Laws on vehicle emissions and other environmental concerns had become tougher and tougher calling for automakers to produce green and greener cars. To add up, that these laws have already gained the sympathy of consumers tat they are also demanding for the greenest vehicle so that the sea level wont rise due to global warming.
Askmen.com, a site giving information of hobbies and ideas coming from the male specie ranked ten of the greenest cars.
10. Porsche Cayman - 2008
MPG: 29 (highway); 20 (city)
Now, before you even take a breath in protest, the EPA rates the 2008 5-speed model at 29 mpg highway. And yes, the emissions are also respectable. You were about to say? We’re not always inclined to lust after closed cars more than their open counterparts, but it’s a tough call with Porsche. Beyond a hardtop Boxster, the Cayman has its own personality. With subservient road manners in the city and surprisingly decent mileage on the open road, it begs for consideration as a daily driver.
9. Mini Cooper - 2008
MPG: 40 (highway); 32 (city)
Despite a recent redo inside and out, the Mini Cooper doesn’t get 200 mpg on hamburger grease and HAL isn’t riding under the hood judiciously alternating power between batteries and engine. Nope, the Mini Cooper is just a fun car that happens to be green. You’ll notice that our No. 9 car is not the turbocharged “S” model; even the base model is a great drive at eco-friendly speeds.
8. Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTec - 2007
MPG: 34 (highway); 23 (city)
Being green isn’t about quick getaways, but there comes a time when molasses-in-January-like speed is dangerous in traffic. To keep up with the Joneses in their Aveo and the world in general, Mercedes’ E320 BlueTec (with Mercedes headlights) diesel will amaze you. It’s quicker, quieter and cleaner than the diesels you’ve driven in the past (though it’s not 50-state certified, hence the No. 8 rank). Best of all, you don’t have to fill your tank behind a restaurant.
7. Ford Escape Hybrid - 2008
MPG: 31 (highway); 36 (city)
Yes, that’s right, an American SUV is offered as a hybrid — and it’s an efficient, well-built one at that. After a rocky start and several recalls of the gas-only model many years ago, the Escape has become a mainstay of suburbia. Catering to the active lifestyle (if only in spirit for wannabe-active owners), the hybrid Escape is often considered to be the easiest hybrid of the bunch to live with.
6. Nissan Altima Hybrid - 2008
MPG: 33 (highway); 35 (city)
A spin in the Altima Hybrid confirms the result was worth the wait. Now all you have to do is live in or travel to one of the select states where it’s sold: California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Why them? They’re the states with the toughest vehicle emissions laws.
5. Smart ForTwo - 2008
MPG: 40+ (normal driving conditions)
The U.S. will soon catch up to the rest of the world (what else is new?) when the Smart ForTwo begins hitting the streets in a few months. Here in the land that worships all that is supersized, we have our fingers crossed for the success of this micro car. Anyhow, the ForTwo counts as a green car from the get-go. The French production factory is eco-friendly, and the car’s materials are as well. In the finished product, U.S.-spec cars are expected to easily achieve 40-plus mpg.
4. Lexus GS 450h - 2008
MPG: 25 (highway); 22 (city)
Looking better than ever, the often-overlooked car is a quick and entertaining companion on the highway, back roads or on the commute to work. However you’re using it, your mileage will rival that of smaller sedans while continuing to feed your ego with the upscale image offered by the circled “L” on the grille. OK, vanity is involved in a green car purchase like this, but it’s still better than buying a conventional luxury car with lower mileage and higher emissions.
3. Toyota Prius - 2008
MPG: 80 (city — projected)
With the success of over a million on the road around the world today, changes have been minor and meaningful. It still has a polarizing style, but it’s now a familiar and accepted sight, even in rural areas. The Prius is not everything to everyone, but for a green car with outstanding mileage, it’s still tough to beat.
2. Tesla Roadster - 2008
MPG: 245 miles per charge; 135 mpg equivalent
For once, here’s an electric car that also happens to be a driver’s car. Based on the semi-economical Lotus Elise, Tesla gives the little targa its own rear-mounted motor, but the performance is still amazing. In a major step forward for the segment, it also has range beyond a block and a half.
1. Honda Civic Hybrid - 2008
MPG: 45 (highway); 40 (city)
Some green cars get higher mileage, some are sportier to drive, some look hotter, and some are more luxurious, but as far as we’re concerned, this is the only hybrid that is the ideal compromise of all of those qualities.
