Green Car Buying Guide

The combination of world-class fuel efficiency and family-oriented seating/cargo room makes the 2012 Prius v the green car to beat in this segment. With an EPA-estimated 44/40 mpg, you can rest-assured knowing that you don't have to spend a fortune on gas when shuttling the kids to and from practice. There are two storage bins under the rear cargo floor and a total of 34.3 cubic feet of space behind the second row for maximum storage capacity. And if you want to teach your children the importance of being green, you can tell them that the Prius v emits a paltry 3.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Going green doesn't have to be expensive. The 2012 Civic Hybrid has the lowest sticker price and best fuel efficiency ratings in this segment at 44 mpg in combined driving. It's not as roomy as the Prius v or the Ford Fusion Hybrid, but what the Civic Hybrid lacks in spaciousness, it makes up for in the safety department. The Civic Hybrid earned Top Safety Pick honors from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). In terms of its effect on the environment, the Civic Hybrid emits the fewest metric tons of carbon (a meager 3.0) than any car on this list.

Red, white and green--that's what this American-made hybrid represents. The 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid offers plenty of rear passenger room that can accommodate two adults with ease. With 191 total horsepower, the Fusion Hybrid is the most powerful hybrid in this segment; perfect for parents who don't want to sacrifice power for efficiency. Your kids will love the dual LCD SmartGauge cluster with Eco Guide, which features an interactive display that grows leaves when you drive efficiently. If driving a 'green' car means more to you than saving money at the pump, rejoice in the fact that the Fusion Hybrid emits almost two fewer tons of greenhouse gasses than the gas-powered Fusion and gets a very green 41/36 mpg.

The brand new Prius c subcompact hybrid hatchback is the fourth member of the illustrious fuel-sipping Prius family and is aimed at those who confine their driving mainly to city streets. The Prius c is slightly shorter and smaller than the original Prius liftback and Prius v, making it ideal for couples who don't need extra seating for children. Couples who need to squeeze every penny will be drawn to the Prius c's affordable sticker price (almost $4,000 less than the Prius liftback) and its world-class fuel economy estimates of 53/26 mpg. You will be hard-pressed to find a vehicle that emits less than 2.7 metric tons of greenhouse gasses annually like the Prius c does. Save the environment and your money for more important things, like movie night and tickets to see Phish.

Listed as a hybrid coupe, the 2012 Honda CR-Z Hybrid is the best looking coupe/hatchback/roadster hybrid around. Fuel estimates vary between 31-35/37-39 mpg depending on whether you opt for an automatic or manual transmission. While many compact hybrids have fallen into the same cookie cutter mold of safe and mundane styling, the CR-Z's strength lies in its sporty look. In a nutshell, the CR-Z isn't as efficient, family capable, or environmentally friendly as other compact hybrids, but it will stand out in a crowd and deliver above average power and handling.

As the most affordable hybrid available, the redesigned 2012 Honda Insight is the most efficient hybrid not named Prius. The four-door Insight is more spacious than the Prius c and CR-Z, which is perfect if you and your loved one need room for your furry friend. Aside from toting your dog around town, the Insight manages an impressive 41/44 mpg so you can afford to drive out of town. Newlyweds have enough on their plate and should not have to mortgage their future just to make car payments. With a starting price just over $18k, coupled with excellent fuel economy ratings, the Insight will give drivers a clear vision of how to save. The Insight even helps you save in ways you can't see or calculate at the pump. By emitting a mere 3.2 metric tons of greenhouse gasses annually, the Insight is one of the 'greenest' cars you can buy.

When deciding on a car that will emit fewer pollutants and return fuel efficiency ratings you can be proud of, you can go with a hybrid, a subcompact that has a diminutive engine and low-quality appointments, or a diesel-powered import that offers superior craftsmanship and a more responsive driving experience. The 2012 VW Jetta is a small sedan that can be equipped with a diesel engine that gets 30/42 mpg while emitting 4.5 annual metric tons of greenhouse gasses. Compare that to the non-diesel Jetta's 22/33 mpg and 5.1 metric tons of carbon dioxide and you have yourself a cleaner, more-efficient sedan. The Jetta is also reasonably priced, so you don't have to spend more to get more.

Forget about going green for a moment and appreciate the 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year - the all-new VW Passat. Volkswagen's impressive diesel technology gives the Passat better fuel economy ratings than the smaller Jetta at 31/43 mpg and a cruising range of up to 795 miles. That's all well and good; but did you know that the Passat emits slightly fewer pollutants than the Jetta at 4.4 annual metric tons? The Passat generates 236 pounds-feet of torque that you feel at low RPMs for more acceleration in everyday driving. What we love about the Passat TDI is that it's big enough to seat a family of four and is incredibly safe, meaning fuel and the environment aren't the only things you'll be saving.

