Top 30 most environmentally friendly cars

[vette12]

in alphabetical order top 30 environmentally friendly cars courtesy of msn.com

Acura RSX
Chevrolet Aveo
Chevrolet Cobalt
Ford Escape Hybrid
Ford Focus
Ford Focus Wagon
Honda Accord
Honda Accord Hybrid
Honda Civic
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda Insight
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Elantra
Kia Rio
Kia Spectra
Lexus RX400h
Mazda Mazda3
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Nissan Sentra
Saturn Ion
Scion xA
Suzuki Reno
Toyota Camry
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen New Beetle

A new study highlights vehicles that are least harmful to the environment.


The 2006 Chevrolet Aveo is among the top 30 vehicles least harmful to the environment, according to the inaugural Automotive Environmental Index.


The Automotive Environmental Index combines consumer data regarding air pollution, fuel economy and greenhouse gases with EPA data to determine the top AEI vehicles.


Who says being kinder to the earth with your car can't be fun? The 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata sports car made the grade as one of the 30 most earth-friendly production vehicles.


Many auto manufacturers all over the world have been working to make vehicles that are not only more fuel-efficient, but also better for the environment in which we live. Research firm J.D. Power and Associates, based in Westlake Village, California, has released its inaugural Automotive Environmental Index (AEI) study, which lists the top 30 environmentally friendly vehicles.
The new AEI study takes into account information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and consumers related to fuel economy, air pollution and greenhouse gasses for vehicles from the 2006 model year. Fuel economy accounts for about half the score.

Of the 30 vehicles that made the list, eight feature gas-electric hybrid powertrains. The hybrids include the Ford Escape Hybrid, Lexus RX 400h, Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. These four were the only SUVs to make the cut. No pickup trucks or minivans were considered environmentally friendly.

Only two vehicles that J.D. Power considers luxury models made the list—the Lexus RX 400h and Acura RSX.

Among automakers, Ford, Honda and Toyota had the most vehicles on the list, with six vehicles each from their various nameplates. General Motors and Volkswagen placed three vehicles apiece. The sole German automaker with vehicles on the AEI list, Volkswagen had the Golf, Jetta and New Beetle among the top 30. However, the diesel versions of these models did not make the cut.

"High gas prices, coupled with consumers becoming more familiar with alternative powertrain technology, are definitely increasing consumer interest in hybrids and flexible fuels," said Mike Marshall, director of automotive emerging technologies at J.D. Power and Associates. "However, the additional price premiums associated with hybrid vehicles, which can run from $3,000 to $10,000 more than a comparable non-hybrid vehicle, remain the biggest concern among consumers considering a hybrid. The AEI highlights several non-hybrid models available that help consumers reduce fuel use and emissions."

According to the study, there is high interest in hybrids and vehicles that run on alternative fuels such as diesel or E85. In fact, J.D. Power reports that less than 25 percent of respondents will only consider a gasoline-powered car for their next purchase.

But there are some misconceptions. Consumers purchasing hybrid vehicles expected a fuel-economy improvement by 28 mpg compared to a similar powered gas-only vehicle. Reality, however, showed hybrid buyers only gaining an improvement of 9 mpg. Diesel buyers were similarly disappointed, reporting a 12 mpg improvement when an improvement of 21 mpg was expected.

"One of the biggest challenges for alternative powertrains is that consumers often have unrealistic expectations for the fuel-saving abilities of these vehicles," Marshall said. "And particularly with hybrids, actual fuel performance often doesn't live up to the vehicle's EPA estimate. There is a real need to educate consumers about the technology and its benefits. Managing consumer expectations and lowering the cost premium will be instrumental in accelerating acceptance."

[Nortad]

Originally Posted by vette12

Acura RSX
Chevrolet Cobalt
Ford Focus
Ford Focus Wagon
Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Elantra
Kia Rio
Mazda Mazda3
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Suzuki Reno
Toyota Camry
Toyota Corolla
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen New Beetle

A new study highlights vehicles that are least harmful to the environment.


The 2006 Chevrolet Aveo is among the top 30 vehicles least harmful to the environment, according to the inaugural Automotive Environmental Index.


The Automotive Environmental Index combines consumer data regarding air pollution, fuel economy and greenhouse gases with EPA data to determine the top AEI vehicles.


Who says being kinder to the earth with your car can't be fun? The 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata sports car made the grade as one of the 30 most earth-friendly production vehicles.


Many auto manufacturers all over the world have been working to make vehicles that are not only more fuel-efficient, but also better for the environment in which we live. Research firm J.D. Power and Associates, based in Westlake Village, California, has released its inaugural Automotive Environmental Index (AEI) study, which lists the top 30 environmentally friendly vehicles.
The new AEI study takes into account information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and consumers related to fuel economy, air pollution and greenhouse gasses for vehicles from the 2006 model year. Fuel economy accounts for about half the score.

