The designers at Honda worked overtime making the interior as utilitarian and roomy as possible. This is one spacious, down-to-earth vehicle for its size and is comfortable family transportation to boot. Its number ranking on our list is a testament to its overwhelming popularity. The sole engine choice is a 166 horsepower (making 161 lbs feet of torque) 2.4 liter 4-cylinder. The transmission is a smooth 5-speed automatic which can be coupled to the standard 2WD Honda CRV or the “Real Time 4-Wheel Drive” equipped AWD Honda CRV. The (FWD) Honda CRV achieves a Smartway score.
Air Pollution Score = 7
Greenhouse Gas Score = 6
EPA fuel mileage is 20 city mpg and 27 highway mpg.
Ford should be proud that two of their Escape (which shares its platform with the Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner) models made it on to this green list. The Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner are closely related mechanically, though they differ in packaging, exterior design and options. The 2009 Ford Escape has had some cosmetic changes, keeping the styling in line with other Ford trucks. There are two engine options available with the gas only models. The base model has a 171 horsepower (that makes 171 lbs feet of torque) 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine. This is the only power-plant that has an optional 5-speed manual transmission option (FWD only). The 240 horsepower (producing 223 lbs feet of torque) 3.0 liter V6 is the most powerful option. The most efficient gas (only) engine is the the only automatic transmission available for the gas engine Ford Escapes is a 6-speed. The Ford Escape (with a 5-speed manual transmission and FWD) achieves a Smartway score.
Air Pollution Score = 7
Greenhouse Gas Score = 7
EPA fuel mileage is 22 city mpg and 28 highway mpg.