Diesel and luxury are two words you probably don't hear too often. They also happen to aptly describe the 2012 Audi A3. Another TDI turbodiesel powers the refined A3, giving it great low-end torque and an efficient 30/42 mpg. Because of its frugal fuel economy ratings and its reputation as a sophisticated sedan, the A3 diesel will appeal to those who don't want to sacrifice high-end appointments for high-end efficiency. You will consume less fuel than the gasoline-powered A3, while emitting fewer greenhouse gasses (4.5 metric tons per year compared to 5.6 metric tons). Think of it this way: the three diesels in this segment ascend in price and quality. The Jetta is for entry-level diesel drivers, whereas the A3 will appeal to the environmentally conscious that can spend a few more dollars.

Among the three hybrid SUVs in this class, the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid is the greenest by far. Greenest in the sense that it costs less than the Lexus and Highlander, and greenest in the amount of pollution it creates. The Escape emits only 4.2 metric tons of greenhouse gasses annually, which is tops in this segment. Fuel economy ratings of 34/31 mpg keep the costs of refueling very low and your carbon footprint very light. But the hybrid engine isn't the only 'green' aspect of the Escape Hybrid. Earth-friendly cloth seat fabric is made from 100 percent post-industrial materials, while the cushions use bio-based polyurethane foam derived from soybeans.

If you're accustomed to the finer things in life, you should know that the yellow-brick road of refinement doesn't end at leather upholstery, real wood accents, and high-tech gadgetry. Going green with 32/28 mpg and a tree-friendly 4.4 metric tons of annual emissions are the results of technology you don't find in many vehicles. The 2012 RX 450h is luxurious, efficient and easier on the environment than its gas-powered brother, the RX 350. With better city mpg than the Highlander, the RX 450h also generates more horsepower (295), proving that it's more than just the fancy prep-school kid. When it comes to protecting the environment, the Lexus RX 450h provides something that most other luxury crossover/SUVs don't--peace of mind.

The 2012 Highlander Hybrid is truly in a class by itself. The Highlander Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient seven-seater available and will appeal to large families that want to have a small carbon footprint. The Highlander Hybrid has 280 horsepower, can tow 3,500 pounds, and has a wealth of interior flexibility--all things an SUV should have. When compared to the gas-only Highlander, the hybrid version and its 28 mpg in combined driving is the obvious choice for efficient-minded drivers. For eco-conscious drivers, the reduced greenhouse gas emissions are not just a luxury, but a way of life. The Highlander Hybrid emits 4.8 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually compared to 7.0 metric tons for the gas-only model. And how appropriate is it that a green vehicle has the name of a rich and lush grassland?

You can't get any greener than the Nissan Leaf. Nissan boasts a driving range of 62-138 miles, but EPA testing gives the Leaf approximately 73 miles per charge. Seventy-three miles per charge! If you drive less than 73 miles each day, then you could easily recharge the Leaf overnight. The Nissan Leaf gets 106/92 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent, which is the energy present in one gallon of gasoline if you converted that gallon into electricity), pretty much doubling fuel estimates of the Prius. Like we alluded to earlier, the Leaf doesn't have a tailpipe. How can you pollute without a tailpipe? Driving doesn't get any cleaner or greener than with the emission-less 2012 Nissan Leaf.

Besting the Nissan Leaf with an estimated 110/99 MPGe, the 2012 Ford Focus Electric might be the most efficient and cleanest vehicle around. Similar in appearance to its gas-only twin, the Focus Electric can be distinguished by its lack of a tailpipe. Thanks to an onboard charger, the electric Focus takes 3-4 hours to charge, which is faster than the Leaf. The electric Focus can drive between 85-100 miles on a charge, while a one hour charge will give you 30 miles of range in case you're in a hurry. Like the Leaf, the Focus Electric emits a tree-hugging zero pollutants, giving you peace of mind and peace of lungs when it comes to the air your breath. The Ford Focus Electric costs more than the Leaf, but is well worth it if you want to squeeze out a few more MPG.

The Chevy Volt is probably the most misunderstood car out there, and for good reason. First and foremost, the Volt is not a pure electric vehicle--it's a plug-in hybrid with a gas engine. Depending on your driving habits, you can operate on electricity alone and never spend a dime on gas. Most likely though, you'll need the gas engine to kick-in, thus achieving normal hybrid fuel estimates. When driving with electricity only, the Volt gets a combined 94 MPGe. After the electric engine is spent and the gas engine kicks-in, fuel estimates still impress at 35/40 mpg. Like the Leaf and Focus Electric, the Volt emits zero greenhouse gasses when operating in EV mode, and 3.6 metric tons of carbon annually when rocking the gas engine.