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Since Premier McGuinty put the brakes on meeting California’s auto emissions standards last month (which would have meant slashing new car emissions by 30 per cent by 2016), we’re stuck choking on tailpipes. You don’t have to wait on the preem’s paltry plan for green muscle cars. Take a peek inside these (relatively) lean machines the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy parks in its top five.
#1 TOYOTA PRIUS
Sticker price $31,280 and up
City mileage 4L/100km (60 MPG)
GHG emissions 5 tons/year
Rebate $2,000 from feds, up to $1,000 PST rebate from province
By far the most fuel-efficient vehicle on the road. Tanking up should only cost $750 a year (ideally), and you’ll belch out 5 tons of greenhouse gases annually, compared to 18 for some Ford F-Series pickups (number-one in Canada sales-wise). Honda’s natural gas Civic actually beat out the Prius for the greenest car slot, but it’s not available in Canada. Sniff.
#2 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID
Sticker price $26,250 and up
City mileage 4.7L/100km (49 MPG)
GHG emissions 6 tons/year
Rebate $2,000 from feds, up to $1,000 PST rebate from province
The most sustainable Honda this side of the border is also the most affordable hybrid in Canada. This is the genuine article, not like the auto giant’s now defunct hybrid Accord, which used its electric capabilities for extra zoom, not fuel efficiency. This bad boy gets 43 per cent more mpg than the regular Civic (which still makes the ACEEE’s top 12 green cars).
#3 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID
Sticker price $32,998 and up
City mileage 5.6L/100km (42 MPG)
GHG emissions 7 tons/year
Rebate $1,500 from feds, up to $1,000 PST rebate from province
Nissan’s first foray into the green car thing actually borrows much of its eco tech from Toyota. This is probably the jazziest looker of the top five. Car reviewers say it feels like a V6 but still goes easy at the pump.
#4 TOYOTA YARIS
Sticker price $ 15,605 and up
City mileage (automatic) 7L/100km (34 MPG)
GHG emissions 8 tons/year
Rebate $1,000 from feds
The highest-ranking non-hybrid on ACEEE’s list. (The Smart car is actually way more efficient, but ACEEE didn’t score it as it had yet to arrive in the U.S.) The Yaris has been Toyota’s top-selling car in eco-savvy Europe for five years and is now edging out the Corolla here.
#5 TOYOTA COROLLA
Sticker price $15,785 and up
City mileage (automatic) 7.8L/100km (30 MPG)
GHG emissions 8 tons/year
Rebate $1,000 from feds
It’s nice to see that one of the most popular cars in Canada is also among the greenest. The automatic version doesn’t quite make the cut-off to get the federal eco car rebate, but it comes close.
Beware of eco fakers on the road. Saturn’s Aura Greenline is considered a “mild” hybrid — it’s maybe a quarter more efficient than the regular Aura — but there are plenty of non-hybrids that get more miles per gallon. The Lexus LS600HL has pretty crappy fuel efficiency and, like the old Accord, uses its electric half only to rev its enormous engine. The GMC Sierra Hybrid might be the most pathetic of the bunch, using its hybrid engine to power plug-ins like drills, TVs and mini-fridges, making it perfect for the most un-eco of car camping.
