I've never been much of a car person. For me, there's always been a Berlin Wall-like disconnect between my mind and all things mechanical. With the exception of the keyboard, I tend to treat objects with gears, pumps, levers and spark plugs like they've just come down with a messy case of the stomach flu. I think it's far better to let people who know what they are doing handle those type of things.

That's not to say that I don't own a caróI actually drive the same car I've had since I was 16óor am advocating riding a bike or hoofing it everywhere. I'm a realistic person and realize that walking to and from work may indeed be good for your health, but does terrible things for your spare time.

My gas-guzzler is dying. I've been saving my money and it's time to make the switch to a fuel-efficient ride. And with any high-dollar commitment, there's some research to be done. That's fine with me, as long as I don't have to look under the hood.

Here's the lowdown: I'll review five different cars, give you my honest-everyday-average-Jeff- who-knows-next-to-nothing-about-cars, and at the end of my high-octane and caffeine-fueled adventure (note to self: cars must have adequate cup holders to hold venti-sized coffee cup), I will buy the car I like the best. Now, dear reader, feel free to skim through the following glossy pages and get my take on today's most fuel-efficient and user-friendly vehicles written by someone who knows nothing about the automobile, except that it has four tires. I am no authority on engines, no expert on specs, but I do know style when I see it.

Honda Fit

First Take
First up, I'm checking out the Honda Fit. The first thing that catches my attention about the Fit is the body shape. With four doors and a tight, Euro-inspired design, the Fit will (hopefully) make me look cool and edgey, yet enviro-conscious. As far as practicality is concerned, it's small enough to be able to park anywhere in the city, but if I want to go for a surf, the front passenger seats folds down and I can fit a few boards inside of the car.

Does She Guzzle or Sip?
Well, with this magazine affectionately going by the moniker "Green," this should be pretty high up on my priority list. With around 30 MPG, the Fit does a heck of a lot better on gas than the '99 Tacoma that I currently drive, which I think gets around 8 MPG on a good day. (Hey, that's why I'm writing the piece: I need a new car.) At 30 MPG the Fit merely sips on the petrol, plus the car comes in a pretty cool shade of gunmetal.

Did You Know ThatÖ?
As I mentioned earlier, I'm big into cup holders. With that said, I'm about to take you to the end of the Honda Fit rainbow: 10 cup-holders. Yep, this kid comes equipped with 10 cup-holders. That means if, for some reason, I have the car completely fullóthe Fit seats fouróeveryone will be double fisting with two and a half drinks. She also comes iPod compatable and with satellite navigation in case I get lost, which never happens. Honestly.

The Wrap
There are a lot of things about the Fit that I like. First off, the style is very contemporary. Secondly, 10 cup-holders just scream awesomeness. On the downside, it's not the most fuel-effeciant beast in our lineup.

MSRP $14,750

Nissan Versa

First Take
With either a hatchback or sedan option, the Nissan Versa has two different looks to her. In my eye, the Versa appeals to the conservative buyer as there's nothing too flashy about the old broad. But sometimes, that's a good thing. In a few years, the Versa will still look timeless; an important aspect of buying a car that should never be overlooked. Rental car companies will take note. Plus, at a base rate of under $10K, she comes at a hard-to-beat price.

Does She Guzzle or Sip?
Although the Versa doesn't have the most attractive body, her gas mileage is quite appealing. At 34 highway MPG, you can go almost 400 miles between fill-ups, which just upped her from a 5 to a 6.5 in my eye. Maybe an 8 if I'm desperate for a drive. With that kind of mileage in tow, it's hard not to rank the Versa as a top tier, fuel-efficient auto.

Did You Know ThatÖ?
The 2009 Versa debuted to a few awards and accolades from the automotive boys. Consumers Digest gave the Versa the Best Buy award in the Small Car category taking special liking to the interior room, engine, and MPG. It's also the got the highest horsepower and most passenger legroom in its class.

The Wrap
When Nissan made the Versa, they played it safe and smart. They engineered a fuel-friendly car that can appear to a large audience. The car will definitely appeal to a lot of folks, just not me. I just can't get beyond the fact that it looks like a rental car.

MSRP Starting as low as $9,990

Toyota Prius

First Take
Swift. Silent. Deadly. No, I'm not talking about the latest Jason Bourne movie, but rather the Toyota Prius. As the tip of the eco-spear, the Prius has set the stage for the hybrid cars of the 21st century by rethinking and engineering what a streamlined, attractive hybrid car should look, and of equal importance, drive like.

