Superminis and hatchbacks make some of the very greenest cars on the market thanks to their diminutive dimensions. But this doesn't necessarily mean you have to drive with your knees next to your ears, many people currently drive a car much bigger than you need. A lot of motorists would be surprised by how much they can fit into a 'small' car and just how much they can save in fuel costs as a result of downsizing. If you are looking for a small yet mighty green car, TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk has the rundown of the 'Top 5 Green Car Hatchbacks and Superminis':
- Kia Rio 1.1 CRDi EcoDynamics with emissions from just 85g/km of CO2 and 88.3mpg on a combined cycle.
- smart fortwo with emissions from a tiny 86g/km of CO2 and 85.6mpg on a combined cycle.
- SEAT Ibiza 1.2 TDI E Ecomotive and Skoda Fabia 1.2 TDI CR with 89g/km CO2 and 83.1 mpg combined.
- Toyota Auris HSD with 89g/km of CO2 and 74.3mpg combined.
- Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion TDi with 91g/km of CO2 and 80.7mpg combined.
Last updated: January 2012.
Faye has been writing about cars and environmental issues since 2007. A suspected eco-warrior working on the corporate inside, Faye mainly likes the weird, quirky vehicles that show a distinct environmental advantage. Her ideal car has enough room to fit a bale of hay in the boot. When not working, she likes nothing better than to head out on her bicycle and explore the countryside.
Drew
I would suggest for Tom to try the Rio. Speaking as an owner it's a pleasant surprise. And as for noise it's very quiet for a diesel. The only time you it's fully noticeable is at idle, but for the most part it's smooth and refined.
July 18, 2012
Tom R
Unfortunately I need a car, although I use one as little as possible. I'd like as green a car as I can find, and I don't want a large car. But manufacturers forget that not everyone is of a standard size. I can't help the fact I have long legs.
I've only tried out 3 cars on the list so far and cannot fit in a VW Polo or any model of Toyota. I can fit in the Seat Ibiza, and hopefully at least one of the others listed.
Currently I have a yr 2000 Skoda Fabia TDi which still does a decent mpg (c.50mpg) but I can't fit in the new design of Skoda Fabia. I'm a single person so have no use of a large car.
June 12, 2011
Mark Ch
I have a Smartfortwo and it is great, cannot see anything coming out of exhaust and it goes miles and miles to the gallon and its fun to drive.
The sooner we all have a car with CO2 as low as mine the better the world will be, get these large cars off the road. And get lorrys off the road and get frieght back on rail.
May 17, 2011
Andyj
Rick is correct about CO2 and soot etc. which is great for plant life. The oil emissions against yearly climate CO2 change rates shows oil is not even a player in the game of the Earth. Deforestation is another matter. which brings me to the only player in the game.
Proximity of engines per volume of air and population size.
Diesels consume 38% less than a car engine generating the same power.
Car fumes are noxious.
Diesel fumes are obnoxious.
Everything a diesel lets off is readily eaten off by plant matter and ultra violet light. Not so with car exhaust fumes.
So you say car fumes smell a lot less. When Iran and Iraq were nerve gassing each other, The victims smelt........... Nothing.
More than 1 in 2.5 die of cancer. Find the facts and enjoy the rest of your days. :)
December 17, 2010
Rick
This "top 5" is based purely on CO2 emissions, which is slightly disingenuous. Diesels are not so bad these days, but their emissions are so much more than just CO2. They emit soot, NOX and other nasties that petrols do not. Cycle along a road with lots of diesels, and you get a noseful of this filth, even with modern cars.
The fact they get good mpg is down to the fact that diesel is more energy-dense than petrol. It doesn't make it more "green".
Regarding the comment about "why are there no automatics?"
That's because automatics generally suck! Just compare the CO2 ratings for the auto and non-auto IQ. There is a 10% difference in efficiency. Not to mention the fact they are slower and unpleasant to drive.
May 26, 2010
Andyj
The reason why diesels do more to the gallon is very simple. They are more efficient. Petrol cars have an apparently nicer exhaust but the gases are far more insidious.
The catalytic convertor is to burn off (break down) any unburnt fuel. They always shove in too much fuel to keep the exhaust valves from burning up.
Whats this about diesels being noisy? Stand on the side of some 'A' road and I'll challenge anyone to tell if a car going down the road is petrol or not. The tyre noise is always well above any engine.
February 01, 2010
Manny
Most of you guys are on here are a bit simple. Diesels have always had cleaner emissions than petrols. That's why four of the five cars here are diesel, it's no scam it's logic. You are probably from the era when diesels were un-refined and smelly i.e. Peugeot 304, Mercedes 240D etc.
January 14, 2010
Smog Buster
The Smart is a very uncomfortable 'car' and by having only 2 seats is compromised is every way - it is just a gimmick car to get Mercedes Benz's CO2 emissions down. Agree on the diesel comments, they emit a whole raft of nasties that petrols don't. I have driven an iQ and it is fantastic - 99g/km is amazing and the car feels like a premium C segment product (A3, 1 series etc).
December 11, 2009
David Smith
If you believe in the AGW scam and class low C02 as green then the diesels are great. If you think, like me, that a diesel chugs out filth that irritates your lungs no matter its engine condition, then the IQ is the only green car on the list.
September 03, 2009
Gerard Huke
All Smarts are automatics, I drove the Smart Fortwo cdi yesterday along with the Fiesta Eco-netic - the Smart is £4k cheaper
August 25, 2009
Scott
Like Steve, I don't like diesels and the Toyota iQ is not a diesel. I quote: "Available in the UK as petrol-only, the iQ debuts the new carbon dioxide-cutting technology that squeezes emissions below 100g/km, making the iQ road-tax free - unheard of for a petrol. I have no connection with Toyota neither do I have an iQ as I doubt they will be included in the 'scrappage' scheme!
June 08, 2009
Roadhog
all noisey diesels -what about noise abatement in the enviroment? -imagine thousands of these "eco friendly" motors on the road in city centres chugging out diesel fumes and paeople not able to hear each other for the continuous drone!
Greens need to smell the air -they might see the ideas are just hot air.
May 22, 2009
Steve
No Automatics then ?
Isn't it about time that "green" automatics were offered ?
May 15, 2009