The Ford Maverick and Toyota Sienna were both honored today for their blend of design, “thoughtful” features and, most importantly, their green drivetrain technologies.
Ford’s compact pickup was named Green Truck of the Year, while the Toyota minivan was declared Family Green Car of the Year, wrapping up this year’s Green Car Awards, during a ceremony in San Antonio, Texas.
Six other products were honored a week ago, including the Audi Q4 which was named Green Car of the Year.
“Ford’s Maverick is a milestone vehicle offering pickup enthusiasts an affordable choice that’s highly fuel efficient, functional, and right-sized for everyday use,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and GreenCarJournal.com. “The Toyota Sienna hits a sweet spot for families by blending sophisticated design, hybrid efficiency, and an array of thoughtful family-friendly features in an appealing minivan form.”
The final two
The Maverick is one of two new models — along with the Hyundai Santa Cruz — bringing back the once-popular compact pickup segment. It targets young buyers who want a vehicle that is both functional and affordable. Ford is appealing to do-it-yourselfers and even has QR codes built into Maverick. Owners can call up guides showing how to build a bike rack or 3D print storage bins for the truck.
Maverick will be offered with two different drivetrains, starting with a 2.0-liter Ecoboost engine, mated to an 8-speed automatic. This package makes 250 horsepower with torque rated at 277 pound-feet. The turbo-4 package can be ordered in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
But the Green Truck award focuses on the alternative package, a 2.5-liter Atkinson Cycle gas engine with a 94 kilowatt electric motor. Together, they produce a peak 191 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. It can tow up to 2,000 pounds, and it delivers up to 40 mpg in the EPA combined cycle.
Toyota made an unusual move, shifting to a hybrid-only drivetrain strategy for the latest-generation Sienna minivan. It uses a 2.5-liter gas engine paired with twin electric motors, producing 243 horsepower. The system is rated to deliver up to 36 mpg.
The new minivan offers a wide range of family friendly features and, for 2022, adds a new Woodlands package that comes standard with all-wheel drive, a tow hitch and roof rack and a 1,500-watt 120-volt electric outlet.
The Maverick and Sienna compete in segments where buyers now find a growing line-up of models with green drivetrains. On the truck side, for example, there are new, all-electric models like the GMC Hummer EV and Rivian R1T. On the Family Car side, buyers have options like the all-electric Volkswagen ID.4 and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.
The other 2021 winners
Last week saw Green Car Journal reveal six other awards:
- The Audi Q4 e-tron was named Green Car of the Year;
- The Lucid Air won honors as the Luxury Green Car of the Year;
- The Chevrolet Bolt EUV was picked as Urban Green Car of the Year;
- The BrightDrop EV600 was chosen Commercial Green Car of the Year;
- The Tesla Model S Plaid was picked as Performance Green Car of the Year; and
- The Hyundai Ioniq 5 was honored as Green SUV of the Year.
Winners were chosen by a jury including celebrity auto fanatic Jay Leno, Paula Glover, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, Alan Lloyd, president emeritus of the International Council on Clean Transportation, Journal editors and others.
