The top 10 environment friendly cars
You don't want a CO2-spewing monster, but you do want to drive in style and comfort. It can be done: here are 10 cars, from city runarounds to sports cars, that won't destroy the world. Selected by the Environmental Transport Association, which raises awareness about the impact of excessive car use
1 Honda Civic 1.3 IMA Executive
There's no doubt which vehicle tops the Environmental Transport Association's green rankings. Honda should be congratulated for engineering a top-class environmentally superior hybrid car, the IMA, which combines a petrol engine with an electric motor for greater fuel efficiency. Honda's first leap into the environmental world came with the Insight, the first hybrid on the market. This latest offering is much better. Honda has also guaranteed the life of unusual parts, which is a bonus for owners - hybrids have tended to lose their value very quickly after three years, but the IMA is set to retain its value in line with other Civics. This, in short, is a saloon that offers everything the concerned consumer could want: it has low greenhouse gas emissions; it is relatively quiet; it scores well in the NCAP ratings. All this, however, does come with a price tag of £15,100, but you can apply for a Powershift grant from the Energy Savings Trust of up to £700 to offset some of the cost. How, though, does the petrol hybrid system work? The car runs on petrol but it has an electric motor that engages as you accelerate or go uphill. That boosts engine performance without the need to pump the accelerator. The battery then recharges from the energy generated when you brake. This system is called "Integrated Motor Assist" - hence the IMA of the name.
List price £15,100
Top speed 110mph
MPG (overall) 57.7
Length 4440mm
Width 1715mm
Height 1430mm
CO2 emissions 116g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 341 litres
NCAP crash test rating ****
No of doors 4
No of seats 5
Engine size 1.3 litres
2 Toyota Prius 1.5 T3
The Toyota Prius is just about the most economical car you can buy. It can do an impressive 66 miles per gallon and it has the lowest CO2 emissions on the market - only 104g/km. The battery pack is hidden under the floor behind the rear seats and, like the Civic IMA's, kicks into action when additional power is required and recharges when the brakes are applied. Where it does differ however, is that you can switch to running the car solely on electric power, but because you can travel little more than a mile on electricity it's not as useful a feature as one might hope. The Prius may depreciate faster than the Civic, but its ability to hold value is improving with its new design, and its parts are guaranteed for eight years. The Prius is a large family car and its unusual and distinctive design makes it stand out from the crowd. It is not, however, cheap, especially when compared with similar vehicles in its class, and its boot space isn't great. But the Prius does qualify for the the £700 Powershift grant, and low running costs do help to offset the high purchase price. It has also just been voted European car of the year by a panel of motoring journalists from 22 countries. Most important of all, though, driving a Prius means your contribution to global warming is kept to a minimum and your conscience can be eased just a little.
List price £17,545
Top speed 106mph
MPG (overall figure) 65.7
Length 4450mm
Width 1725mm
Height 1490mm
CO2 emissions 104g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 408 litres
NCAP crash test rating *****
No of doors 5
No of seats 5
Engine size 1.5 litres
3 Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTI 16V Life
Vauxhall's Corsa is a real green winner. This model has a new generation diesel engine which is powerful yet gives huge fuel consumption savings - it manages an incredible 63mpg, beaten only by the Toyota Prius hybrid. A powerful engine often means higher CO2 emissions but not this time - the Corsa comes in at 122g/km. The main downside to this vehicle is its lack of protection for pedestrians - NCAP gives it a one-star pedestrian rating - but the four-star crash rating at least means the driver and passengers will be safe. This model is not the cheapest car in its class and the basic model lacks many of the features you get as standard in other similar cars, but you will make savings on the running costs.
List price £9,910
Top speed 102mph
MPG (overall figure) 62.8
Length 3817mm
Width 1955mm
Height 1440mm
CO2 emissions 122g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 260/1060 litres
NCAP crash test rating ****
No of doors 3
No of seats 5
Engine size 1.3 litres
4 Daihatsu YRV Premium
The Daihatsu YRV is about the size of a Ford Fiesta but with a Vauxhall Astra-sized interior - perfect for those looking for a compact, economical car that is not so small you feel boxed in. "YRV" stands for "young recreation vehicle" - signifying that it is a fun but practical car (if a little quirky), which is all yours for £9,495. Daihatsu has looked after the YRV's passengers - the rear seats are slightly higher than the front, and the versatile split-folding, sliding seat means there is no risk of cramped legs. And because the fold-down seats lie entirely flat, there is ample storage. Daihatsu has led the way in making small, environmentally friendly cars with good fuel economy and low greenhouse gas emissions, so expectations were high for this vehicle. However, CO2 emissions are not the lowest at 145mg/km, compared to the Corsa's 122g/km, and its fuel economy of 47.1mpg compares unfavourably to Corsa's 62.8mpg. Of course, these results are still good but it's a shame they aren't better. Daihatsu needs to keep up with its rivals if it wants to retain its position in the green car sector.
