Nissan Scores the “Best Environmental Performance Brand” Award 2017 | CommunityCars.com Blog

The results are in: The “Best Environmental Performance Brand” award goes to Nissan. This prestigious endowment comes from Automotive Science Group (ASG), an organization dedicated to furthering the art of vehicle technology, and it poises the brand for a significant boost in sales, later on this year. So, what’s making Nissan car dealerships rave about this brand, too? Let’s take a look at the science behind a few of the cars on this year’s list.

The 2017 Rogue

This new vehicle is large enough to host up to 7 passengers, but that’s not the only thing that makes it special. AGS also honored it for its performance and economy, too. You can expect the 2017 Rogue to average between 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

Intelligent cruise control and Eco-Mode downscale power to conserve energy, while the Continuously Variable Transmission constantly realigns itself for great fuel economy as you’re driving. Better still, Eco-Mode is incredibly easy to use--just hit the button on your dash, and your new car will switch itself into economy mode. No need to open the hood!

The 2017 Pathfinder

This year’s Pathfinder was also a major part of why Nissan scored the BEPA award, too; for its size, it offers an incredible amount of economic value. It, too, has a Continuously Variable Transmission, so you can expect it to adjust automatically to your driving conditions. It effectively auto-balances your need for power and economy on everything from the highway to country back roads. That’s a savings you’ll see first-hand in the amount of fuel required to get you to your destination. It also makes the Pathfinder especially well-suited to urban driving, carting the kids around, or road trips with friends.

The Pathfinder’s fuel economy isn’t quite as nice as the Rogue—20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Switched into all-wheel drive mode for power reduces the economy further, to just 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Compared to some other high-economy vehicles, it just can’t compete, but when you factor in the V-6 engine, it begins to make sense; 27 mpg anywhere on a V-6 is sensational.

Nissan LEAF

The name is fitting; this is a compact car that’s completely designed top-to-bottom for performance and green living. This is Nissan’s primary electric car, so the designation isn’t exactly surprising. What is surprising is its incredible 172-mile traveling distance before it requires a recharge—more than enough for most commuters and, certainly, enough to carry you around your local area for errands.

It wasn’t just the LEAF’s electronic status that resulted in an award; it’s a Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV), too. That puts it a step above the competition as far as pollution goes. All-in-all, it’s seriously reducing the brand’s footprint.

After taking a look at Nissan’s 2017 line, it’s not hard to see why the AGS chose the company as the best environmental brand. The company’s fierce dedication to improvement without sacrificing performance or safety makes them a real contender for your wallet. Curious about driving one of the vehicles listed here? Contact your local Community Cars dealership for more info today.