooth, Weak 93.90
Points
of range, and
• Rear dual-motor
cross-traffic alertAWD. The entry model automatic
S is priced at
emergency braking powertrain • Firm ride quality
$85,000 before incentives.
• Lane-departure warning The Model S Performance offers 90.49
• Sporty handling, yet • Slightly tight rear seat
quicker acceleration and a bit more • Advanced
range for headlights
$112,000 before
• Lane-keeping assistance excellent stability • Excessive regenerative
incentives. If that’s not quick enough, “ludicrous mode,” which • 17-inch center braking
provides more power,
STRONG POINTS is available for anWEAK additional $20,000.
POINTS FUEL INFORMATION
information/entertainment • Center display may be too
During instrumented testing, we recorded a 0-60 mph time of 3.0 display is a technophile’s complicated for some and
Smooth, powerful electric Firm ride quality Fuel Type: ................................ ELECTRICITY
secondspowertrain
in this mode. Dynamically, the Model S is excellent, with dream has distractionAVERAGE
potential MPG
smooth and quiet acceleration, sporty handling, Slightlyand
tightresponsive
rear seat •Battery Capacity
Solid body structure(kWh):.......................... 100 AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB

steering.Sporty
Ride handling, yet excellent
quality, however, is on the firm side. regenerative
Excessive Inside, there’s
braking EPA City MPGe: ..........................................92
stability
a huge 17-inch center display that handlesCenter audio,display
navigation, EPA Highway MPGe:............................... 105 N / A
may be too
17-inch center
vehicle settings, information/
and Internet access and contributes
complicated to forthe
some and has EPA Combined MPGe:..............................98 ANNUAL FUEL COST
entertainment
cabin’s modern look. display
However, is a the plastic-looking carbon fiber-
distraction potential EPA Electric Range (mi): ......................... 315 $650
technophile’s dream
like trim detracts from the minimalist cabin.
Solid body structure BATTERY 120V: 4 MILES PER HOUR
CHARGE 240V: 26 MILES PER HOUR
TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: 80% IN 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES
TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA Test Vehicle Scores
VEHICLE SCORES ( 0 (0
to TO
10 Points )
10 POINTS) VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 9.33 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 10.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 4941
Acceleration: 10.00
Exterior length (in): 196.0
Braking: 6.74 Exterior width (in): 77.3
Crashworthiness: 8.95 Exterior height (in): 56.5
Handling: 7.90 Wheelbase (in): 116.5
Restraint type: 8 air bags
Ride quality: 7.95
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 3.49 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 245/45 R19
Ease of entry and exit: 6.21 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.30 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Single speed
Interior noise: 9.07
Drivetrain type: All wheel - Full time
Cargo capacity: 2.55 Engine/motor: Dual 3-Phase, 4-Pole
Engine horsepower: N/A
Electric motor horsepower: 463 hp

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019

61 161
LARGE PLUG-IN HYBRID

Volvo S90 T8 E-AWD Inscription

Volvo S90 T8 E-AWD Inscription

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
Score For This Vehicle Base Price: CATEGORY
LOWEST $63,650
HIGHEST RANKING

2
81.79 48.94 Price as Tested $82,140
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1250
81.79
120V Charge Time: 2 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 7 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity/Premium
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 13.2
EPA
Fuel Type: .......... City mpg:
ELECTRICITY/PREMIUM AVERAGE 26 MPG
Available Safety Features (GASOLINE AND ELECTRICITY)
Fuel Capacity EPA (gal):.................................13.2
Highway mpg: 33
AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................26
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R
EPA Highway mpg:EPA ....................................33
Combined mpg: 29 0 2 7
Rear cross traffic warning EPA CombinedEPA
IIHS Top Safety Pick (with specific headlights) mpg: ................................29
Combined MPGe: 71
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined MPGe:..............................71 ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance EPA EstimatedEPARange Estimated Range:
(mi): .......................21 21 miles $1,250
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $63,650; PRICE AS TESTED: $82,140 BATTERY 120V: 2 MILES PER HOUR
CHARGE Auto 240V:Club Average MPG:
Forward-collision warning 26.7
7 MILES PER HOUR
Forward automatic emergency braking TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: N/A
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights HONORABLE

Volvo’s S90 T8 E-AWD is a plug-in hybrid that’s

MENTION NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
Overall Observations
refreshingly different from other luxury sedans. The 2018 (with specific headlights)
Volvo’sexterior,
S90 T8withE-AWD is a plug-in
its signature grille,hybrid that’s
is instantly refreshingly
recognizable
different from other luxury sedans. The exterior, with its signature AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
as a Volvo, and the interior has a modern, Scandinavian design. The
grille, is instantly recognizable as Volvo, and the interior has a • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
modern, comfortable
Scandinavianfront design.
seats haveThemultiple adjustments
comfortable and are
front seats covered
have • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
multiple in adjustments
beautiful brown andleather. Gorgeous
are covered natural wood
in beautiful brown adorns
leather.the dash Strong/Weak Point
• Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
Gorgeous and doors.
naturalThe
wood 9-inch vertical
adorns thedisplay
dash and controls theThe
doors. Bluetooth
9-inchand emergency braking
• Lane-departure
Strong Points warning
verticalentertainment
display controls the Bluetooth
functions, along with andmostentertainment
of the vehicle’s settings • Advanced
functions, along with most of the vehicle’s settings and driver- • • Lane-keeping
Smooth, powerfulassistance
hybrid Weak Points headlights
and driver-customizable preferences. The center console contains powertrain • Jerky transmission at low
customizable preferences. The center console contains few
• Excellent ride quality speeds
buttonsfew and buttons
knobs,and knobs,
which whichthat
means means
many thatofmany of the seemingly
the seemingly • WEAK
STRONG
• Modern, POINTS
luxurious interior POINTS
Difficult-to-use
infiniteinfi nite number
number of possible
of possible adjustments
adjustments are buried
are buried withinwithin
touch-touch- entertainment and settings
Smooth, powerful hybrid Jerky transmission at low
screenscreen
menus. menus. Unfortunately,
This makes the S90
alterations looks
to the better than system
infotainment it drives. The screen
powertrain speeds
difficult, at least initially. Unfortunately, the S90 looks better
2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is both turbocharged and supercharged than • Touchy brakes at low
it drives. Other Volvos we’ve tested have had good dynamic Excellent ride quality speeds Difficult-to-use entertainment
and has a plug-in hybrid drive for efficiency, with an all-electric range and settings screen
qualities, but not so with the S90. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine Modern, luxurious
is bothofturbocharged
up to 21 miles. Thesupercharged
and powertrain produces
and hasanaimpressive
plug-in hybrid 400 hp, interior Touchy brakes at low speeds
drive forwith strong acceleration,
efficiency, but the transmission
with an all-electric range of upistojerky at low speeds.
21 miles.
The ride quality
The powertrain producesis smooth and controlled,
an impressive 400 hp, butwith
overall handling is
strong
acceleration, but the with
disappointing, transmission is jerky at low
plenty of understeer. speeds.
Finally, The ride
the brakes are
quality is smooth and controlled, but overall handling is
grabby at low speeds, making it difficult to stop smoothly.
disappointing, with plenty of understeer. Finally, the brakes are
grabby at low speeds, making it difficult to stop smoothly.
TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 6.01 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 4740
Acceleration: 7.87
Exterior length (in): 200.1
Braking: 8.11 Exterior width (in): 79.5
Crashworthiness: 9.27 Exterior height (in): 57.1
Handling: 7.64 Wheelbase (in): 120.5
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 8.29
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 5.50 Tire manufacturer and size: Pirelli 245/45 R20
Ease of entry and exit: 7.09 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 2000
Visibility: 8.40 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 8 speed
Interior noise: 5.52
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 1.09 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. super/turbocharge
Engine horsepower: 313 @ 5700 (400 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 87 hp

162 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 74

AAA.com/greencar
 LARGE HYBRID
Lexus LS 500h Lexus LS 500h

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $79,510
HIGHEST RANKING

3
76.51 48.94 Price as Tested $104,125
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1500
76.51
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Premium
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 22.2
EPA City mpg:PREMIUM
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 25 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED33
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................22.2
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................25
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 28 0 2 6
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................33
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................28
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,500
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $79,510; PRICE AS TESTED: $104,125
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 26.0
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
New for 2018, the Lexus LS 500h hybrid luxury sedan, which replaces
Overall Observations
the LS 600h L, pampers its passengers with comfort and advanced AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
New for 2018, thebut
technology, Lexus LS 500h
provides hybrid luxury
an isolated, sedan,
rather than which driving
engaged, • Adaptive cruise control
replaces the LS 600h L, pampers its passengers with comfort
• Rearview camera
experience. Exterior styling is now bolder, with plenty of curves and • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
and advanced technology, but provides an isolated, rather than
engaged,sharp edges.
driving The understated,
experience. Exteriorluxurious
stylinginterior
is now isbolder,
comfortable,
with and • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
Strong/Weak Point emergency braking
plenty although there’s
of of curves andgood
sharp headroom
edges. The up front, the cabinluxurious,
understated, feels more • Lane-departure warning
interiorcockpit-like • Advanced headlights
than spacious.
is comfortable, and althoughThe rear seat has
there’s good good legroom
headroom upbut • Lane-keeping assistance
front, the Strong Points
onlycabin feelsheadroom
adequate more cockpit-like than spacious.
and shoulder room. The The trunkrear
is decent • Hybrid powertrain in a big Weak Points
seat has good legroom but only adequate headroom and
size, but its depth is compromised by the hybrid battery placement. luxury sedan, • Gearing feels too low at
shoulder room. The trunk is decent size, but its depth is
The LS 500h is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with a two-motor hybrid • Smooth, ultra-quiet ride slower speeds
compromised by the hybrid battery placement. The LS 500h is • WEAK
system mated to STRONG
• Unique POINTS
advanced- POINTS
Little steering feel
powered by 3.5-liter V6a with
lithium-ion battery,hybrid
a two-motor developing
system 359 hp total.
mated to In technology safety systems • Ride is soft and not well-
Hybrid powertrain in a big Gearing feels too low at
general,
a lithium-ion the hybrid
battery, system works
developing 354 hp well, butIn
total. drivability
general,atthe low speeds available controlled
luxury sedan slower speeds
hybrid isn’t
system works
smooth. well,
Also, thebut drivability feels
transmission at low as speeds isn’t a lower
if it’s holding • Good fuel economy • Some testers found the
smooth. Also, the transmission feels as if it’s holding a lower gear Smooth, ultra-quiet ride Little steering
touch-pad feel
entertainment
gear than it should at slow speeds. Overall handling is competent controller
than it should at slow speeds. Overall handling is competent but Unique advanced Ride isdifficult
soft andtonot
usewell
but not
not sporty, andsporty, and the steering
the steering lacks feel.lacks feel.advanced
Many The LS 500h achieves EPA-
safety technology safety systems controlled
featuresestimated fuel economy
are available, including ratings of 25 mpg
intersection city/33 mpg
cross-traffic highway/28
alert, available
Some testers found the
which mpg
alertscombined,
drivers to good
vehiclesfor aapproaching
large luxury sedan.
from either side, and Good fuel economy touchpad entertainment
stop-sign recognition. The LS 500h achieves EPA-estimated fuel controller difficult to use
economy ratings of 25 mpg city/33 mpg highway/28 mpg
combined, good for a large luxury sedan.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.35 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 5040
Acceleration: 7.75
Exterior length (in): 206.1
Braking: 3.28 Exterior width (in): 74.8
Crashworthiness: 9.53 Exterior height (in): 57.1
Handling: 6.19 Wheelbase (in): 123.0
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 8.43
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 5.47 Tire manufacturer and size: Bridgestone 245/45 R20
Ease of entry and exit: 7.36 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 9.00 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 8.29
Drivetrain type: Rear wheel
Cargo capacity: 0.85 Engine/motor: 3.5L V6 DOHC 24-Valve
Engine horsepower: 295 @ 6600 (359 total)

AAA.com/greencar 42
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 163
LARGE HYBRID

Toyota Avalon Hybrid

Toyota Limited
Avalon Hybrid Limited

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle LOWEST Base Price: $42,800
HIGHEST RANKING

4
74.11 48.94 Price as Tested $45,118
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $900
74.11
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 13.2
EPA City mpg: REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 43 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA(gal):.................................13.2
Highway mpg: 43
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................43
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 43 0 4 0
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................43
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick + (with specific
EPA Combined mpg: ................................43
Lane-departure warning headlights) ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $900
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $42,800; PRICE AS TESTED: $45,118
Forward-collision warning Auto Club Average MPG: 39.5
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
With crossovers and SUVs taking over the vehicle market, can large 2019 (with specific headlights)
Overall Observations
sedans survive? The Toyota Avalon Hybrid proves that a large, AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
With crossovers
comfortable andsedanSUVs with taking overfuel
excellent theeconomy
vehicle market,
can be acangood • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
large sedans survive?
alternative to an SUV.The TheToyota Avalon
Avalon’s Hybrid
interior hasproves
an upscalethatdesign
a
• Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
large, comfortable sedan with excellent fuel economy can be a
with some luxury touches, such as quilted
good alternative to inefficient light-duty trucks. The Avalon’s door panels and natural • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic

interiorwood.
has an A new
upscaletablet-like
designcenter displayluxury
with some has knobs for radio
touches, suchvolume
as Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
quiltedand
door tuning,
panels soand
it’s easy to use.
natural wood.The Arear seat
new offers spacious
tablet-like centerlegroom, • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights

displaybuthas knobs forisradio volume andthree

tuning, so it’s Strong Points
headroom somewhat tight; people caneasy to they’ll be
fit, but
use. The rear seat offers spacious legroom, but headroom is • Comfortable cabin Weak Points
a bit cramped. The trunk is large and deep, with no hybrid battery • Large trunk • Rear-seat headroom is
somewhat tight; three people can fit, but they’ll be a bit cramped.
intrusion. For propulsion, a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder
The trunk is large and deep, with no hybrid battery intrusion. For engine is mated to a • Great fuel economy: EPA- somewhat tight
STRONG
rated POINTS
43 mpg combined • WEAK
SteeringPOINTS
offers little
CVT, an electric motor, and a nickel-metal-hybrid
propulsion, a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is mated to a CVT, an battery pack. Total
• Smooth ride
Comfortable cabin feedback
Rear-seat headroom is
electricsystem
motor,output
and aisnickel-metal-hybrid
215 hp. The hybrid powertrainbattery pack.is exceptionally
Total • Many advanced safety • Hybrid powertrain
somewhat tight noisy
systemsmooth,
output with
is 215 onlyhp.theThe hybridvibration
slightest powertrain whenis accelerating
exceptionallyfrom Large
features aretrunk
available during acceleration
smooth, with only the slightest vibration when accelerating from and including forward automatic Steering
• Handling offers
isn’t little feedback
sporty
rest. Acceleration is average, though. Handling is competent, Great fuel economy: EPA-
rest. Acceleration is average, though. Handling is competent, and emergency braking with
rated 43 mpg combined Hybrid powertrain is noisy
not at all sporty. The ride quality is very refined and smooth, and the pedestrian detection, lane- during acceleration
not at all sporty. The ride quality is very refined and smooth, and Smooth ride
steering
the steering is is light
light but but offerslittle
offers littlefeedback.
feedback. The The Avalon
AvalonHybrid
Hybridfuel keeping assistance, and
Handling isn’t sporty
economy
fuel economy is isEPA-rated
EPA-rated at 43 mpg mpg city/43
city/43highway/43
highway/43combined, Manywarning
blind-spot advanced safety
combined, excellent for a sedan.
large sedan. features are available
excellent for a large

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 6.27 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3780
Acceleration: 5.34
Exterior length (in): 195.9
Braking: 4.08 Exterior width (in): 72.8
Crashworthiness: 8.44 Exterior height (in): 56.5
Handling: 6.63 Wheelbase (in): 113.0
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 8.05
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 4.65 Tire manufacturer and size: Bridgestone 235/45 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.05 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.70 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 6.57
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.33 Engine/motor: 2.5L 4-Cyl. DOHC VVT-I
Engine horsepower: 176 @ 5700 (215 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 118 hp

164 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 62

AAA.com/greencar
 LARGE HYBRID
Acura RLX Sport Hybrid
Acura RLX Sport Hybrid

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $61,900
HIGHEST RANKING

5
72.62 48.94 Price as Tested $62,865
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1500
72.62
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 15.1
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 28 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED29
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................15.1
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................28
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 28 0 2 7
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................29
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................28
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,500
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $61,900; PRICE AS TESTED: $62,865
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 26.6
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The mildly redesigned RLX Sport Hybrid, Acura’s flagship sport
Overall Observations
sedan, combines a 3.5-liter V6 engine (310 hp) with a three-motor AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The mildly
hybridredesigned
system (one RLX Sport
in the Hybrid,
front, two inAcura’s
the rear;flagship sportto
119 hp total)
sedan, combines a 3.5-liter V6 engine (310 hp) with a three-
• Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
produce a net output of 377 hp. The powertrain, which has a motor- • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
motor hybrid system (one in the front, two in the rear; 119 hp
total) tointegrated
produce 7-speed dual-clutch
a net output of 377 transmission instead ofwhich
hp. The powertrain, a standard • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
automatic or a CVT,
has a motor-integrated produces
7-speed smooth power
dual-clutch without any
transmission electric-
instead Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
drive glitches
of a standard or surging.
automatic The RLX
or a CVT, Sport Hybrid
produces smooth is power
quick off the line, • Lane-keeping assistance
withoutwithanyaelectric-drive Strong Points
0-to-60 time ofglitches or surging.
5 seconds. The RLX to
AWD contributes Sport
responsive • Ample power from the Weak Points
Hybrid is quick off the line, with a 0-to-60 time of 5 seconds.
handling, although the ride is on the soft side. The main exterior smooth hybrid powertrain • Soft ride quality
AWD contributes to responsive handling, although the ride is on
• Sharp handling • Small trunk
the softchange:
side. The A large
maingrille replaces
exterior the previous
change: A large edition’s divisive front
grille replaces • WEAK
ˮbeak.ˮedition’s
The interior makesfront
use of qualityThe
materials STRONG
• Many POINTS
advanced technology POINTS
High price ($62,000 as
the previous divisive "beak." interiorand has attractive,
makes safety and convenience tested)
use of though
quality somewhat Ample power from the Soft ride quality
materials and dated,
hasstyling. All the
attractive controlssomewhat
- though are easy to use; systems available
smooth hybrid powertrain
dated -two styling.
centralAllscreens
the controls are easy
make dual tasks,to use;
such astwo central and radio,
navigation • Good fuel economy (EPA Small trunk
screens make dual tasks, such as navigation and radio, easier to 28 mpgSharp handling
combined)
easier to view and complete. The front and rear seating areas are High price ($62,000 as
view and complete. The front and rear seating areas are Many advanced tested)
comfortable
comfortable but notbut notspacious.
very very spacious.
The The
trunk trunk is small
is small because
because ofof technology safety and
the hybrid
the hybrid batterybattery
pack; pack; unfortunately,
unfortunately, the rear
the rear seatsseats don’t
don’t foldfold convenience systems
down. down.
The RLX’sThe RLX’s
suitesuite of safety
of safety features
features hashas been
been upgradedand
upgraded and available, such as
now includes a traffic-jam assistassist
mode. In sum, thetheAcura RLX traffic-jam assist
now includes a traffic-jam mode. In sum, Acura RLX Sport
Sport Hybrid combines sporty driving with a smooth, efficient Good fuel economy
Hybrid combines sporty driving with a smooth, efficient powertrain,
powertrain, but it’s not quite luxurious enough to justify its (EPA-estimated 28 mpg
$62,000 butMSRP.
it’s not quite luxurious enough to justify its $62,000 MSRP. combined)

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.35 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 4380
Acceleration: 7.64
Exterior length (in): 198.1
Braking: 2.46 Exterior width (in): 74.4
Crashworthiness: 8.96 Exterior height (in): 57.7
Handling: 5.03 Wheelbase (in): 112.2
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.79
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 6.24 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 245/40R19
Ease of entry and exit: 7.45 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.80 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 6.68
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 1.21 Engine/motor: 3.5L V6 VTEC Hybrid
Engine horsepower: 310 @ 6500 (377 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 119 hp

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 20192 165


PICKUP
Americans love their pickup trucks—more than
ever, it seems. Pickup sales hit 2.94 million units
in 2018, compared with 2.82 million in 2017.
About 83 percent of those sales are full-size
pickups.
Perhaps the main appeal of pickups is that
of all vehicle types, pickups come the closest
to being able to “do it all.” Unquestionably,
pickups can haul more cargo than any other
type of vehicle and are also the hands-down
champ when it comes to towing capacity. And
today’s pickups—dubbed “America’s new family
car” by some—are often as comfortable, plush,
and decked out with amenities as any other
vehicle type.
But to be fair, pickups have their downsides.
They’re expensive to buy, for example,
averaging close to $49,000 for a full-size truck
and $33,000 for a midsize pickup. They’re also
the most expensive vehicle type to own and
operate—an average annual expenditure of
about $10,200, according to AAA’s 2018 Your
Driving Costs study. The four pickups reviewed
in the 2019 AAA Green Car Guide include two
full-size and two midsize trucks, two of which
are diesels.
BASE PRICE: $46,970; PRICE AS TESTED: $60,475
PICKUP
WINNER
FORD
F-150 4x4 Supercrew
For nearly four decades, the Ford F-Series has been America’s best-
selling vehicle—not just pickup truck, mind you, vehicle. Ford sells
almost a million F-Series each year, and it’s easy to see why. The only
pickup truck with an aluminum body, the F-150 impresses with its
comfort and usability. Getting into the cab requires a high step-in,
but running boards help out. The front seats are very comfortable,
with plenty of headroom, and the full-size doors and grab handles
make it easy to get into the backseat. There’s a generous amount
of headroom and legroom in the rear seats; it’s comfortable for
up to three people. Our test truck was equipped with a 2.7-liter
turbocharged V6 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission that
produce 325 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque—enough power that
we didn’t miss having a V8. The powertrain is smooth, but the start/
stop system momentarily froze the steering wheel when it engaged
at stoplights. Steering was decently responsive, and the handling was
predictable for the size of the vehicle. The ride quality was surprisingly
comfortable, and very good for a full-size pickup truck. We got 17
mpg overall during our testing, about 20 percent lower than the EPA
estimates of 19 mpg city/24 highway/21 combined.
AAA.com/greencar
 PICKUP NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Ford F-150 4X4 Supercrew

Green Car Scores Vehicle Price

Score For This Vehicle Base Price: $46,970
68.58 Price as Tested $60,475
Annual Fuel Cost: $1700
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
Fuel Capacity (gal): 36.0
EPA City mpg: 19
Available Safety Features
EPA Highway mpg: 24
Rearview camera
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 21
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning
Lane keeping assistance
Adaptive cruise control
Forward-collision warning Auto Club Average MPG: 16.5
Forward automatic emergency braking
Advanced headlights
Overall Observations
For nearly four decades, the Ford F-Series has been America’s
best-selling vehicle - not just pickup truck, mind you, vehicle.
NHTSA
Ford sells SAFETY
almost RATING
a million F-Series each year, and it’s easy to
see why. The only pickup truck with an aluminum body, the F-
AVAILABLE
150 impresses withSAFETY
its comfortFEATURES
and usability. Getting into the cab OVERALL SCOREPoint
Strong/Weak
• Rearview
requires camera but running boards
a high step-in, • Adaptive
help out. cruise
Thecontrol
front CATEGORY
LOWEST HIGHEST RANKING
• Blind-spot
seats are warning
very comfortable, • Forward-collision
with plenty of headroom, and warningthe full- Strong Points

1
48.94power and torque
• Good Weak 93.90
Points
• Rear
size doors cross-traffi
and c warningmake it easy
grab handles • Forward automatic
to get into the
from the 2.7-liter turbo V6 • The F-150’s large size
backseat. There’s a generous
• Lane-departure emergency and
warning amount of headroom braking
legroom
• Good drivability 68.58 makes it somewhat awkward
in the •rear seats; it’s comfortable
Lane-keeping assistance for up to
• three
Advanced people. Our test
headlights • Comfortable ride to maneuver
truck was equipped with a 2.7-liter V6 turbocharged engine and a • Spacious cabin • Real-world fuel economy
10-speedSTRONG POINTS
automatic WEAK 325
transmission that produce POINTShorsepower FUEL INFORMATION wasn’t great: 17 mpg
and 400 Good
lb-ft ofpower
torque - enough
and torque
power that we didn’t misssize
The F-150’s large having
makes • Start/stop system
a V8. The powertrain in turbo
smooth, Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGEthe MPG
from the 2.7-liter V6 but the start/stop
it somewhat system
awkward to momentarily freezes
momentarily froze the steering wheel whenmaneuver it engaged at steering wheelASwhen
Fuel Capacity (gal):.................................36.0
TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
it
stoplights.Good drivability
Steering was decently responsive, and the handling engages
EPA City mpg: .............................................19
Comfortable
was predictable
Real-world fuel economy
ridesize of the vehicle. The ride quality was
for the 0 1 7
isn’t great: 17 mpg EPA Highway mpg: ....................................24
surprisingly
Spacious cabin and very good for a full-sized pickup
comfortable,
truck. We got 17 mpg overall during our testing, Start/stop system
about momentarily
20 percent EPA Combined mpg: ................................21
freezes the steering wheel ANNUAL FUEL COST
lower than the EPA estimates of 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 $1,700
when it engages
combined.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLESPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS

Fuel efficiency: 0.56 Model year tested: 2018

EPA emissions score: 5.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 5260
Acceleration: 6.53
Exterior length (in): 231.9
Braking: 4.42 Exterior width (in): 96.8
Crashworthiness: 6.22 Exterior height (in): 77.2
Handling: 1.65 Wheelbase (in): 145.0
Restraint type: 6 air bags
Ride quality: 7.38
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 7.92 Tire manufacturer and size: Goodyear 275/55 R20
Ease of entry and exit: 7.71 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 7600
Visibility: 8.10 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 10 speed
Interior noise: 8.04
Drivetrain type: All wheel - part time
Cargo capacity: 5.06 Engine/motor: 2.7L V6 Ecoboost
Engine horsepower: 325 @ 5000

