March 4th, 2009
New Green Car Guide: Consumer Reports on Saving Money, Fuel
Stumble it!
With the money Detroit got recently, will we finally be able to expect hot green cars from U.S. carmakers soon? Hopefully, but for now, the Toyota Prius is still king. In Consumer Report’s 2009 auto issue, the Prius got the green car top pick nod — for the 6th year in a row.
“The base model’s 44 overall mpg is the best we’ve measured in any five-passenger car,” opines Consumer Reports, which made its top picks based on 3 main criteria — road tests, reliability, and safety — as well as eco-reasons for the green car category.
But lest you lose interest, thinking nothing new’s happening in the green car world, rest assured that the Consumer Reports issue does offer other useful eco info. For one, the “Best in class: Fuel-efficient vehicles” guide highlights six vehicles — from budget cars to minivans — that offer the best miles per gallon value for your needs.
Plus, the New Car Preview gives us a look at some hybrid and electric models — including the Chevy Volt, which I feel I’ve been waiting for so long I’ll have a green heart attack if and when it actually hits showroom floors.
Last but not least is Consumer Report’s Green Car Guide, which goes beyond how you can save gas in your next car to focus on how you can save gas (and money) in the car you have now. You can also check out the handy spreadsheet that shows you fuel savings depending on your car’s MPG, an article on when best to downsize your car (presumably to a more eco-friendly model) to get the most bang out of your buck, and a video on money-saving hybrids.
After all, in this recession, going eco’s important, but saving money’s going to be at the forefront of people’s minds. This auto issue will help people address both to make the most eco-nomically sensible decisions.
For more on green cars, read our recent Green Auto News Roundup, our take on Green Cars and Mean Cars, and our coverage of the Detroit Auto Show.
Images via consumerreports.org
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February 4th, 2009
Green Cars and Mean Cars: ACEEE Report
Each year the ACEEE (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy) produces their Green Book, in which they rate the greenest and meanest cars for the year. They have just released their 2009 Green Book and there’s lot of great information on green cars and really mean cars.
They give each car a “green score” and not surprisingly the Toyota Prius is at the top of the Greenest Cars list. The Prius gets the highest score, with 53 points. Right on the Prius’ heels is the Honda Civic Hybrid with 51 points. Interestingly two non-hybrids come in 3rd and 4th position– they Toyota Yaris and the Honda Fit, respectively.
How many American auto makers’ models score in the top twelve greenest cars? Oh only three, sadly. The Ford Escape Hybrid is #5, the Ford Ranger is #10 and the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is #12. (Do the American car companies really deserve a bailout? I guess that’s a different topic.)
Now on to the Meanest Cars. How many American cars are in this top twelve? Oh that would be EIGHT. The Hummer is still the reigning champ of all things disgusting. The GMC Yukon is the 3rd worst. The GMC Sierra and the Jeep Grand Cherokee are also shining examples of environmental destruction. The American Worst of the Worst are joined by some ridiculous European cars as well– including the Lamborghini Murcielago, the Mercedes-Benz G55, and the Maybach 57S. I like to call the Maybach the “May-blech.”
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