Greenest Cars *pics*

maxter

O.G.
Feb 5, 2006
7,334
337
By request:

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.

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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

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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

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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


 
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2007 Ford Focus (tie)
Base price: $13,995
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 27/37

2006 Mazda3 (tie)
Base price: $15,150
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 28/35

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2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid (tie)
Base price: $29,840
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 33/29

2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid (tie)
Base price: $29,840
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 33/29

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2006 Saturn Ion (tie)
Base price: $12,490
Air pollution score: 9.5/10 | Greenhouse gas score: 8/10
City/highway miles per gallon: 26/35
 
Priuses (Prii? Priuseseseseseses? :lol:) get better mileage when you're just driving them around town. The electric part of the car is used less when it's being driven at freeway speeds. So it depends...if you mostly toot around town and live near your job, a Prius is great. If not, and you drive mostly on the highway, you won't get as good of mileage. But it's still a great car, mileage-wise.

I've heard rumors that the 3rd generation Prius will get up to 94 MPG. COUNT ME IN!!

Hubs drives a Mazda 3 and I currently have a Ford Escort...when the Escort dies (it's paid for), we're going to get a Prius, most likely.

I'm just interested to see what will happen when the hybrid technology catches up with the public's demand for a good-looking, high-gas-mileage car. Because it's nowhere near where it needs to be.
 
I subscribe to Car & Driver and none of the hybrids get as good gas mileage IRL as they state on their stickers. A big draw to buying them is their ability to ride in the commute lane.

I am wondering, what is the source of the OP data??


Wasn't there a study done that said the Prius got a lot less miles on it than they originally said it did? I believe I heard they get about 46 miles to the gallon on the freeway.
Here's one article.. Less Miles and Miles and Mile and Miles to the Gallon


And here's another random one about plug-in cars:
Cars that make hybrids look like gas guzzlers / Plug-in versions can go 100 miles on a gallon of gasoline
 
I subscribe to Car & Driver and none of the hybrids get as good gas mileage IRL as they state on their stickers. A big draw to buying them is their ability to ride in the commute lane.

I am wondering, what is the source of the OP data??

All the article said was that they compiled their list from the EPA data. HTH