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019

13 167
PICKUP DIESEL

Ford F-150 4x2 Supercrew

Ford F-150 4X2 Supercrew

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $43,875
HIGHEST RANKING

2
65.62 48.94 Price as Tested $54,620
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1850
65.62
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Diesel
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 26.0
EPA City mpg: DIESEL
Fuel Type: ............................................ AVERAGE 22 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED30
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................26.0
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................22
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 25 0 2 3
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................30
Rear cross traffic warning
EPA Combined mpg: ................................25
Lane-departure warning
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,850
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $43,875; PRICE AS TESTED: $54,620
Forward-collision warning Auto Club Average MPG: 22.6
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
HONORABLE
MENTION
It seems as if Ford’s popular F-Series pickups are
Overall Observations
available in an almost infinite number of variations. AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Ford
We tested thehas
F-Series 4x2been
F-150America’s best-selling
crew cab powered by thevehicle
new for • Adaptive cruise control
• Rearview camera
four decades. Almost a million F-Series pickups are sold each
3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine that’s mated to a 10-speed automatic • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
year, in many variations. We tested the 4x2 F-150 crew cab
poweredtransmission.
by the new The F-150 impresses
3.0-liter turbodieselwith its space
engine and
that’s comfort,
mated to aand • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
nowautomatic
with dieseltransmission.
power. The step-in is high,impresses
but there are running Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning
emergency braking
10-speed The F-150 with its
space boards • Advanced headlights
to aid entry
and comfort, and nowand exit.
withThe front
diesel seats are
power. Thevery comfortable,
step-in is • Lane-keeping assistance
high, but Strong Points
withthere
plenty areofrunning
headroom boards to aidFull-size
available. entry anddoorsexit.
withThe
grabfront
handles • Good power and torque Weak Points
seats are very comfortable, with plenty of headroom available.
make it easy to get into the rear seats. There is a huge amount of from the 3.0-liter turbodiesel • Bouncy ride quality
Full-size doors with grab handles make it easy to get into the rear
seats. headroom and good legroom in the backseat, and it’s comfortable V6 • Large size can make it
There is huge amount of headroom and good legroom in WEAK to POINTS
for up toand three STRONG
• Good POINTS
drivability difficult maneuver
the backseat, it’speople. Our test
comfortable forvehicle was equipped
up to three people. Our with test
a 3.0-liter • Spacious • Some diesel clatter at start-
vehicleturbo-diesel Good cabin
power and torque Bouncy ride quality
was equipped V6 engine
with a that makes
3.0-liter V6250 horsepower
turbo diesel engineand 440thatlb-ft up
from the 3.0-liter turbo-
makesof250 horsepower
torque. The power andand440 lb-ft of
torque wastorque. The power
very good; andmiss
we didn’t Large size can make it
diesel V6
torque was very good; we didn’t miss having a V8. The 10-speed difficult to maneuver
having a V8. The 10-speed automatic transmission shifted smoothly, Good drivability
automatic transmission shifted smoothly, with little shift shock. Some diesel clatter
We gotwith23 little
mpgshift shock.
overall We got
during our23 mpg overall
testing, during
a bit lower ourthe
than testing,
Spacious cabin at startup
a bit lower
EPA estimate of than
22 mpg the EPA estimate
city/30 of 22 mpg
highway/25 city/30 highway/25
combined.
combined.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 2.34 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 1.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 5260
Acceleration: 5.76
Exterior length (in): 231.9
Braking: 1.56 Exterior width (in): 96.8
Crashworthiness: 6.22 Exterior height (in): 75.6
Handling: 1.64 Wheelbase (in): 145.0
Restraint type: 6 air bags
Ride quality: 7.00
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 9.53 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 275/55 R20
Ease of entry and exit: 8.20 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 10,200
Visibility: 7.70 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Auto 10 speed
Interior noise: 8.81
Drivetrain type: Rear wheel
Cargo capacity: 5.85 Engine/motor: 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel
Engine horsepower: 250 @ 3250

168 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 12

AAA.com/greencar
 PICKUP NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Honda Ridgeline Honda
AWD RTL-E
Ridgeline AWD RTL-E

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $41,920
HIGHEST RANKING

3
64.88 48.94 Price as Tested $42,915
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1800
64.88
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 19.5
EPA City mpg: REGULAR
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 18 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED25
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................19.5
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................18
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 21 0 2 1
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................25
Rear cross traffic warning
EPA Combined mpg: ................................21
Lane-departure warning ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,800
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $41,920; PRICE AS TESTED: $42,915
Forward-collision warning Auto Club Average MPG: 21.2
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
Most pickup trucks sold in the U.S. have a “tough” image. But the
Overall Observations
midsize Honda Ridgeline, carried over from 2018, instead relies on AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Most pickup
crossover-likesold
trucks in the
comfort U.S. have
to impress a “tough”
potential image.
owners. But in
Getting the
and • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
midsized Honda Ridgeline, carried over from 2018, instead relies
out of the Ridgeline is easy because it’s not as high off the ground • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
on crossover-like comfort to impress potential owners. Getting in
and outasofother trucks. Theis
the Ridgeline front
easyseating
becausearea it’s
feels roomy,
not withoff
as high comfortable,
the • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
groundalthough
as otherslightly
trucks.hard,
The seats.
front The seating
seating area position is high like
feels roomy, witha Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
crossover’s,
comfortable too, with
- although a good
slightly hard view of the The
- seats. road.seating
The rearposition
seat is • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
is high spacious
like a crossover’s, Strong Points
as well, withtoo, with a good
a comfortably highview of the
perch. Theroad. The is
ride quality • Solid unibody construction Weak Points
rear seat is spacious as well, with a comfortably high perch. The
smooth and comfortable, although it often feels floaty. The steering • Quiet cabin • Floaty ride quality
ride quality is smooth and comfortable, although it often feels
floaty. is light and responsive, butresponsive,
it doesn’t provide
but it much feelprovide
or feedback. • Available advanced safety • Steering lacks feel
The steering is light and doesn’t WEAK canPOINTS
Onlyorone engine isOnly
available, a 3.5-liter STRONG
systems, POINTS
including • Ride be floaty
much feel feedback. one engine is V6 that produces
available, 280 hp and
a 3.5-liter automatic
Solidemergency
unibody construction Floaty ride quality
V6 thatisproduces
mated to a280 smooth-shifting
hp and is mated 6-speed
to atransmission.
smooth-shiftingAcceleration,
6- braking and forward-collision
speed though
transmission.
not quick,Acceleration,
is fine for most though
drivingnotsituations.
quick, is AWD,
fine forstandard Quiet cabin
warning Steering lacks feel
most driving situations. AWD, standard on the RTL-E,
on the RTL-E, is available on most trim levels. Fuel economy is
is Available advanced safety
available on most trim levels. Fuel economy is rated at an EPA- systems, including forward
rated
estimated 18atmpg
an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city/25
city/25 mpg highway/21 mpg mpg highway/21
combined. Thempg automatic emergency
combined.
Ridgeline The Ridgeline
is available with many is available
advanced with manyfeatures,
safety advanced safety braking and forward-
features,
including including forward-collision
forward-collision warning, automatic warning and forward automatic
emergency collision warning
braking, and road-departure
emergency braking. mitigation.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 0.56 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 3.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 4520
Acceleration: 5.52
Exterior length (in): 210.0
Braking: 4.61 Exterior width (in): 78.6
Crashworthiness: 8.58 Exterior height (in): 70.8
Handling: 4.53 Wheelbase (in): 125.2
Restraint type: 8 air bags
Ride quality: 7.43
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 6.87 Tire manufacturer and size: Firestone 245/60 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.29 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 5000
Visibility: 8.30 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 6 speed
Interior noise: 4.91
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 3.28 Engine/motor: 3.5L V6 VTEC
Engine horsepower: 280 @ 6000

AAA.com/greencar 26
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 169
PICKUP DIESEL

Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

Chevrolet 4WD Diesel
Colorado ZR2 4WD Diesel

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $42,000
HIGHEST RANKING

4
48.94 48.94 Price as Tested $50,535
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $2000
48.94
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Diesel
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 21.0
EPA City mpg: DIESEL
Fuel Type: ............................................ AVERAGE 19 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED22
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................21.0
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................19
Lane-departure warning NHTSA Rating: 4 EPA Combined mpg: 20 0 1 7
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................22
Forward-collision warning
EPA Combined mpg: ................................20
ANNUAL FUEL COST
$2,000
BASE PRICE: $42,000; PRICE AS TESTED: $50,535
Auto Club Average MPG: 17.4
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Chevrolet’s Colorado is an attractive midsize pickup truck; it’s
Overall Observations
especially rugged looking in ZR2 trim. The standard Colorado is the AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Chevrolet’s Colorado
right-size pickup is an for
truck attractive midsized
most people, but pickup truck;it looks
in ZR2 form, it’s and
• Rearview camera
especially rugged looking in ZR2 trim. The standard Colorado is
feels more like a full-size pickup. The raised hood with faux louvers • Lane-departure warning
the right-sized pickup truck for most people, but in ZR2 form, it
impedes
looks and feelsforward
more like visibility and adds
a full-sized to theThe
pickup. largeraised
feel. Inhood
addition, the • Forward-collision warning
ZR2louvers
with faux lacks theimpede
midsizeforward
feel andvisibility
maneuverability
and addoftoother Colorados.
the large Strong/Weak Point
feel. InThe huge all-terrain
addition, the ZR2 tireslacks and
theoff-road
midsizedsuspension
feel andraise the vehicle’s
maneuverability of other Colorados. Strong Points
height, giving the impression of aThe huge
larger all-terrain
truck. Getting tires
in and and
out is • Rugged-looking styling Weak Points
off-road suspension raise the vehicle’s height, giving the
difficult because of the high ride height and lack of running boards; • Off-road capability • Noisy diesel engine
impression of a larger truck. Getting in and out is difficult
because theofseats
the are
highcomfortable,
ride heighthowever.
and lackOur test vehicle
of running was equipped
boards; the
• Standard heated seats • Low power, slow
withcomfortable,
a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel STRONG POINTS WEAK POINTS
acceleration
seats are however.4-cylinder
Our test engine
vehiclerated
was at 181 hp and
equipped • Lots of tire andengine
road noise
Rugged-looking styling Noisy diesel
with the369 lb-ft of 4-cylinder
2.8-liter torque. It’s noisy at idle, although
turbo-diesel engine rated the noise
at 181 tapers
hp off • Expensive: $50,535 as
and 369 lb-ftatofhigher
some torque. It’s noisy
speeds. at idle, although
Unfortunately, engine noisethe noise
is replaced by Off-road capability Low power, slow
tested
tapersloud
off some at higher speeds. Unfortunately, engine noise is acceleration
tire noise. Acceleration with the turbo-diesel is slow, despite its Standard heated seats
replaced by loud tire noise. Acceleration with the turbo-diesel is Lots of tire and road noise
high torque.
slow, despite We torque.
its high achieved Wea modest
achieved fuelaeconomy
modest fuel figure of 17 mpg
Expensive: $50,535 as
economy in our testing.
figure Our
of 17 mpgtestin truck
ourhad manyBy
testing. off-road
contrast,features,
the non-including
tested
downhill-speed
ZR2 Colorado control,
4WD diesel is front recovery
EPA-rated athooks,
23 mpg driver-controlled
combined.
Our test truckdifferentials,
locking had many off-road features,
and a full-size spareincluding
tire in thedownhill-
bed.
speed control, front recovery hooks, driver-controlled locking
differentials, and a full-size spare tire in the bed.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 0.00 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 3.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 5060
Acceleration: 3.18
Exterior length (in): 212.4
Braking: 1.65 Exterior width (in): 76.7
Crashworthiness: 7.05 Exterior height (in): 72.2
Handling: 1.45 Wheelbase (in): 128.5
Restraint type: 8 air bags
Ride quality: 7.00
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 6.15 Tire manufacturer and size: Goodyear 265/65 R17
Ease of entry and exit: 6.50 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 5000
Visibility: 5.90 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Auto 6 speed
Interior noise: 3.83
Drivetrain type: All wheel - Part time
Cargo capacity: 3.23 Engine/motor: 2.8L 4-Cyl. Duramax
Engine horsepower: 181 @ 3400

170 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 7

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 BASE PRICE: $80,500; PRICE AS TESTED: $93,630

SUV/MINIVAN
SUV/MINIVAN
WINNER

JAGUAR
In 2018, SUVs (including crossovers) were
the most popular vehicle type in the country
for the third consecutive year—with nearly 7.9
million vehicles sold, up from 7.1 million in I-Pace EV400 HSE
2017. People choose SUVs over sedans for
two reasons. First, the body style provides The Jaguar I-Pace EV400 sets a high bar for sporty crossover SUVs
more room, especially behind the second- or
and is impressive on many levels. The styling is aggressive and bold,
third-row seats. Second, SUVs let drivers and
combining a traditional Jaguar grille with a fastback wedge shape. Its
passengers sit up higher, with a better view of
available 22-inch wheels with carbon-fiber inserts are visually stunning
the road and traffic ahead. And because SUVs
and add to the I-Pace’s show-car look. Inside, the Jaguar eschews
are available with fuel-efficient, low emitting
powertrains—hybrid, diesel, or conventional leather seats, opting instead for a more forward-thinking and animal-
ICE—there’s no need to compromise friendly denim fabric and synthetic suede. Traditional instruments and
significantly on fuel economy. That’s especially controls are replaced with three display screens, which give the I-Pace
true for subcompact and compact SUVs. In a high-tech feel—one for the driver’s instruments, another for climate
this year’s AAA Green Car Guide, we review 33 control, and a third for settings, phone, and entertainment. The front
SUVs in a wide variety of sizes, powertrains, and seats are snug but have good headroom. The rear seat is somewhat
price ranges. cramped, and visibility to the rear is poor. The I-Pace’s dual electric
Minivans are the perfect family car because motors produce 394 hp from the 90-kWh battery pack. Acceleration
of their sliding doors and easy access to to 60 mph happens in a blazing 4.6 seconds. Handling is agile and
third-row seats. And today’s minivans are
sports car–like. The steering is responsive, with good feedback, but
more refined and feature-laden than ever,
is slightly heavy. Ride quality is excellent, with none of the expected
with amenities such as rear-seat entertainment
harshness from the 22-inch wheels.
options and captain’s chairs. They’re even
reasonably fuel-efficient. In this year’s Guide,
we review two minivans—the iconic Honda
Odyssey, which has a conventional ICE
powertrain, and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, a
plug-in hybrid.

AAA.com/greencar
 SUV/MINIVAN ELECTRIC
Jaguar I-Pace EV400 HSE

Green Car Scores Vehicle Price

Score For This Vehicle Base Price: $80,500
93.90 Price as Tested $93,630
Annual Fuel Cost: $850
120V Charge Time: 4 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 18 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity
DC Fast Charger: up to 85 min to 80% Battery Capacity (kWh): 90
EPA City MPGe: 80
Available Safety Features
EPA Highway MPGe: 72
Rearview camera
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined MPGe: 76
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning
Lane keeping assistance EPA Estimated Range: 234 miles
Adaptive cruise control
Forward-collision warning
Forward automatic emergency braking
Advanced headlights
Overall Observations
The Jaguar I-Pace EV400 sets a high bar for sporty crossover
SUVs and is impressive on many levels. The styling is
NHTSAand
aggressive SAFETY
bold,RATING
combiningNot Rated
a traditional Jaguar grille with a
fastback wedge shape. Available 22-inch wheels with carbon-
AVAILABLE
fiber inserts SAFETY
are visually FEATURES
stunning and add to the I-Pace’s show- OVERALL SCOREPoint
Strong/Weak
• Rearview
car look. Inside,camera
the Jaguar eschews leather • Adaptive
seats,cruise control
opting CATEGORY
LOWEST HIGHEST RANKING
instead• Blind-spot
for a more warning Forward-collision
forward-thinking and •animal-friendly warning
denim Strong Points

1
48.94 powertrain, with
• Strong Weak 93.90
Points
fabric •and
Rearsynthetic
cross-traffisuede. Traditional instruments
c warning and controls
• Forward automatic
quick acceleration • Slow to charge, with only
are replaced with three
• Lane-departure warning emergency
display screens, which braking
give the I-Pace a 93.90
• Excellent ride quality 230 miles of range
high-tech feel - one for the
• Lane-keeping assistance
driver’s instruments,
• Advancedanother for
headlights • Sports car-like handling • Tight rear seat
climate control, and a third for settings, phone, and
STRONGThe
entertainment. front seats are snugWEAK
POINTS but havePOINTS
good FUEL INFORMATION
headroom. The rear seat
Strong powertrain, with
somewhat bit cramped, and visibility to
Slow to charge, with only
the rear quick
is poor. The I-Pace’s dual electric Fuel Type: ................................ ELECTRICITY AVERAGE MPG
acceleration 230 miles of range 394
motors produce
hp from the 90-kWh battery pack. Acceleration to 60 mph Battery Capacity (kWh):.............................90 AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB

happensExcellent ride quality

in a blazing 4.6 seconds. Handling Tight rear seat
is agile and sports EPA City MPGe: ..........................................80
car-like. Sports car–like handling
The steering is responsive, with good feedback, but is EPA Highway MPGe:..................................72 N / A
slightly heavy. Ride quality is excellent, with none of the expected EPA Combined MPGe:..............................76 ANNUAL FUEL COST
harshness from the 22-inch wheels. EPA Electric Range (mi): ......................... 234 $850
BATTERY 120V: 4 MILES PER HOUR
CHARGE 240V: 18 MILES PER HOUR
TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: 80% IN 85 MINUTES
TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 8.64 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 10.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 4980
Acceleration: 9.75
Exterior length (in): 184.3
Braking: 7.42 Exterior width (in): 84.2
Crashworthiness: 7.98 Exterior height (in): 61.3
Handling: 8.43 Wheelbase (in): 117.7
Restraint type: 6 air bags
Ride quality: 8.33
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 6.35 Tire manufacturer and size: Pirelli 255/40 R22
Ease of entry and exit: 7.15 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.60 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Single speed
Interior noise: 8.79
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 2.46 Engine/motor: Permanent Magnet
Engine horsepower: N/A
Electric motor horsepower: 394 @ 4250

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019

33 173
SUV/MINIVAN PLUG-IN HYBRID

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Chrysler Limited
Pacifica Hybrid Limited

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
Score For This Vehicle Base Price: $44,995 CATEGORY
LOWEST HIGHEST RANKING

2
81.28 48.94 Price as Tested $48,580
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $900
81.28
120V Charge Time: 2.4 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 16.5 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity/Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 16.5
EPA
Fuel Type: ........... City mpg:
ELECTRICITY/REGULAR AVERAGE 32 MPG
Available Safety Features (GASOLINE AND ELECTRICITY)
Fuel Capacity EPA (gal):.................................16.5
Highway mpg: 33
AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................32
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R
EPA Highway mpg: EPA ....................................33
Combined mpg: 32 0 3 6
Rear cross traffic warning EPA CombinedEPA
IIHS Top Safety Pick (with optional front mpg: ................................32
Combined MPGe: 84
Lane-departure warning crash prevention and specific headlights)
EPA Combined MPGe:..............................84 ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance EPA Estimated EPA Range Estimated Range:
(mi): .......................33 33 miles $900
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $44,995; PRICE AS TESTED: $48,580 BATTERY 120V: 2.4 MILES PER HOUR
Forward-collision warning
CHARGE Auto
240V:Club Average
16.5 MILES MPG:
PER HOUR 35.5
Forward automatic emergency braking TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: N/A
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights HONORABLE

Chrysler introduced the first minivan to U.S. motorists

MENTION NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
Overall Observations
in 1984. The minivan’s popularity has since been 2018 (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
Chrysler introduced
eclipsed the firstseemingly
by America’s minivan to U.S. motorists
insatiable appetitein for1984.
The minivan’s popularity has since been eclipsed by America’s AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
crossovers and SUVs. But Chrysler hopes to revitalize this segment
seemingly insatiable appetite for crossovers and SUVs. But •Rearview camera •Adaptive cruise control
Chryslerwith the Pacifi
hopes ca plug-inthis
to revitalize hybrid minivan;
segment it’sthe
with an industry
Pacificafirst, and it
plug-in •Forward-collision warning
•Blind-spot warning
Strong/Weak Point
hybrid works
minivan;quite
it’swell.
an Inside,
industryforward visibility
first, and is very
it works good
quite because of the
well. • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
Inside,low dash. The
forward frontis
visibility ofvery
the cabin
goodisbecause
spacious,ofwiththeplenty of headroom
low dash. emergency braking
• Lane-departure
Strong Points warning
The front
andof the cabin
storage space.is Aspacious,
convenient with plenty
rotary of headroom
transmission and
shifter also • Advanced headlights
• Lane-keeping
• The assistance
only plug-in hybrid Weak Points
storage space. A convenient rotary transmission shifter also
saves space. Our test vehicle’s front seats, covered with perforated minivan • Large, bulky size
saves space. Our test vehicle’s front seats, covered with
leather, were luxurious. However, the bottom • 33-mile electric-only range • Some electric motor whine
perforated leather, were luxurious. However, theseat
bottomcushions
seat were
flat and STRONG
• Spacious POINTS
cabin WEAK
and clatterPOINTS
cushions wereoffered
flat and little support.
offered The
little rear seating
support. area offers
The rear seating plenty of • Soft brake pedal feel,
The only plug-in hybrid Large, bulky size
headroom
area offers plentyand legroom; sliding
of headroom rear-seat captain’s
and legroom; chairs with video
sliding rear-seat
minivan slightly long braking distances
captain’s chairsmounted
monitors with video monitors
to the mountedare
front seatbacks to available.
the front The Pacifica’s Some electric motor whine
seatbacks are available. The Pacifica’s ride quality is soft and 33-mile electric-only range and clatter
ride quality is soft and comfortable. The 3.6-liter V6 hybrid powertrain
comfortable. The 3.6-liter V6 hybrid powertrain (260 hp total) runs Spacious cabin Soft brake pedal feel,
smoothly(260andhp total) runs smoothly
also transitions and also transitions
seamlessly from EV to seamlessly
hybrid from EV slightly long braking
to hybrid
operation. The operation.
Pacifica PHEV The Pacifi
hasca anPHEV has an electricity-only
electricity-only driving driving distances
range range of approximately
of approximately 33 miles,
33 miles, andand thenthen switches
switches to to gasoline-
gasoline-
electricelectric
power.power.
The vehicle’s
The vehicle’sbattery cancan
battery bebe fully charged
fully chargedinintwo two hours
hours on a Level 2 (240 volt) system, but it takes 14 hours on
on a Level 2 (240-volt) system, but it takes 14 hours on a standard
standard home (120 volt) setup.
home (120-volt) setup.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 7.21 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 5140
Acceleration: 5.54
Exterior length (in): 203.8
Braking: 0.37 Exterior width (in): 90.4
Crashworthiness: 9.62 Exterior height (in): 69.9
Handling: 3.93 Wheelbase (in): 121.6
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.71
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 7.20 Tire manufacturer and size: Nexen 235/60 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 8.13 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.60 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 5.95
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 10.00 Engine/motor: 3.6L V6 e-Hybrid
Engine horsepower: 220 @ 5050 (260 total)

174 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 10

AAA.com/greencar
 SUV/MINIVAN PLUG-IN HYBRID
Volvo XC90 T8 E-AWD
Volvo PHEV
XC90 T8 Inscription
Inscription E-AWD PHEV

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle LOWEST Base Price: $64,950
HIGHEST RANKING

3
79.28 48.94 Price as Tested $84,990
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1400
79.28
120V Charge Time: 1 mile per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 6 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity/Premium
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 13.2
Fuel Type: ..........
EPA ELECTRICITY/PREMIUM
City mpg: AVERAGE 26 MPG
Available Safety Features (GASOLINE AND ELECTRICITY)
Fuel Capacity EPA (gal):.................................13.2
Highway mpg: 30
AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................26
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA ....................................30
EPA Highway mpg: Combined mpg: 27 0 2 8
Rear cross traffic warning EPA CombinedEPA mpg: ................................27
Combined MPGe: 62
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined MPGe:..............................62 ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance EPA EstimatedEPA
Range Estimated Range:
(mi): .......................19 19 miles $1,400
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $64,950; PRICE AS TESTED: $84,990 BATTERY 120V: 1 MILE PER HOUR
Forward-collision warning CHARGE Auto
240V:Club Average
6 MILES MPG:
PER HOUR 27.7
Forward automatic emergency braking TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: N/A
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Volvo’s XC90 T8 E-AWD plug-in hybrid luxury SUV forges its own NHTSA SAFETY RATING
Overall Observations
way and surprises with its excellent dynamic qualities. The exterior
Volvo’sstyling
XC90isT8 E AWD
instantly plug-in hybrid
recognizable as a luxury SUV the
Volvo, while forges its own
interior is a
way and surprises with its excellent dynamic qualities. The AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
modern, luxurious Scandinavian design. The seats are comfortable
exterior styling is instantly recognizable as Volvo, while the • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
interiorand
is asupportive, with seemingly
modern, luxurious innumerable
Scandinavian design.adjustments.
The seats And there’s
• Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
plenty of headroom
are comfortable in the front
and supportive, withseating area.innumerable
seemingly A 10-inch vertical display Strong/Weak Point
• Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
controlsAnd
adjustments. phone and entertainment
there’s plenty of headroomfunctions, along
in the with
front most of the
seating emergency braking
• Lane-departure
Strong Points warning
area. Avehicle’s
10-inchsettings
verticalanddisplay controls phonepreferences.
driver-customizable and entertainment
The rear seats • • Lane-keeping
Smooth and assistance
powerful Weak Points
functions, along with most of the vehicle’s settings and driver-
recline and slide, making them very comfortable, and there’s plenty of hybrid powertrain • Customizing of settings may
customizable preferences. The rear seats recline and slide,
makingheadroom
them veryand legroom. The third-row
there’s seat folds flat, creating a large • Stylish, spacious, and be difficult for some
comfortable, and plenty of headroom STRONGcabin
comfortable POINTS • WEAK POINTS
No AM radio band
cargo area.
and legroom. TheThe 2.0-literseat
third-row 4-cylinder engine
folds flat, (313 hp)
creating is turbocharged
a large cargo • VerySmooth
sporty handling • High price whenofloaded with
and powerful Customizing settings may
and 2.0-liter
area. The supercharged; two electric
4-cylinder engine motors,
(313 hp)AWD, and a 9.2-kWh
is turbocharged andhybrid options ($85,000
hybrid powertrain be diffi cult foras tested)
some
supercharged; two electric motors, AWD, and a 9.2-kWh
battery pack round out the drivetrain. The powertrain produces an hybrid
batteryimpressive
pack round out the drivetrain. The powertrain produces Stylish, spacious, and High price when loaded with
400 total hp and has strong acceleration. The ride quality comfortable cabin options ($85,000 as tested)
an impressive 400 total hp and has strong acceleration. The ride
qualityisissmooth
smoothandandcontrolled,
controlled, and handling
and is excellent
handling andand
is excellent surprisingly
Very sporty handling
sportysporty
surprisingly for a large
for amidsize crossover.crossover.
large midsized Advanced Advanced
safety features include
safety forward-collision
features includewarning, forward automatic
forward-collision warning, emergency
automatic braking,
emergency braking,
adaptive cruiseadaptive cruise control,
control, blind-spot blind-spot
warning with rearmonitoring
cross-traffic
with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping
warning, and lane-keeping assistance. assist. The EPA-
estimated fuel economy is 27 mpg in combined hybrid driving
and 62 MPGe in all-electric mode.
TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 5.21 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/5
Curb weight (lbs): 5180
Acceleration: 7.08
Exterior length (in): 194.9
Braking: 3.67 Exterior width (in): 75.7
Crashworthiness: 9.65 Exterior height (in): 69.9
Handling: 5.47 Wheelbase (in): 117.5
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 8.29
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 4.88 Tire manufacturer and size: Pirelli 275/40R21
Ease of entry and exit: 7.50 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 5200
Visibility: 9.30 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 8 speed
Interior noise: 6.77
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 4.46 Engine/motor: 2.0L I4 super/turbocharged
Engine horsepower: 313 @ 5700 (400 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 87 @ 7000

AAA.com/greencar 77
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 175
SUV/MINIVAN PLUG-IN HYBRID

Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD R-Design

Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD R-Design

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $52,900
HIGHEST RANKING

4
79.02 48.94 Price as Tested $69,640
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1450
79.02
120V Charge Time: 2 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 6 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity/Premium
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 13.2
EPA
Fuel Type: .......... ELECTRICITY/PREMIUM
City mpg: AVERAGE 25 MPG
Available Safety Features (GASOLINE AND ELECTRICITY)
Fuel Capacity EPA (gal):.................................13.2
Highway mpg: 28
AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................25
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA ....................................28
EPA Highway mpg: Combined mpg: 26 0 2 9
Rear cross traffic warning EPA CombinedEPA mpg: ................................26
Combined MPGe: 58
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined MPGe:..............................58 ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance EPA EstimatedEPA
Range Estimated Range:
(mi): .......................17 17 miles $1,450
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $52,900; PRICE AS TESTED: $69,640 BATTERY 120V: 2 MILES PER HOUR
Forward-collision warning CHARGE Auto
240V:Club Average
6 MILES MPG:
PER HOUR 29.3
Forward automatic emergency braking TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: N/A
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
The Volvo XC60 T8 E plug-in hybrid distinguishes itself in the NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
Overall Observations
crowded midsize luxury crossover segment with some special
The Volvo XC60
qualities. The T8beautiful,
E plug-in hybridcabin
modern distinguishes itself in leather
features stitched the and
crowded midsized luxury crossover segment with some special AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
knurled aluminum, along with ˮvirtualˮ instruments in the driver’s
qualities. The beautiful, modern cabin features stitched leather • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
display.aluminum,
and knurled The front and alongrearwith
sport bucketinstruments
"virtual" seats are comfortable
in the • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
driver’sbut snug, and
display. Thethere’s plenty
front and rearof headroom.
sport bucket The attractive
seats are vertical Strong/Weak Point
• Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
touch-panel
comfortable display
but snug, andcontrols
there’smost
plentyfunctions via scrolling
of headroom. Thethrough emergency braking
• Lane-departure
Strong Points warning
attractive vertical
various menustouch-panel
to adjust the display
audio,controls
phone, and most functions
vehicle via
settings. • Advanced
scrolling through various menus to adjust the audio, phone, and • Lane-keeping
• Strong powertrain,assistance
with Weak Points headlights
Technophiles will love all of the adjustments, but others might find good acceleration • Vague steering, with too
vehicle settings. Technophiles will love all the adjustments, but
others them
mightconfusing—and the touch interface is sometimes
interfacefinicky. The • Agile, sporty handling light an effort
find them confusing - and the touch is • WEAK
XC60’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder STRONG
• Stylish, POINTS
comfortable cabin POINTS
Noisy powertrain
sometimes finicky. The XC60’sengine,
2.0-literwhich is mated
4-cylinder to an 8-speed
engine, which • Many advanced • Some may find thewith too
Strong powertrain, with Vague steering,
is matedautomatic transmission,
to an 8-speed is unusual
automatic in that it’s both
transmission, turbocharged
is unusual in that and safety/convenience
good accelerationfeatures multifunction screen difficult
light an effort
it’s both turbocharged
supercharged. Theand supercharged.
engine The engine
and two electric and two a total
motors produce are available including to use
electric motors produce a total output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of Agile, sportywarning,
forward-collision handling Noisy powertrain
output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is strong but
torque. Acceleration is strong but sometimes a bit jerky, and the blind-spot warning, and cabin
Stylish, comfortable Some may find the
sometimes
powertrain is noisy. a bit
Thejerky, and the
XC60’s ridepowertrain
quality isiscontrolled
noisy. The XC60’s
and ride automated parking multifunction screen
quality is controlled and comfortable butvery
firm.sporty,
Handling Many advanced safety/
comfortable, but firm. Handling is agile and butisthe
agile and
convenience features are
difficult to use
steeringvery
is sporty,
vague but andthetoosteering
light in iseffort.
vagueTheandEPA-estimated
too light in effort.fuel
The EPA- available
economy is 26 mpg
estimated in combined
fuel economy is 26gas-electric
mpg in combined mode gas-electric
and 59 MPGe mode
when driven on electric power only.
and 58 MPGe when driven on electric power only.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.62 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 4780
Acceleration: 7.72
Exterior length (in): 184.6
Braking: 5.07 Exterior width (in): 83.3
Crashworthiness: 9.31 Exterior height (in): 65.3
Handling: 6.13 Wheelbase (in): 112.8
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.81
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 5.01 Tire manufacturer and size: Pirelli 235/55 R19
Ease of entry and exit: 7.31 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 3500
Visibility: 9.50 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 8 speed
Interior noise: 6.51
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 3.03 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. super/turbocharge
Engine horsepower: 313 @ 6000 (400 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 87 hp

176 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 75

AAA.com/greencar
 SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Audi Q7 Quattro Tiptronic
Audi Q7 Quattro Tiptronic

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $58,400
HIGHEST RANKING

5
77.66 48.94 Price as Tested $81,200
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $2000
77.66
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Premium
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 22.5
EPA City mpg:PREMIUM
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 19 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED25
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................22.5
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................19
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 21 0 1 7
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................25
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................21
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $2,000
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $58,400; PRICE AS TESTED: $81,200
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 16.6
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
The Audi Q7 is the automaker’s second-largest SUV, a three-row
Overall Observations
crossover that was redesigned in 2017. It’s handsomely restyled AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Audi Q7 outside,
on the is the automaker’s
and spacious second-largest
and cleanly styled SUV,onathethree-row
inside. The
crossover that was redesigned in 2017. It’s handsomely restyled
• Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
front seats are comfortable despite heavy bolstering, and there’s • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
on the outside, and spacious and cleanly styled on the inside.
plenty
The front seatsof headroom
are comfortableand shoulder
despiteroom.heavy A nice luxury touch
bolstering, and is a • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
there’smicrosuede headliner.and
plenty of headroom Ourshoulder
Q7 was equipped with Audi’s
room. A nice luxuryhigh-tech Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
virtual
touch is cockpit, a digital
a micro-suede instrument
headliner. Our Q7 cluster
wasthat takes the
equipped place of
with • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
Audi’s electromechanical
high-tech virtual cockpit, Strong Points
gauges;aadigital instrument
tablet-like cluster that
display handles infotainment • Spacious interior, with Weak Points
takes the place of electromechanical gauges; a tablet-like display
functions. The second row is comfortable as well, with sliding and three rows of seating • Entertainment and vehicle-
handles infotainment functions. The second row is comfortable settings control is complicated
• Sporty handling
as well,reclining seats.and
with sliding It has a huge amount
reclining seats. Itofhas headroom and can of
a huge amount easily
• WEAK
accommodate three accommodate
people. The third-row seats, though, are tiny STRONG
• Powerful POINTS
engine POINTS
The electronic transmission
headroom and can easily three people. The third- • Excellent ride quality shifter is different from most
Spacious interior, with Entertainment and
and best
row seats, suited
though, arefortiny
kids.
andBoth
bestthesuited
second- for and
kids.third-row
Both theseats can cars and requires some
three rows of seating vehicle-settings control is
secondfoldandflatthird row seats
to increase thecan
size fold
of theflatcargo
to increase
area. Our the size
test of had a
vehicle familiarization.
complicated
the cargo area. Our test vehicle had a 3.0-liter turbocharged 6- Sporty handling
3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder engine (333 hp), which provided The electronic transmission
cylinder engine (333 hp), which provided quick acceleration. Powerful engine
quick
Handling acceleration.
is very sporty for Handling is very
a big SUV, andsporty
the for a big SUV, and the
variable-assist shifter is different from most
Excellent ride quality cars and requires some
power variable-assist power steering
steering was responsive andwas responsive
provided goodand provided
feedback. good
The
familiarization
feedback.
Q7’s brakes alsoThe Q7’s brakes
performed wellalso
andperformed
had a firmwell andfeel.
pedal had Fuel
a firm pedal
economyfeel.isFuel
decent for a large
economy vehicle:
is decent an EPA-estimated
for a large 21 mpg
vehicle: an EPA-estimated 21
in combined driving.
mpg in combined driving.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 0.56 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 3.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/5
Curb weight (lbs): 5100
Acceleration: 6.52
Exterior length (in): 199.6
Braking: 9.81 Exterior width (in): 87.1
Crashworthiness: 9.08 Exterior height (in): 68.5
Handling: 6.89 Wheelbase (in): 117.9
Restraint type: 8 air bags
Ride quality: 8.19
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 5.83 Tire manufacturer and size: Continental 285/40 R21
Ease of entry and exit: 7.57 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 7700
Visibility: 9.10 Headlight type: HID
Transmission type: Auto 8 speed
Interior noise: 7.15
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 3.94 Engine/motor: 3.0L V6 TFSI
Engine horsepower: 333 @ 5500

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 20193 177

SUV/MINIVAN ELECTRIC

Hyundai Kona Electric

Hyundai Ultimate
Kona FWD
Electric Ultimate FWD

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $44,650
HIGHEST RANKING

6
76.70 48.94 Price as Tested $45,830
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $550
76.70
120V Charge Time: 6 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 29 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity
FUEL INFORMATION
Battery Capacity (kWh): 64
DC Fast Charger: 80 percent in 75 minutes
EPA City MPGe:
Fuel Type: .................................ELECTRICITY AVERAGE 132 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED108
BY AUTO CLUB
Battery Capacity EPA (kWh):
Highway.............................64
MPGe:
Rearview camera EPA City MPGe: ....................................... 132
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined MPGe:108 120
EPA Highway MPGe:............................... N / A
Rear cross traffic warning EPA Combined
IIHS Top Safety Pick + (with optional front MPGe: ........................... 120
Lane-departure warning EPA Electric Range (mi): ......................... 258
crash prevention and specific headlights)
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance EPA Estimated Range: 258 miles $550
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $44,650; PRICE AS TESTED: $45,830 BATTERY 120V: 6 MILES PER HOUR
Forward-collision warning 240V: 29 MILES PER HOUR
CHARGE
Forward automatic emergency braking TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: 80% IN 75 MINUTES
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
Just a few years ago, you had to buy a Tesla to get decent range NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
Overall Observations
from an EV. Now you can get more than 200 miles of electricity-only 2019 (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
Just a driving
few years fromago, you had toBolt,
the Chevrolet buythe
a Tesla
Nissanto getPlus,
Leaf decent range
the Kia Niro
from an EV. Now you can get more than 200 miles of electricity- AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
EV, and the Hyundai Kona Electric, which has an EPA-estimated 258
only driving from the Chevrolet Bolt, the Nissan Leaf Plus, and • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
miles ofKona
the Hyundai range from its which
Electric, 201-hphas electric motor and 64-kWh
an EPA-estimated 258battery, the • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
miles ofbest in itsfrom
range class.its
The Kona Electric’s
201-hp powertrain
electric motor is smooth,
and 64-kWh with good
battery, Strong/Weak Point
• Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
the bestpower
in itsand acceleration.
class. The KonaThe steeringpowertrain
Electric’s is responsive is and provides
smooth, emergency braking
• Lane-departure
Strong Points warning
with good
good power and acceleration.
feedback. The steering
Handling is sporty, and the Kona is responsive
changes direction • Advanced
and provides good feedback. Handling is sporty, and the Kona • Lane-keeping
• Class-leading assistance
range: 258 Weak Points headlights
quickly. The body structure is very solid, and the ride quality is well miles • Overly firm ride
changes direction quickly. The body structure is very solid, and
• Tiny rear seat
the ridecontrolled
quality isbut too firm. Inside, butthe front seating area
theisfront
roomy for a • Sporty handling
well-controlled too firm. Inside, • WEAK
STRONG
• Solid POINTS
body structure POINTS
Overly sensitive lane-
seatingsmall
areavehicle,
is roomywithforgood headroom,
a small vehicle,andwiththegood
low dashboard
headroom,allows • Many advanced safety keeping assistance
Class-leading range: Overly firm ride
and theforlow
good forward visibility.
dashboard allows for A tablet-like
good forward display has knobs
visibility. for radio
A tablet- features
258are available
miles
like display
volume has andknobs
tuning forthat,
radio
likevolume
the restand
of thetuning
Kona’s that, like the
controls, are easy Tiny rear seat
rest of the Kona’s controls, are easy to use. The rear seats are Sporty handling
to use. The rear seats are tight, and, combined with the low floor, put Overly sensitive lane-
tight, and, combined with the low floor, put passengers in an Solid body structure keeping assistance
awkward passengers
position,inforcing
an awkward position,
their knees upforcing
towardtheirtheirknees
chests.up toward
The
their chests. The Kona Electric’s Many advanced safety
Kona Electric’s MPGe rating, 120 inMPGe
combinedrating, 120 in combined city/
city/highway features are available
driving,highway
is very driving,
good. is very good.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 9.77 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 10.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3780
Acceleration: 7.44
Exterior length (in): 164.6
Braking: 2.77 Exterior width (in): 70.9
Crashworthiness: 6.94 Exterior height (in): 61.2
Handling: 6.88 Wheelbase (in): 102.4
Restraint type: 6 air bags
Ride quality: 6.95
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 3.78 Tire manufacturer and size: Nexen 215/55 R17
Ease of entry and exit: 6.85 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 7.90 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Single speed
Interior noise: 5.71
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.72 Engine/motor: Permanent Magnet
Engine horsepower: N/A
Electric motor horsepower: 201 hp

178 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 31

AAA.com/greencar
 SUV/MINIVAN HYBRID
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Toyota XLE Hybrid XLE
Highlander

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
Score For This Vehicle Base Price: $42,030 CATEGORY
LOWEST HIGHEST RANKING

7
75.77 48.94 Price as Tested $45,149
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1350
75.77
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 17.2
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 29 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED27
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................17.2
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................29
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 28 0 2 4
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................27
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................28
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,350
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $42,030; PRICE AS TESTED: $45,149
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 24.3
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
The 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE is a roomy, efficient three- 2019
Overall Observations
row crossover. The front seating area is spacious, with plenty of AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The 2019 Toyotaand
headroom Highlander
shoulderHybrid XLE is a aroomy,
room. However, efficient
long reach is required to
three-row crossover. The front seating area is spacious, with • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
get to the main center display. Plenty of storage space is available, • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
plenty of headroom and shoulder room. However, a long reach is
requiredincluding
to get toa huge
the maincenter console
center bin. The
display. interior
Plenty is muted but has
of storage • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
space some classy details,
is available, such
including a as the center
huge aluminum trim on
console theThe
bin. dash. The Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
interiorsecond-row
is muted but hasslide
seats someforeclassy details,
and aft, such
so there’s as the
plenty of legroom. • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
aluminum Strong Points
The trim on row
second the dash. The
also has second-row
good seatsheadroom;
(but not great) slide fore and three • Large, comfortable cabin Weak Points
aft, so there’s plenty of legroom. The second row also has good
people can fit back there comfortably. Second-row captain’s chairs • Large cargo area, with • Long reach to the
(but not great) headroom; three people can fit back there
are available onrow
higher trim levels. A small third-row on seathigher
folds plenty of cabin storage space radio/navigation display
comfortably. Second captain’s chairs are available • WEAK
flat into the floor. The cargo STRONG
• Ride POINTS
quality is comfortable POINTS
The steering lacks feel
trim levels. A small third-row seatcapacity
folds flatis very large,
into the although
floor. The the and controlled • Power tailgate opens and
Large, comfortable cabin Long reach to the radio/
power tailgate
cargo capacity is very operates slowly. The
large, although theHighlander’s
power tailgate 3.5-liter V6 hybrid
operates • Good fuel economy: EPA- closes slowly
navigation display
slowly.powertrain
The Highlander’s 3.5-literwith
is very smooth, V6ahybrid powertrain
total output of 306ishp.very
Acceleration rated Large cargocombined
at 28 mpg area, with
smooth, with a total output of 306 hp. Acceleration is fine, if not plenty of cabin storage The steering lacks feel
is fine, if not neck-snapping, and the steering is light but lacks feel. space
neck-snapping, and the steering is light but lacks feel. The ride Power tailgate opens and
qualityThe
hasride
beenquality
improvedhas been
fromimproved from recent
recent model years model
and is years
very and is Ride quality is comfortable closes slowly
very comfortable
comfortable and well controlled.
and well controlled. and controlled
Good fuel economy:
EPA-rated at 28 mpg
combined

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.35 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/6
Curb weight (lbs): 4900
Acceleration: 6.41
Exterior length (in): 192.5
Braking: 2.18 Exterior width (in): 75.8
Crashworthiness: 9.41 Exterior height (in): 68.1
Handling: 4.67 Wheelbase (in): 109.8
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.86
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 7.29 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 245/60 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.71 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 3500
Visibility: 7.20 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 7.01
Drivetrain type: All wheel - Full time
Cargo capacity: 5.68 Engine/motor: 3.5L V6 DOHC VVT-I
Engine horsepower: 231 @ 5800 (306 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 167 hp

AAA.com/greencar 66
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 179
SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Honda Odyssey EliteHonda Odyssey Elite

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE
Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $46,670
HIGHEST RANKING

8
73.85 48.94 Price as Tested $47,610
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1650
73.85
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 19.5
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 19 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED28
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................19.5
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................19
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 22 0 1 8
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................28
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick (with optional front
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................22
crash prevention and specific headlights) ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,650
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $46,670; PRICE AS TESTED: $47,610
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 18.0
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Honda’s Odyssey minivan received a major redesign in 2018. 2018 (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
Overall Observations
Especially in the top Elite trim, the Odyssey is filled with many clever AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Honda’s and Odyssey minivan
useful features, received
such a major redesign
as a space-saving in 2018.
push-button shifter that’s • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
Especially in the top Elite trim, the Odyssey is filled with many
easy to use and a wireless phone charger. The front seating area is • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
clever and useful features, such as a space-saving push-button
shifter spacious,
that’s easy with
toplenty
use and of storage
a wirelesscubbies.
phone Although
charger. there’s
The enough
front • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
seatingroomareafor a bigger screen, the Odyssey has only an 8-inch touch Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
panel, with
is spacious, which looksof
plenty small in a big,
storage modern
cubbies. vehicle. The
Although second row
there’s • Lane-keeping assistance
enoughfeatures
room for a bigger screen, theaft Odyssey Strong Points
seats that slide fore and and alsohas only so
laterally, anthey
8- can
• Innovative second row, Weak Points
inch touch panel, which looks small in a big, modern vehicle. The
be pushed together or pulled apart, a unique feature for minivans. with multiple seating • Firm ride quality
second row features seats that slide fore and aft and also
Additionally,
laterally, so they can thebe
driver
pushedcan keep
togethertrackor of pulled
second- and third-row
apart, a
configurations • Lack of engine torque, slow
STRONG
• Many POINTS
available advanced WEAK POINTS
acceleration
uniquepassengers
feature forwith a videoAdditionally,
minivans. camera that displays
the driverin the
cancenter
keep stack; he • Some
safetyInnovative
and convenience
second row, Firmfalse
ride alarms
quality from the
track oforsecond-
she can also
and speak
third-rowto them through the
passengers withvehicle’s
a videospeakers.
camera The features forward-collision warning
with multiple seating
that displays
Odyssey in isthe center by
powered stack; he orV6
a 3.5-liter she can
that also speak
produces to it’s mated
280 hp; • Technology-aided Lack of engine torque,
system
configurations ability to
them through the vehicle’s speakers. The Odyssey is powered by watch and speak to slow acceleration
to a 10-speed transmission that sends power to the front wheels. Many available advanced
a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 280 hp; it’s mated to a 10-speed passengers
Dynamically,
transmission the Odyssey
that sends power isn’t to thea standout, with slow
front wheels. acceleration
Dynamically, safety and convenience
and a slightly features
the Odyssey isn’t afistandout,
rm ride quality. Manyacceleration
with slow advanced safety andfeatures
a slightlyare
available,
firm ride quality.however, includingsafety
Many advanced forward-collision
features are warning, forward
available, Technology-aided ability
however, including forward-collision warning, automatic to watch and speak to
automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The passengers
emergency braking, and lane- keeping
Odyssey’s EPA-estimated fuel economy is 19 assist. The mpgOdyssey’s
city/28 mpg
EPA-estimated fuel economy is 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway/22
highway/22
mpg combined. mpg combined.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 1.07 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 3.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/6
Curb weight (lbs): 4580
Acceleration: 5.76
Exterior length (in): 203.2
Braking: 4.63 Exterior width (in): 78.5
Crashworthiness: 9.13 Exterior height (in): 69.6
Handling: 3.28 Wheelbase (in): 118.1
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.79
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 6.38 Tire manufacturer and size: Bridgestone 235/55R19
Ease of entry and exit: 8.46 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 3500
Visibility: 8.80 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 10 speed
Interior noise: 5.65
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 9.89 Engine/motor: 3.5L V6 VTEC
Engine horsepower: 280 @ 6000

180 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 25

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 SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Volvo XC90 T6 AWD
Volvo Inscription
XC90 T6 AWD Inscription

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $54,050
HIGHEST RANKING

9
73.17 48.94 Price as Tested $74,090
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1850
73.17
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Premium
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 18.8
EPA City mpg:PREMIUM
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 20 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED27
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................18.8
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................20
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 23 0 1 9
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................27
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................23
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,850
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $54,050; PRICE AS TESTED: $74,090
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 18.7
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Volvo’s XC90 T6 is an appealingly different entry in the large luxury
Overall Observations
SUV segment. The beautiful, contemporary cabin features stitched AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Volvo’sleather
XC90and T6 is an appealingly
natural different
wood. The seats entry in the large
are comfortable and supportive, • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
luxury SUV segment. The beautiful, contemporary cabin features
and although snug, have an almost infinite number of adjustments. • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
stitched leather and natural wood. The seats are comfortable and
The front
supportive, andseating
although area is spacious,
snug, have an with plenty
almost of headroom.
infinite number The of • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
attractive
adjustments. vertical
The fronttouch-panel
seating area display allows the
is spacious, withdriver
plentyto adjust
of Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
the audio,
headroom. phone, and
The attractive other settings
vertical by scrolling
touch-panel displaythrough
allows athe
variety • Lane-keeping assistance
driver to adjust the audio, phone, Strong Points
of menus. Many of the XC90’sand otherare
features settings by scrolling
customizable, which • Powerful drivetrain with Weak Points
through a variety of menus. Many of the XC90’s features are
technophiles will appreciate. The reclining and sliding rear seats good drivability • Difficult-to-use multifunction
customizable, which technophiles will appreciate. The reclining
are extremely comfortable, with comfortable,
a great deal ofwith headroom screen
a greatand
• Stylish, spacious,
and sliding rear seats are extremely • WEAK POINTS
STRONGcabin
comfortable POINTS Abrupt engine stop-start
deal oflegroom.
headroom A third-row seat folds
and legroom. flat, creating
A third-row seatafolds
largeflat,
cargo area. • Sporty handling for large • High price ($74,000 as
Powerful drivetrain with Difficult-to-use
The
creating a XC90’s 2.0-liter
large cargo 4-cylinder
area. engine,
The XC90’s which generates
2.0-liter 4-cylinder316 hp, is crossover tested)
good drivability multifunction screen
engine,both
which generates and
turbocharged 316 supercharged,
hp, is both turbocharged
and produces andstrong power • Comfortable, controlled ride
supercharged, and produces strong power and acceleration. It’s Stylish, spacious, Abrupt engine stop-start
and acceleration. It’s mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. comfortable cabin
mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Ride quality is firm High price ($74,000 as
Ride quality
and controlled butisstill
firmcomfortable.
and controlled Ourbut still comfortable.
XC90 was equipped Ourwith
XC90
Sporty handling for a tested)
was equipped
many advanced with
safety many advanced
features, including safety features, including a
a semiautonomous large crossover
drivingsemiautonomous
feature called Pilot driving feature
Assist, whichcalled Pilot Assist,
controls which controls
steering, Comfortable, controlled
acceleration,
steering,and braking under
acceleration, specificunder
and braking speed and croad
specifi speed and road ride
conditions. The XC90 T6’s EPA-estimated fuel economy is 20
conditions. The XC90 T6’s EPA-estimated fuel economy is 20 mpg
mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined.
city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 1.53 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 5.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/5
Curb weight (lbs): 4700
Acceleration: 6.30
Exterior length (in): 194.9
Braking: 6.08 Exterior width (in): 84.3
Crashworthiness: 9.24 Exterior height (in): 69.9
Handling: 5.06 Wheelbase (in): 117.5
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 8.38
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 5.37 Tire manufacturer and size: Pirelli 275/40R21
Ease of entry and exit: 7.42 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 5000
Visibility: 8.80 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 8 speed
Interior noise: 5.54
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 4.46 Engine/motor: 2.0L I4 super/turbocharged
Engine horsepower: 316 @ 5700

AAA.com/greencar 76
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 181
SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Subaru Ascent Premium

Subaru Ascent Premium

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $34,195
HIGHEST RANKING

10
72.38 48.94 Price as Tested $39,430
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1650
72.38
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 19.3
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR
EPA City mpg: AVERAGE 20 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED26
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................19.3
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................20
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 22 0 1 7
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................26
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick + (with specific
Lane-departure warning headlights) EPA Combined mpg: ................................22
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,650
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $34,195; PRICE AS TESTED: $39,430
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 17.4
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
Subaru has entered the midsize SUV category with its largest vehicle 2019 (with specific headlights)
Overall Observations
to date, the Ascent. Available as a three-row vehicle in seven- or eight- AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Subarupassenger
has entered confithe midsized
gurations, theSUV
Ascent category
looks and with its like
feels largest
a Subaru, • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
vehicle to date, the Ascent. Available as a three-row vehicle in
but also adds many luxury and advanced technology features not • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
seven- or eight-passenger configurations, the Ascent looks and
typical for the brand. Like many other
feels like a Subaru, but also adds many luxury and advanced Subies, the Ascent tries for a • Rear cross-traffi c warning • Forward automatic
sportyfeatures
technology feel, withnotits bolstered
typical forseats and paddle
the brand. Like shifters—unusual
many other for Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
Subies, anthe
SUV. The upscale
Ascent tries for interior has buckets
a sporty feel, with seats, a stitchedseats
its bolstered leather–like • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
and paddle shifters - unusual Strong Points
dash, and a cool carbon fifor a SUV.
ber–like Theon
weave upscale interiorplastic
some interior has trim.
• Spacious, upscale interior Weak Points
buckets seats, a stitched leather-like dash, and a cool carbon
There’s plenty of space in front, with a lot of headroom and shoulder • Comfortable ride quality • Disconnected steering
fiber-like weave on some interior plastic trim. There’s plenty of
room. In the center stack, there’s an 8-inch
space in front, with a lot headroom and shoulder room. In the touch-panel display with • Many user-friendly feeling
STRONG
advanced POINTS
safety features • WEAK
SensitivePOINTS
throttle at low
center radio
stack,volume
there’sand antuning
8-inchknobs that are display
touch-panel easy to use.
withThe Ascent is
radio speeds
Spacious, upscale interior Disconnected steering
volumepowered
and tuning by 2.5-liter
knobs 4-cylinder
that are easyboxer toengine
use. The thatAscent
produces is a healthy • Soft brake pedal
feeling
powered 260byhp2.5-liter
and 2774-cylinder boxerPower
lb-ft of torque. engine that
flows produces
through a
a smooth CVT Comfortable ride quality
healthytransmission,
260 hp andand 277AWD lb-ft is
ofstandard.
torque. Power flows through a Sensitive throttle at low
Acceleration is good, although Many user-friendly
smooth CVT transmission, and AWD is standard. Acceleration is speeds
advanced safety features
the throttlethe
good, although pedal is touchy
throttle pedalatislow speeds,
touchy making
at low the Ascent
speeds, making difficult Soft brake pedal
to drive
the Ascent smoothly
difficult in stop-and-go
to drive smoothly in traffi c. Many advanced
stop-and-go safety
traffic. Many
advancedfeatures
safetyarefeatures
available,are including forward
available, automatic
including forwardemergency
automatic emergency
braking, braking, warning,
forward-collision forward-collision warning,
and blind-spot and with rear
warning
blind-spot warning with
cross-traffic warning. rear cross-traffic warning.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 1.07 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 3.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/5
Curb weight (lbs): 4520
Acceleration: 6.29
Exterior length (in): 196.8
Braking: 7.38 Exterior width (in): 85.7
Crashworthiness: 8.08 Exterior height (in): 71.6
Handling: 4.79 Wheelbase (in): 113.8
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 7.33
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 7.27 Tire manufacturer and size: Falken 245/50 R20
Ease of entry and exit: 7.76 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 5000
Visibility: 7.80 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 6.53
Drivetrain type: All wheel - Full time
Cargo capacity: 5.09 Engine/motor: 2.4L 4-Cyl. Boxer Turbo GDI
Engine horsepower: 260 @ 5600

