The 2014 Honda Accord has been recognized with the Green Car of the Year award from Green Car Journal, beating out four high-profile competitors for the honor, according to a press release.

Topping the Audi A6 TDI, BMW 328d, Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla, which also received nominations, the Accord meets the growing need for cars with better fuel efficiency, lower emissions and improved environmental impact.

"Mainstream buyers have long found the Accord a popular choice because of its efficiency, functionality, safety and value," Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and CarsOfChange.com, said in the press release. "With the addition of exceptional hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions to the already fuel-efficient Accord line, Honda's Accord becomes an even more compelling choice."

The award honored the Accord in all its models, including the Accord, Accord Hybrid and Accord Plug-In. Nominations are given based on the cars' innovative environmental impact and release date, as only vehicles that sell by Jan. 1 of the award year are eligible.

"Having our most popular model, the Accord, honored as the 2014 Green Car of the Year is a tribute to the company's long-term commitment to offer advanced fuel-saving technologies in mainstream vehicles," said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president of Automobile Operations for American Honda. "Offering fuel-efficient four-cylinder and V6 engines alongside class-leading hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, the 2014 Accord family provides environmentally conscious shoppers more options than ever before."

This year's panel of judges, who vet cars in an extensive process before choosing five finalists, included leaders from some of America's leading environmental and energy-efficient organizations.

"When you consider the Honda Accord's cost and the mileage it delivers with standard and hybrid power, you're not only economically ahead of the game but also improving environmental impact by using less petroleum and cutting CO2 emissions," said Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society and a Green Car of the Year juror since the award's inception in 2005.

This year's award was announced on Thursday at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which runs through Dec. 1.

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