Review: LG Tromm SteamWasher WM2487H
The first thing you need to do when buying an energy efficient washer is to consult the energystar.gov web site. EnergyStar has some information showing the efficiency of various washing machine models:
http://energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=clotheswash.display_products_html
See also:
http://energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=clotheswash.pr_clothes_washers
The thing you should try and look for is the energy usage in kilowatt hours per year (kWh/year), and the water factor. If you're under around 200 kWh/yr or less, that is pretty good. A water factor of 3 or greater is also good to have. My LG Steamwasher uses 167 kWh/yr and has a 3.4 water factor. A normal top-load washer uses about 40 gallons per load- the front load LG 2487 uses approximately 12 gallons per load- amazing! Getting the most efficient washer may also help you in obtaining rebates from your utility companies (for instance, I was able to get rebates from both my water company and my electricity company).
After owning the Steamwasher for over a month, I am quite happy with it. The noise level is very good, which is important since the washer is just in a utility closet next to the living room. It's quiet enough that when watching TV, if the washer is running, I barely need to increase the volume. The usability is also excellent- I think the controls are very easy to understand and well-designed. The speed is acceptable. Most front-loading washers are substantially slower than top-loaders. The LG Steamwasher normally takes about 51 minutes for my standard load, but, it also has an optional fast wash cycle. If your clothes are not too dirty, you can also opt for a steam wash cycle. The only negatives I have found are: the way the door opens is not reversible and the washer gets rather smelly due to moisture unless you leave the door open after using it to let it dry out.
Here are some reviews of the 2487 and 2688 (the 2688 is the nearly-identical model of the one we're getting, but it has a lot more reviews):
http://www.epinions.com/LG_Electronics_4_0_Cu_Ft_Front_Load_SteamWasher_Wild_Cherry/display_~reviews
http://www.epinions.com/LG_WM2688HWM_TROMM_SteamWasher_27in_Front_Loading_Washer_4_0_Cu_Ft_White/display_~reviews
Overall, I highly recommend the LG Tromm WM2487H SteamWasher. Although it is a bit more expensive than a top-loading washer, the rebates, energy savings, and lower impact on the environment are, in my opinion, worth the price.