182 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 55

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 SUV/MINIVAN HYBRID
Lexus RX 450h AWDLexus RX 450h AWD
Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE
Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle LOWEST Base Price: $45,995
HIGHEST RANKING

11
72.27 48.94 Price as Tested $57,195
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1500
72.27
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Premium
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 17.2
EPA City mpg: PREMIUM
Fuel Type: ...................................... AVERAGE 31 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED28
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................17.2
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................31
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 30 0 2 6
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................28
Rear cross traffic warning
EPA Combined mpg: ................................30
Lane-departure warning
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,500
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $45,995; PRICE AS TESTED: $57,195
Forward-collision warning Auto Club Average MPG: 26.2
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
The Lexus RX 450h was the first green luxury SUV on the market,
Overall Observations
and it’s still one of the best. Combining a 3.5-liter V6 engine, AWD, AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Lexus
and three450h
RX was
electric the first
motors, thegreen luxury
RX hybrid SUV on athe
generates total of 308 • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
market, and it’s still one of the best. Combining a 3.5-liter V6
hp. The RX hybrid provides strong performance and great fuel • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
engine, AWD, and three electric motors, the RX hybrid generates
a total economy
of 308 hp.forThea heavy SUV—an
RX hybrid EPA-estimated
provides 30 mpg combined.
strong performance • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
Inside
and great you’ll
fuel find anfor
economy elegant
a heavyinterior. The navigation,
SUV—an EPA 30 mpg audio, and Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
phone
combined. are still
Inside controlled
you’ll find an by a controversial
elegant computer
interior. The mouse–like
navigation, • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
audio, remote-touch
and phone are still controlled by aplenty
controversial computer Strong Points
interface. There’s also of headroom up front. • Great fuel economy (30 Weak Points
mouse-like remote-touch interface. There’s also plenty of
The rear seat is comfortable as well, but headroom is just adequate. mpg in combined driving) • A few interior build-quality
headroom up front. The rear seat is comfortable as well, but
headroomThe hybrid
is just powertrain
adequate. is Thepowerful
hybridand very smooth.
powertrain The steering
is powerful
• Excellent ride quality issues
STRONG POINTS
• Comfortable, quiet cabin • WEAK POINTS
Heavy doors; slightly
and veryhassmooth.
an appropriately
The steering quickhas
ratioan and is responsive.
appropriately The handling
quick ratio is • Good hybrid difficult to interior
close build-quality
and is competent
responsive.but Great fuelpower
economy (30 A few
The nothandling
especiallyis sporty.
competentThe ride
but quality, however, is
not especially • High price: $57,000 as
mpg in combined driving) issues
sporty.superb,
The ride quality,
with a greathowever,
balance of is comfort
superb, andwithcontrol.
a greatThebalance
doors are tested
of comfort and control. The doors are a bit heavy, which gives a Excellent ride quality Heavy doors; slightly
a bit heavy, which gives a sense of solidity, but also makes them difficult to close
sense of solidity, but also makes them slightly difficult to close. Comfortable, quiet cabin
The RX slightly difficultwith
is available to close.
many The RX is available
advanced safetywith many advanced
features, High price: $57,000 as
safety features, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot Good hybrid power
including forward-collision warning, blind-spot warning, lane- tested
warning,
departure lane-departure
warning, lane-keeping warning, lane-keeping
assist, a 360-degree assistance,
cameraa
system, and vehicle-proximity
360-degree camera system, warning for pedestrians warning
and vehicle-proximity and for
cyclists.
pedestrians and cyclists.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.91 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 4840
Acceleration: 6.49
Exterior length (in): 192.5
Braking: 1.81 Exterior width (in): 74.6
Crashworthiness: 9.36 Exterior height (in): 67.7
Handling: 3.88 Wheelbase (in): 109.8
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 8.19
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 5.04 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 235/65 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.64 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 3500
Visibility: 9.20 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 8.18
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 1.58 Engine/motor: 3.5L V6 VVT-I DOHC
Engine horsepower: 259 @ 6000 (308 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 67 hp

AAA.com/greencar 44
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 183
SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Subaru Forester Sport

Subaru Forester Sport

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle LOWEST Base Price: $28,795
HIGHEST RANKING

12
71.41 48.94 Price as Tested $31,815
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1250
71.41
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 16.6
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR
EPA City mpg: AVERAGE 26 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................16.6
Highway mpg: 33
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................26
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 29 0 2 4
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................33
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick
EPA Combined mpg: ................................29
Lane-departure warning ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,250
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $28,795; PRICE AS TESTED: $31,815
Forward-collision warning Auto Club Average MPG: 23.5
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
Now in its fifth generation, the all-new Forester is a sporty, spacious, 2019
Overall Observations
and off-road-capable two-row SUV. The front-seat area is roomy, with AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Now inlotsits of
fifth generation,
headroom. Thethe all-new
interior Forester
plastics are highis aquality,
sporty,and there are
• Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
spacious, and off-road-capable two-row SUV. The
also some aluminum accents. An 8-inch central display handles front-seat areathe
is roomy, with lots of headroom. The interior plastics are high • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
quality,navigation
and thereand areentertainment duties and
also some aluminum is easy toAn
accents. use, with knobs
8-inch • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
centralfor radio volume
display handlesand thetuning. The rear
navigation andseat features higher
entertainment “stadium-
duties Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
and is style”
easy seating, whichknobs
to use, with gives for
rear-seat
radio passengers
volume anda tuning. nice perch Thebut • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
rear seat features higher “stadium-style” Strong Points
doesn’t compromise headroom. The seating,
cargo area which gives
is large. The Forester
rear seat passengers a nice perch but doesn’t compromise • Standard AWD Weak Points
is serious about its off-road capability and features a terrain-mode • Off-road capability, with • Noisy powertrain
headroom. The cargo area is large. The Forester is serious about
selector
its off-road for use on
capability anddifferent
features surfaces. New for 2019
a terrain-mode is a 2.5-liter
selector for use
good ground clearance • Touchy accelerator pedal
STRONG
• Many advancedPOINTS
safety • WEAK POINTS
Lack of steering feel
fl at-4 boxer engine that produces 182 hp
on different surfaces. New for 2019 is a 2.5-liter flat-4 boxerand 176 lb-ft of torque.
features are standard,
Standard AWD Noisy powertrain
engineThe thatengine
produces has good
182 hp drivability,
and 176with lb-ftdecent power,
of torque. The butengine
it could use including forward automatic
has goodmore drivability,
torque. The with decent
throttle power,
pedal but itsensitive,
is unduly could use more and the
however, Off-road
emergency capability,
braking, lane-with Touchy accelerator pedal
torque.powertrain
The throttle pedalAsiswith
unduly goodwarning,
ground clearance
is noisy. mostsensitive,
Subarus, AWD however, and the
is standard on the departure and lane- Lack of steering feel
powertrain is noisy. As with most Subarus, AWD is standard on keeping assist
Many advanced safety
Forester. The EPA-estimated fuel economy is decent: 26 mpg city/33 features are standard
the Forester. The EPA-estimated fuel economy is decent: 26
mpg highway/29
mpg city/33 mpg highway/29mpg combined.
mpg combined.The automaker’s
The automaker’shighly regarded
highly EyeSight
regardedsuite of driver-assistance
EyeSight safety featuressafety
suite of driver-assistance is standard on all
features is standard
Forester on all Forester trim levels.
trim levels.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.64 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 6.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3580
Acceleration: 4.36
Exterior length (in): 182.1
Braking: 6.65 Exterior width (in): 81.3
Crashworthiness: 7.27 Exterior height (in): 68.1
Handling: 4.35 Wheelbase (in): 105.1
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 7.14
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 7.07 Tire manufacturer and size: Falken 225/55 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.72 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 1500
Visibility: 8.00 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 5.81
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 3.39 Engine/motor: 2.5L 4-Cyl. DOHC Boxer
Engine horsepower: 182 @ 5800

184 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 58

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 SUV/MINIVAN HYBRID
Kia Niro Touring Kia Niro Touring

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
Score For This Vehicle Base Price: CATEGORY
LOWEST $32,150
HIGHEST RANKING

13
70.84 48.94 Price as Tested $33,655
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $900
70.84
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 11.9
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 46 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED40
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................11.9
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................46
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 43 0 3 7
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................40
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick + (with optional front
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................43
crash prevention and specific headlights)
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $900
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $32,150; PRICE AS TESTED: $33,655
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 36.9
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The Kia Niro combines two of the more desirable attributes 2019 (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
Overall Observations
in today’s vehicle market: a crossover body style and a hybrid AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Kia Niro combines the in
powertrain—although two
thisofcase
the the
more desirable
execution hasattributes
left somein
today’s vehicle market: a crossover body style and a hybrid • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
opportunities for improvement. The Niro’s powertrain combines • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
powertrain—although in this case the execution has left some
a 1.6-liter
opportunities for4-cylinder engineThe
improvement. withNiro’s
an electric motor combines
powertrain and a 6-speed a • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
automatic
1.6-liter 4-cylinder transmission,
engine with making a totalmotor
an electric of 139andhp and 195 lb-ft of
a 6-speed Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
automatic transmission,
torque. Accelerationmaking
is a bit a totalwith
slow, of 139
a lackhpofand 195atlb-ft
torque lowerof • Lane-keeping assistance
torque.speeds.
Acceleration is a bit slow, with a lack of torque Strong Points
The powertrain occasionally stumbles at lowatspeeds,
lower too,
• Good fuel economy Weak Points
speeds. The powertrain occasionally stumbles at low speeds,
and is noisy as well. Handling is competent but not sporty. The cabin • Easy to use controls • Poor low speed drivability
too, and is noisy as well. Handling is competent but not sporty. • Low power and slow
is comfortable, withhad
good front-seat headroom and good • Many advanced driver
Our test car’s front tires a tendency to follow freeway rainforward
visibility. The controls are easy to use, and front
the 8-inch STRONG
assist systemsPOINTS
are available WEAK POINTS
acceleration
grooves. The cabin is comfortable, with good seat central display • Noisy powertrain
Good fuel economy Poor low-speed drivability
headroomhas knobs for radio
and good volume
forward and tuning.
visibility. The rearare
The controls seating
easyareato is
use, and the 8-inchforcentral
comfortable display
two people, hasgood
with knobs for radio three
headroom; volume can fit if Easy-to-use controls Low power and slow
and tuning. The rear seating area is comfortable for two people, acceleration
necessary. The Niro’s fuel economy is an EPA-rated 46 mpg city/40 Many advanced driver-
with good headroom; three can fit if necessary. The Niro’s fuel assistance systems are Noisy powertrain
economy mpgishighway/43
an EPA-rated mpg 46combined—good
mpg city/40 mpg numbers,
highway/43 but they
mpgdon’t available
combinedmatch thosenumbers,
- good of some competitors,
but they don’t which achieve
match those 50-mpg
of some ratings.
The Niro
competitors, is also
which available
achieve as an EV
50-mpg (page The
ratings. 51) and
Niroa is
PHEV
also(page 189).
available as an EV (page TK) and a PHEV (page TK).

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 6.27 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3300
Acceleration: 3.40
Exterior length (in): 171.5
Braking: 6.23 Exterior width (in): 71.1
Crashworthiness: 7.02 Exterior height (in): 60.8
Handling: 6.87 Wheelbase (in): 106.3
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 6.76
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 4.59 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 225/45 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.10 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.70 Headlight type: HID
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 4.83
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 2.06 Engine/motor: 1.6L 4-Cyl. GDI
Engine horsepower: 104 @ 5700 (139 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 43 hp

AAA.com/greencar 36
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 185
SUV/MINIVAN ELECTRIC

Kia Soul EV+ Kia Soul EV+

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $35,950
HIGHEST RANKING

14
70.73 48.94 Price as Tested $38,160
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $600
70.73
120V Charge Time: 3 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 21 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity
FUEL INFORMATION
Battery Capacity (kWh): 30
DC Fast Charger: 35 min to 80%
EPA City MPGe:
Fuel Type: .................................ELECTRICITY AVERAGE 124 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED93
BY AUTO CLUB
Battery Capacity EPA (kWh):
Highway.............................30
MPGe:
Rearview camera EPA City MPGe: ....................................... 124
NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Highway MPGe:..................................93
EPA Combined MPGe: 108 N / A
IIHS Top Safety Pick + (with optionalEPA Combined MPGe:........................... 108
front
EPA Electric Range (mi): ......................... 111
crash prevention and specific headlights)
ANNUAL FUEL COST
EPA Estimated Range: 111 miles $600

BASE PRICE: $35,950; PRICE AS TESTED: $38,160 BATTERY 120V: 3 MILES PER HOUR
CHARGE 240V: 21 MILES PER HOUR
TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: 80% IN 35 MINUTES
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
This year, Kia is celebrating the sale of 1 million Soul models in NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
Overall Observations
America. And there are good reasons it’s so popular, including its 2018 (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
This year, Kia
quirky is celebrating
styling, the sale
sporty handling, of low
and 1 million
price. Soul models
Outside, in
the Soul
America. And there are good reasons it’s so popular, including its AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
has funky, boxy styling: Some people like it, others don’t. Inside,
quirky styling, sporty handling, and low price. Outside, the Soul • Rearview camera
the appearance
has funky, boxy styling: is high-tech,
Some people with shiny
like it,white plastic
others panels
don’t. on the
Inside,
center stack
the appearance isand doors. The
high-tech, withcabin
shinyis white
roomy,plastic
with plenty
panelsof front-seat
on Strong/Weak Point
headroom.
the center stack and The rear
doors.seats
The arecabin
slightly
is uncomfortable,
roomy, with plenty with ofa low hip
front-seat Strong Points
pointheadroom.
and an upright The seatback.
rear seats are slightly
Handling uncomfortable,
is sporty, and the steering is • Smooth acceleration Weak Points
with a low hip point and an upright seatback. Handling is sporty,
responsive. The Soul is powered by a 109-hp electric motor and a 30- • Roomy, quiet cabin • Short driving range: an EPA-
and the steering is responsive. The Soul is powered by a 109-hp
electrickWh lithium-ion battery. Acceleration is smooth but not too is quick. The • Responsive steering estimated 111 miles
motor and a 30-kWh lithium-ion battery. Acceleration • WEAK
EVbut
version of the SoulThehas EV
oneversion
big shortcoming, which STRONG POINTS POINTS
Some hard interior plastics
smooth not too quick. of the Soul haswill
oneprobably
big • Uncomfortable
Smooth acceleration Short driving rear
range:seat
an
make most
shortcoming, whichpeople pass on this
will probably otherwise
make good vehicle:
most people pass on just 111
this
EPA-estimated 111 miles
otherwise
milesgood vehicle:
of range just 111
because of themiles
smallofbattery
range,pack.
because
Anyone of who
the buys Roomy, quiet cabin
small battery pack. Anyone who buys the Soul EV will want to Some hard interior plastics
the Soul EV will want to purchase a 240-volt charging system, which Responsive steering
purchase a 240-volt charging system, which delivers a full charge Uncomfortable rear seat
in five delivers a full charge
hours, versus in five
33 hours onhours, versusIn
120 volts. 33late
hours on 120
2018, a 2020volts. In late
Soul EV 2018,
wasthe 2020 Soul with
announced EV was announced
a 201-hp motor with
anda 201-hp motor and a
a 64-kWh
battery64-kWh battery
pack, said pack, said
to deliver to deliver
200-plus 200-plus
miles miles of range.
of range.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 9.55 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 10.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3480
Acceleration: 3.65
Exterior length (in): 163.0
Braking: 0.39 Exterior width (in): 70.9
Crashworthiness: 5.68 Exterior height (in): 63.0
Handling: 6.10 Wheelbase (in): 101.2
Restraint type: 8 air bags
Ride quality: 7.00
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 4.46 Tire manufacturer and size: Nexen 205/60 R16
Ease of entry and exit: 6.93 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 7.60 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Single speed
Interior noise: 7.68
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.70 Engine/motor: AC Synchronous Motor
Engine horsepower: N/A
Electric motor horsepower: 109 hp

186 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 38

AAA.com/greencar
 SUV/MINIVAN HYBRID
Acura MDX Sport Hybrid
Acura Advance
MDX Sport Hybrid Advance

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
Score For This Vehicle Base Price: CATEGORY
LOWEST $59,550
HIGHEST RANKING

15
70.60 48.94 Price as Tested $60,545
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1650
70.60
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 19.4
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 26 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED27
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................19.4
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................26
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 27 0 2 2
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................27
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................27
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,650
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $59,550; PRICE AS TESTED: $60,545
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 22.4
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
The Acura MDX has long been one of the sportiest midsize SUVs
Overall Observations
on the market. That’s still true for the 2019 MDX Sport Hybrid AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Acura MDXAlthough
Advance. has longFWD beenisone of theour
available, sportiest midsized
MDX Sport Hybrid was
SUVs on the market. That’s still true for the 2019 MDX Sport • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
equipped with Super-Handling AWD. This system directs engine • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
Advance Hybrid. Although FWD is available, our MDX Sport
Hybridpower to where with
was equipped it’s needed to provide AWD.
Super-Handling the best handling
This system and • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
directsmakes
enginethe MDXto
power handle
where like
it’sa needed
smaller, sporty SUV. the
to provide Thebest
front seating Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
handling
areaand makes
of the MDXthe MDX handle
is spacious, with like
good a headroom
smaller, sporty SUV. of
and plenty • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
The front seating area Strong Points
storage areas. Theofdashboard
the MDX is spacious,
has two center with good enabling
displays, • AWD high-performance Weak Points
headroom and plenty of storage areas. The dashboard has two
two features—navigation and audio, for example—to be displayed capabilities • Low-speed drivability needs
center displays, enabling two features - navigation and audio, for
simultaneously. The second-row captain’s • Front and rear seats are improvement
example - to be displayed simultaneously. Thechairs both slide and
second-row • WEAK
recline andboth
are extremely STRONG
very POINTS
comfortable POINTS due to a
Slow acceleration
captain’s chairs slide and comfortable.
recline and are Theextremely
MDX’s 3.0-liter V6 engine • Many advanced safety lack of torque
AWD high-performance Low-speed drivability
and electric
comfortable. motor produces
The MDX’s 3.0-liter V6 321engine
hp total. Acceleration
and is a bit
electric motor features are available, • Only adequate fuel
capabilities needs improvement
produces
slow321duehp to total.
a lackAcceleration
of torque (289 islb-ft),
a bit and
slowthe
due to a lack
engine of
sometimes including forward automatic economy: 27 mpg in
torque (289 lb-ft), and the engine sometimes stumbles at low Front and
emergency rear seats
braking, are
forward- Slow acceleration
combined driving due
stumbles at low speeds. At an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in combined verywarning,
collision comfortable
and road- to a lack of torque
speeds. At an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in combined driving, the
MDX’sdriving, the MDX’s
fuel economy fuelfor
is low economy
a hybrid. is low
Theforautomaker’s
a hybrid. The automaker’s departure
Manymitigation
advanced safety Only adequate fuel
AcuraWatch
AcuraWatch system, system,
which which includes
includes suchsuch advanced
advanced safety features
safety features are available economy: 27 mpg in
as as
features forward
forwardautomatic
automatic emergency
emergency braking, adaptive
braking, cruise control,
adaptive combined driving
cruise lane-departure
control, lane-departure
warning, and warning, and lane-keeping
lane-keeping assistance, assist,
is standard on
is standard on all trim levels.
all trim levels.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.04 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 3.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/4
Curb weight (lbs): 4540
Acceleration: 6.59
Exterior length (in): 196.2
Braking: 2.95 Exterior width (in): 77.7
Crashworthiness: 9.10 Exterior height (in): 67.4
Handling: 5.45 Wheelbase (in): 111.0
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.86
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 5.83 Tire manufacturer and size: Continental 245/50 R20
Ease of entry and exit: 7.42 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 9.10 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 6.22
Drivetrain type: All wheel - part time
Cargo capacity: 4.05 Engine/motor: 3.0L V6 VTEC
Engine horsepower: 257 @ 6300 (321 total)

AAA.com/greencar AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 20191 187

SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Honda CR-V Touring AWD

Honda CR-V Touring AWD

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $34,150
HIGHEST RANKING

16
70.38 48.94 Price as Tested $35,145
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1250
70.38
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 14.0
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 27 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED33
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................14.0
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................27
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 29 0 2 8
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................33
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick (with optional front
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................29
crash prevention and specific headlights)
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,250
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $34,150; PRICE AS TESTED: $35,145
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 27.6
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
The CR-V, now into its third decade, is one of the best compact 2018 (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
Overall Observations
crossovers on the market. After a thorough redesign in 2017, it AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The CR-V,
carriesnow
overinto
intoits2018
thirdunchanged.
decade, isThe oneexterior
of the best
stylingcompact
is ruggedly • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
crossovers on the market. After a thorough redesign in 2017, it
handsome. The interior has very comfortable seats, plenty of • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
carries over into 2018 unchanged. The exterior styling is ruggedly
headroom, and is nicely styled—except for
handsome. The interior has very comfortable seats, plenty of the fake wood trim on the • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
dash and
headroom, and door panels.
is nicely There’s
styled plentyfor
- except of the
room for wood
fake passengers,
trim onas well Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
the dashas many convenient
and door panels.storage
There’s areas. Theroom
plenty navigation/radio
for passengers, display looks • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
as welllike
asanmany Strong Points
iPad,convenient
as is true with storage areas. The
many vehicles navigation/radio
today. The display works • Very good ride quality Weak Points
display looks like an iPad, as is true with many vehicles today.
well, except that some of the buttons are small. The rear seat is also • Solid body structure • Unrefined engine is noisy
The display works well, except that some of the buttons are
quite roomy and comfortable, with plenty
small. The rear seat is also quite roomy and comfortable, with of legroom. The cargo area • Comfortable cabin and displays vibration
STRONG
• Large POINTS
rear seating area • WEAK
Small radioPOINTS
switches in
plenty isofdecent
legroom.sized,
Theand our test
cargo areavehicle included
is decent a power
sized, and our tailgate
test with a display
Very good ride quality Unrefined engine is
vehiclehands-free
included a feature,
powerwhich opens
tailgate withwhen you pass your
a hands-free foot which
feature, under the • Steering wheel position is
noisy and vibrates
opens rear
when you pass
bumper. Theyour footturbo
1.5-liter under the rearengine
4-cylinder bumper. makesThea1.5- decent Solid body structure too laid back
liter turbo 4-cylinder engine makes a decent 190 hp but is Small radio switches
190 hp but is surprisingly unrefined—it’s noisy and lacks smoothness. Comfortable cabin
surprisingly unrefined - it’s noisy and lacks smoothness. But the in display
Butand
the the
steering and handling are responsive, Large rear seating area
steering handling are responsive, the ridethe is ride is comfortable,
comfortable, Steering wheel position
and the and the brake
brake pedalpedal is fiwith
is firm, rm, with
shortshort stopping
stopping distances.
distances. OurOur is too laid back
CR-V Touring
CR-V Touring model model—the top trim
-the top trim levellevel—came
- came well well equipped, with
equipped,
with blind-spot
blind-spotmonitoring, road-departure
warning, lane-keeping mitigation,
assistance, lane- automatic
and forward
keeping assist, and
emergency braking.
automatic emergency braking.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.64 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 5.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3520
Acceleration: 5.09
Exterior length (in): 180.6
Braking: 4.60 Exterior width (in): 73.0
Crashworthiness: 7.71 Exterior height (in): 66.5
Handling: 6.54 Wheelbase (in): 104.7
Restraint type: 8 air bags
Ride quality: 8.14
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 5.61 Tire manufacturer and size: Hankook 235/60 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.97 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 1500
Visibility: 7.50 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 4.63
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 3.95 Engine/motor: 1.5L 4-Cyl. Turbo GDI
Engine horsepower: 190 @ 5600

