Chevrolet Volt

What is It? The Volt is a plug-in hybrid with 25 to 50 miles of all-electric range, and it's General Motors' high-tech green flagship. The company won't make a profit on the Volt, but it will gain some environmental credibility after decades of making gas-guzzling SUVs.

Under the Hood: A 1.4-liter, 84-horsepower four-cylinder engine that, most of the time, makes power for a 16-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a 111-kilowatt drive motor.

Range: 25 to 50 miles in electric mode, followed by another 300 with the gas engine running.

Performance: Top speed is 100 mph. Acceleration, decidedly unofficial, could come to approximately 8.5 seconds zero to 60.

Delivery Date: December 2010, though the early cars will be delivered only to California, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C.

Bottom Line: $41,000