The Honda Civic Hybrid returns a pleasing 44 and 47 miles per gallon in the city and highway driving respectively. One of reasons why the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) rates it highly is because of its relatively less weight of 3,000 pounds as compared to the 4,000 plus weight offered by some other hybrids.
Eco-friendly cars, also referred to as green cars, are vehicles that have a lesser environmental impact than those that use fossil fuels like diesel or gasoline. This is made possible by their highly-advanced technology and alternative fuels, usually electric, fuel-cell, hydrogen, compressed air, natural gas and bio-diesel. The reason why eco cars are touted to be the products of the future is their significantly-less emission of air pollutants and greenhouse gases and because they reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Some of the top-rated eco cars of 2014 are:
Honda Civic Hybrid
The Honda Civic Hybrid returns a pleasing 44 and 47 miles per gallon in the city and highway driving respectively. One of reasons why the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) rates it highly is because of its relatively less weight of 3,000 pounds as compared to the 4,000 plus weight offered by some other hybrids. Designed to meet California’s stringent standards, it emits lesser pollutants. The 110 horsepower propulsion system that uses a combination of gasoline and electricity is mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission to enable delivery of superior mileage. The base sticker price of $25,425 is unfortunately some $6,000 more than the comparable gas-powered Civic model.
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Toyota Prius
Ever since the Toyota Prius was launched in the US in 2001, it has beaten all competition in sales. Delivering a city and highway mileage of 51 and 48 mpg respectively, the model has received approbation from ACEEE for meeting the stringent PZEV emissions specifications laid down by California and for its superb fuel efficiency. The gas / electric hybrid propulsion system produces an impressive 134 HP, which together with the variable automatic transmission is responsible for delivering the impressive fuel consumption figures. A sticker price of $25,010 places the Prius more than $2,000 than the Camry, and about $7,000 more than the Corolla, both star Toyota products.
Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf is powered by an electric propulsion system that can run for an estimated 84 km before requiring it to be recharged, a process that takes anywhere between 12 to 20 hours when plugged in to a standard household 120V socket. The process takes a more reasonable four to seven hours using a 240V supply. The good thing about the relatively high base price of $29,830 is that you can get a federal tax credit of $7,500 besides additional tax credits from some other US states as well. The five door compact hatchback delivers an amazing equivalent of 126 mpg in the city and 101 mpg on the highway.
Toyota Prius C
With a sticker price of just $19,080, Toyota Prius C retails at about $6,000 less that the cost of the standard version and is the cheapest and smallest Prius model in the Toyota stable. This model improves over its big brother by about 2 mpg and also weighs less by about 750 pounds adding more grunts to the 90 horsepower hybrid system that uses gasoline and electricity, mated with the mandatory continuously variable automatic transmission. Capable of accommodating five passengers, the car features fluid styling and a spacious boot of 17.1 cubic feet thanks to the very efficient packaging of the power pack batteries. Prius C can even be driven for short distances on electric power alone.
Smart For Two Electric
Topping the list of eco-friendly vehicles is the electric car, Smart For Two that edges out the Prius C by a small margin delivering 122 mpg equivalent in the city and 93 mpg on the highway. Built to seat just two, the car’s great fuel efficiency is largely due to a curb weight of just 2,250 pounds. The 47-HP electric propulsion system is capable of taking the car up to a maximum of 78 mph with the charge lasting for an estimated 68 miles of a mix of city and highway runs. The vehicle is also available as a convertible. The base price of the coupe is a whopping $25,750 while the convertible costs another $3,000 more.
Charlie Brown has been a qualified automobile engineer for the past decade or so and is currently attached to ideal auto USA, a leading automotive portal selling new and used vehicles as well as parts. His experience and expertise makes him an authority in this line of business. He is passionate about cars and enjoys blogging.
