Most models have been built for a few years so you can buy used and still use half.
Click here to learn how a NEW hybrid can qualify you for up to $3,400 of federal tax credits.
Note most EPA mpg ratings have decreased around 10% from 2006 to the EPA's new, more realistic, testing procedures. Check the EPA's excellent fuel economy site for mpg ratings for all vehicles.
These are our NO COMPROMISE
winners.
We also award
VALUES that don't compromise your wallet.
SUV
Hats off to Ford who has the standard setting product.
NO COMPROMISE
VALUE
Ford Escape Hybrid
/
MSo
good, it's sold by three different brands.So good, it's
sold by three different brands. Stylish, luxurious (with
options), safe (with optional side airbags), and roomy.
But economical to buy and operate at EPA 32 mpg combined
before the
hybrid tax credit.
The 2WD version gets better mileage and costs less than
the 4 X 4.
WE ALSO LIKE:
Toyota Highlander
Hybrid.
EPA 27 mpg combined. If you need a third row of seats, this
is the SUV for you. Great performance and qualifies for
the
hybrid tax credit.
The 2WD version gets better mileage and costs less than the
4 X 4.
WE ALSO LIKE:
Lexus RX-400h
EPA 27 mpg combined. This is the luxury SUV of the future,
and performs incredibly,but we think Lexus can do even
better. Qualifies for
hybrid tax credit.
The 2WD version gets better mileage and costs less than
the 4 X 4.MINIVAN
Go figure, no one is building a minivan as efficient as the Ford Escape SUV.
The Mazda 5 is the best there is
at present at 24 mpg combined but is stylish, reasonably
priced and has bags of room along with all kinds of
passenger entertainment systems for those in the back
who "aren't there yet."FULL SIZE VAN
NO COMPROMISE:
Dodge Sprinter.
(diesel)
20 mpg combined. Larger and more versatile than its
competitors, lots of torque.
You may want to buy used: models built before 2007 get 27 -
30 mpg!PICKUP
NO COMPROMISE
VALUE
Ford Ranger 2.3
XL, STX, and XLT EPA 23 mpg combined, these rugged pickups
are strong enough to do the job, start at $16,000 with lots
of options & style available. Available in a king cab
version or long-bed. The
Mazda B2300
is identical, available in regular cab only.
NO COMPROMISE
Toyota's reliable Tacoma
4 cylinder has leaped up from just last year with an EPA
combined of 22 mpg. From under $14,500MID-SIZE CARS
NO COMPROMISE:
Toyota Prius
(hybrid). EPA 46 mpg combined. Huge amounts of room, loaded
with standard equipment, this is a standard-setting vehicle
that maxes out the
hybrid tax credit
too. We love ours.
NO COMPROMISE
VALUE
VW Jetta TDI
(diesel) (discontinued 2007 back in 2009) EPA 38 mpg
combined. Performs like a German sports sedan & one of
the safest cars on the road. Starts at $21,000, or load it
up with options and it's close to the ultimate driving
machine. We love ours.
NO COMPROMISE
VALUE
Toyota Camry Hybrid
EPA 33 mpg combined. Refined and loaded with standard
equipment from its JBL sound system to sunroof, this Camry
is close a luxury car. The $26,000 tag is a bargain for a
car this well equpped and the
hybrid tax credit
is icing on the cake.
NO COMPROMISE:
Nissan Altima
(hybrid).
EPA 34 mpg combined. New to the list, this gorgeous and
sporty new hybrid is a welcome addition to our list.
Qualifies for
hybrid tax credit
too.
Now if Nissan would sell it in all 50
states...COMPACT CARS (minimum 30mpg combined)
NO COMPROMISE:
Honda Civic Hybrid.
EPA 42 mpg combined. Just like its regular cousin and
loaded with standard equipment, with Honda's incredible
build quality & reliability and
hybrid tax credit.
NO COMPROMISE
VALUE
Toyota Yaris
sedan & 2 door hatchback (EPA 37 mpg combined). You
won't believe what $11,000 to $13,000 buys. Sweet.
NO COMPROMISE
VALUE
VW Beetle TDI
(diesel). (Discontinued 2007) EPA 38 mpg combined. Great
style, performance, & fun with German precision.
NO COMPROMISE
VALUE
The
Golf / Rabbit TDI
EPA 38 mpg combined. (Discontinued 2007) Very roomy but
compact (if that makes sense.). A trunkless Jetta with
German precision.
