I have been wondering about the explosion of small cars on American roads and started wondering if all these wonderful folks who think they are "green" simply because they are driving these small cars are being taken for a ride. Now I am convinced they are. Look at the chart below: (apologize for the format)
City Highway Length Height Width Weight HP
Honda
Civic 25 36 177 56 69 2630 140
Fit 28 35 162 60 68 2489 117
Civic Hybrid 40 45 177 56 69 2877 110
Toyota
Corolla 26 34 179 58 69 2822 132
Yaris 29 36 151 60 68 2295 106
Prius 51 48 176 59 69 3042 98
Smart 33 41 106 61 61 1808 70
Mini Cooper 28 37 146 55 66 2546 118
Given a choice between Civic and Fit, there is no "green" reason to choose Fit. It is kind-a attractive compared to very plain look of a Civic. But then again I have seen not so hip people driving 'Fit'.
Likewise, in the Toyota space, Yaris is not that much better than Corolla, but that much smaller.
Mini Cooper is cute, but that is not that much "greener".
Smart simply isn't smart choice for American roads - not practical as you sometime or the other have to get on a highway alongside those 18-wheelers. And for that big trade off, what do you get - almost a pittance.
Civic Hybrid is 1st generation hybrid technology. It is obvious that it delivers similar gas mileage pattern as a gas engine.
Prius is the most sensible "green" car. I do not own one, although I considered buying one. And then my cousin drove me 45 miles on a highway - in the greenbelt (I was in the backseat) and it felt terrible. And it is not very clear of the environmental impact when one has to dispose off the battery in 10 years.
So, I think the Smart Choice would be to pick a gas powered mid-sized car like Civic or Corolla and still feel "green".
And ultimately your driving pattern helps with mileage.
Talking heads, including our President, talk about Small Fuel Efficient cars. Shouldn't it simply be Fuel Efficient Cars? As the above data shows small did not provide fuel efficiency. Small cars are practical for those tiny European nations with cramped cities - makes parking easier, getting around tight spots easier. In our fast expansive continent, we drive long distances on open roads and share those roads with massive trucks. I for one don't really like to be roadkill.
I am all for fuel efficient cars, not small cars.