188 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 22

AAA.com/greencar
 SUV/MINIVAN PLUG-IN HYBRID
Kia Niro PHEV Kia Niro PHEV

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $27,900
HIGHEST RANKING

17
69.51 48.94 Price as Tested $28,975
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $700
69.51
120V Charge Time: 3 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 12 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity/Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 11.4
EPA
Fuel Type: ........... City mpg:
ELECTRICITY/REGULAR AVERAGE 48 MPG
Available Safety Features (GASOLINE AND ELECTRICITY)
Fuel Capacity EPA (gal):.................................11.4
Highway mpg: 44
AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................48
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R
EPA Highway mpg: EPA ....................................44
Combined mpg: 46 0 6 1
Rear cross traffic warning EPA CombinedEPA mpg: ................................46
Combined MPGe: 105
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined MPGe:........................... 105 ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance EPA EstimatedEPA RangeEstimated Range:
(mi): .......................26 26 miles $700
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $27,900; PRICE AS TESTED: $28,975 BATTERY 120V: 3 MILES PER HOUR
Forward-collision warning CHARGE Auto
240V:Club Average
12 MILES MPG:
PER HOUR 60.6
Forward automatic emergency braking TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: N/A
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
For 2018, Kia added plug-in capability to its Niro hybrid. The Niro’s NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
Overall Observations
interior is comfortable but not roomy, and the quality of its interior
For 2018, Kia added
materials plug-in capability
is substandard to The
for its class. its Niro
top ofhybrid. (Kia bills and
the dashboard
the Niro as a crossover, but it lacks elevated ground clearance AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
doors, for example, are covered with hard, inexpensive-looking
and AWD, so it’s really more of a station wagon.) The Niro’s • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
interiorplastics. The rear but
is comfortable seatnot
is roomy
roomy, enough
and the forquality
two people,
of its with plenty of
interior • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
headroom.
materials The Niro’s
is substandard forPHEV powertrain
its class. The top hasofa the
more powerful electric
dashboard Strong/Weak Point
• Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
motorfor
and doors, and battery than
example, the Niro hybrid’s—a
are covered with hard, 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (104
inexpensive-
• Lane-departure emergency braking
Strong Points warning
lookinghp),
plastics.
a 60-hp The rear motor,
electric seat isan roomy
8.9-kWhenough for twobattery,
lithium-ion people,and • Lane-keeping
• Great plug-in fuelassistance
efficiency Weak Points
with plenty of headroom. The Niro’s PHEV powertrain has a more
a 6-speed automatic transmission. Total power output is 139 hp. • Easy-to-use controls • Lack of torque from the
powerful electric motor and battery than the Niro hybrid’s—a 1.6-
Surprisingly, • Affordable price ($29,000 PHEV powertrain
liter 4-cylinder (104the Niro
hp), PHEV lacks
a 60-hp the motor,
electric low-endantorque8.9-kWhexpected in
• WEAK
electrifi ed vehicles,
as STRONG
tested) POINTS Low-speedPOINTS
drivability issues
lithium-ion battery, and aand the powertrain
6-speed automaticstumbles occasionally
transmission. Total at • Hard interior plastics
power low Great plug-in fuel efficiency Lack of torque from the
speeds.
output is 139Handling is competent
hp. Surprisingly, thebut
Niro not lively.lacks
PHEV The Niro’s
the ride
PHEV powertrain
low-end torque
quality expectedsmooth,
is generally in electrified
with somevehicles,
minorand the
choppiness over rough Easy-to-use controls
powertrain stumbles occasionally at low speeds. Handling is Low-speed drivability issues
pavement. Its EPA-estimated combined fuel economy is 46 mpg as Affordable price ($29,000
competent but not lively. The Niro’s ride quality is generally as tested) Hard interior plastics
smooth, a hybrid and 105
with some minorMPGe in all-electric
choppiness overmode.
roughThe EPA-estimated
pavement. Its all-
electric range
EPA-estimated is up tofuel
combined 26 miles.
economy is 46 mpg as a hybrid
and 105 MPGe in all-electric mode. The automaker claims an all-
electric range of up to 26 miles.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 8.17 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3420
Acceleration: 4.21
Exterior length (in): 171.5
Braking: 2.43 Exterior width (in): 71.1
Crashworthiness: 7.13 Exterior height (in): 60.8
Handling: 6.25 Wheelbase (in): 106.3
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 7.50
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 6.87 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 205/60R16
Ease of entry and exit: 7.40 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.30 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 4.50
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.75 Engine/motor: 1.6L 4-Cyl. GDI Plug-In
Engine horsepower: 104 @ 5700 (139 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 60 hp

AAA.com/greencar 35
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 189
SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Toyota Highlander XLEHighlander

Toyota AWD XLE AWD

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $40,380
HIGHEST RANKING

18
69.08 48.94 Price as Tested $43,409
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1650
69.08
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 19.2
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 20 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED26
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................19.2
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................20
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 22 0 2 1
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................26
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................22
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,650
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $40,380; PRICE AS TESTED: $43,409
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 20.6
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The Highlander is a spacious, comfortable, easy-to-use family 2018
Overall Observations
hauler. There’s plenty of space in the Highlander’s front seating AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Highlander is a spacious,
area, particularly headroom. comfortable, easy-to-use
A lot of storage family too,
space is available, • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
hauler. There’s plenty of space in the Highlander’s front seating
including a huge center-console bin. Most of the controls and switches • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
area, particularly headroom. A lot of storage space is available,
are plenty large, with legible type, although it’s
too, including a huge center-console bin. Most of the controls and a long reach to the • Rear cross-traffi c warning • Forward automatic
main
switches are center
plenty display.
large,Rear
withseats aretype,
legible extremely comfortable,
although it’s a longespecially Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
reach the available
to the reclining
main center captain’s
display. chairs
Rear covered
seats in perforated leather.
are extremely • Lane-keeping assistance
comfortable, especially theareavailable reclining captain’s Strong Points
Backseat passengers further pampered with theirchairs
own automatic • Comfortable ride quality Weak Points
covered in perforated leather. Backseat passengers are further
climate-control system. The cargo area is very large, and a small third • Plenty of interior space • Vague steering
pampered with their own automatic climate-control system. The
row folds fl at into the fl oor. Our test vehicle was
cargo area is very large, and a small third row folds flat into the equipped with a • Second-row captain’s • Long reach to the
3.5-liter STRONG
chairs POINTS
are extremely WEAK POINTS
radio/navigation display
floor. Our testV6, goodwas
vehicle for 295 hp, an 8-speed
equipped automatic
with a 3.5-liter V6,transmission,
good for and comfortable • Soft brakesteering
pedal, with
Comfortable ride quality Vague
295 hp,AWD. The drivetrain
an 8-speed is smooth
automatic and powerful.
transmission, andSteering
AWD. The effort is light and • Huge center storage longer-than-expected brake
drivetrain
easy,isand
smooth
the rideandquality
powerful. Steering effort
is comfortable. However,is light
theand
brake pedal is Plenty of interior space
console Long reach to the radio/
distances
easy, and the ride quality is comfortable. However, the brake navigation display
soft, and the stopping distances could be shorter. The V6 Highlander’s Second-row captain’s chairs
pedal is soft, and the stopping distances could be shorter. The are extremely comfortable Soft brake pedal, with
fuel economy
V6 Highlander’s fueliseconomy
an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city/2620
is an EPA-estimated mpg mpg highway/22 longer-than-expected
Huge center storage
city/26mpg
mpgcombined.
highway/22 Toyota’s Safety Sense
mpg combined. Plus suite
Toyota’s of advanced
Safety Sense safety console
brake distances
features
Plus suite is standard;
of advanced it includes
safety forward
features automatic
is standard; it emergency
includes braking
automatic
with emergency braking with
pedestrian detection, pedestrianwarning,
lane-departure detection, lane-
lane-keeping
departure warning, lane-keeping assist,
assistance, and adaptive cruise control.
adaptive cruise control,
and auto high beams. The Highlander carries over into 2019 with
minor trim changes.
TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 1.07 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 5.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/6
Curb weight (lbs): 4580
Acceleration: 6.46
Exterior length (in): 192.5
Braking: 2.73 Exterior width (in): 75.8
Crashworthiness: 9.13 Exterior height (in): 70.1
Handling: 4.09 Wheelbase (in): 109.8
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.83
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 7.56 Tire manufacturer and size: Michelin 245/60R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.89 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 5000
Visibility: 7.30 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Auto 8 speed
Interior noise: 5.51
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 4.52 Engine/motor: 3.5L V6 DOHC VVT-I
Engine horsepower: 295 @ 6600

190 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 67

AAA.com/greencar
 SUV/MINIVAN HYBRID
Lexus NX 300h Lexus NX 300h

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle LOWEST Base Price: $38,335
HIGHEST RANKING

19
68.91 48.94 Price as Tested $48,767
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1150
68.91
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 14.8
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR
EPA City mpg: AVERAGE 33 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED30
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................14.8
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................33
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 31 0 2 9
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................30
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick
EPA Combined mpg: ................................31
Lane-departure warning
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,150
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $38,335; PRICE AS TESTED: $48,767
Forward-collision warning Auto Club Average MPG: 28.6
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
Lexus’s luxury compact crossover, the NX 300h, features a hybrid
Overall Observations
powertrain, which is rare in this class. The compact SUV has a sporty AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Lexus’s feel, and compact
luxury drivabilitycrossover,
has steadilythe NX 300h,
improved sincefeatures a
it was introduced for • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
hybrid powertrain - rare in this class. The compact SUV has
model year 2015. Inside, the leather bucket seats are comfortable • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
sporty feel, and drivability has steadily improved since it was
and supportive,
introduced for model year if a bit2015.
snug.Inside,
The screen for the radio,
the leather bucket navigation,
seats • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
and settings
are comfortable and aresupportive,
controlled by if athe
bittouchpad,
snug. Thewhich screen is similar
for theto Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
a laptop touchpad;
radio, navigation, some are
and settings of our testers found
controlled by the it diffi
touchcult to use. • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
interface Strong Points
Thecontroller,
rear seating which
area ishassimilar
ampletolegroom
a laptopandtouch pad; some
surprisingly good • Smooth hybrid powertrain Weak Points
of our testers found it difficult to use. The rear seating area has
headroom. The cargo area is adequately sized, with a useful shape • Sporty handling and feel • Lack of interior storage
ample rear legroom and surprisingly good headroom. The cargo
area isthat isn’t compromised byathe placement
shape of theisn’t
hybrid battery pack. • Comfortably firm and space
adequately sized, with useful that STRONG
controlled ridePOINTS
quality • WEAK POINTS
Difficult-to-use infotainment
The hybrid
compromised by powertrain—which
the placement of consists the hybridof abattery
2.5-literpack.
engineTheand two system
• Available
SmoothLED headlamps
hybrid powertrain Lack of interior storage
hybrid electric
powertrainmotors—produces
- which consists a total
of aof2.5-liter
194 hp,engine
is very smooth,
and twoand pulls • Polarizing
space front-end styling
electricstrongly
motorsthroughout
- producesthe a total
power of band.
194 hp, is very smooth,
Acceleration and
is just adequate, Sporty handling and feel
pulls strongly throughout the powerband. Acceleration is just Difficult-to-use infotainment
however. All-wheel drive is standard, and a drive-mode selector Comfortably firm and
adequate, however. All-wheel drive is standard, and a drive- system
controlled ride quality
allows forallows
a choiceforofa Eco, Normal, andNormal,
Sport modes. The ride quality
mode selector choice of Eco, and Sport Polarizing front-end styling
Available LED headlamps
modes.is The
smoothrideand controlled,
quality is smooth andandthe brakes have and
controlled, a good,the fibrakes
rm pedal
have afeel andfirm
good, produce
pedaldecent
feel and stopping
produce distances.
decent Fuel economy is
stopping
distances. Fuel economy
EPA-rated at 31 mpgisinEPA-rated at 31 mpg
combined driving; we in combined
achieved 29 mpg
driving;inweourachieved
testing. 29 mpg in our testing.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.16 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 4180
Acceleration: 4.69
Exterior length (in): 182.3
Braking: 2.16 Exterior width (in): 83.9
Crashworthiness: 8.79 Exterior height (in): 64.8
Handling: 5.25 Wheelbase (in): 104.7
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 8.33
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 5.26 Tire manufacturer and size: Yokohama 225/60 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.35 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 1500
Visibility: 8.90 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 5.49
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 1.54 Engine/motor: 2.5L 4-Cyl. DOHC VVT-I
Engine horsepower: 154 @ 5700 (194 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 141 hp

AAA.com/greencar 43
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 191
SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Subaru OutbackSubaru
2.5i Limited
Outback 2.5i Limited

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $32,695
HIGHEST RANKING

20
68.55 48.94 Price as Tested $35,695
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1350
68.55
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 18.5
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR
EPA City mpg: AVERAGE 25 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED32
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................18.5
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................25
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 28 0 2 1
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................32
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick + (with optional front
EPA Combined mpg: ................................28
Lane-departure warning crash prevention and specific headlights) ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,350
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $32,695; PRICE AS TESTED: $35,695
Forward-collision warning Auto Club Average MPG: 21.1
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The Outback is a good alternative for someone who needs plenty 2018 (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
Overall Observations
of interior space but doesn’t want the height of a crossover/SUV. AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Outback
Outside,isthe theOutback
largest of Subaru’s
is instantly three wagons,
recognizable as a aSubaru,
good with
• Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
alternative for someone who needs plenty of interior space but
a strong family resemblance to the Crosstrek (page 196). Inside, • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
doesn’t want the height of a crossover/SUV. Outside, the
Outback theiscabin is spacious,
instantly with plenty
recognizable as aofSubaru,
headroom.withThe seats are
a strong • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
family comfortable
resemblanceand to not
the heavily
Crosstrek bolstered. The cargo
(page xxx). Inside,area
theis cabin
large, Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
although
is spacious, withthe loading
plenty height is a little
of headroom. Thehigh.
seats Ouraretest Outback was
comfortable • Lane-keeping assistance
and not heavily bybolstered. Strong Points
powered a 2.5-literThe cargo area
4-cylinder boxerisengine
large, that
although
generatesthe
• Lots of cabin and cargo Weak Points
loading175height is a little high. Our test Outback was
hp, mated to a CVT with a 7-speed manual mode and paddle
powered by a
space • 175-hp engine is
2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine that generates 175 hp, mated to
a CVTshifters. Given themanual Outback’s curb weight of 3,760 pounds, that • Standard AWD underpowered (a 6-cylinder is
with a 7-speed mode and paddle shifters. Given STRONG
• Many POINTS
advanced safety WEAK POINTS
available)
makes for
the Outback’s slowweight
curb acceleration
of 3,700 (a more
pounds, powerful 6-cylinder
that makes engine is
for slow • Ride quality is both
systems
Lotsare available
of cabin and cargo 175-hp engine is firm and
also available).
acceleration (a moreThe ride quality
powerful is simultaneously
6-cylinder engine is also firm and floaty, and space floaty
underpowered (a
available). The ride
the gearing makesquality is simultaneously
it tricky to drive smoothly firmatand
lowfloaty,
speeds. andWith • Sensitive throttle
6-cylinder at low
is available)
the gearing makes it tricky to drive smoothly at low speeds. With Standard AWD speeds
the smaller engine, the Outback’s EPA-estimated gas mileage is 25 Ride quality is both firm
the smaller engine, the Outback’s EPA-estimated gas mileage is Many advanced safety
mpg city/32 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. EyeSight, Subaru’s and floaty
25 mpg city/32 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. EyeSight, systems are available
Subaru’shighly regarded
highly regarded driver-assistance
driver-assistance technology, is available
technology, is on most Sensitive throttle at low
trimon
available levels;
mostittrim
includes adaptive
levels; cruiseadaptive
it includes control, forward automatic
cruise control, speeds
automatic emergency
emergency braking, braking, blind-spot
blind-spot warningmonitoring
with rear with rear c
cross-traffi
cross-traffic
warning,alert, lane-departure
lane-departure warning,
warning, and lane-keeping
and lane-keeping assistance.
assist.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.35 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 5.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3760
Acceleration: 3.53
Exterior length (in): 189.6
Braking: 4.19 Exterior width (in): 72.4
Crashworthiness: 6.92 Exterior height (in): 66.1
Handling: 6.38 Wheelbase (in): 108.1
Restraint type: 6 air bags
Ride quality: 7.58
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 6.32 Tire manufacturer and size: Bridgestone 225/60R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.39 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 2700
Visibility: 8.00 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 6.18
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 3.70 Engine/motor: 2.5L 4-Cyl. DOHC Boxer
Engine horsepower: 175 @ 5800

192 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 59

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 SUV/MINIVAN HYBRID
Lexus UX 250h FLexus
Sport—AWD
UX 250h F Sport - AWD

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle LOWEST Base Price: $36,000
HIGHEST RANKING

21
68.54 48.94 Price as Tested $41,335
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $900
68.54
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 10.6
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR
EPA City mpg: AVERAGE 41 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED38
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................10.6
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................41
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 39 0 3 5
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................38
Rear cross traffic warning
EPA Combined mpg: ................................39
Lane-departure warning
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $900
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $36,000; PRICE AS TESTED: $41,335
Forward-collision warning Auto Club Average MPG: 35.3
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
Lexus jumps into the luxury subcompact crossover segment with its
Overall Observations
all-new Lexus UX. Two versions are available: a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Lexus making
jumps into
169 the
hp, luxury
and thesubcompact
same enginecrossover segment
plus an electric motorwith
that • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
its all-new Lexus UX. Two versions are available: a 2.0-liter 4-
puts out 181 hp. Either FWD or AWD is available. Our UX 250h F • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
cylinder making 169 hp and the same engine plus an electric
motor Sport combined
that puts out 181 the hybrid
hp. Eitherpowertrain
FWD or AWD with the F Sport lineOur
is available. trim, • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
UX 250h which includes
F Sport a sport-tuned
combines suspension,
the hybrid powertrain18-inch
withwheels, and
the F Sport Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
F Sport
line trim, whichfront and rear
includes fascias. The front
a sport-tuned seating area
suspension, of the UX is
18-inch • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
wheels, and F Sport front Strong Points
sports-car-snug, and and rearseat
the rear fascias.
is tight.The
Thefront seating
interior area
is modern • Aggressive exterior styling Weak Points
of the UX is sports-car-snug, and the rear seat is tight. The
and minimalist in design, with little ornamentation. Other cockpit • Modern, minimalist interior • Average acceleration
interior is modern and minimalist in design, with little
features include
ornamentation. Other acockpit
three-spoke steering
features include wheel, shift paddles, and a
a three-spoke
design • Just somewhat sporty
Sport and shift
Sportpaddles,
Plus drive-mode selector. STRONG
• Great POINTS
ride quality, but firm WEAK POINTS
handling
steering wheel, and a Sport andThe
Sportaudio
Plus system
drive-controls • Many advancedexterior
safety styling • Tight rear-seating area
mode include
selector.two Aggressive Average acceleration
Theclever
audio thumb
systemwheels to adjust
controls radiotwo
include tuning
cleverand volume. features are available, • Small cargo area
thumbThe wheels to adjust
UX 250h’s radio tuning
acceleration and volume.
is merely adequate The
butUXcan250h’s
be made Modern,
including minimalist
forward automaticinterior Just somewhat sporty
acceleration is merely adequate but can be made entertaining designbraking with
emergency handling
entertaining with a switch that allows for racecar-like engine sounds
with a switch that allows for racecar-like engine sounds to be pedestrian
Great detection and
ride quality, but firm Tight rear-seating area
to bethe
piped into piped intoHandling
cabin. the cabin.isHandling
somewhat is somewhat
sporty, but sporty,
not as but not as daytime bicyclist detection
much as expected. The ride quality is comfortable Many advanced safety Small cargo area
much as expected. The ride quality is comfortable andand controlled for
controlled features are available
a small
for a small car,
car, althoughslightly
although slightlyfirm.
firm.Fuel
Fuel economy
economyisisvery verygood,
good,at an
at an EPA-estimated
EPA-estimated 41 41mpgmpgcity/38
city/38mpgmpghighway/39
highway/39mpg mpgcombined for
combined for the
the AWD AWD model.
model.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 5.71 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 6.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3620
Acceleration: 4.52
Exterior length (in): 177.0
Braking: 5.76 Exterior width (in): 72.4
Crashworthiness: 8.30 Exterior height (in): 60.6
Handling: 5.98 Wheelbase (in): 103.9
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.52
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 3.99 Tire manufacturer and size: Bridgestone 225/50 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 6.30 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 7.10 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 5.91
Drivetrain type: All wheel - part time
Cargo capacity: 1.45 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. DOHC 16-Valve
Engine horsepower: 143 @ 6000 (181 total)

AAA.com/greencar 45
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 193
SUV/MINIVAN PLUG-IN HYBRID

Subaru Crosstrek Subaru

HybridCrosstrek Hybrid
Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE
Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $34,995
HIGHEST RANKING

22
68.04 48.94 Price as Tested $38,470
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $900
68.04
120V Charge Time: 3 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 8 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity/Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 13.2
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: ............ELECTRICITY/REGULAR AVERAGE 36 MPG
Available Safety Features (GASOLINE AND ELECTRICITY)
Fuel Capacity EPA (gal):.................................13.2
Highway mpg: 35
AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................36
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5
EPA Highway mpg: EPA ....................................35
Combined mpg: 35 0 4 0
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick + (with optionalEPA CombinedEPA
front mpg: ................................35
Combined MPGe: 90
Lane-departure warning crash prevention and specific headlights)
EPA Combined MPGe:..............................90 ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance EPA Estimated EPA RangeEstimated Range:
(mi): .......................17 17 miles $900
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $34,995; PRICE AS TESTED: $38,470 BATTERY 120V: 3 MILES PER HOUR
Forward-collision warning CHARGE Auto
240V:Club Average
8 MILES MPG:
PER HOUR 39.5
Forward automatic emergency braking TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: N/A
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
Subaru’s Crosstrek Hybrid, a plug-in, is new for 2019 and combines NHTSA SAFETY RATING
Overall Observations
a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors, a lithium-ion 2019 (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
Subaru’s first Crosstrek Hybrid, a plug-in,
battery, and a CVT transmission. is newisfor
Total power 1482019 and is
hp, which
combines a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors, a AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
adequate when accelerating from rest, although the powertrain is
lithium-ion battery, and a CVT transmission. Total power is 148 • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
hp, whichnoisy.is As road speed
adequate when increases, however,
accelerating from the power
rest, feels asthe
although if it tapers
• Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
off. The
powertrain steering
is noisy. Asis road
light in effort,increases,
speed with little feedback.
however,The theCrosstrek Strong/Weak Point
• Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
power feels
feelsasasif it
if has a highoff.
it tapers center
Theofsteering
gravity and lowin
is light handling limits. But
effort, with emergency braking
• Lane-departure
Strong Points warning
little feedback.
its AWD, highThe ground
Crosstrek feels asand
clearance, if ithill-descent
has a highcontrol centerprovide
of it • Advanced
gravity and low handling limits. But its AWD, high ground • Lane-keeping
• AWD traction assistance Weak Points headlights
with some off-road ability. The cabin is comfortable, with good front- • Informative advanced • Short EV range: 17 miles
clearance, and hill-descent control provide it with some off-road
ability.seat
Theheadroom. In the rear, the headroom is a little tight. However, driver-assistance display • Noisy powertrain
cabin is comfortable, with good front-seat headroom. • WEAK
STRONG
• Many advancedPOINTS
safety POINTS
Small cargo area
In the the
rear,reartheseat features higher,
headroom ˮstadium
is a little styleˮ seating,
tight. However, which
the rear gives
seat features aretraction
available,
AWD Short EV range: 17 miles
features backseat
higher,passengers a niceseating,
"stadium style" perch. The rear cargo
which gives compartment
backseat is including forward automatic
passengers a nice
quite small perch.the
because Thevehicle’s
rear cargohybrid compartment
battery takesisupquite space under Informative
emergency advanced
braking, lane- Noisy powertrain
small because the vehicle’s hybrid battery takes up space under driver-assistance
keeping assistance, and display
the cargo floor. The Crosstrek Hybrid has the ability to go 17 miles Small cargo area
the cargo floor. The Crosstrek Hybrid has the ability to go 17 blind-spot warning
Many advanced safety
solely on
miles solely on electric
electricpower,
power,withwitha total
a totalclaimed
claimed rangerangeof 480 miles. Its
of 480 features are available
miles. EPA-estimated
Its EPA-estimated fuel economy
fuel economyis a respectable 90 MPGe
is a respectable 90inMPGe
all-electric
mode and
in all-electric mode 35 mpg
and 35 in gas-electric hybrid mode.
mpg in gas-electric hybrid mode.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 6.63 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 6.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3780
Acceleration: 4.60
Exterior length (in): 175.8
Braking: 3.35 Exterior width (in): 71.0
Crashworthiness: 7.44 Exterior height (in): 62.8
Handling: 6.65 Wheelbase (in): 104.9
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 7.48
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 4.52 Tire manufacturer and size: Falken 225/55 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.25 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 1000
Visibility: 7.60 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Interior noise: 5.21
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 1.32 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. Boxer
Engine horsepower: 137 @ 5600 (148 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 118 hp

194 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 57

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 SUV/MINIVAN PLUG-IN HYBRID
Mitsubishi Outlander
MitsubishiPHEV GT S-AWC
Outlander PHEV GT S-AWC

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $40,295
HIGHEST RANKING

23
67.74 48.94 Price as Tested $42,225
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1150
67.74
120V Charge Time: 2 miles per hour Fuel Economy
240V Charge Time: 6 miles per hour Fuel Type: Electricity/Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 11.3
DC Fast Charger: 80% charge in 25 min
Fuel Type: ............ELECTRICITY/REGULAR
EPA City mpg: AVERAGE 25 MPG
Available Safety Features (GASOLINE AND ELECTRICITY)
Fuel Capacity EPA (gal):.................................11.3
Highway mpg: 26
AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................25
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R
EPA Highway mpg: EPA ....................................26
Combined mpg: 25 0 3 4
Rear cross traffic warning EPA CombinedEPA mpg: ................................25
Combined MPGe: 74
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined MPGe:..............................74 ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance EPA EstimatedEPA RangeEstimated Range:
(mi): .......................22 22 miles $1,150
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $40,295; PRICE AS TESTED: $42,225 BATTERY 120V: 2 MILES PER HOUR
Forward-collision warning CHARGE Auto
240V:Club Average
6 MILES MPG:
PER HOUR 33.8
Forward automatic emergency braking TIMES DC FAST CHARGER: 80% CHARGE IN 25 MINUTES
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Mitsubishi’s Outlander hasn’t been an especially popular midsize NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
Overall Observations
crossover. However, the Outlander PHEV, the automaker’s best
Mitsubishi’s Outlander
crossover to date hasn’t been
and a big an in
seller especially
Europe, maypopular
change midsize
all that
crossover. However, the Outlander PHEV, the automaker’s best AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
because of its plug-in performance. The Outlander’s interior is
crossover to date and a big seller in Europe, may change all that • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
because upscale,
of its perhaps the nicest of any
plug-in performance. The Mitsubishi so far.
Outlander’s Woodisand
interior • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
upscale,chrome
perhapsadornthethe dash,ofand
nicest anya Mitsubishi
heated steering wheel
so far. Wood is available.
and Strong/Weak Point
• Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
chrome A adorn
nice 8-inch display
the dash, controls
and the navigation
a heated and entertainment
steering wheel is available.
• Lane-departure emergency braking
Strong Points warning
A nicesystems,
8-inch display
although controls
some of the
thenavigation
buttons inand entertainment
the display are small. • Lane-keeping
• Comfortable ride assistance Weak Points
systems, although some of the buttons in the display are small.
The rear seats—which recline but don’t slide fore and aft—easily • 22-mile all-electric range • Underpowered, with little
The rear seats—which recline but don’t slide fore and aft—easily
accommodate
accommodate two people.
two people. The Outlander
The Outlander is equipped
is equipped with with
a 2.0-
• Standard AWD electric torque and only
a 2.0-literengine
4-cylinder STRONG POINTS WEAKacceleration
average POINTS
liter 4-cylinder thatengine that 117
produces produces 117
hp, two hp, two
80-hp 81-hp
electric • Little steering feel with little
Comfortable ride Underpowered,
motors, electric motors,lithium-ion
a 12.0-kWh a 12.0-kWhbattery
lithium-ion
pack, battery pack, an automatic
an automatic • Some small buttons
electric torque andinonly
transmission, and standard
transmission, and standardAWD.AWD.Total power
Total output
power is 197
output is 197hp.hp. 22-mile all-electric range multifunction display
average acceleration
The Outlander’s ride is comfortable, but the steering lacks feel. Standard AWD
The Outlander’s ride is comfortable, but the steering lacks feel. The Little steering feel
The powertrain is smooth but lacks sufficient power and torque.
powertrain
The Outlander is smooth
PHEV but lackswith
is equipped suffiDCcient power
fast and torque.
charging, whichThe Some small buttons in
Outlander
recharges PHEV pack
the battery is equipped with DCoffast
to 80 percent charging,
capacity which recharges
in about 25 multifunction display
minutes;theits
battery pack torange
all-electric 80 percent
is up toof 22
capacity
miles.inThe
about
EPA-25 minutes; its
estimated fuel economy
all-electric range is upis 25 mpg
to 22 combined
miles. in hybrid mode
The EPA-estimated fuel and
economy
74 MPGe in all-electric mode.
is 25 mpg combined in hybrid mode and 74 MPGe in all-electric
mode.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLES SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 to(010
TO 10 POINTS)
Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 5.39 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 4340
Acceleration: 4.10
Exterior length (in): 184.8
Braking: 4.21 Exterior width (in): 70.8
Crashworthiness: 6.92 Exterior height (in): 67.3
Handling: 4.68 Wheelbase (in): 105.1
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 6.88
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 4.88 Tire manufacturer and size: Toyo 225/55R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.16 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 1500
Visibility: 7.30 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Single speed
Interior noise: 6.13
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 3.08 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. MIVEC
Engine horsepower: 117 @ 4500 (197 total)
Electric motor horsepower: 81 hp each (front/rear motor)