List price £9,495
Top speed 105mph
MPG (overall figure) 47.1
Length 3765mm
Width 1620mm
Height 1550mm
CO2 emissions 145g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 238/1026 litres
NCAP crash test rating n/a
No of doors 5
No of seats 5
Engine size 1.3 litres
5 Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 TDCI LX
This is a delightful compact MPV - stylish, comfortable and a good drive, with all the flexibility and space one expects from an MPV. The C-Max is aimed at families who prefer to have roomy luggage and storage space to having seven seats (and the vehicle can be made into an even roomier four-seater). It is well equipped with an impressive array of 11 different storage compartments, and you'll be hard-pressed to fill them all. What's more, the British Allergy Foundation has given the C-Max its seal of approval. The interior is fitted with low allergy risk materials and the car has a pollen filter, which is great news for hayfever sufferers. The C-Max is larger and taller than similar MPVs but its aerodynamic shape contributes to low fuel consumption (58mpg) and relatively low emissions (129mg/km). This is a strong option for families seeking a spacious but environmentally friendly vehicle.
List price £15,490
Top speed 115mph
MPG (overall figure) 57.6
Length 4333mm
Width 2022mm
Height 1595mm
CO2 emissions 129g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 18%
Boot space 550/1620 litres
NCAP crash test rating ****
No of doors 5
No of seats 5
Engine size 1.6 litres
6 Daihatsu Charade 1.0 EL
This super city car is hard to rival. It has low greenhouse gas emissions (114g/km of CO2) and very good fuel economy (59mpg). It also has the quietest engine of the cars featured here and, at £6,495 on the road, it is also the cheapest. That means minimum impact on the environment and your wallet. If you're not already feeling warm and fuzzy at the thought of owning one of these green gems, every Charade has an instrument display that reads "Hello, happy" when you turn on the ignition and "See you - goodbye" when the engine is turned off - a cute touch. This model has not been NCAP crash-tested yet but it is expected to do well. Its car-to-car collision performance is based on much larger cars and the engine compartment has been designed to absorb more crash energy for better pedestrian safety. What the Charade lacks in boot space, it makes up for by having wide opening easy-access doors and rear seats that split and fold for longer loads.
List price £6,495
Top speed 99mph
MPG (overall figure) 58.9
Length 3410mm
Width 1475mm
Height 1500mm
CO2 emissions 114g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 157/421 litres
NCAP crash test rating n/a
No of doors 5
No of seats 4
Engine size 1 litre
7 Smart Pure Fortwo Coupe
The Smart car was made for city driving, so of course it is great for zipping about town and easy to park. Its modern, trendy and innovative design also makes it charming and hard to dislike. If you don't have a family then this car is ideal, but the boot is so tiny you'll have to keep your shopping to a minimum. However, the Smart is weak on both driver and pedestrian safety achieving just two stars on the NCAP crash test. It is also the noisiest of these 10 cars - a surprise given the smallness of its engine. On the plus side, it is extremely economical at 60mpg, and good on CO2 emissions. The Smart is a funky, practical, environmentally friendly car for urban living - but remember, this is not a car for long journeys.
List price £7,013
Top speed 84mph
MPG (overall figure) 60.1
Length 2500mm
Width 1515mm
Height 1549mm
CO2 emissions 113g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 150/550 litres
NCAP crash test rating ***
No of doors 3
No of seats 2
Engine size 0.7 litres
8 Volkswagen Touran 1.9 TDI S
The Touran is not the cheapest MPV on the market (it starts at £15,920), but you get what you pay for - Volkswagen's high quality badge, reliability and superior drive handling. And, since it comes in a five or seven seater model with no extra cost for the seven seater, you can also get what you don't pay for. No corners have been cut in the interior, which combines luxury and practicality, although the design is a little bland. The Touran is one of the greenest seven-seater MPVs on the market, and while it has the highest CO2 emissions of the ten cars on this list, it fares much better in the green stakes than other MPVs. Crucially, it has received the top score five-star crash rating from NCAP and even more importantly, a three-star pedestrian rating, making this the safest vehicle inside and out of all the cars featured.
