Top Loaders Need Not Become An "Endangered" Specie
There are ways to work around and address problems caused by energy use. However given the current state of appliance making in the United States, the cost to benefit ratio probaby simply does not add up.
Water use could be reduced by going to solid inner tubs, or perhaps tubs with many micro holes, thus reducing the amount of water required. Increasing final spin speeds to 1140 (as was wont of vintage Frigidare "Jet Action" washing machines, would greatly increase the Energy Star ratings of top loaders as it would leave less water for dryers to evaporate.
Designing better spray rinse systems would reduce the need for deep rinsing for many loads, though it could always be an option. Know for a fact from using my Vintage Hoover TT, spray rinses done correctly, are as effective as deep rinses.
Of course if one is rushing to the bottom of the barrel and selling top loading washing machines for a few hundred dollars, then why bother?
L.