NO COMPROMISE
VALUE
Mini Cooper & Clubman.
EPA 32 mpg combined. Built by BMW, styled by Austin Powers
& James Bond. This is serious cool, and seriously
customizeable. You want it in WHAT colors? Yes, sir, very
good, sir. Go crazy.
VALUEWE
ALSO LIKE:
Honda Fit
4 door hatchback. (EPA 31 mpg combined). Stylish & fun.
The demon tuners will be all over this baby. Sold as the
Jazz in the rest of the world.
VALUE
WE ALSO LIKE:
Toyota's evergreen Corolla
4 door gets 31 mpg combined in affordable reliable,
flexible & surprisingly luxurious Toyota style.
SPORTS CARS (minimum 24 mpg)
NO COMPROMISE
VALUE
Mini Cooper S & Clubman.
EPA 29 mpg combined. Seriously fast. Leave Porsche's in the
dust fast. Handles like a go-kart fast. Try the Works
version for something bordering on insane.
WE ALSO LIKE:
Audi TT.
2 door (EPA 24 mpg combined). Seriously sexy in a
Teutonic way. Wave goodbye to your friends on the road
and gloat at the gas pump.
VALUE
WE ALSO LIKE: VW GTI.
2 door (EPA 24 mpg combined). In a welcome case of deja-vue
the original hot hatchback roars back in Mk. 5 form faster
& badder than ever. We had one in 1981 and remember it
fondly...
CONVERTIBLES (minimum 24 mpg)
NO COMPROMISE
VALUE:
Mini Cooper
The only car to win in three categories.
EPA 29 mpg combined. Style, FUN & performance in
convertible format built by BMW. Oh and it actually seats
four real people. GGGRRRR, baby. Who said comromise?
WE ALSO LIKE
VALUE:
Mazda MX-5 Miata.
2 door (EPA 24 mpg combined). The spirit of true sports
car motoring lives on in the Miata. Wonderful
build-quality, great reliability and British-inspired
open-road styling.
WE ALSO LIKE: Audi A4 Cabriolet. 2 door (EPA 24 mpg
combined). This ragtop has the feel of a classic Mercedes
convertible from the 1960s only better in every way.
Slatherings of wood, brushed aluminum & leather -
nobody is building better than VW / Audi today.
WE ALSO LIKE:
VW EOS.
2 door (EPA 24 mpg combined). Not a rag-top, just the
button & the steel & glass top disappears
magically. Gorgeous - we like it better than the Audi.
STATION WAGON / HATCHBACK
All of a sudden wagons are hip & sporty. And efficient.
NO COMPROMISE
VALUE
Pontiac Vibe
/
Toyota Matrix
(EPA 29 mpg combined) Stylish, roomy with tons of standard
equipment from CD player to 115V household plug for your
PC... The Vibe & Matrix are twins under the skin.
NO COMPROMISE
VALUE
The
Scion xD
(EPA 29 mpg combined) is a highly customizable chunky
monkey that you'll love or hate. Steal this car for under
$16,000LUXURY (minimum 26 mpg)
Admit it - you thought this would be a tough category, but the times, they are a changin'
NO COMPROMISE
Mercedes E320 Cdi.
(diesel) EPA 26 mpg combined. The clean CDi is in a
class of its own, with great performance, lots of room,
style, and truly sybaritic levels of luxury. Mercedes
diesels are famed to last, well, nearly forever. Hey,
Mercedes, when will you bring the C220 Cdi to our side
of the Atlantic?
NO COMPROMISE
Lexus RX-400h
EPA 27 mpg combined. In this category, the Lexus rates a No
Compromise. This is the luxury SUV of the future, and
performs incredibly, but we think Lexus can do even better.
Qualifies for
hybrid tax credit.
The 2WD version gets better mileage and costs less than
the 4 X 4.
COOL (minimum 35 mpg)
Didn't know there was a category of COOL?
The
Smart Car comes to America. 36
mpg combined. This is no highway cruiser, but it IS a
stylish, zippy, customizeable, easy-to-park and
fun-to-drive runabout with Mercedes build quality.
Starting at just $12,000 equipped with every known
safety device known to man and an incredibly strong
"cell" to protect occupants in a crash. We still
wouldn't drive it on the highway...