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WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Car Journal has announced finalists for the magazine's prestigious 2017 Connected Green Car of the Year™, 2017 Luxury Green Car of the Year™, and 2017 Green SUV of the Year™ awards today at a press conference held at LA Auto Show's AutoMobility LA™, with finalist vehicles on display. Winners of the three awards will be announced on January 26 at The Washington Auto Show^® in Washington DC.

Finalists for 2017 Connected Green Car of the Year™ include the Audi A3 e-tron, Honda Civic, Mercedes-Benz C350e, Tesla Model X, and Toyota Prius Prime. Each of these finalists offers advanced connectivity and driver assistance systems combined with admirable levels of environmental performance. Four are plug-in vehicles while one is powered by efficient gasoline internal combustion.

In contention for 2017 Luxury Green Car of the Year™ are the 2017 Acura NSX, BMW 740e xDrive iPerformance, Jaguar XE 20d, Mercedes-Benz S550e, and Range Rover Td6. This diverse group of premium 'green' finalists includes plug-in, hybrid, and advanced diesel vehicles.

Nominees for 2017 Green SUV of the Year™ include the BMW X5 xDrive40e iPerformance, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-9, Mercedes-Benz GLE550e, and Nissan Rogue Hybrid. Also a diverse group, these efficient SUV and crossover models achieve their efficiencies with plug-in, hybrid, and internal combustion power.

"These exceptional models illustrate that 'green' cars come in all classes and configurations," said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and GreenCarJournal.com. "Automakers continue to expand their efforts in designing and manufacturing more efficient and environmentally positive vehicles across the automotive spectrum. This is an important evolution from the early years of 'green' cars when models were primarily gasoline-electric hybrid and typically small sedans or hatchbacks."

Presented annually at The Washington Auto Show, these Green Car Awards™ honor the best-of-the-best in the important premium, connected, and SUV/crossover categories. Of particular importance is that these finalists achieve their environmental leadership in their own way. Hybrid power continues to be an important strategy in achieving greater environmental compatibility, along with plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and advanced gasoline and diesel propulsion.

The coordination of Green Car Awards™ announcements and joint exhibition of finalists is a significant new development between major auto shows on the auto show circuit. This milestone underscores the growing importance of "green" cars in the auto industry and how they are in turn creating synergies in complementary areas as well. Green Car Journal's Green Car of the Year^® has been a high-profile program at Los Angeles Auto Show's press and trade days (now AutoMobility LA™) since 2005. Beginning in 2008, the Green Car Awards™ have been a key feature of The Washington Auto Show^®, the "public policy show" on the auto show circuit that puts a priority on safety and sustainability.

About Green Car Journal
The award-winning Green Car Journal has focused on the intersection of automobiles, energy, and environment since its launch in 1992. As part of its mission, the magazine hosts events, produces ride-and-drives of advanced and clean fuel vehicles, and conducts various outreach efforts to educate consumers on better and more environmentally positive vehicle choices. The magazine's content is featured online at www.GreenCarJournal.com.

About WANADA and the Washington Auto Show
Produced by the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA), The Washington Auto Show^® provides an opportunity to explore the latest cars, technologies, and innovations in safety and sustainability. Celebrating its 75^th year in 2017, the Washington Auto Show, the largest public event in DC, will present MobilityTalks International^SM on Jan. 24-25, a global discussion on the future of mobility regulation, harmonization and smart cities, followed by a Capitol Hill event, Ride and Drive with advanced technology vehicles at RFK Stadium, and Public Policy/Media Day at the Washington Convention Center. Public Policy/Media Day: Jan. 26, and Consumer Days: Jan. 27-Feb.5. For more information on the 2017 Washington Auto Show^®, see www.washingtonautoshow.com. Follow us at http://Twitter.com/washautoshow and http://Facebook.com/washautoshow.

SOURCE The Washington Auto Show