Subaru has added its greenhouse-gas-limiting technology to the 2010 Forester, helping it to run "90 per cent cleaner than the average new vehicle," reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase. But that doesn’t change its performance or fuel economy, he notes.

How does Pirelli’s new Scorpion Verde "green" tire improve fuel economy and reduce its impact on the environment? Technical Editor, Jim Kerr looks into the secrets of the Verde tire’s design and construction.

BMW’s X6 ActiveHybrid is like an amusement park ride, says Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh: it makes no sense, but it sure is a lot of fun. It’s fast and powerful, and should be for the $99,900 price, she says.

The Auto Future Tech Summit in Vancouver is where international industry experts gather to discuss trends in automotive propulsion technology. This year, electricity emerged as the consensus choice - leaving hydrogen, ethanol, and diesel on the sidelines.

Porsche's redesigned 2011 Cayenne lineup includes a new hybrid model, "demonstrating that high performance and efficiency need not be mutually exclusive," says Managing Editor, Grant Yoxon. The Cayenne S and Turbo arrive in July, the V6 and S Hybrid in the fall.

Still the only affordable diesel-powered sedan in the Canadian market, the VW Jetta TDI offers “all-around versatility and a fuel-sipping diesel powerplant,” says Senior Editor, Paul Williams. But the price of a fully loaded Highline model is “steep”, he says.

The only mid-size non-luxury hybrid SUV on the market, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid offers generous passenger and cargo space and a well-equipped cabin along with excellent fuel economy for a vehicle of its size, says interior reviewer, Michael Clark.

The Lexus GS 450h hybrid is beautifully styled and powerful, says Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh, but driving it as it’s intended affects fuel efficiency - and it’s expensive: "I had a tough time seeing $71,900 in my driveway," she says.

Though it’s equipped with all the luxury niceties and a gas-saving hybrid powertrain, interior reviewer Michael Clark wonders whether the entry level Lexus HS250h luxury hybrid is really worth its $40 to $50K price-tag.