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Our list of the greenest machines allows hybrid buyers to quantify their smugness. Of the eight most environmentally friendly 2006- and 2007-model cars--a list dominated by tiny, economical models--five are hybrids, according to the EPA's most current data.
For new vehicles, the EPA issues air pollution scores and greenhouse gas scores, both of which are ratings from 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest possible score. Only the Prius and Civic Hybrid have perfect greenhouse gas scores, but many cars tie for the top ranking on the air pollution scale (no new car has an air pollution score of 10, but several reach 9.5).
To assemble our list, we lined up all of the vehicles with air pollution scores of 9.5, then ranked them based on their greenhouse gas scores. Eight cars stood out from the others for superior environmental friendliness, including the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid and the 2007 version of that rental company favorite, the Ford Focus.
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid (tie)
Base price: $22,700
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 10/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 49/51
2006 Toyota Prius (tie)
Base price: $21,725
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 10/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 60/51
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Base price: $25,900
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 9/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 40/38
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid (tie)
Base price: $26,215
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 36/31
2007 Ford Escape Hybrid (tie)
Base price: $26,215
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 36/31
Our list of the greenest machines allows hybrid buyers to quantify their smugness. Of the eight most environmentally friendly 2006- and 2007-model cars--a list dominated by tiny, economical models--five are hybrids, according to the EPA's most current data.
For new vehicles, the EPA issues air pollution scores and greenhouse gas scores, both of which are ratings from 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest possible score. Only the Prius and Civic Hybrid have perfect greenhouse gas scores, but many cars tie for the top ranking on the air pollution scale (no new car has an air pollution score of 10, but several reach 9.5).
To assemble our list, we lined up all of the vehicles with air pollution scores of 9.5, then ranked them based on their greenhouse gas scores. Eight cars stood out from the others for superior environmental friendliness, including the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid and the 2007 version of that rental company favorite, the Ford Focus.
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid (tie)
Base price: $22,700
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 10/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 49/51
2006 Toyota Prius (tie)
Base price: $21,725
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 10/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 60/51
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Base price: $25,900
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 9/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 40/38
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid (tie)
Base price: $26,215
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 36/31
2007 Ford Escape Hybrid (tie)
Base price: $26,215
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 36/31