Americas Greenest Vehicles
These mainstream vehicles earned the best “green” scores from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
Toyota Prius
Since its launch in Japan in 1997, the Toyota Prius has become the best-selling hybrid vehicle in the U.S.—and the world.
Nissan Altima Hybrid
The Altima Hybrid is the first gas-electric hybrid to come from Nissan.
Kia Rio5
The Kia Rio5 offers great fuel economy and low emissions in a value-priced package.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
The largest car on the ACEEE “Green Vehicles” list, the Toyota Camry Hybrid offers impressive fuel economy for a roomy midsize sedan.
Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra does not have the best fuel economy among vehicles on the list, but its tailpipe emissions are very low, contributing to its score as one of the top green cars.
If you want to help the environment by driving the most environmentally positive or “greenest” vehicle, think small or think hybrid.
Three of the top five vehicles that rank as the greenest of the 2007 model year, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), are powered by hybrid powertrains that combine a gasoline internal combustion engine with an electric motor for improved fuel economy. But unlike last year, you don’t have to drive a small car to be green.
The Green Score is a numeric value of a vehicle’s environmental friendliness, as assigned by the ACEEE. Determined by more factors than just fuel economy, the score also incorporates tailpipe emissions that cause global warming. The higher the Green Score the more environmentally friendly the vehicle, based on the ACEEE evaluation.
The second, third and fourth eco-friendliest vehicles in the U.S. are all hybrids—the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid, respectively. The Altima Hybrid is all new for the 2007 model year; however, according to Nissan, its first hybrid will initially be available in eight states: California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
The only other hybrid to make it into the ACEEE’s top 12 happens to be the largest car on the list—the Camry Hybrid. Coming in seventh, the midsize Camry Hybrid earns a green score of 46, the same as the sixth-place Toyota Corolla.
Perennial Greenest Vehicles With Green Score
- Honda Civic GX
- Toyota Prius
- Honda Civic Hybrid
- Nissan Altima Hybrid
- Toyota Yaris
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Honda Fit
- Kia Rio/Rio5
- Hyundai Accent
- Hyundai Elantra
- Honda Civic
57
55
53
48
47
46
46
45
45
45
45
44