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AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 195
SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Subaru Crosstrek 2.0iCrosstrek

Subaru Premium 2.0i Premium

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle LOWEST Base Price: $22,595
HIGHEST RANKING

24
67.37 48.94 Price as Tested $26,905
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1250
67.37
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 16.6
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR
EPA City mpg: AVERAGE 27 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................16.6
Highway mpg: 33
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................27
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 29 0 2 6
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................33
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick (with optional front
EPA Combined mpg: ................................29
Lane-departure warning crash prevention and specific headlights) ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,250
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE: $22,595; PRICE AS TESTED: $26,905
Forward-collision warning Auto Club Average MPG: 26.4
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Subaru’s Crosstrek, the automaker’s popular small crossover, was 2018 (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
Overall Observations
completely redesigned for 2018, and it retains many familiar Subaru AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Subaru’s Crosstrek,
attributes: AWDthe automaker’s
traction, popularthat
a boxer engine small
makescrossover,
sporty sounds, • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
was completely redesigned for 2018, and it retains
and recognizable, rugged Subaru styling. The cabin is more many familiarrefined,
Subaru attributes: AWD traction, a boxer engine that makes • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
with sporty bolstered bucket seats, a
sporty sounds, and recognizable, rugged Subaru styling. Thethree-spoke leather-covered • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
cabin issteering wheel, and
more refined, withplenty
sporty of bolstered
headroombucket both front and arear.
seats, The rear
three- Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
spoke seats are adequatesteering
leather-covered for two people;
wheel, andthreeplenty
are likely to be a tight fit.
of headroom • Lane-keeping assistance
both front andsuffirear. The rearspace
seatsunder
are adequate for two Strong Points
There’s cient cargo the rear hatch, butpeople;
the loading
three are likely to beThea tight fit. There’s sufficient cargoengine
spacehas been • All-wheel drive traction Weak Points
height is high. previous generation’s 4-cylinder • Lots of headroom in the • Choppy ride
under the rear hatch, but the loading height is high. The previous
modestly
generation’s upgraded,
4-cylinder from 148
engine has hp
beento 152 hp. Steering
modestly is responsive,
upgraded,
front and rear • Nonsporty handling
STRONG
• Many POINTS
available advanced • WEAK POINTS
Small radio buttons on
but with little feel or feedback. The Crosstrek’s
from 148 hp to 152. Steering is responsive, but with little feel handling isn’torat all
safetyAll-wheel-drive
systems traction touch-panel display
Choppy ride
sharp
feedback. Theor athletic, and the
Crosstrek’s ride is aisn’t
handling bit choppy. Fuel or
at all sharp economy,
athletic,at 29 • Instantly recognizable • Not proximity key or push-
and the mpgrideiniscombined
a bit choppy. Fuel
driving, economy,
is decent. Theat 29 mpgisinavailable with
Crosstrek Lots of
Subaru styling headroom in the Nonsporty
button handling
start except on top
combined driving, is decent. EyeSight
The Crosstrek is available front and rear
Subaru’s well-regarded safety system, whichwith
includes trimSmall
level radio buttons on
Subaru’s well-regarded EyeSight safety system, which includes Many available advanced touch-panel display
forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and safety systems
automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane- No proximity key or push-
lane-departure
departure warning. Blind-spot
warning. Blind-spot monitoring warning
is alsoisavailable.
also available.
Given Given
button start except on top
all thisall this technology,
technology, you’dyou’d
thinkthink a proximity
a proximity keykey
andand push-button start
push-button trim level
start would
wouldbe bestandard,
standard, but you have
but you havetotoupgrade
upgradetotothe the high-end
high-end Limited
Limitedtrimtrim level
level to get
to get those
those features.
features.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.64 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 6.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3240
Acceleration: 3.41
Exterior length (in): 175.8
Braking: 6.46 Exterior width (in): 79.0
Crashworthiness: 6.97 Exterior height (in): 63.6
Handling: 6.40 Wheelbase (in): 104.9
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 7.67
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 5.23 Tire manufacturer and size: Yokohama 225/60R17
Ease of entry and exit: 7.43 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 1500
Visibility: 7.20 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 5.04
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 1.92 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. DOHC Boxer
Engine horsepower: 152 @ 6000

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 SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Hyundai Kona Ultimate
HyundaiAWD
Kona Ultimate AWD

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle LOWEST Base Price: $28,700
HIGHEST RANKING

25
65.91 48.94 Price as Tested $29,805
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1350
65.91
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 13.2
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR
EPA City mpg: AVERAGE 26 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED29
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................13.2
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................26
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 27 0 2 6
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................29
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick + (with optional front
EPA Combined mpg: ................................27
Lane-departure warning crash prevention and specific headlights)
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,350
Forward-collision warning
BASE $28,700; PRICE
PRICE: emergency AS TESTED: $29,805
Forward automatic braking Auto Club Average MPG: 26.2
Advanced headlights NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
In 2019, an independent jury of automotive journalists presented 2018 (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
Overall Observations
the prestigious North American Utility of the Year award to the AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
In 2019, an independent
Hyundai Kona/Konajury of automotive
Electric, an impressive journalists presented
achievement. The Kona’s • Rearview camera • Forward-collision warning
the prestigious North American Utility of the Year award to the
appeal is immediately apparent—eye-catching exterior styling, with • Blind-spot warning • Forward automatic
Hyundai Kona/Kona Electric, an impressive achievement. The
emergency braking
Kona’ssharply
appealcreased sheet metal
is immediately and black
apparent cladding over
- eye-catching flared wheel
exterior • Rear cross-traffic warning

styling,wells,
with for starters.
sharply Many bold
creased sheetcolors
metalare and available, includingover
black cladding the Lime Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning • Advanced headlights
flared Twist
wheelgreen
wells,offor
ourstarters.
test car. Many
Inside,bold
the Kona
colorshas comfortable
are available, front • Lane-keeping assistance
including the Lime Twist green of to
ourmatch
test car. Inside, the Kona Strong Points
seats with contrasting piping the exterior color. Front-seat • Bold styling and exterior Weak Points
has comfortable front seats with contrasting piping to match the
headroom is good, but otherwise the cabin feels snug, and many colors • Buzzy engine
exterior color. Front-seat headroom is good, but otherwise the
hard plastics
cabin feels snug, and cheapen
manythe hardinterior’s
plastics appearance.
cheapen the Theinterior’s
backseat is • Optional AWD • Jerky dual-clutch
also fairly tight, with only STRONG
• Many advancedPOINTS
safety WEAK POINTS
transmission
appearance. The backseat is acceptable headroom.
also fairly tight, Visibility is good all
with only features are available, • Tight rearengine
seat
Bold styling and exterior Buzzy
around,
acceptable however. Visibility
headroom. The Konaisis good powered by a 1.6-liter
all around, turbocharged
however. The including forward-collision • Advanced safety features
colors
Kona is poweredengine,
4-cylinder by a 1.6-liter
standard turbocharged
on the top two 4-cylinder engine,
trim levels, that makes warning, lane-keeping are Jerky dual-clutch
available mainly on
standard on the top two trim levels, that makes 175 hp and 195 Optional
assistance, andAWD
forward transmission
higher trim levels only
175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is decent, but the
lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is decent, but the engine is noisy and automatic
Manyemergency
advanced safety Tight rear seat
enginetransmission
is noisy and the is a7-speed transmission
Everyday is a bit jerky. Everyday braking with pedestrian
the 7-speed bit jerky. handling is fine, features are available
handling is fine, and the ride Advanced safety features
and the ride is comfortable but onisthecomfortable
firm side. butTheon the firm side. The
EPA- detection
are available mainly on
EPA-estimated
estimated fuel economy fuel for
economy
the AWD for the AWD-version—26
version mpg city/29
26 mpg city/29 higher trim levels
mpg highway/27
mpg highway/27 mpg combined,
mpg combined—is is nothing special.
nothing special.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.04 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 5.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3260
Acceleration: 6.36
Exterior length (in): 164.0
Braking: 6.22 Exterior width (in): 70.9
Crashworthiness: 6.49 Exterior height (in): 61.6
Handling: 7.13 Wheelbase (in): 102.4
Restraint type: 6 air bags
Ride quality: 7.00
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 4.45 Tire manufacturer and size: Goodyear 235/45 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 6.52 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 7.90 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 7 speed
Interior noise: 4.07
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 1.72 Engine/motor: 1.6L 4-Cyl. Turbo GDI
Engine horsepower: 175 @ 5500

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AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 197
SUV/MINIVAN DIESEL

Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury

Land Rover Discovery TD6 TD6
HSE Luxury

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $67,490
HIGHEST RANKING

26
65.30 48.94 Price as Tested $81,395
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1750
65.30
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Diesel
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 22.5
EPA City mpg: DIESEL
Fuel Type: ............................................ AVERAGE 21 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED26
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel CapacityEPA
(gal):.................................22.5
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................21
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 23 0 2 2
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................26
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................23
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,750
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $67,490; PRICE AS TESTED: $81,395
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 21.7
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
Land Rover calls its seven-passenger Discovery its most versatile SUV.
Overall Observations
That very well might be true, for several reasons. For example, the AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Land Rover calls
Discovery has itsgenuine
seven-passenger Discovery
all-terrain capability, its driver-selectable
with most
• Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
versatile SUV. That very well might be true, for several reasons.
drive modes for different surfaces. It has 7,716 pounds of towing • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
For example, the Discovery has genuine all-terrain capability,
capacity, and it can
with driver-selectable wade
drive through
modes nearly 3 feet
for different of water.
surfaces. It Inside
has the • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
cabin, the
8,200 pounds ofluxurious interior provides
towing capacity, and it can abundant comfort, nearly
wade through with beautiful Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
high-quality
three feet of water.materials
Inside the throughout.
cabin, the High-tech
luxurious touches
interiorinclude a rotary • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
provides abundant comfort, with beautiful high-quality materials Strong Points
shifter and virtual instruments. But considering the vehicle’s overall • Beautiful, luxurious interior Weak Points
throughout. High-tech touches include a rotary shifter and virtual
size, the cabin is less spacious than you might think. The ride quality is • Serious off-road capability • Slow acceleration
instruments. But considering the vehicle’s overall size, the cabin
is less comfortable butyou
not well controlled, with a great deal
is of wheel travel
• Many advanced safety • Some diesel clatter at idle
spacious than might think. The ride quality • WEAK
to allow fornot
off-road suspensionwith movement. STRONG
features POINTS
are available POINTS throttle
Jumpy low-speed
comfortable but well controlled, a greatThe dealDiscovery
of wheelis available • Ride quality isn’t well
Beautiful, luxurious interior Slow acceleration
with
travel to a choice
allow of two 3.0-liter
for off-road suspension6-cylinder engines,The
movement. oneDiscovery
gasoline controlled
is available
poweredwithanda choice
the other of two 3.0-liter
diesel. Both are6-cylinder
mated to engines,
an 8-speed one Serious off-road capability Some diesel clatter at idle
gasoline powered and the other diesel. Both are mated to an 8- Many advanced safety Jumpy low-speed throttle
automatic transmission. We tested the turbo diesel, which makes 254
speed automatic transmission. We tested the turbo diesel, which features are available
Ride quality isn’t well
makeshp 254andhp443andlb-ft
443 orlb-ft
torque. It’s quietIt’s
or torque. forquiet
a diesel,
for although
a diesel, there’s still controlled
althoughsome clatter
there’s at idle.
still some Even withat
clatter the great
idle. engine
Even withtorque, acceleration is
the great
engineslow, andacceleration
torque, low-speed drivability
is slow, isand jerky, because the
low-speed throttleis
drivability is jumpy
jerky, because the throttle
at low speeds. is jumpyatat21low
Fuel economy, mpgspeeds.
city/26Fuelmpgeconomy,
highway/23
at 21 mpg
mpgcity/26
combined, mpgishighway/23 mpg combined, is less than
less than stellar.
stellar.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 1.53 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 1.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/5
Curb weight (lbs): 5580
Acceleration: 4.75
Exterior length (in): 195.7
Braking: 4.82 Exterior width (in): 87.4
Crashworthiness: 10.00 Exterior height (in): 73.5
Handling: 3.21 Wheelbase (in): 115.1
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 7.43
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 6.64 Tire manufacturer and size: Goodyear 275/45 R21
Ease of entry and exit: 7.32 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 7716
Visibility: 9.00 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 8 speed
Interior noise: 5.33
Drivetrain type: All wheel - Full time
Cargo capacity: 4.27 Engine/motor: 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel
Engine horsepower: 254 @ 3750

198 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 39

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 SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Mitsubishi SEL S-AWC
Eclipse Cross SEL S-AWC

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $27,895
HIGHEST RANKING

27
65.18 48.94 Price as Tested $32,310
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1450
65.18
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 15.8
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 25 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED26
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................15.8
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................25
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 25 0 2 3
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................26
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................25
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Lane keeping assistance $1,450
Adaptive cruise control
BASE PRICE:
Forward-collision $27,895; PRICE AS TESTED: $32,310
warning Auto Club Average MPG: 22.7
Forward automatic emergency braking NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Advanced headlights
Mitsubishi Motors, which previously produced mostly sedans
Overall Observations
and hatchbacks, has switched mainly to SUVs, and its sales have AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Mitsubishi
improved. Wewhich
Motors, testedpreviously produced
the automaker’s mostly
midsize sedans
compact and
crossover,
hatchbacks, has switched mainly to SUVs, and its sales have • Rearview camera • Adaptive cruise control
the Eclipse Cross. Its exterior styling is pleasant, with a few bold lines • Blind-spot warning • Forward-collision warning
improved. We tested the automaker’s midsized compact
and creases,
crossover, but not
the Eclipse distinctive
Cross. overall.
Its exterior The front
styling seating area
is pleasant, withis snug, • Rear cross-traffic warning • Forward automatic
with comfortable,
a few bold supportive
lines and creases, bucket
but not seats and
distinctive good The
overall. headroom.
front The Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning emergency braking
seatingradio,
areanavigation,
is snug, withandcomfortable,
phone are controlled
supportiveby a touchpad
bucket seatsin the • Lane-keeping assistance • Advanced headlights
and good headroom. Strong Points
center console. ItThe radio,
doesn’t navigation,
work and phone those
well, but fortunately, are functions
• Comfortable cabin Weak Points
controlled by a touch pad in the center console. It doesn’t work
are also adjustable by a touch screen. The backseat is best occupied • AWD • Slow acceleration
well, but fortunately, those functions are also adjustable by a • Little steering feel
by two people, althoughisthree • Perimeter camera system
touch screen. The backseat best could fit in by
occupied a pinch. Legroom is
two people, • WEAK
adequate, but headroom is lacking. Dualissunroofs are available, STRONG POINTS
is available POINTS
Difficult-to-use radio
although three could fit in a pinch. Legroom adequate, but • Long warranty • Backseat headroom is tight
Comfortable cabin Slow acceleration
a niceisluxury
headroom touch
lacking. Dualthat also brightens
sunroofs up the cabin.
are available, a nice The Eclipse
luxury
touch that
Crossalso brightens
is powered byup the cabin.
a 1.5-liter The Eclipse
turbocharged Cross isengine that
4-cylinder All-wheel drive Little steering feel
powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that puts Perimeter camera system Difficult-to-use radio
puts out 152 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. That’s too little power for a
out 152 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. That’s too little power for a is available
3,620-pound
3,500-pound vehicle,
vehicle, and as anda as a result,
result, acceleration
acceleration is leisurely. The
is leisurely. Backseat headroom is tight
CVTtransmission
transmission is Long warranty
The CVT is noisy,
noisy,andandthetheshifts areare
shifts slow. AWD
slow. AWDdrive aids the
Eclipse’s
drive aids traction, but
the Eclipse’s overall,but
traction, handling
overall,ishandling
only adequate.
is onlyThe Eclipse
adequate.
Cross,ThelikeEclipse Cross, comes
all Mitsubishis, like all with
Mitsubishis, comes with basic
a 5-year/60,000-mile a5
year/60,000 mile basic warranty.
warranty.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 2.34 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 5.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3620
Acceleration: 4.41
Exterior length (in): 173.4
Braking: 6.03 Exterior width (in): 71.1
Crashworthiness: 7.30 Exterior height (in): 66.5
Handling: 5.59 Wheelbase (in): 105.1
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 6.81
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 4.88 Tire manufacturer and size: Bridgestone 225/55 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.11 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 1500
Visibility: 7.30 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 6.34
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 2.07 Engine/motor: 1.5L 4-Cyl. Turbo GDI
Engine horsepower: 152 @ 6000

AAA.com/greencar 47
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 199
SUV/MINIVAN DIESEL

Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD

Chevrolet Diesel
Equinox LT AWD Diesel

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $32,240
HIGHEST RANKING

28
65.14 48.94 Price as Tested $33,185
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1250
65.14
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Diesel
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 15.6
EPA City mpg: DIESEL
Fuel Type: ............................................ AVERAGE 28 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED38
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................15.6
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera EPA City mpg: .............................................28
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 4 EPA Combined mpg: 32 0 3 3
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................38
Rear cross traffic warning
EPA Combined mpg: ................................32
ANNUAL FUEL COST
$1,250
BASE PRICE: $32,240; PRICE AS TESTED: $33,185 Auto Club Average MPG: 32.7
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The Chevy Equinox, completely redesigned for 2018, has sleek
Overall Observations
exterior styling and a spacious cabin. The front seats are comfortable, AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Chevy Equinox,
with plenty completely
of headroom. Theredesigned
rear seats are foralso
2018, has sleek
spacious, with lots • Rearview camera
exterior styling and a spacious cabin. The front seats are
of headroom and legroom, and the cargo area is a decent size. • Blind-spot warning
comfortable, with plenty of headroom. The rear seats too are
The with
spacious, quality of of
lots theheadroom
interior materials and theand
and legroom, diesel
thepowertrain
cargo area are • Rear cross-traffic warning
big letdowns,
is a decent size. The however.
quality Front
of thepassengers are surrounded
interior materials and theby hard Strong/Weak Point
diesel plastics on top
powertrain areofbig
theletdowns,
dash and doors,
however. andFront
the Equinox’s
passengersdiesel
are surrounded by hardits plastics onlink.
topThe
of the dashturbo
and 4-cylinder
doors, diesel Strong Points
engine is perhaps weakest 1.6-liter • Spacious cabin Weak Points
and the Equinox’s diesel engine is perhaps its weakest link. The
engine has good torque (240 lb-ft) but it’s really low on power (137 • Comfortable, controlled ride • Noisy, rough engine
1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder diesel engine (also used in the Chevrolet
Cruze hp), resulting in slow acceleration. It’s lb-ft)
also rough
but it’sand noisy notononly • Good fuel economy • Heavy steering
(page xxx), has good torque (240 really low • WEAK
STRONG POINTS Too manyPOINTS
hard interior
power when revved,
(137 hp), but even
resulting in when idling. Overall,It’s
slow acceleration. thealso
Equinox
rough hasand
decent plastics
Spacious cabin Noisy, rough engine
handling,
noisy not although
only when the steering
revved, but even feels
when tooidling.
heavy.Overall,
Fuel economy
the is
Equinox hasgood
quite decent
at an handling,
EPA-rated although
28 mpg the steering
city/38 feels too mpg
mpg highway/32 Comfortable, controlled Heavy steering
heavy. Fuel economy, though, is quite good at an EPA-rated 28 ride
combined. Advanced safety features include blind-spot warning with Too many hard interior
mpg city/38 mpg highway/32 mpg combined. Advanced safety Good fuel economy plastics
featuresrear cross-traffi
include c warning.
blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.40 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 3.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3660
Acceleration: 4.19
Exterior length (in): 183.1
Braking: 4.85 Exterior width (in): 72.6
Crashworthiness: 4.84 Exterior height (in): 65.4
Handling: 6.77 Wheelbase (in): 107.3
Restraint type: 6 air bags
Ride quality: 7.75
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 6.57 Tire manufacturer and size: Bridgestone 225/65R17
Ease of entry and exit: 7.55 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 1500
Visibility: 7.90 Headlight type: HID
Transmission type: Auto 6 speed
Interior noise: 4.29
Drivetrain type: All wheel - full time
Cargo capacity: 3.03 Engine/motor: 1.6L DOHC I4 turbo diesel
Engine horsepower: 137 @ 3750

200 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 8

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 SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring
Mazda FWD
CX-3 Grand Touring FWD

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $25,745
HIGHEST RANKING

29
64.21 48.94 Price as Tested $28,225
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1250
64.21
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 12.7
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 29 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED34
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................12.7
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................29
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 31 0 3 0
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................34
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick (with optional front
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................31
crash prevention and specific headlights)
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Adaptive cruise control $1,250
Forward-collision warning
BASE
Forward automatic $25,745; PRICE
PRICE: emergency AS TESTED: $28,225
braking Auto Club Average MPG: 30.0
Advanced headlights NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The sporty CX-3 is Mazda’s entry in the hot subcompact crossover 2019 (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
Overall Observations
segment. Its sleek and athletically styled exterior resembles the AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The sporty CX-3 best-selling
company’s is Mazda’s CX-5 entrycompact
in the hotcrossover,
subcompact and that sense of • Forward-collision warning
crossover segment. Its sleek and athletically styled exterior • Rearview camera
style carries over into a cozy cockpit-like interior, with its available • Blind-spot warning • Forward automatic
resembles the company’s best-selling CX-5 compact crossover,
leather bucket seats and aover
three-spoke steering wheel. The rear • Rear cross-traffic warning
emergency braking
and that sense of style carries into a cozy cockpit-like
seats Strong/Weak Point • Advanced headlights
interior, withareitstight, although
available headroom
leather bucket is sufficient.
seats and aCargo capacity
three-spoke • Lane-departure warning
steeringis small.
wheel.The TheCX-3 rearis seats
powered areby a 2.0-liter
tight, although4-cylinder
headroomengine is that • Adaptive cruise control
sufficient. Cargo148 capacity is small. Themodest
CX-3 ishorsepower,
powered byacceleration
a 2.0- Strong Points
produces hp. Even with such • Sporty, engaging driving Weak Points
liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 148 hp. Even with such
in the CX-3 is acceptable, although more power would be welcome. feel • Noisy, buzzy engine
modest horsepower, acceleration in the CX-3 is acceptable, • Difficult to use controller for
Unfortunately, the engine • Responsive steering
although more power would beiswelcome.
coarse, buzzing noisily as the
Unfortunately, it gains revs.
STRONG
• Modern, sleekPOINTS
exterior and WEAK
radio, POINTS
navigation, and vehicle
engineThe CX-3’s steering
is coarse, buzzingisnoisily
quick and
as itresponsive.
gains revs.Handling
The CX-3’s is agile and interior styling settings
Sporty, engaging driving Noisy, buzzy engine
steeringengaging,
is quick andandthe ride quality
responsive. is firm and
Handling slightly
is agile andchoppy.
engaging, Fuel • Firm ride quality
feel
and the ride quality
economy is firm
is good, at anand slightly choppy.
EPA-rated Fuel economy
29 mpg city/34 is
mpg highway/31 Difficult-to-use controller
good, at an EPA-rated 29 mpg city/34 mpg highway/31 mpg Responsive steering for radio, navigation, and
mpg combined. One frustrating thing is the controller and screen- vehicle settings
combined. One frustrating thing is the controller and screen-flow Modern, sleek exterior and
flow
logic for thelogic fornavigation,
radio, the radio, navigation,
and vehicle andsettings.
vehicle settings. It’s diffi
It’s difficult to cult interior styling Firm ride quality
to understand
understand and use,and anduse, and
what what should
should be easy betasks
easy tasks
requirerequire
severalseveral
steps steps to complete.
to complete.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.16 Model year tested: 2019
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 2920
Acceleration: 4.27
Exterior length (in): 168.3
Braking: 6.20 Exterior width (in): 69.6
Crashworthiness: 5.19 Exterior height (in): 60.9
Handling: 7.35 Wheelbase (in): 101.2
Restraint type: 6 air bags
Ride quality: 7.33
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 3.26 Tire manufacturer and size: Yokohama 215/50 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 6.80 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 7.40 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 6 speed
Interior noise: 3.91
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.33 Engine/motor: 2.0L 4-Cyl. SKYACTIV-G
Engine horsepower: 148 @ 6000

AAA.com/greencar 46
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 201
SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Buick Encore Premium

Buick Encore Premium

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
Score For This Vehicle Base Price: CATEGORY
LOWEST $30,515
HIGHEST RANKING

30
62.56 48.94 Price as Tested $35,420
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1200
62.56
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 14.0
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 27 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED33
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................14.0
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................27
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: 5 EPA Combined mpg: 30 0 2 5
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................33
Rear cross traffic warning
Lane-departure warning EPA Combined mpg: ................................30
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Forward-collision warning $1,200
BASE PRICE: $30,515; PRICE AS TESTED: $35,420 Auto Club Average MPG: 24.5
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Buick’s popular Encore subcompact crossover—the automaker’s
Overall Observations
best-selling vehicle in North America—has a handsome albeit AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Buick’sstubby
popular Encore subcompact
appearance. Space in thecrossover—the
front of the cabinautomaker’s
is decent, with
best-selling vehicle in North America—has a handsome albeit • Rearview camera
comfortable front seats and good headroom. Interior styling is • Blind-spot warning
stubby appearance. Space in the front of the cabin is decent, with
uncluttered
comfortable front and
seats makes use ofheadroom.
and good many upscale materials,
Interior although
styling is the • Rear cross-traffic warning
upperand
uncluttered doormakes
panelsuse feature someupscale
of many hard plastic. The rearalthough
materials, seating area is Strong/Weak Point
• Lane-departure warning
comfortable
the upper door panelstoo, with good
feature headroom
some and decent
hard plastic. The legroom.
rear Overall, • Forward-collision warning
seatinghowever,
area is the
comfortable Strong Points
cabin feelstoo, withnarrow.
slightly good headroom
Most of theand decent
Encore’s controls • Comfortable ride Weak Points
legroom. Overall, however, the cabin feels slightly narrow. Most
are easy to use, including the 8.5-inch touch-panel navigation and • Sporty handling • Low power, slow
of the Encore’s controls are easy to use, including the 8.5-inch acceleration
infotainment screen. The Encore ridesscreen.
comfortably for a small vehicle, • Light, responsive steering
touch-panel navigation and infotainment The Encore • WEAK
and its size makes it veryvehicle,
maneuverable. STRONG
• Available LEDPOINTS
headlamps POINTS
Tiny center console storage
rides comfortably for a small and itsThe
sizesteering
makesisit light
veryand areaLow power, slow
Comfortable ride
responsive,
maneuverable. andsteering
The handlingisislight
agileand
andresponsive,
a bit sporty. The
and powertrain
handling is • Large rear-corner blind spot
acceleration
is agilesmooth,
and a bitbutsporty.
power The frompowertrain
the 1.4-liter is smooth, but4-cylinder
turbocharged power engine Sporty handling
from the 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is modest -153 Tiny center console
is modest—153 hp—and the stop-start system engages abruptly. Light, responsive steering
hp - and the stop-start system engages abruptly. Cargo space is storage area
Cargo space Available LED headlamps
just adequate. Ouristest
justvehicle
adequate. Our test vehicle
is EPA-rated at 27ismpg
EPA-rated
city/33at 27 mpg Large rear-corner
city/33 mpgmpg
mpg highway/30 highway/30
overall; mpg
we gotoverall;
25 mpgwe got 25 mpg
during during our
our testing. blind spot
A numbertesting. A number safety
of advanced of advanced safety
features, features,forward-collision
including including forward-
warning, lane-departure
collision warning, blind-spot
warning, lane-departure warning,monitoring,
blind-spot and rear and
warning,
cross-traffic alert, are available.
rear cross-traffic warning, are available.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.91 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 3.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3300
Acceleration: 4.19
Exterior length (in): 168.4
Braking: 5.97 Exterior width (in): 69.9
Crashworthiness: 5.02 Exterior height (in): 65.2
Handling: 5.15 Wheelbase (in): 100.6
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 7.52
Warranty (months/miles): 48/50,000
Interior size: 4.78 Tire manufacturer and size: Continental P215/55 R18
Ease of entry and exit: 7.25 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 8.40 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 6 speed
Interior noise: 5.70
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.67 Engine/motor: 1.4L 4-Cyl.VVT Ecotec
Engine horsepower: 153 @ 5600

