LOS ANGELES, April 20, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Total Car Score ( www.totalcarscore.com ) today released its ranking of the top 2012 alternative fuel models for each major vehicle segment.

"Buying an alternative fuel vehicle has become the equivalent to buying a smartphone," said Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of Total Car Score. "In a very short period of time the question for many consumers has shifted from 'Should I buy a smartphone?' to 'Which smartphone should I buy?' The same thing is happening with alternative drivetrain vehicles. That is why we compiled this list: to give car buyers who know they want an alternative fuel vehicle a better idea of the top offering in each category."

Brauer added that another factor in putting the list together is that today nearly every carmaker has entered into the alternative fuel race with at least one model. "In the very near future," Brauer said, "offering a range of drivetrains, with at least one alternative fuel option, is going to be the norm, not the exception."

The ranking of alternative fuel vehicles was compiled using Total Car Score's unique vehicle rating system. The Total Car Score comes from a comprehensive system of evaluating every vehicle on the market using an industry-wide standard. The "Total Car Score" (TCS) awarded to a vehicle is a comprehensive number that aggregates car ratings from the top industry authorities and incorporates fuel efficiency and safety components.

Top Rated Alternative Fuel 2012 Models

        Make                Model             Segment                                    Engine Type MPG TCS
        Honda              CR-Z              Sport Coupe and Convertible         Hybrid         37    75.75
        Volkswagen       Golf               Compact Sedans and Wagons        Diesel         34    79.63
        Toyota              Camry            Midsize Sedans and Wagons         Hybrid         41    85.59
        Buick                Lacrosse         Large Sedans and Wagons            Hybrid         29    84.86
        Lincoln              MKZ               Entry Luxury Sedans and Wagons   Hybrid         39    79.41
        Mercedes-Benz  E-Class           Luxury Sedans and Wagons           Diesel         25    84.25
        Lexus               LS                  Ultra Luxury Cars                          Hybrid         20    89.78
        Volkswagen       Touareg          Midsize SUVs and Crossovers         Diesel         22    77.21
        Toyota              Highlander      Large SUVs and Crossovers            Hybrid         28    81.12
        Lexus               RX                 Luxury SUVs and Crossovers           Hybrid         30    85.36
       

About Total Car Score
TotalCarScore.com is an automotive research and comparison website that establishes a new industry-wide standard for ranking every car, truck, van and SUV/crossover on the market. TotalCarScore.com evaluates and ranks cars according to an aggregate score based on the most trusted automotive authorities available. The site also features original content, reviews and insights from a veteran automotive journalism and data team. For more information, please go to www.totalcarscore.com.