Sometimes driving a hybrid is not the only way to achieve “green” status. In many cases opting to skip a drag inducing all-wheel-drive (AWD) or 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system and driving these SUVs with a 5-speed manual in front-wheel-drive (FWD) is a great way to save gas and lower your carbon footprint.
Nowadays, you can still get good all weather performance with these FWD vehicles. Higher ground clearance and excellent traction control systems help these vehicles get through some surprisingly nasty weather conditions.
Interestingly, both the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot achieve the same high ranking from the EPA (including mpg, Smartway APS and GGS scores) whether or not they have 4WD; just as long as they are using the 5-speed manual option.
The “Smartway” ratings scale was referenced in compiling this list. In addition, cars were compared by their average EPA fuel mileage rating. “SmartWay is a designation earned by those vehicles that score a 6 or better on each of the Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Scores and achieve a combined score of at least 13 when added together. Higher Air Pollution Scores indicate vehicles with reduced levels of emissions that cause smog and health problems. Higher Greenhouse Gas Scores indicate vehicles with reduced levels of emissions that cause greenhouse gases and have improved fuel economy. SmartWay Elite is a designation given to those vehicles that score 9 or better on each of the Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Scores.”
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The Hyundai Tucson has been a very good seller for the Hyundai Automaker. Combining a handsomely designed exterior with a utilitarian interior, there is much to like. Hyundai is one of the few companies that build an optional V6 and two 4-cylinder engines in an SUV this size. Interestingly, the 4-speed automatic gets just 1 mpg lower on the highway than the 5-speed manual transmission (they perform the same in the city). The frugal 140 horsepower (which makes 136 lbs feet of torque) 2.0 liter 4-cylinder is the only power plant available. The Hyundai Tucson (with a 5-speed manual an FWD) achieves a Smartway score.
Air Pollution Score = 7
Greenhouse Gas Score = 6
EPA fuel mileage is 20 city mpg and 25 highway mpg.