Two diesel-powered autos, the BMW 335d and the Volkswagen Golf TDI, were among the Kelley Blue Book (KBB) Top 10 Green Cars for 2010.

The staff at KBB didn’t simply pick the 10 cars with the best fuel economy.  Rather, they also looked at CO2 emissions, safety, features, and driving enjoyment.  Indeed, to win, a car had to be superior to “the bulk of vehicles in its class” in these areas.

The BMW 335d has been included in the Top 10 list since its launch in 2009, while the Volkswagen Golf TDI was termed a “promising newcomer” by KBB.

In writing about BMW 335d, KBB’s staff said, “To most passersby the 335d looks like any other BMW 3 Series.  To the driver, however, the 335d is something truly special. To the styling, luxury, and refinement of the standard 3 Series, the 335d adds a six-cylinder diesel engine. Immediate power, robust acceleration and 36 miles per gallon highway fuel economy make us wish more cars featured a diesel option.”

In describing the Golf, KBB wrote: “With its latest identity crisis in its mirrors, the Rabbit is once again the Golf and now offers a mileage-maxing clean diesel engine. The same diesel powertrain found in the Jetta TDI and Jetta Sportwagen TDI delivers a 30-percent increase in fuel economy over its gasoline counterpart and a wallop of low-end torque that makes it even more fun.”

The Top Ten Green Cars included:

Diesels
2010 BMW 335d 335 27 mpg (23 city/ 36 highway)
2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI 34 mpg (30 city/42 highway)

Gasoline-electric Hybrids
2010 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 22 mpg (21 city/ 22 highway)
2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 26 mpg (27 city/25 highway)
2010 Ford Escape Hybrid 32 mpg (34 city/31 highway)
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid 39 mpg (41 city/ 36 highway)
2010 Toyota Prius 50 mpg (51 city/ 48 highway)

Petrol
2010 Honda Fit 31 mpg (28 city/ 35 highway)
2010 Mini Cooper 32 mpg (28 city/37 highway)
2010 Honda Insight 41 mpg (40 city/43 highway)