List price £15,920
Top speed 112mph
MPG (overall figure) 47.1
Length 4391mm
Width 2042mm
Height 1635mm
CO2 emissions 162g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 18%
Boot space 695/1989litres
NCAP crash test rating *****
No of doors 5
No of seats 5/7
Engine size 1.9 litres
9 Peugeot 407 1.6 HDI S 110
Most higher specced cars tend not to have green credentials to boast about, but this car is the exception. It breaks 50mpg and its CO2 emissions are a respectable 145g/km. If you are looking for fine performance and a roomy car to go with your commitment to the environment, then Peugeot has fine-tuned this model just for you. If you are also bothered about storage space, then steer clear. However, you should feel very safe in the 407. It has a five-star crash rating and a sturdy cabin that oozes reassurance. The two-star rating for pedestrian safety is disappointing, though. But it is good to knowyou can get the degree of luxury you would want without compromising the environment.
List price £15,550
Top speed 119mph
MPG (overall figure) 51.3
Length 4676mm
Width 2090mm
Height 1455mm
CO2 emissions 145g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 407 litres
NCAP crash test rating *****
No of doors 4
No of seats 5
Engine size 1.6 litres
10 Honda Accord 2.2 I-CTDI Sport
This Honda Accord has a newly developed engine that doesn't disappoint: it combines performance and efficiency as only Honda can. This car provides a stress-free environment for high-mileage drivers, which is why it is aimed at the executive market. That is what accounts for the £18,900 price tag. For that money you would expect a special interior and more, but this Accord doesn't quite have the executive extras of other cars in its class. Having said that, there is plenty to praise about it, and the quiet engine and smooth driving experience certainly make up for whatever it lacks in appearance.
List price £18,900
Top speed 129mph
MPG (overall figure) 52.3
Length 4665mm
Width 2025mm
Height 1450mm
CO2 emissions 143g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 459 litres
NCAP crash test rating ****
No of doors 5
No of seats 5
Engine size 2.2 litres
from here
1 Honda Civic 1.3 IMA Executive
There's no doubt which vehicle tops the Environmental Transport Association's green rankings. Honda should be congratulated for engineering a top-class environmentally superior hybrid car, the IMA, which combines a petrol engine with an electric motor for greater fuel efficiency. Honda's first leap into the environmental world came with the Insight, the first hybrid on the market. This latest offering is much better. Honda has also guaranteed the life of unusual parts, which is a bonus for owners - hybrids have tended to lose their value very quickly after three years, but the IMA is set to retain its value in line with other Civics. This, in short, is a saloon that offers everything the concerned consumer could want: it has low greenhouse gas emissions; it is relatively quiet; it scores well in the NCAP ratings. All this, however, does come with a price tag of £15,100, but you can apply for a Powershift grant from the Energy Savings Trust of up to £700 to offset some of the cost. How, though, does the petrol hybrid system work? The car runs on petrol but it has an electric motor that engages as you accelerate or go uphill. That boosts engine performance without the need to pump the accelerator. The battery then recharges from the energy generated when you brake. This system is called "Integrated Motor Assist" - hence the IMA of the name.
List price £15,100
Top speed 110mph
MPG (overall) 57.7
Length 4440mm
Width 1715mm
Height 1430mm
CO2 emissions 116g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 341 litres
NCAP crash test rating ****
No of doors 4
No of seats 5
Engine size 1.3 litres
2 Toyota Prius 1.5 T3
The Toyota Prius is just about the most economical car you can buy. It can do an impressive 66 miles per gallon and it has the lowest CO2 emissions on the market - only 104g/km. The battery pack is hidden under the floor behind the rear seats and, like the Civic IMA's, kicks into action when additional power is required and recharges when the brakes are applied. Where it does differ however, is that you can switch to running the car solely on electric power, but because you can travel little more than a mile on electricity it's not as useful a feature as one might hope. The Prius may depreciate faster than the Civic, but its ability to hold value is improving with its new design, and its parts are guaranteed for eight years. The Prius is a large family car and its unusual and distinctive design makes it stand out from the crowd. It is not, however, cheap, especially when compared with similar vehicles in its class, and its boot space isn't great. But the Prius does qualify for the the £700 Powershift grant, and low running costs do help to offset the high purchase price. It has also just been voted European car of the year by a panel of motoring journalists from 22 countries. Most important of all, though, driving a Prius means your contribution to global warming is kept to a minimum and your conscience can be eased just a little.