202 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 5

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 SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Nissan Kicks SR PT Nissan Kicks SR PT

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
Score For This Vehicle Base Price: $20,290 CATEGORY
LOWEST HIGHEST RANKING

31
61.01 48.94 Price as Tested $22,630
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1100
61.01
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 10.8
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 31 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED36
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................10.8
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................31
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 33 0 2 7
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................36
Rear cross traffic warning IIHS Top Safety Pick (with specific headlights)
Forward automatic emergency braking EPA Combined mpg: ................................33
ANNUAL FUEL COST
$1,100
BASE PRICE: $20,290; PRICE AS TESTED: $22,630 Auto Club Average MPG: 27.1
NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The Kicks is Nissan’s brand-new entrant in the subcompact crossover 2018 (with specific headlights)
Overall Observations
category, one of the market’s fastest-growing segments. Its exterior AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Kicks is Nissan’s
is stylish, brand-new
with an available entrantpaint
two-tone in the subcompact
scheme in which the roof
crossover category, one of the market’s fastest-growing • Rearview camera • Forward automatic
is painted a different color. Considering that it’s a small vehicle, the • Blind-spot warning emergency braking
segments. Its exterior is stylish, with an available two-tone paint
scheme Kicks has good
in which the interior room. The
roof is painted front seating
a different color.area is spacious, with
Considering • Rear cross-traffic warning
that it’sa a
low dashboard.
small vehicle,Both the front
the Kicks hasandgood rearinterior
cabin areas
room.haveTheplenty of Strong/Weak Point
front seating
headroom,areabut is spacious,
legroom inwith a low
the rear is dashboard.
only adequate. BothThethebackseat
front and Strong Points
is a rear
tight cabin areasadults,
fit for three have butplenty
theofcargoheadroom,
area is abut legroom
decent size. • Spacious interior Weak Points
in the rear is only adequate. The backseat is a tight fit for three
The Kicks could use some improvement dynamically. The 1.6-liter • Stylish exterior/paint • Poor ride quality
adults, but the cargo area is a decent size. The Kicks could use
4-cylinder engine makes onlyThe 1251.6-liter
hp and 4-cylinder
115 lb-ft of engine
torque, so scheme • Steering has little feedback
some improvement dynamically. • WEAK
STRONG
• Very POINTS
good fuel economy: POINTS
Low power, slow
makesacceleration
only 125 hpisand slow.115
Thelb-ft
CVToftransmission
torque, so shifts smoothly,
acceleration is however. 31 mpg city/36 mpg acceleration
slow. The Spacious interior Poor ride quality
The CVT transmission
steering shifts
has a light feel andsmoothly, however.
is responsive, but it The
provides little highway/33 mpg combined
steering has a light
feedback, andfeel and quality
the ride is responsive,
is bumpybut andit not
provides little
well controlled. • GoodStylish exterior/paint
value: $22,360 as Steering has little feedback
feedback, and the ride quality is bumpy and not well controlled. testedscheme Low power, slow
The Kicks gets very good fuel economy: an EPA-estimated 31
The Kicks gets very good fuel economy: an EPA-estimated 31 Very good fuel economy: acceleration
mpg city/36
mpg city/36 mpg highway/33
mpg highway/33 mpg combined.
mpg combined. Forward automatic
Automatic 31 mpg city/36 mpg
emergencyemergency
braking braking is standard,
is standard, uncommon
uncommon for afor a car
car in this
in this price highway/33 mpg combined
range.price range. Good value: $22,360 as
tested

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 4.62 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 7.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 2680
Acceleration: 2.43
Exterior length (in): 169.1
Braking: 3.15 Exterior width (in): 69.3
Crashworthiness: 5.49 Exterior height (in): 62.4
Handling: 5.69 Wheelbase (in): 103.1
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 6.05
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 5.18 Tire manufacturer and size: Firestone 205/55 R17
Ease of entry and exit: 7.02 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.80 Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 5.16
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 2.42 Engine/motor: 1.6L 4-Cyl. DOHC 16-Valve
Engine horsepower: 125 @ 5800

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AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Mitsubishi SEL Sport
Outlander AWCSEL AWC
Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE
Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $25,895
HIGHEST RANKING

32
59.71 48.94 Price as Tested $29,110
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1450
59.71
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 15.8
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 23 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED28
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................15.8
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................23
Lane-departure warning NHTSA Rating: 4 EPA Combined mpg: 25 0 2 4
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................28
Forward-collision warning
Forward automatic emergency braking EPA Combined mpg: ................................25
ANNUAL FUEL COST
Advanced headlights $1,450
BASE PRICE: $25,895; PRICE AS TESTED: $29,110 Auto Club Average MPG: 23.8
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Mitsubishi’s Outlander Sport compact crossover received exterior
Overall Observations
cosmetic updating and minor interior enhancements in 2018 but no AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
Mitsubishi’s Outlander
mechanical changes.SportOurcompact
Outlandercrossover
Sport testreceived
vehicle was exterior
equipped
cosmetic updating and minor interior enhancements in 2018 but • Rearview camera
with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, the larger of two powerplants • Lane-departure warning
no mechanical changes. Our Outlander Sport test vehicle was
equippedoffered.
withItagenerates 168 hp and
2.4-liter 4-cylinder was paired
engine, with a CVT
the larger of two and available • Forward-collision warning
AWD. The
powerplants Outlander
offered. Sport’s engine
It generates 168 hpfeelsandunderpowered
was paired with during
a Strong/Weak
• Forward automatic
Point
CVT and acceleration,
availableand AWD. it’s rough and noisy Sport’s
The Outlander as well. The frontfeels
engine seating area emergency braking
underpowered during acceleration, and Strong Points
is spacious, and the bucket seats areit’s
firm, rough and noisy
with plenty as
of lumbar • Good ride quality Weak Points
well. The front seating area is spacious, and the bucket seats are
support; the same is true for the rear seating. The Sport has a • Performance all-wheel drive • Noisy engine
firm, with plenty of lumbar support; the same is true for the rear • Feels underpowered, with
seating.comfortable
The Sportride,hasbut the steering ride,
a comfortable feels but
light,the
with little feedback.
steering feels
• Powerful sound from
EPA-estimated fuel economy is a modest STRONG
stereo POINTS
subwoofer WEAK
just POINTS
average acceleration
light, with little feedback. EPA-estimated fuel 23 mpg city/28
economy is a mpg • Little steering feel
Good ride quality Noisy engine
modest highway/25 mpg combined.
23 mpg city/28 The Outlander
mpg highway/25 Sport comes
mpg combined. Thewith a
Outlander Sport comes with
5-year/60,000-mile 5 year/60,000
comprehensive mile comprehensive
warranty and a 10-year/100,000- Performance all-wheel drive Feels underpowered, with
warranty and a 10 year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty. just average acceleration
mile limited powertrain warranty. Available safety features include Powerful sound from stereo
Available safety features include automatic emergency braking, subwoofer Little steering feel
forward
auto high beams,automatic emergency braking,
and lane-departure and The
warning. lane-departure
Outlander warning.
Sport carries over with minor trim changes into 2019.

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA VEHICLE
Test SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 2.34 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 5.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3400
Acceleration: 3.99
Exterior length (in): 171.9
Braking: 5.89 Exterior width (in): 71.3
Crashworthiness: 6.11 Exterior height (in): 64.8
Handling: 4.40 Wheelbase (in): 105.1
Restraint type: 9 air bags or more
Ride quality: 6.88
Warranty (months/miles): 60/60,000
Interior size: 5.65 Tire manufacturer and size: Nexen 225/55R18
Ease of entry and exit: 6.88 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: Not recommended
Visibility: 6.30 Headlight type: HID
Transmission type: CVT
Interior noise: 4.43
Drivetrain type: All wheel - part time
Cargo capacity: 1.83 Engine/motor: 2.4L 4-Cyl. DOHC MIVEC
Engine horsepower: 168 @ 6000

204 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 50

AAA.com/greencar
 SUV/MINIVAN NONHYBRID HIGH MPG
Ford EcoSport Titanium
Ford EcoSport Titanium

Green Car Scores OVERALL SCORE

Vehicle Price
CATEGORY
Score For This Vehicle
LOWEST Base Price: $25,740
HIGHEST RANKING

33
54.75 48.94 Price as Tested $25,740
93.90
Annual Fuel Cost: $1300
54.75
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type: Regular
FUEL INFORMATION
Fuel Capacity (gal): 13.6
EPA City mpg:
Fuel Type: .......................................REGULAR AVERAGE 27 MPG
Available Safety Features AS TESTED29
BY AUTO CLUB
Fuel Capacity EPA
(gal):.................................13.6
Highway mpg:
Rearview camera
EPA City mpg: .............................................27
Blind spot warning NHTSA Rating: N/R EPA Combined mpg: 28 0 2 7
EPA Highway mpg: ....................................29
Rear cross traffic warning
EPA Combined mpg: ................................28
ANNUAL FUEL COST
$1,300
BASE PRICE: $25,740; PRICE AS TESTED: $25,740 Auto Club Average MPG: 26.6
NHTSA SAFETY RATING Not Rated
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The Ford EcoSport (pronounced echo-sport) represents Ford’s
Overall Observations
future. Having announced it’s all but abandoning the car market in AVAILABLE SAFETY FEATURES
The Ford
the EcoSport (pronounced
U.S., Ford will focus instead echo-sport) represents
on trucks and crossoversFord’s
like the
future. Having announced it’s all but abandoning the car market
• Rearview camera
EcoSport. On the outside, the subcompact EcoSport has modern • Blind-spot warning
in the U.S., Ford will focus instead on trucks and crossovers like
styling, with
the EcoSport. On athe
talloutside,
body and thea short overall length.
subcompact EcoSport Inside,
hasit’s space • Rear cross-traffic warning
modern effistyling,
cient, with
withgood
a tallfront
bodyheadroom.
and a short Mounted
overallon the dashboard
length. Inside, Strong/Weak Point
is anefficient,
it’s space 8-inch iPad-like
with goodtouch-screen display with
front headroom. MountedFord’soneasy-to-use
the
dashboard is an 8-inch tablet-like touch-screen displaybut with Strong Points
Sync system. The rear seats have good headroom are short on • Comfortable ride quality for Weak Points
Ford’s easy-to-use Sync system. The rear seats have good
legroom. The rear cargo area is tall but not very deep, and the side- a small vehicle • Underpowered 3-cylinder
headroom but are short on legroom. The rear cargo area is tall engine
• Efficient use of space
but nothinged rear door
very deep, and takes effort to close.
the side-hinged Our
rear doorEcoSport was powered
takes effort to • WEAK
STRONG
• Easy POINTS
to maneuver and park POINTS
Weak brakes
close. by
Oura 1.0-liter
EcoSport turbo
was3-cylinder
poweredengine with 123
by 1.0-liter turbo hp.3-cylinder
Acceleration is • Standout styling • Heavy effort needed to
Comfortable ride quality for Underpowered 3-cylinder
slow,
with 123 hp.with a hint of torque
Acceleration steer,
is slow, and
with some
a hint ofbody
torque lean occurs
steer, andduring close rear door
a small vehicle engine
some body
spiritedlean occurs during
cornering. But thespirited cornering.
ride quality But the especially
is comfortable, ride • Start/stop system doesn’t
quality is comfortable, especially for a small vehicle. A 2.0-liter 4- Efficient use of space Weak brakes seamlessly
engage/disengage
for a small vehicle. A 2.0-liter 4-cylinder producing 166 hp is
cylinder producing 166 hp is also available, as is an AWD option Easy to maneuver and park Heavy effort needed to
alsothe
(only with available,
larger as is an AWD
engine). option (onlyblind-spot
Unfortunately, with the larger engine).
monitoring close rear door
Unfortunately, Standout styling
with rear cross-trafficblind-spot
alert is thewarning with rear advanced
only available cross-trafficsafety
warning is
Start/stop system doesn’t
the only available advanced safety feature.
feature. engage/disengage
seamlessly

TEST
TEST DATA TEST
DATA TestVEHICLE SCORES
Vehicle Scores ( 0 (0
to TO 10 POINTS)
10 Points ) VEHICLE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Fuel efficiency: 3.35 Model year tested: 2018
EPA emissions score: 3.00 Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3180
Acceleration: 1.53
Exterior length (in): 161.3
Braking: 3.36 Exterior width (in): 81.0
Crashworthiness: 4.92 Exterior height (in): 65.1
Handling: 6.07 Wheelbase (in): 99.2
Restraint type: 7 air bags
Ride quality: 6.71
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Interior size: 3.92 Tire manufacturer and size: Bridgestone 205/50 R17
Ease of entry and exit: 6.79 Towing cap. (lbs) w/wo brakes: 2000
Visibility: 7.80 Headlight type: Halogen
Transmission type: Auto 6 speed
Interior noise: 5.37
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Cargo capacity: 1.93 Engine/motor: 1.0L 3-Cyl. Ecoboost
Engine horsepower: 123 @ 6000

