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Five 2014 Green Car of the Year Finalists Announced

German and Japanese cars dominate the short list

Two of the finalists are diesel, one is a hybrid, one is petrol with start/stop and the other is pure petrol

The five finalists for the 2014 Green Car of the Year have been announced. Green Car Journal will award the honor at the LA Auto Show on November 20. The five finalists are considered the magazine’s "Top 5 Green Cars for 2014,” and the winner will be named "Green Car Product of Excellence."

As a North American award, it is interesting that none of the cars are from American automakers, and only one of them in made in the United States. Two of the finalists are specific models, and the other three are for nameplates. There are two diesels, one full hybrid, one mild hybrid and one gasoline-fueled car among the finalists.

The award honors the most important green vehicles to be introduced in North America that are on sale by January 1 of the award year. It has been handing out the award at the LA Auto Show since 2005.

"There's something for everyone in this year's field of finalists, including clean diesel, high efficiency gasoline, and hybrid/plug-in hybrid power featured in mainstream, sporty, and executive models,” said Ron Cogan, publisher of Green Car Journal.

The jurors include noted auto enthusiast Jay Leno, environmentalist and scientist Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council Frances Beinecke, Sierra Club director Michael Bruce, Global Green US board member Matt Petersen and the editors of Green Car Journal.

1. Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro

Audi is made a major push behind its diesel models in the US this year. The 3.0 TDI is now in the A6, A7, Q5 and Q7 in the US. The 3.0-liter V6 makes 240hp and 428lb-ft in all of the cars in the US and gets the A6 to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds. It gets 38mpg on the highway and has a 700-mile maximum range.

2. BMW 328d

BMW has a bit longer history with diesels in the US than Audi, but the 328d is its latest addition. It uses BMW's 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with 180hp and 280lb-ft of torque. It also comes standard with a start/stop system, and gets 45mpg. It is also available as a wagon and with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

3. Honda Accord

All models of the new Accord are nominated: the four-cylinder, V6, hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The plug-in was especially praised for its 115mpge, the highest of any mid-size sedan in the US. Even the most powerful V6 model gets 34mpg on the highway, only 2mpg less than the four-cylinder. It is the only finalist made in the United States.

4. Mazda 3

The latest generation Mazda 3 is lighter and more efficient. It uses Mazda's new Skyactiv four-cylinder engines that get 41mpg fuel economy, and the more powerful 2.5-liter with i-ELOOP capacitive start/stop that still gets 38mpg.