Eco Friendly Driver

Taking a Green Look at a Blue List of the Coolest Cars UNDER $18K

by Hilary on May 2nd, 2008

I cringed when I saw the Kelly Blue Book’s call on the ten coolest cars under $18,000. To call the Pontiac Vibe “hot” - or anything close to it - is sheer mockery. Inexpensive and fun usually translates to small though, which is fine for us as small usually means “better on gas.” Or, at least, it used to. My Geo Metro got around 35 mpg (or at least, that’s what I tell myself 14 years in the future). So what are the new “cool” cars under $18K and how do they ring in on the environmental front?

1. 2008 Ford Focus
24 mpg city/33 mpg highway
Carbon Footprint: 6.6
EPA Air Pollution Score: 7 (10 is best)

2. 2008 Honda Fit
27 city/34 highway
Carbon Footprint: 6.1
EPA Air Pollution Score: 6

3. Jeep Patriot
Numbers for 2WD
23 city/27 highway
Carbon Footprint: 7.7
EPA Air Pollution Score: 6

4. Mazda3
23 city/31 highway
Carbon Footprint: 7.1
EPA Air Pollution Score: 6

5. Misubishi Lancer
21 city/29 highway
Carbon Footprint: 7.7
EPA Air Pollution Score: 6

6. Pontiac Vibe
25 city/31 highway
Carbon Footprint: 6.8
EPA Air Pollution Score: 6

7. Scion xB
22 city/ 28 highway
Carbon Footprint: 7.7
EPA Air Pollution Score: 6

8. Subaru Impreza
20 city/27 highway
Carbon Footprint: 8.3
EPA Air Pollution Score: 6

9. Suzuki SX4
22 city/ 30 highway
Carbon Footprint: 7.3
EPA Air Pollution Score: 6

10. Volkswagen Rabbit
21 city/29 highway
Carbon Footprint: 7.7
EPA Air Pollution Score: 6
It’s not all that impressive, in my opinion. The Honda Fit has the best gas mileage and it doesn’t top 30 mpg in the city. The Fit also has the best carbon footprint score .. with a 6.1. Maybe this is why the Geo’s making a comeback?

Source: Kelly Blue Book, FuelEconomy.gov

Images: FuelEconomy.gov

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