Until such time as we can afford the penultimate electric car — the Tesla Model S — what’s a green driver to do? Green Road Passion gives four solid options for the plus 50 mpg, plus 40mpg, plus 30mpg and plus 25mpg driver.
Green Road Passion asked auto expert Jim Gorde for his four picks for best cars in our four categories—plus 25mpg, plus 30mpg, plus 40mpg and plus 50. Our readers asked us: what’s the best bet if one can’t afford the ultimate green car, the Tesla S. We asked Jim to bypass the gold standard Toyota Prius to give newcomers a fair shake at a solid recommendation. The Prius is the benchmark for comparing these choices.
By Jim Gorde
We’ve come to a point where the world has realized we’re only endangering ourselves and habits are being broken in favor of the unfamiliar. Convention is taking a back seat and innovation is ruling every industry. As far as the automobile industry is concerned, performance has taken a broader meaning. Everything from acceleration and braking to aerodynamics and fuel efficiency are being given equal attention, given the circumstances after all. 2013 has given the car market many new green car offerings. Some are radically styled examples of high-tech alternative mobility solutions, while some are altered means which deliver the same levels of exhilaration, while being much, much kinder to the environment. So, which of these 2013 green cars stand out the most? Which of them are the best mileage cars?
The only good reason for a green driver to be content with 25 mpg is utility. If you really need it, 25mpg would be considered good for this type vehicle. Jim recommends the Honda CRV EX.
2013 Green Car with 25 mpg combined
25 mpg may not seem like a lot today, but then you have to consider what a car is capable of. At the same time, it should be affordable and do much more than any average car can. 25 mpg, today, equates to capability and comfort to make up for the fuel efficiency deficit. So then, for $24,895, you have the Honda CR-V EX 2WD. A 185 hp, 2.4L four-cylinder engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels delivers 26 mpg combined. You get all-weather capability and a good ride height to handle all kinds of road surfaces, apart from comfortable seating and fantastic reliability and refinement.
Another reason for a green driver to feel content with less than 50mpg would be luxury. If you lean this way, the Lexus RX450h is Jim Gorde’s pick at over 30mpg combined—respectable for an SUV with four wheel drive.
Looking for more from your green car? Try 30 mpg combined
If you have a bit more money to spend, but yet expect good efficiency from your vehicle without having to compromise on things like ride quality and creature comforts, take a good look at the Lexus RX 450h. The hybrid driveline delivers a combined 30 mpg, but the 3.5L V6 heart and electric motor dish out 295 hp – more than enough for pretty much whatever you have in mind. Capability, refinement and efficiency? It’s got them all by the bucketloads. The asking price starts from $46,310.
Want something sportier than a Prius, but sporting solid 40mpg or better combined? Jim recommends the stylish Ford Fusion Energi Plugin.
Up-a-notch Green Car – 40 mpg
Alright, so you would have to look at a petrol-electric hybrid for a good amount of power and excellent fuel economy. What better than the new Ford Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid? It’s styled to excite the senses, and under the skin, it’s smart, efficient, powerful and even fun to drive! It packs a driveline which makes use of a 2.0L engine and an electric motor which deliver up to 195 hp together. What’s more, it delivers 43 mpg combined and up to 100 mpge combined in electric mode. The cost? From $38,700.
The only way to better class-leading hybrid mileage from the benchmark Toyota Prius, you’d have to go electric, and Jim’s choice–putting aside the EV leader Tesla due to price point—would be the Nissan Leaf. If you can manage with the limited range, the Leaf excels.
At the top of the best mileage cars list – a 100 mpg, 2013 green car
Cars have come a long way since they began being, well, cars. Space has been optimized, more fits in per inch than you would imagine and suddenly, a small car is capable of seating four, even five passengers in relative comfort. Now, with electric cars gaining more importance, cars like the Nissan Leaf have established their presence and back it up with triple-digit efficiency figures. For $28,100, you get a full-electric car with 80 kW (107 hp) from its AC synchronous motor that delivers, wait for it, 115 mpge! And that’s combined; its capable of up to 129 mpg equivalent. Considering an average driving range of 30 miles one way, 60 miles a day total, the 75-mile range it offers is more than sufficient for an average car user. Charge it over night, like your mobile phone, and you’re good to go the next morning. You could also top up at a charging point en route. Nissan and SunPower offer some interesting solar-power solutions as well.
So there you have it, whatever your efficiency requirements, there are cars out there that always aim to give you more and definitely deliver on their promise time and again. There are many ways to go green in 2013. What’s yours?
