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Top 10 Green Cars
Top Ten list? Several years ago, you might have been able to create a Top Three list of new green cars only by stretching the definition of the term quite a bit. Today, though, a Top Ten list rolls right off the manufacturers’ press releases without having to fiddle with the definition of green, which here we define as an eco-friendly car with city mileage of at least 28 MPG.
Image courtesy of Environment911.org
#10 on this year’s list is the brand-new 2012 Ford Focus, 28 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway — this excellent fuel economy alone qualifies this model as green. Besides the exterior European styling and the all-inclusive interior outfitting, you also get great road handling. The Ford Sync communications and entertainment package for the 2012 Focus is also impressive.
#9 is the brand-new 2012 Fiat 500, 28 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway. Fiat has not offered a US model since 1985 and it’s great to see one this year. Fiat style is evident in this model and the “green” 101 horsepower engine of this eco-friendly car gives it environment-friendly credentials. This sub-compact model is practical and charming at the same time.
#8 is the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, 30 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway. It’s one of the few non-hybrid non-electric gasoline-powered cars on the list that still qualifies as green with its great highway mileage scores. The mix of standard features with optional extras creates a model that can be perfect for anyone. The styling of both exterior and interior is gorgeous.
#7 is the 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI, 30 MPG in the city and 42 MPG on the highway. The miserly turbo-diesel engine qualifies this model as green, plus you get the fun of the European driving feel and the fantastic interior outfitting. The quick launch from full stop is also a welcome surprise.
#6 is the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 41 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. See the description above for the Ford Focus and add in the hybrid qualities that improve city driving. The LCD dashboard instrumentation is simply cool and the way this model drives feels great. And it is just so comfortable.
#5 is the 2011 Honda Insight, 40 MPG in the city and 43 MPG on the highway. Of all hybrids on the market now, this one is the most affordable with a starting price a thousand or so under $20,000 and a fitted-out price of about $24,000. You can add in upgraded audio, Bluetooth connectivity and a navigation system, but what makes this model stand out is that this eco-friendly car is ranked third among all hybrids for fuel efficiency.
#4 is the 2011 Lexus CT 200h, 43 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway. At this level on this green list, where the act of saving the environment trumps styling, mileage has to be above 40 MPG and this hybrid just barely edges out the Honda Insight with Lexus-standard responsive driving dynamics and sporty styling. It’s also the most affordable of all the high-end Lexus line.
#3 is the 2011 Toyota Prius, 51 MPG in the city and 48 MPG on the highway. The first of the popular hybrids, this model continues the Toyota tradition of not forcing you to change your driving habits simply because you’re driving a hybrid. The mileage is the very best for all hybrid models of the new green cars in the US.
#2 brings us to the 2011 Chevy Volt, with an equivalent mileage of 93 mpg everywhere. Up to a speed of 35 MPH, the Volt is all-electric; above that speed, the gasoline engine kicks in to give a driving range of a bit under four hundred miles. It’s not ranked #1 because it does use gasoline, but the combination of internal combustion and electric engines allows more flexibility for the wants and needs of the driver. It’s gorgeous to look at and it’s fun to drive.
#1 is the all-electric 2011 Nissan Leaf, with a converted equivalent mileage of 99 MPG everywhere, derived from an average range of 73 miles per electrical charging. That’s not the only aspect of the car that address saving the environment — most of the car is made from recycled plastic bottles and home appliances. Though the under-one-hundred-mile range may discourage some drivers, the Leaf is perfect for other drivers who do not need to go long-distances daily.
In conclusion, if you’re out to buy a new car, purchasing any of these ten models will contribute significantly to the goals of the green movement. If you’re fully-committed to a lifestyle of saving the environment, any of the top three new green cars would be an excellent choice.
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Guest post by Amy Lizee.
If you are interested to guest post on our blog, click here to create an account or click here to contact us directly.
This article was written by Amy Lizee from Environment911. Environment911.org is an interactive website for individuals to come and discuss the environment from green business to natural disasters. We feel it is important for people to come together and share their thoughts, ideas and visions for the future. The more we can communicate what is happening in our world, the more people can be educated and the more we can progress. Through Environment911.org we are raising money for environmental initiatives and advances, but our website is just one way we are helping the environment. www.environment911.org
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Tags: eco-friendly cars, electric cars, environment911, environment911.org, top ten green cars, top ten of eco-friendly cars
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I’m a little confused as to why ford is on this list considering the toxic dumping they do. Just do internet search for Mann v Ford. There is also a petition on change.org to try to stop ford from turning historic ringwood state park into a toxic landfill. I think being considered a green car should be more than just how many mpg a car gets but also the companys general concern for our earth.
As a proud owner of the Chevy Volt, I can tell you that your number 2 listing of the Volt has a key fact wrong. It’s electric engine powers the car for the first 35-40 miles … after that, the gas generator kicks in to recharge the battery. The car always is propelled by the battery – no matter what speed you drive. The first three months I had the car, I drove over 2100 miles and only used up one tank of gas — thanks to plugging in every night!