List price £17,545
Top speed 106mph
MPG (overall figure) 65.7
Length 4450mm
Width 1725mm
Height 1490mm
CO2 emissions 104g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 408 litres
NCAP crash test rating *****
No of doors 5
No of seats 5
Engine size 1.5 litres
3 Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTI 16V Life
Vauxhall's Corsa is a real green winner. This model has a new generation diesel engine which is powerful yet gives huge fuel consumption savings - it manages an incredible 63mpg, beaten only by the Toyota Prius hybrid. A powerful engine often means higher CO2 emissions but not this time - the Corsa comes in at 122g/km. The main downside to this vehicle is its lack of protection for pedestrians - NCAP gives it a one-star pedestrian rating - but the four-star crash rating at least means the driver and passengers will be safe. This model is not the cheapest car in its class and the basic model lacks many of the features you get as standard in other similar cars, but you will make savings on the running costs.
List price £9,910
Top speed 102mph
MPG (overall figure) 62.8
Length 3817mm
Width 1955mm
Height 1440mm
CO2 emissions 122g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 260/1060 litres
NCAP crash test rating ****
No of doors 3
No of seats 5
Engine size 1.3 litres
4 Daihatsu YRV Premium
The Daihatsu YRV is about the size of a Ford Fiesta but with a Vauxhall Astra-sized interior - perfect for those looking for a compact, economical car that is not so small you feel boxed in. "YRV" stands for "young recreation vehicle" - signifying that it is a fun but practical car (if a little quirky), which is all yours for £9,495. Daihatsu has looked after the YRV's passengers - the rear seats are slightly higher than the front, and the versatile split-folding, sliding seat means there is no risk of cramped legs. And because the fold-down seats lie entirely flat, there is ample storage. Daihatsu has led the way in making small, environmentally friendly cars with good fuel economy and low greenhouse gas emissions, so expectations were high for this vehicle. However, CO2 emissions are not the lowest at 145mg/km, compared to the Corsa's 122g/km, and its fuel economy of 47.1mpg compares unfavourably to Corsa's 62.8mpg. Of course, these results are still good but it's a shame they aren't better. Daihatsu needs to keep up with its rivals if it wants to retain its position in the green car sector.
List price £9,495
Top speed 105mph
MPG (overall figure) 47.1
Length 3765mm
Width 1620mm
Height 1550mm
CO2 emissions 145g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 238/1026 litres
NCAP crash test rating n/a
No of doors 5
No of seats 5
Engine size 1.3 litres
5 Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 TDCI LX
This is a delightful compact MPV - stylish, comfortable and a good drive, with all the flexibility and space one expects from an MPV. The C-Max is aimed at families who prefer to have roomy luggage and storage space to having seven seats (and the vehicle can be made into an even roomier four-seater). It is well equipped with an impressive array of 11 different storage compartments, and you'll be hard-pressed to fill them all. What's more, the British Allergy Foundation has given the C-Max its seal of approval. The interior is fitted with low allergy risk materials and the car has a pollen filter, which is great news for hayfever sufferers. The C-Max is larger and taller than similar MPVs but its aerodynamic shape contributes to low fuel consumption (58mpg) and relatively low emissions (129mg/km). This is a strong option for families seeking a spacious but environmentally friendly vehicle.
List price £15,490
Top speed 115mph
MPG (overall figure) 57.6
Length 4333mm
Width 2022mm
Height 1595mm
CO2 emissions 129g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 18%
Boot space 550/1620 litres
NCAP crash test rating ****
No of doors 5
No of seats 5
Engine size 1.6 litres
6 Daihatsu Charade 1.0 EL
This super city car is hard to rival. It has low greenhouse gas emissions (114g/km of CO2) and very good fuel economy (59mpg). It also has the quietest engine of the cars featured here and, at £6,495 on the road, it is also the cheapest. That means minimum impact on the environment and your wallet. If you're not already feeling warm and fuzzy at the thought of owning one of these green gems, every Charade has an instrument display that reads "Hello, happy" when you turn on the ignition and "See you - goodbye" when the engine is turned off - a cute touch. This model has not been NCAP crash-tested yet but it is expected to do well. Its car-to-car collision performance is based on much larger cars and the engine compartment has been designed to absorb more crash energy for better pedestrian safety. What the Charade lacks in boot space, it makes up for by having wide opening easy-access doors and rear seats that split and fold for longer loads.