Does She Guzzle or Sip?
The '09 Toyota Prius leads the pack of cars I test drove by getting an estimated 48 highway miles to the gallon. As another measure of how advanced the Prius is, in 2008 the EPA named the Prius as the most fuel-effeciant car sold in the United States.

Did You Know ThatÖ?
Originally introduced to the Japanese market in 1997 (that's right, the Prius has been around for more than a decade) the vehicle hit the streets worldwide in 2001. With 12 years of well-oiled manufacturing details and a dedicated following of die-hard constituents, the Prius has become the hybrid car that all other vehicles are measured against.

The Wrap
It's hard for the other members of the fuel-effeciant fleet to hold a candle to the Prius when it comes to being a gas-sipping car. But, in this writer's humble opinion, what the other vehicles have over the Prius is style. While it may be the responsible car to drive, the body isn't the most savory of our lineup.

MSRP $22,000

Mini Cooper

First Take
She's tiny, she's sharp, and she's definitely got some kick. For nearly 50 years now, the MINI Cooper has been a timeless sign of smart design, top-tier handling and fuel effeciancy. With leagues of devoted fans, hundreds of innovations and one International Car of the Century award in its lineage, the MINI is a staple in automotive design.

Does She Guzzle or Sip?
Born out of the fuel crisis that hit Europe in the late 1950s, (that's right, this isn't the first time this has happened) the MINI was molded to be a fuel-effeciant machine that could seat the nuclear family of four and still have enough horsepower to be a force on the highway. After generations of good breeding, today's standard MINI hardtop can get up to an estimated 37 MPG on the highway.

Did You Know ThatÖ?
Although it's only been in the past decade that the MINI Cooper has been making a major push in the U.S. market, the MINI Cooper feels about as timeless as a pair of Levi 501s. Sheís one classic and iconic beast to say the least.

The Wrap
The MINI is many things: she's a timeless design and she'll still reek of cool tomorrow. The MPG at up to 37 is damn fine, but my only hangup on this fabled car is the amount of room on the interior. While the MINI will comfortably sit two in the front, it will also very uncomfortably sit two in the back. As was aforementioned, I like to surf, but squeezing a couple of boards inside a MINI is not easy.

MSRP $19,200

Ford Escape Hybrid

First Take
At Green, we fancy ourselves realists and know that making the transition from a fuel-chugging society to a sustainability-minded public isn't something that can be achieved over night. Knowing full well that a MINI or Honda Fit may not suit everyone's needs, we figured we'd throw in a good, old-fashioned SUV into the mixóhybrid fashion, of course. With that said, please tip your hat and say hello to the Ford Escape Hybrid.

Does She Guzzle or Sip?
As an SUV that seats five comfortably complete with a 4WD option, the Escape Hybrid clocks in an estimated 34 MPG on the highway. Impressive. Also, if you apply, Uncle Sam's got your back, as well as your back pocket, covered if you invest in an Escape Hybrid. For those that qualify, the federal government is offering up to $3,000 in tax credits.

Did You Know ThatÖ?
The Escape has more than just the hybrid thing going for it. Take a quick gander at the seats for instance. Composed of post-industrial fibers that were headed to a landfill, the seats in the Escape are about as green as they come. It doesn't end with the seats either. In most cars, a good chunk of energy is lost as heat when you hit the brakes, but the Escape salvages that once-lost braking energy by rerouting it to the car's battery pack where it can be used later. Lastly, the Escape Hybrid uses no fuel when you're stopped in traffic or driving up to 40 mph, but runs exclusively in electric mode. Pretty fine.

The Wrap
It's no secret the automotive industry is hurting these days. But if Detroit keeps pumping out attractive and eco-conscious cars like the Escape Hybrid, they're opening themselves up to a whole new demographic that can support the American car company for decades. From the lines of the car to the fuel effeciancy to the eco-minded seats, there's a whole lot to like about the Escape Hybrid.

MSRP $29,645

The Verdict

Like being a judge at a beauty contest, it's so damn hard to pick just one. But in the end, there has to be a winner. For me, it's the Honda Fit that will be shuffling me around town. Of all the cars reviewed here, the Honda Fit appealed to me as a well-rounded car with lots of style at a good price. I can't wait to drive it home.