Of the 30 vehicles that made the list, eight feature gas-electric hybrid powertrains. The hybrids include the Ford Escape Hybrid, Lexus RX 400h, Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. These four were the only SUVs to make the cut. No pickup trucks or minivans were considered environmentally friendly.

Only two vehicles that J.D. Power considers luxury models made the list—the Lexus RX 400h and Acura RSX.

Among automakers, Ford, Honda and Toyota had the most vehicles on the list, with six vehicles each from their various nameplates. General Motors and Volkswagen placed three vehicles apiece. The sole German automaker with vehicles on the AEI list, Volkswagen had the Golf, Jetta and New Beetle among the top 30. However, the diesel versions of these models did not make the cut.

"High gas prices, coupled with consumers becoming more familiar with alternative powertrain technology, are definitely increasing consumer interest in hybrids and flexible fuels," said Mike Marshall, director of automotive emerging technologies at J.D. Power and Associates. "However, the additional price premiums associated with hybrid vehicles, which can run from $3,000 to $10,000 more than a comparable non-hybrid vehicle, remain the biggest concern among consumers considering a hybrid. The AEI highlights several non-hybrid models available that help consumers reduce fuel use and emissions."

According to the study, there is high interest in hybrids and vehicles that run on alternative fuels such as diesel or E85. In fact, J.D. Power reports that less than 25 percent of respondents will only consider a gasoline-powered car for their next purchase.

But there are some misconceptions. Consumers purchasing hybrid vehicles expected a fuel-economy improvement by 28 mpg compared to a similar powered gas-only vehicle. Reality, however, showed hybrid buyers only gaining an improvement of 9 mpg. Diesel buyers were similarly disappointed, reporting a 12 mpg improvement when an improvement of 21 mpg was expected.

"One of the biggest challenges for alternative powertrains is that consumers often have unrealistic expectations for the fuel-saving abilities of these vehicles," Marshall said. "And particularly with hybrids, actual fuel performance often doesn't live up to the vehicle's EPA estimate. There is a real need to educate consumers about the technology and its benefits. Managing consumer expectations and lowering the cost premium will be instrumental in accelerating acceptance."

Golf? Jetta (Bora in Europe) ?

They must be talking about US market alone, cuz those cars I highlighted are far from being the least polutent in Europe, when compared to the Smart, VW Lupo/Seat Arosa 3L, Pug 1007, a Citroen C1, etc...

besides half of those cars on the list are enviromentaly friendly cuz you have to be towed around all the damn time...

[SevPP]

And they all suck.

This may be selfish but we're not gonna live forever so I'll keep my old, stinky, oil burning, hydrocarbon emitting (and other greenhouse gasses), flame spitting Mazda for as long as I'm alive anyway.

[Nortad]

Originally Posted by SevPP

And they all suck.

This may be selfish but we're not gonna live forever so I'll keep my old, stinky, oil burning, hydrocarbon emitting (and other greenhouse gasses), flame spitting Mazda for as long as I'm alive anyway.

voice of reason^^^^ :thumb:

[Deviant]

Does this test take into account the environmental impact of the production and delivery of the cars? While it's great the Aveo made the list if you have to have them built and shipped over from Korea twice as often as say a Honda Accord it Might not be so "eco-friendly".

[Remirez]

I'm sure it doesnt take that into account. I'm sure there are alooot of things that are not taken into account. And yes, the fact that there's an acura, a mercury, a scion and a saturn in the list mean that its dealing with the US market alone.
I realize that both Acura and Scion are sold in other markets, but they originally targeted the US market. (acura being under honda and Scion being under toyota)

[vette12]

i'm just the messenger

[TacomaSR5Dave]

Originally Posted by Nortad

Golf? Jetta (Bora in Europe) ?

They must be talking about US market alone, cuz those cars I highlighted are far from being the least polutent in Europe, when compared to the Smart, VW Lupo/Seat Arosa 3L, Pug 1007, a Citroen C1, etc...

besides half of those cars on the list are enviromentaly friendly cuz you have to be towed around all the damn time...

ya and the cars like the aveo are the size of the god damn powerwheels toys

[Remirez]

not as small as a smart car in Europe!

[Marek]

i dont know why but that all seems like BS... what happenned to the early 50's european cars that had 22HP engines.... im sure if you make those engines better they consume and pollute way less.... and it seems also these lists are made to sell more cars. If not they would mention all the goddamn hybrid cars.