List price £6,495
Top speed 99mph
MPG (overall figure) 58.9
Length 3410mm
Width 1475mm
Height 1500mm
CO2 emissions 114g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 157/421 litres
NCAP crash test rating n/a
No of doors 5
No of seats 4
Engine size 1 litre
7 Smart Pure Fortwo Coupe
The Smart car was made for city driving, so of course it is great for zipping about town and easy to park. Its modern, trendy and innovative design also makes it charming and hard to dislike. If you don't have a family then this car is ideal, but the boot is so tiny you'll have to keep your shopping to a minimum. However, the Smart is weak on both driver and pedestrian safety achieving just two stars on the NCAP crash test. It is also the noisiest of these 10 cars - a surprise given the smallness of its engine. On the plus side, it is extremely economical at 60mpg, and good on CO2 emissions. The Smart is a funky, practical, environmentally friendly car for urban living - but remember, this is not a car for long journeys.
List price £7,013
Top speed 84mph
MPG (overall figure) 60.1
Length 2500mm
Width 1515mm
Height 1549mm
CO2 emissions 113g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 150/550 litres
NCAP crash test rating ***
No of doors 3
No of seats 2
Engine size 0.7 litres
8 Volkswagen Touran 1.9 TDI S
The Touran is not the cheapest MPV on the market (it starts at £15,920), but you get what you pay for - Volkswagen's high quality badge, reliability and superior drive handling. And, since it comes in a five or seven seater model with no extra cost for the seven seater, you can also get what you don't pay for. No corners have been cut in the interior, which combines luxury and practicality, although the design is a little bland. The Touran is one of the greenest seven-seater MPVs on the market, and while it has the highest CO2 emissions of the ten cars on this list, it fares much better in the green stakes than other MPVs. Crucially, it has received the top score five-star crash rating from NCAP and even more importantly, a three-star pedestrian rating, making this the safest vehicle inside and out of all the cars featured.
List price £15,920
Top speed 112mph
MPG (overall figure) 47.1
Length 4391mm
Width 2042mm
Height 1635mm
CO2 emissions 162g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 18%
Boot space 695/1989litres
NCAP crash test rating *****
No of doors 5
No of seats 5/7
Engine size 1.9 litres
9 Peugeot 407 1.6 HDI S 110
Most higher specced cars tend not to have green credentials to boast about, but this car is the exception. It breaks 50mpg and its CO2 emissions are a respectable 145g/km. If you are looking for fine performance and a roomy car to go with your commitment to the environment, then Peugeot has fine-tuned this model just for you. If you are also bothered about storage space, then steer clear. However, you should feel very safe in the 407. It has a five-star crash rating and a sturdy cabin that oozes reassurance. The two-star rating for pedestrian safety is disappointing, though. But it is good to knowyou can get the degree of luxury you would want without compromising the environment.
List price £15,550
Top speed 119mph
MPG (overall figure) 51.3
Length 4676mm
Width 2090mm
Height 1455mm
CO2 emissions 145g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 407 litres
NCAP crash test rating *****
No of doors 4
No of seats 5
Engine size 1.6 litres
10 Honda Accord 2.2 I-CTDI Sport
This Honda Accord has a newly developed engine that doesn't disappoint: it combines performance and efficiency as only Honda can. This car provides a stress-free environment for high-mileage drivers, which is why it is aimed at the executive market. That is what accounts for the £18,900 price tag. For that money you would expect a special interior and more, but this Accord doesn't quite have the executive extras of other cars in its class. Having said that, there is plenty to praise about it, and the quiet engine and smooth driving experience certainly make up for whatever it lacks in appearance.
List price £18,900
Top speed 129mph
MPG (overall figure) 52.3
Length 4665mm
Width 2025mm
Height 1450mm
CO2 emissions 143g/km
Tax liability percentage (company cars only) 15%
Boot space 459 litres
NCAP crash test rating ****
No of doors 5
No of seats 5
Engine size 2.2 litres
from here
posted by Admin at 6:56 AM
2 Comments:
Great blog! Very interesting! My dad bought a Prius, its really a great car. I also like the Volkswagen Touran. I love the design and the car parts and accessories that is incorporated with it (like volkswagen fan blade). The really looks awesome. Hope to own one someday..
Great info, the Corsa sounds great I may get one to replace my old Astra since it is about to go up for its MOT it would cost a fortune in Vauxhall parts plus I would help the environment too.
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