AAA.com/greencar 11
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 205
GLOSSARY
A
ABS. Antilock brake systems use speed sensors
at each wheel to let a vehicle’s onboard com-
puter know how much brake force to apply
to prevent the wheel from locking up under
hard braking, which could result in the vehicle
skidding out of control. ABS enables a driver
to maintain control and steer around obstacles
while applying the brakes with as much force
as possible. The proper technique for using
ABS brakes is to keep a hard, constant pres-
sure on the brake pedal rather than pumping
it. All passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. are
now required to have ABS, in conjunction with
electronic stability control (ESC).
ACC. Adaptive cruise control uses radar, cam-
eras, or other onboard sensors to automatically
adjust a car’s speed by braking or accelerating
to maintain a safe following distance from the
car in front of it. With most systems, the driver
can, within limits, adjust the following distance
from the vehicle in front.
ADAS. Advanced driver-assistance systems
take an active role in helping keep car crashes
from happening, or at least in reducing their
severity. These systems act as a kind of safety
net, using visual or audible signals to alert driv-
ers to potential problems that might lead to a
crash and, in some instances, performing func-
tions such as emergency braking to prevent or
mitigate crashes. Examples of ADAS include
adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning,
and forward-collision warning. These features
are now standard equipment on a wide vari-
ety of vehicles.
AEB. Automatic emergency braking systems
use sensors—including radar, cameras, or
lasers—to detect an imminent collision with a
vehicle in front. If a collision is about to happen,
the systems use sounds, images, or vibration (or
all three) to warn the driver. If the driver doesn’t
respond in time, AEB automatically activates
the brakes to slow the vehicle or bring it to a
complete stop, preventing a crash or reduc-
ing its severity.
ARC. The Automotive Research Center is
a state-of-the-art research facility in down-
town Los Angeles owned and operated by
the Automobile Club of Southern California.
Staffed with automotive engineers and techni-
cians, the ARC runs emission and fuel-economy
tests, researches the latest vehicle technolo-
gies, and provides practical automotive infor-
mation for AAA members via online articles,
research papers, and the annual AAA Green
Car Guide. In addition to its research facilities
in Los Angeles, the ARC tests vehicles and var-
ious automotive technologies at the Auto Club
Speedway in Fontana, about 50 miles east of
downtown Los Angeles.
AV. Autonomous vehicles, also known as
self-driving or driverless vehicles, use a variety
206 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
of sophisticated technologies—cameras, lasers,
sensors, radar, and GPS systems—to stop, start,
accelerate, brake, turn, and navigate with lim-
ited human involvement or, in the case of fully
autonomous vehicles, with none at all.
The following are the six agreed-upon lev-
els of automation, created by the Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE), and adopted
by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA):
Level 0 (no automation): The driver performs
all driving tasks and is responsible for moni-
toring the driving environment. Some driver
aids may be present in Level 0 vehicles, such as
blind-spot warning and lane-departure warn-
ing, but they don’t control vehicle behavior.
Most cars made before 2012 have no auto-
mated features.
Level 1 (driver assistance): The vehicle is
mainly controlled by the driver, who is also
responsible for monitoring the driving envi-
ronment. Some automated features, such as
adaptive cruise control, forward automatic
emergency braking, or lane-departure warn-
ing, may automatically assist with either steering
or speed functions, but not with both functions
simultaneously. In 2019, Level 1 features are
standard or optional on cars and light trucks
in virtually all price ranges.
Level 2 (partial automation): In some situa-
tions, automated systems may assist with both
speed and steering functions. Nissan’s ProPilot
Assist is one example of this technology. But
the driver must remain engaged with the driv-
ing task and continue to monitor the driving
environment.
Level 3 (conditional automation): In certain
situations, a Level 3 automated system can
carry out all parts of the driving task and mon-
itor the driving environment, but the human
driver must be ready to take back control when
the automated system requests it. The vehicle
is not capable of completely controlling brak-
ing, acceleration, or steering. Cadillac’s Super
Cruise and Audi’s Traffic Jam Pilot are exam-
ples of Level 3 automation.
Some automakers are bypassing Level 3
and going directly for Level 4. They're taking
this step because they believe it’s unrealistic
to expect humans to safely retake control of
a vehicle if they haven’t been paying atten-
tion for a while.
Level 4 (high automation): Under certain
conditions, the automated system is capable
of performing all driving functions for an entire
journey, even if a driver does not respond to
requests to intervene. However, the vehicle
might be confined to a specific geographi-
cal area, to highway driving only, or the sys-
tem might operate only below a certain speed.
The driver will still have the option to control the
vehicle manually.
Level 5 (full automation): A fully automated
system would be capable of performing all driv-
ing tasks under all conditions, with no expecta-
tion that humans will intervene. Such vehicles
would probably not have steering wheels or
accelerator or brake pedals.
AWD. All-wheel drive provides better traction
on slippery or uneven terrain than front-wheel
drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD). As the
term indicates, AWD delivers power to all four
wheels and can provide traction where FWD or
RWD might fail: in wet or snowy conditions or
when driving through mud, sand, or loose dirt.
In the majority of situations, most AWD systems
deliver power primarily (or sometimes entirely)
to one set of wheels, the front or the rear. If the
system detects slippage at one, it diverts power
to the other, where the wheels might get more
traction. AWD adds weight to a vehicle, which
compromises fuel economy.
B
Batteries. Green vehicles use three kinds of
batteries:
Lead-acid batteries. This is the traditional
12-volt battery that’s been used to provide
electrical power to cars for more than a cen-
tury. Lead-acid batteries’ relatively low energy
density makes them unsuitable for use in EVs.
Nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries.
NiMH batteries provide about twice the energy
capacity for the same weight as lead-acid bat-
teries. They’re still used in some hybrid cars,
although they’ve largely been replaced by
lighter lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries. Virtually all EVs and
PHEVs use lithium-ion batteries, which offer
around double the power-to-weight ratio
of NiMH batteries. Lithium-ion cells initially
were very expensive; their cost is expected to
decrease at about 7 percent per year as more
plug-in vehicles hit the market.
Biodiesel. The U.S. Department of Energy
defines biodiesel as a renewable, biodegrad-
able fuel manufactured domestically from veg-
etable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant
grease. Almost all light-, medium-, and heavy-
duty diesel vehicles are capable of running on
biodiesel, which is usually blended with petro-
leum diesel fuel.
The most common blend is B20 (from 6
percent to 20 percent biodiesel). B5, which
is 5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent diesel,
is commonly used in fleet vehicles. Biodiesel
improves fuel lubricity, making an engine eas-
ier to start and reducing engine wear. All origi-
nal equipment manufacturers (OEMs) approve
the use of B5, but owners of diesel vehicles
should check their engine warranty to make
sure that higher-level blends, such as B20, are
approved for use.
BSW. Blind-spot warning uses radar to detect
vehicles in potential blind spots on either side
of a car. Typically, the system illuminates an icon,
usually in the right or left side-view mirror, indi-
cating that it’s unsafe to make a lane change.
If a driver puts on a turn signal when another
vehicle is alongside, the light flashes, and some-
times a warning tone sounds as an added alert.
BSW is often paired with rear cross-traffic warn-
ing (RCTW).
AAA.com/greencar
C
CAFE. Corporate average fuel economy refers
to federal regulations or standards designed to
improve the country’s overall fuel economy for
passenger vehicles. Passenger cars and light
trucks sold in the U.S. must meet a specified
minimum mpg figure, based on a weighted
average of how many of the various types of
vehicles automakers sell (e.g., compacts, SUVs,
midsize cars). If they don’t meet the standard,
automakers must pay a penalty. Periodically, the
government raises CAFE standards. By 2025,
cars and light trucks will have to achieve a real-
world average of about 42 mpg.
CARB. The California Air Resources Board is an
agency devoted to regulating all air pollutants
within the state. It was founded in the 1960s
to combat California’s unique smog prob-
lem and has become the world’s premier air-
quality agency, setting the most stringent
emission standards and vigilantly enforcing
them. CARB and the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) worked together to set the cur-
rent greenhouse-gas standards, but CARB also
has a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate,
which requires vehicle manufacturers to build
electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, or plug-in
hybrids, depending on the manufacturer’s size.
Cargo capacity. The total size of a vehicle’s
cargo area, generally expressed in two num-
bers: with the backseats up and down.
CNG, LNG, NGV. CNG is compressed natu-
ral gas, mostly methane, the same substance
that’s piped into homes. Natural gas is com-
pressed to either 3,000 pounds per square inch
(psi) or 3,600 psi when used in motor vehicles.
LNG is liquefied natural gas, which is cryogeni-
cally chilled to temperatures as low as -275°F, at
which point it occupies 1/600 of its volume as a
gas, making efficient storage and transportation
possible. NGV stands for natural gas vehicle,
one that has been designed or converted to
use CNG or, less often, LNG for its fuel source.
CO. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless,
poisonous gas resulting from incomplete fuel
combustion. It’s one of the main pollutants in
vehicle exhaust, along with nitrogen oxides,
volatile organic compounds, and carbon diox-
ide. From 1980 through 2014, levels of CO in
vehicle exhaust dropped significantly, due in
large part to enforcement of the Clean Air Act.
CO2. Carbon dioxide is a gas produced mainly
from burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and
natural gas. It’s not harmful to human health per
se, but it’s the most abundant greenhouse gas
that traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and
causes global warming. CO2 increases as fuel
economy declines.
CPO. A certified pre-owned car is a late-model
used car that’s been thoroughly inspected and
refurbished mechanically and cosmetically to
AAA.com/greencar
look and drive like new, and then given an
extended warranty backed by the automaker.
Curb weight. A vehicle’s weight including all
fluids but excluding passengers and cargo.
CVT. Using pulleys connected by a belt or chain
instead of conventional gears, a continuously
variable transmission is a smoother-operating
and more fuel-efficient type of automatic
transmission.
D
DFI. Direct fuel injection (also known as gasoline
direct injection, or GDI) squirts atomized fuel at
high pressure into the engine’s cylinders rather
than into the manifold. The result is more com-
plete combustion, a higher compression ratio,
and greater efficiency and power.
DOD. To reduce fuel use, in a displace-
ment-on-demand engine, a computer deac-
tivates some of the cylinders when a vehicle is
cruising along and not working hard.
DRL. Many vehicles have daytime running
lights, which are reduced-intensity headlights
that make cars more visible to oncoming traf-
fic, making daytime driving safer.
E
E85, M85, FFV. E85 contains up to 85 percent
ethanol or grain-alcohol fuel; M85 contains up
to 85 percent methanol or wood alcohol. E85
and M85 fuel use at least 15 percent gasoline
rather than 100 percent alcohol, because
gasoline enables a vehicle to start more easily
in cold temperatures. FFV refers to a flexible-
fuel vehicle, which is capable of running on
regular gasoline or E85.
EBD. Electronic brake-force distribution
improves brake performance by varying brake
pressure between the front and rear wheels
according to the car’s load and speed.
EFI. Electronic fuel injection supplies fuel to a
vehicle’s engine with greater efficiency than a
carburetor, the technology it replaced. It atom-
izes fuel by pumping it through a small nozzle
under high pressure. It also monitors airflow
and density, which enables it to more precisely
control the fuel supply, eliminating or reducing
problems such as incomplete combustion, pol-
lution, difficulties with cold weather starting, and
rough running.
EPA. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
was created to protect human health and the
environment by writing and enforcing regula-
tions based on laws passed by Congress. The
EPA was proposed by President Richard Nixon
and began operating on December 2, 1970. Its
priorities include addressing climate change,
improving air quality, taking action on toxic sub-
stances and chemical safety, protecting water,
and working toward a sustainable future.
ESC. Electronic stability control refers to a vari-
ety of systems designed to improve a vehicle’s
handling or to regain driver control in an emer-
gency. ESC uses antilock brake sensors, brak-
ing capability, and other sensors to help the
driver maintain directional control of the vehi-
cle. Sensors monitor individual wheel speed,
the driver’s intended path, and cornering force,
among other things. If the car begins to slide
or spin, ESC temporarily applies brake pres-
sure at one or more wheels or reduces engine
power to help restore the car to the driver’s
intended path.
Ethanol. This clear, colorless liquid, also known
as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, is a renewable
fuel made from corn and other plant materials,
collectively known as biomass. More than 98
percent of gasoline in the U.S. contains some
ethanol, most often a 10 percent blend known
as E10. Ethanol is also available as E85, a high-
level ethanol blend containing 51 percent to
83 percent ethanol, for use in flex-fuel vehicles.
E15, a blend of 10.5 percent to 15 percent eth-
anol with gasoline, is an EPA-approved ethanol
blend for use in model year 2001 and newer
light-duty conventional gas vehicles.
Ethanol has a higher octane number but
contains less energy than gasoline; the higher
the percentage of ethanol, the lower the fuel
economy of a particular blend. In the U.S., 95
percent of ethanol is produced from corn.
Ethanol produced from corn has a positive
energy balance; in other words, the process
of producing it doesn’t require more energy
than the energy in the fuel itself.
EV. An electric vehicle is powered solely by elec-
tricity. It’s sometimes referred to as a BEV, or bat-
tery electric vehicle. Its distinctive components
include one or more electric motors, a battery
pack, and a controller. EVs are zero emission
vehicles; they produce no pollutants or green-
house gases. Early EVs (up until about 2015)
were expensive and (except for Tesla models)
had limited ranges. In the past few years, more
reasonably priced EVs with ranges in excess of
200 miles have come on the market, such as
the Chevrolet Bolt, the Hyundai Kona EV, the
Kia Niro EV, and the Nissan Leaf Plus.
EV charging. EVs can be charged in several
ways: Level 1 charging is the slowest and most
basic type. It consists of plugging an EV—or
plug-in hybrid (PHEV)—into a standard 120-
volt wall socket. In general, Level 1 charging
works well for PHEV batteries, which may take
only three or four hours to recharge, or for EVs
with a range of less than 100 miles. But EVs
with larger batteries (those with a range of 200
miles or more, such as a Chevy Bolt) could take
more than a day to recharge at 120 volts. Level
2 charging uses a higher voltage (240 volts) and
runs at up to 50 amperes of current; it’s much
faster than Level 1 charging and can typically
recharge an EV with a 200-plus-mile range in
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 207
GLOSSARY (CONT.)
10 to 12 hours. Home charging stations and
public charging stations are usually Level 2 char-
gers. DC fast charging is the quickest way to
recharge an electric car. It can bring an EV bat-
tery to about 80 percent of charge in 30 min-
utes to an hour.
F
4x4. Four-wheel drive systems, found mostly
on pickups and truck-based SUVs, use a trans-
fer case that can shift engine power to all four
wheels when conditions call for it—when nav-
igating sandy or muddy terrain, for example.
They also have low gears for rocky or other-
wise difficult off-road driving. Unlike AWD sys-
tems, which are typically used on crossovers,
four-wheel drive isn’t designed to be used all
the time—such as when driving around town or
cruising on the highway.
FCEV, FCV. A fuel cell electric vehicle or fuel
cell vehicle uses hydrogen fuel cells to cre-
ate electricity via a chemical process in which
hydrogen fuel reacts with oxygen from the air
to power its onboard electric motor. FCEVs are
zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). Examples include
the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, the Hyundai Nexo,
and the Toyota Mirai. The advantages of fuel cell
vehicles are that they produce no pollutants,
have ranges and refueling times comparable
to gasoline-powered vehicles, and drive like
conventional cars as well. The disadvantages
are high vehicle cost and the absence of a refu-
eling infrastructure.
FCW, FCM, FCA. Forward-collision warning,
forward-collision mitigation, and forward-
collision avoidance are terms used to describe
advanced safety systems that employ cameras
or radar to help drivers respond safely to traffic
in front of them. An FCW system provides
audible and visual alerts to warn drivers of
a possible crash, but it doesn’t intervene to
prevent a crash. An FCM system lets drivers
know a collision is imminent; if the driver doesn’t
take action, the system applies the brakes to try
to minimize the damage. An FCA system alerts
drivers to a possible crash and automatically
applies the vehicle’s brakes to either prevent
the crash or at least reduce its severity.
FWD. Most passenger vehicles today are
equipped with front-wheel drive, in which the
engine’s power is routed to the front wheels.
FWD gives better traction for climbing hills
because the engine’s weight is over the drive
wheels.
G
GGE. The gasoline gallon equivalent is the
amount of an alternative fuel (e.g., hydrogen)
it takes to equal the energy content of a gal-
lon of gasoline.
GHG. Greenhouse gases are substances that
trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and cause
208 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
global warming. Prominent examples include
CO2 and methane.
Green car. Any vehicle manufactured with
the goals of achieving high fuel efficiency and
reducing harmful emissions. Green cars come
in a variety of body types and sizes and are
equipped with a variety of powertrains: inter-
nal combustion engines (ICEs) that burn gaso-
line or diesel fuel, hybrid electric vehicles, pure
electric vehicles, vehicles that burn compressed
natural gas and flex-fuel, and hydrogen fuel
cell vehicles.
GVWR. Gross vehicle weight rating is the max-
imum allowable total weight, including the
weight of the vehicle, fuel, passengers, and
cargo. The GVWR is usually found on the driv-
er’s door or the lower door pillar. Exceeding
the GVWR can damage the suspension or com-
promise vehicle safety systems (e.g., braking
capacity).
H
HC. Hydrocarbons are a broad class of chem-
icals that contain hydrogen and carbon. They
are partially burned or unburned fuel molecules
that react in the atmosphere to form ground-
level ozone, a major component of smog. Some
hydrocarbons are toxic and may cause cancer
or other health issues. Hydrocarbon pollution
also occurs in the form of fuel evaporation when
gasoline vapors are forced out of a car’s fuel
tank (e.g., when refueling) or when gasoline
spills and evaporates.
HID. High-intensity-discharge headlights send a
high-voltage discharge through a mix of gases,
including xenon, in a microdischarge bulb to
produce an extra-white (or bluish) light three
times brighter than a conventional halogen
headlight. HID headlights enable drivers to
see objects more clearly and at greater dis-
tances. They’re becoming increasingly avail-
able as expanded demand and production
drive prices down.
HOV. A high-occupancy vehicle lane is better
known as a carpool lane. Carpool lanes allow
vehicles with multiple riders to drive in them,
often saving travel time. In some states, electric
vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and plug-in hybrids
are permitted to drive in those lanes with only
one occupant.
Hybrid. Sometimes called hybrid electric vehi-
cles, or HEVs, hybrids are vehicles with more
than one type of powertrain. Currently, all
hybrids sold in the U.S. have gasoline-electric
powertrains consisting of an internal combus-
tion engine, one or more electric motors, a bat-
tery pack, and a controller.
I
ICE. Internal combustion engines burn gasoline,
diesel fuel, compressed natural gas, propane,
hydrogen, flex-fuel, ethanol, or biodiesel. In
recent years, automakers have used a variety
of techniques (e.g., turbocharging, direct injec-
tion) to make ICEs more efficient.
IIHS. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
is an independent, nonprofit scientific and edu-
cational organization dedicated to reducing the
losses—deaths, injuries, and property damage—
from car crashes on the nation’s roads. One of
its principal activities is evaluating the safety of
passenger vehicles, based on the results of a
variety of crash tests that simulate real-world
collisions. The IIHS is wholly supported by auto
insurers and insurance associations.
L
LCA. Lane-centering assist is a more sophis-
ticated version of lane-keeping assist. If you
drift out of your lane, instead of simply moving
your car back into the lane, it centers the car in
the lane. Nissan’s ProPilot Assist and Honda’s
Honda Sensing system, among others, offer
lane-centering assist. Lane-centering systems
are not intended to allow “hands-free” driving.
LDW. Using cameras or sensors mounted near
a vehicle’s rearview mirror, lane-departure warn-
ing reads road markings such as painted lines
and raised pavement markers to help a car stay
in its lane. If a vehicle starts to drift out of its lane,
it alerts the driver with a sound, a flashing icon
on the instrument panel, a pulsing or vibration
in the steering wheel or driver’s seat, or a com-
bination of the three.
LED. Light-emitting diodes are semiconductor
chips arranged to produce a desired light pat-
tern when electricity is passed through them
via a process called electroluminescence.
LEDs have no moving parts, no filament, and
are much more durable than halogen or HID
headlights. Advances in semiconductors have
made LEDs cheaper and brighter than in the
past. As a result, they’re being used in head-
lights in an increasing number of cars.
Lightweighting. The process of reducing vehi-
cle weight by substituting lighter materials such
as aluminum, plastic, and carbon fiber for the
steel normally used in automobile construc-
tion. The main reason for lightweighting is to
increase a vehicle’s fuel economy.
LKA. When a car starts to drift out of its lane,
lane-keeping assistance can nudge the steer-
ing wheel to direct the car toward the center of
the lane, or selectively brake a single wheel to
guide the car back into the lane. Such correc-
tions are subtle, and drivers can override them
by turning the wheel themselves.
Low-rolling-resistance tires. Low-rolling-
resistance tires minimize wasted energy as a
tire rolls, through measures such as stiffer side-
walls, adding silica to the tread compound,
and reducing the depth of the tread block.
AAA.com/greencar
Low-rolling-resistance tires can improve fuel
economy by around 1 mpg. They may affect a
car’s handling and performance compared with
that of the original-equipment tires.
M
Mild hybrid. Mild-hybrid systems employ a
small electric motor-generator that provides a
slight boost to fuel economy. The most recent
versions are known as 48-volt mild hybrids,
which power stop-start systems, provide an
extra boost to the drive wheels, and take some
load off the engine by supplying electricity for a
vehicle’s accessories. Vehicles with mild-hybrid
systems can’t be driven on electric power alone.
MPG, MPGe. Miles per gallon is a number that
indicates the estimated distance traveled by a
vehicle per gallon of gasoline used, typically
categorized as city, highway, or combined driv-
ing. Miles per gallon equivalent, a term used
with EVs and PHEVs, is the estimated number
of miles a vehicle can travel on a quantity of
fuel with the same energy content—33.7 kilo-
watt hours (kWh)—as a gallon of gasoline. EVs
are more efficient in energy use than cars with
ICEs, so their EPA ratings are usually 80 to 125
MPGe. The EPA website fueleconomy.gov
reports the EPA-estimated mpg and MPGe of
recent car models.
MSRP. The manufacturer suggested retail price
is the selling price that the manufacturer rec-
ommends the dealer ask for a car; it’s located
on the car’s window sticker. The key word is
suggested, because dealers and customers
typically use the MSRP as a starting point for
negotiating the final sales price.
N
NHTSA. The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (pronounced nit-sa) is an agency
of the executive branch of the federal govern-
ment, part of the Department of Transportation.
NHTSA’s self-described mission is to save lives,
prevent injuries, and reduce economic costs
due to road traffic crashes, through education,
research, safety standards, and enforcement
activity. Among other things, NHTSA sets car-
safety standards, issues recalls, and performs
vehicle crash tests.
NOx. Nitrogen oxide is a generic term for nitric
oxide and nitrogen dioxide, a mixture of gases
composed of nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrogen
oxides are released into the air from motor-
vehicle exhaust, and the pollution they create
can be significant anywhere there is high motor-
vehicle traffic.
NOx gases react with hydrocarbons in the
atmosphere to form smog. NOx also contributes
to the creation of fine particulate matter (PM),
which is linked to a number of serious health
issues, such as heart problems and lung cancer.
NOx also damages the environment in the form
of acid rain.
O
OBD. Onboard diagnostics refers to a
diagnostic system that monitors whether a
vehicle’s emission-control system is operating
correctly. OBD systems illuminate a malfunction
indicator light on the dashboard if they detect
a problem, often using the terms “service
engine soon” or “check engine soon.” OBD2
is a computer-based system built into all 1996
and later passenger vehicles and light-duty
trucks that enables a technician to diagnose
problems with a vehicle’s engine or emission-
control system. It provides a standardized way
to locate problems by reading diagnostic
trouble codes and operating data.
Octane. A chemical in petroleum that rates the
performance of different types of gasoline. It’s
expressed as a number—for example, 85 or 87
octane for regular gas, 89 for midgrade, and
91 or 93 for premium. The higher the octane
number, the more compression the gaso-
line can withstand before it ignites. Fuels with
a higher octane rating (for example, 91) are
used in high-performance car engines. Using
low-octane gas in a high-compression engine
can lead to preignition (knocking) and poten-
tial engine damage.
OEM. Original equipment manufacturer, the
manufacturer of record for a fully assembled
vehicle. Many vehicle parts are built by exter-
nal suppliers, but the OEM is responsible for
the final production of the vehicle.
P
Payload. The total weight of the passengers
and cargo a vehicle can carry safely. The term
is used most commonly with pickups.
PCM. A powertrain-control module is a com-
puter that manages the vehicle’s engine, trans-
mission, and other components for good
drivability, maximum fuel economy, and per-
formance, with minimum emissions.
PHEV. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or, more
commonly, a plug-in hybrid, is a hybrid with a
larger battery pack that can be recharged by
connecting the vehicle to an external electric
power source.
Plug-in hybrids can operate on battery
power alone for a portion of their driving range
(i.e., as long as the battery has a charge) before
they switch over to conventional hybrid mode
(using both electricity and gasoline). A plug-in
hybrid’s overall fuel economy is measured in
both mpg and MPGe.
Powertrain. This refers to vehicle components
that generate power and deliver it to the road,
including the engine, transmission, driveshaft,
differential, and final drive assembly. In hybrid
vehicles, the battery, electric motor, and engine
control unit are also considered parts of the
powertrain.
PM. Particulate matter is a mixture of solid par-
ticles and liquid droplets found in the air. In this
context, it’s produced mainly from the exhaust
of diesel vehicles. Some PM—for example, dust
or soot—is visible to the naked eye, but other
PM is so small that it can be seen only with an
electron microscope. The smallest PM often
poses the greatest threat to health because it
can get deep into the lungs and possibly the
bloodstream.
R
Range. The number of miles a vehicle can gen-
erally be expected to travel between fill-ups, or,
in the case of EVs, between charges.
Rear automatic braking. Rear automatic brak-
ing systems are designed to prevent low-speed
collisions when a vehicle is backing up. Systems
use radar or sonar in the rear bumper to detect
obstacles behind a vehicle. The vehicle issues
an audible alert, and if the driver doesn’t brake
the vehicle, the system automatically applies
the brakes.
RCTA. Blind-spot warning is often paired with
rear cross-traffic warning, which is useful when
drivers back out of a parking spot. When the car
is in reverse, the RCTA system flashes a warn-
ing signal in the side mirror and sounds a warn-
ing tone to alert drivers if a vehicle, bicycle, or
pedestrian is approaching from the left or right.
Some systems will apply the brakes if the driver
does not respond.
Regenerative braking. Hybrids, plug-in
hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and elec-
tric vehicles are typically equipped with regen-
erative braking, which means that when the car
coasts or brakes, its electric motor helps to slow
the car down and functions as a generator to
convert the vehicle’s kinetic energy into elec-
tricity and charge the battery pack. In city driv-
ing, this can help improve the fuel economy of
an EV or hybrid.
RPM. Engine speed is measured in revolutions
per minute—how many times per minute the
crankshaft rotates. In general, higher rpm pro-
duces reduced fuel economy. Typically, the best
fuel economy is achieved by driving at relatively
low rpm in a high gear.
RWD. Rear-wheel drive is commonly found on
pickups, truck-based SUVs, sports cars, and
high-performance and luxury sedans. RWD
enables trucks to use heavy-duty components,
and because loads in their beds are over the
rear wheels, RWD provides better traction. On
a sports or performance car, RWD improves
handling by distributing the car’s weight more
evenly front to rear. However, RWD provides
less traction on slippery roads.
S
SAE. The Society of Automotive Engineers is
GLOSSARY (CONT.)
an international, nonprofit, educational, and
scientific organization dedicated to advancing
mobility technology. It is made up of more than
90,000 engineers and scientists who develop
technical information on self-propelled vehicles.
SRS. A car’s supplemental restraint system
refers to air bags that supplement seat belts as
safety devices. During a frontal crash, air bags
inflate rapidly; when passengers are thrown
forward, they’re met by a fully inflated air bag,
which absorbs energy and helps keep them
from colliding with the vehicle’s interior. The
latest air bags use additional sensors to take
into account an occupant’s size, weight, and
the severity of the impact to adjust the speed
and force of deployment. Side-impact air bags
inflate for side impacts, and side curtain air
bags above the side windows help protect an
occupant’s head.
Stop-start. In the U.S., stop-start mainly refers
to software in hybrids that shuts the engine
off when a car is motionless (for example,
when idling or stopped at a traffic light), then
restarts it with the electric motor when the driver
releases the brake pedal. Stop-start technology
increases fuel economy and reduces emissions.
Some American nonhybrid vehicles feature
stop-start systems, and it’s likely that more will
in the future to help vehicles meet strict fuel-
economy mandates.
T
10W–30. These numbers refer to oil grade and
viscosity (thickness or resistance to flow). The
manufacturer’s recommendation for the oil to
use in your vehicle is listed in your car’s owner’s
manual. Multigrade oil designations include
two numbers—in this case, 10W–30. The first
number (10) means that an engine can pump
this grade of oil as easily as it can a single-grade
SAE 10 oil. W stands for winter, not weight. It’s
easier for an engine to pump a “thinner” oil,
e.g., 5W, at a given temperature than it is to
pump 10W. The second number (30) means
that the viscosity of this multigrade oil at a 100°C
(212°F) operating temperature is equivalent to
the viscosity of a single-grade SAE 30 oil at the
same temperature.
TCS. A traction-control system uses the same
wheel-speed sensors as antilock brakes, with
additional electronic controls to sense the
speed of each drive wheel. It then applies
braking force and/or reduces power to the
drive wheel(s) to prevent spin and the loss of
traction. Traction control does not give a vehi-
cle more traction; it simply prevents the drive
wheels from spinning.
Tire dimensions. The series of letters and
numbers found on a tire’s sidewall (e.g.,
P285/35VR20). The first letter refers to the tire’s
intended use or vehicle class (in this case, pas-
senger). The next three numbers are the tire’s
width in millimeters. The numbers following
210 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019
the slash are the ratio of the tire sidewall height
to the width, expressed as a percent. The next
two letters refer to the tire’s maximum speed
capability (in this case, V = 149 mph) and tire
fabric construction (bias, diagonal, or, in this
case, radial). The final two digits refer to the
wheel diameter.
Top Tier gasoline. Top Tier gasoline is certified
to contain additional engine-cleaning deter-
gents, beyond the federally required amounts.
Testing commissioned by AAA showed that
engines using Top Tier gasoline averaged
19 times fewer deposits than non–Top Tier
gasoline in 4,000 miles of simulated driving.
Switching to Top Tier gas can remove accumu-
lated deposits from dirty engines.
Traffic-jam assist. Traffic-jam assist combines
lane-centering assist and adaptive-cruise-
control functions, braking and accelerating
automatically and keeping vehicles centered
in the lane and a safe distance from those ahead
of them. Audi and BMW were among the first
carmakers to offer traffic-jam assist.
U
Unibody. A method of automotive construction
in which the body and frame are incorporated
as a single piece. Most of today’s cars and
crossovers use unibody construction, which
saves weight and improves a vehicle’s handling
and comfort. Unibody construction is contrasted
with traditional body-on-frame construction,
in which a separate body is attached to a
strong frame or chassis on which the engine,
transmission, and drivetrain are mounted. This
type of construction, which is better suited to
heavy-duty driving, is still used by large pickups
and SUVs.
V
V8, V6, I4, boxer/flat. These terms refer to a
vehicle’s engine design configuration and num-
ber of cylinders. A “V” engine has two banks of
cylinders (typically three or four cylinders per
bank) offset by 60 or 90 degrees from each
other. An “I” engine configuration has the indi-
vidual cylinders in a vertical line, referred to as
inline. In a boxer or flat engine design (e.g., in
Subarus and Porsches), the engine’s cylinders
are horizontally opposed.
Vehicle subscription service. This type of ser-
vice combines qualities of auto renting and leas-
ing. For a monthly fee, the user is granted access
to one or several vehicles, with no long-term
commitment. Maintenance and insurance typi-
cally are included; gas is not. Examples include
Care by Volvo, and Canvas (Ford).
VIN. This 17-digit designation is a car’s unique
vehicle identification number. The VIN is bro-
ken down into groups of numbers and letters:
the first three are the manufacturer identi-
fier; the next five are vehicle attributes (body
style, model, etc.); the next three are the check
digit, model year, and assembly plant; and the
remaining six characters identify a specific vehi-
cle that came off the assembly line.
VOC. Volatile organic compounds are a large
group of carbon-based chemicals that evap-
orate easily at room temperature. VOCs are
considered air pollutants. The EPA, via the U.S.
Clean Air Act, regulates the VOCs in vehicle
exhaust chiefly to prevent them from reacting
with nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide
to form ozone, a component of photochemi-
cal smog, and a proven public health concern.
VVT. Variable valve timing refers to an enhanced
engine valve train. VVT allows the lift, duration,
or timing of the intake or exhaust valves to be
changed during engine operation to improve
fuel economy and engine power and to lower
emissions.
Z
ZEV, PZEV, AT PZEV, SULEV, ULEV, LEV.
Acronyms for the terminology used to describe
levels of vehicle emissions (below).
ZEV. A zero emission vehicle produces no harm-
ful emissions at the tailpipe. Currently, the only
technologies that can meet this standard are
EVs and vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel
cells.
PZEV. Partial zero emission vehicles pro-
duce only miniscule amounts of harmful (i.e.,
smog-forming) pollutants from the tailpipe and
are certified to produce no emissions from fuel
evaporation. The tailpipe standards have been
set by CARB to be equivalent to the emissions
caused by electricity generation needed to
charge a battery-electric vehicle. PZEVs also
have a 15-year/150,000-mile emission warranty.
AT PZEV. Advanced-technology partial zero
emission vehicles meet the same emission
standards as a PZEV but use technologies that
CARB deems to be “advanced,” thus earning
the manufacturer additional zero emission vehi-
cle credits.
SULEV. Super ultra low emission vehicles have
the same tailpipe standards as PZEVs but with
some evaporative emissions. They must pro-
duce emissions 90 percent lower than an equiv-
alent gasoline-powered vehicle.
ULEV. Ultra low emission vehicles emit 50 per-
cent fewer polluting emissions than the aver-
age new car released in that model year. They
meet the CARB standard of 0.125 grams per
mile of nonmethane organic gas and nitrogen
oxide. Hybrids and some of today’s nonhybrids
qualify as ULEVs.
LEV. Low emission vehicles; California and EPA
LEV standards are the least stringent emission
standards.
AAA.com/greencar
INDEX
VEHICLE PAGE
Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Advance ..................................... 187
Acura RLX Sport Hybrid ........................................................ 165
Audi Q7 Quattro Tiptronic ................................................... 177
BMW 530e iPerformance .................................................... 146
Buick Encore Premium .......................................................... 202
Chevrolet Bolt Premier .......................................................... 122
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 4WD Diesel ................................ 170
Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD Diesel ..................................... 200
Chevrolet Volt Premier .......................................................... 132
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited ......................................... 174
Ford EcoSport Titanium ........................................................ 205
Ford F-150 4x4 Supercrew................................................... 166
Ford F-150 4x2 Supercrew................................................... 168
Ford Focus Titanium............................................................... 141
Ford Fusion Energi Platinum ................................................ 156
Ford Fusion Hybrid Platinum ............................................... 154
Honda Accord Hybrid Touring............................................. 147
Honda Accord Touring .......................................................... 148
Honda Civic Si ......................................................................... 138
Honda Civic Touring .............................................................. 140
Honda Clarity Touring PHEV ................................................ 153
Honda CR-V Touring AWD ................................................... 188
Honda Fit EX-L Navi ............................................................... 125
Honda Insight Touring .......................................................... 135
Honda Odyssey Elite ............................................................. 180
Honda Ridgeline AWD RTL-E .............................................. 169
Hyundai Elantra Eco............................................................... 143
Hyundai Ioniq Electric Limited............................................. 151
Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid .............................................. 159
Hyundai Ioniq SEL Hybrid..................................................... 158
Hyundai Kona Electric Ultimate FWD ................................ 178
Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD .............................................. 197
Jaguar I-Pace EV400 HSE ..................................................... 172
Kia Forte EX ............................................................................. 139
Kia Niro PHEV ......................................................................... 189
Kia Niro Touring ...................................................................... 185
Kia Rio EX ................................................................................. 127
Kia Soul EV+ ............................................................................ 186
Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury TD6 ............................. 198
AAA.com/greencar
VEHICLE PAGE
Lexus ES 300h Premium ....................................................... 150
Lexus LC 500h ......................................................................... 124
Lexus LS 500h ......................................................................... 163
Lexus NX 300h ........................................................................ 191
Lexus RX 450h AWD.............................................................. 183
Lexus UX 250h F Sport AWD ............................................... 193
Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring FWD ....................................... 201
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL S-AWC .................................. 199
Mitsubishi Mirage GT Hatchback ........................................ 128
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT S-AWC ............................. 195
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SEL AWC ................................ 204
Nissan Altima SR..................................................................... 157
Nissan Kicks SR PT ................................................................. 203
Nissan Leaf SL ......................................................................... 130
Nissan Sentra SV ..................................................................... 142
Subaru Ascent Premium ....................................................... 182
Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Premium ................................. 196
Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid....................................................... 194
Subaru Forester Sport ........................................................... 184
Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited .............................................. 192
Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD ........................................ 144
Tesla Model S P100D ............................................................ 160
Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited ............................................. 164
Toyota Camry SE..................................................................... 152
Toyota Camry SE Hybrid ....................................................... 149
Toyota Corolla XSE Hatchback ............................................ 136
Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE ........................................... 179
Toyota Highlander XLE AWD............................................... 190
Toyota Mirai ............................................................................ 133
Toyota Prius c .......................................................................... 126
Toyota Prius Prime Advanced .............................................. 134
Toyota Yaris XLE ...................................................................... 129
Volkswagen Golf SE ............................................................... 137
Volkswagen Jetta SEL Premium .......................................... 155
Volvo S90 T8 E-AWD Inscription ........................................ 162
Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD R-Design ........................................ 176
Volvo XC90 E-AWD PHEV T8 Inscription .......................... 175
Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Inscription ......................................... 181
AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 211
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Automobile Club of Southern California would like to thank the following
companies for providing vehicles and other assistance to the Automotive Research
Center for use in the creation of the 2019 AAA Green Car Guide.

AUTOMAKERS
BMW Mazda Motor Corporation
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Ford Motor Company Nissan Motor Company Ltd.
General Motors Subaru
Honda Motor Company Toyota Motor Sales
Hyundai Motor Company Volkswagen Group
Jaguar Land Rover Volvo Car Corporation
Kia Motors

AUTOMOTIVE FLEET MANAGEMENT

DriveShop
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RENTAL CAR COMPANIES

Enterprise
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ADMINISTRATIVE, ART, EDITORIAL,

AND RESEARCH STAFF
Executive Oversight ..........................................................................................Malek Khouri

Project Lead ..................................................................................................Megan McKernan

Project Oversight................................................................................................. Scott Severe

Project Manager.....................................................................................................Carly Taylor

Research ................................................................ Richard Gonzalez, Tim Lavery, Brion Lee

Lead Writer, Editor ............................................................................................... John Lehrer

Design ..............................................................Hernando Marín, David Ricks, Eric Van Eyke

Digital Content ....................................................................................................Jesse McCarl

Public Relations .......................................................Elaine Beno, Doug Shupe, Jeff Spring

Printing/Procurement............................................................................................... Amy Cox

AAA National ..................Greg Brannon, Ellen Edmonds, Larry Jennings, Rob Sinanian

212 AAA GREEN CAR GUIDE 2019 AAA.com/greencar

 YOU LOVE
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