Top Environmentally Friendly Cars
26-May-2008
A list of the top eco-friendly (green and lean) cars for you!
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The new trend toward smaller vehicles (aka more environmentally friendly cars) proves
once and for all what women have known for years – bigger isn't necessarily better.
Smaller cars use less petrol, and less petrol means less greenhouse emissions, so
downsizing means you're not only saving money, you're also saving the world!
But
with a huge range of new, compact and affordable cars now on the market, deciding on the
right car for you can be as difficult as finding the right pair of jeans! And
what are the best green cars
available in
To make your job easier, AutoChic have compiled the following list of the top eco-friendly and economical cars that just happen to be super-cute too!
Citroen C2 and C3
Oh la la! These chic little French cars are stylish and unique and gently deliver agility and power to the small car connoisseur, less the emissions.
Roomy and
comfortable, the Citroen C3 offers a clever stop and start option to save on
petrol by way of cutting the engine when idle, automatically starting again
when the accelerator is pushed. An anti-lock system keeps you safe and
visibility is second to none. Viva la
Fiat 500
We heart the Fiat 500! It could be its adorable good looks, it could be that it's Italian, and it just could be that it's as lean as it is green.
The Fiat 500 is sporty and masculine but it's just as in touch with its feminine side, offering a gorgeous interior with all the trimmings (forget the RSL carpet designs of yester-year, we're talking class here ladies). Picking up a 5-star ANCAP safety rating makes it a safe bet to take home to the family, or to introduce to your girlfriends. For more on the Italian stallion, go to www.fiat.com.au
Toyota Prius Hybrid
The greenest car on the market right now also rates right up there when it comes to the eco (economical, that is) factor, using only 4.4L per 100km.
The Prius of course runs on a hybrid engine, meaning it uses an electric motor that powers the vehicle at low speeds or when idling, helping to reduce nasty fumes and emissions into the atmosphere. It's good to go at a RRP of $37,400.
Honda Jazz
Could there be a better city (and economical) car than the Honda Jazz? The Jazz gives you economy and quality for a good price, along with comfort, space and style.
The Jazz is a nicely designed car and perfect for city driving. It delivers great visibility, is easy to park, has a great turning circle and there is more than enough room in the boot to fit your mother-in-law ;) We loved driving the Jazz. What girl could ask for more? www.honda.com.au
Civic Hybrid
The Honda Civic Hybrid has excellent fuel economy, great interior space and is well-priced for long-term savings (thousands cheaper than the Toyota Prius hybrid).
The Civic Hybrid handles well and drives like a dream, and ticks all the green boxes with a guarantee that for every Civic sold, 18 trees are planted. Al Gore would be proud. Find out more at www.honda.com.au
Toyota 
Fun
to drive, cheap to buy and run, compact yet roomy, the Yaris is a dream car for
some. If you're concerned with looks, the Yaris has a stylish interior and
exterior and you also get dual front airbags and standard anti-lock
brakes. This is a car that will impress women who want reliability along with a
decent drive at a decent price. See more at www.toyota.com.au
smart fortwo
Funky, ultra-modern and smart, the Smart Fortwo is a car for the hip girl who wants a zippy, economical drive. This car will certainly deliver you a rock-star park every time, fitting into most car spaces that the average small car would find hard to crack. Needless to say, reverse parking is a dream in the fortwo and you feel stable and safe when driving it. The glovebox is huge, the interior is fashionable and it's pretty darned safe with dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes electronic brake-force distribution and seatbelt pre-tensioners. For more, see one of the cutest websites around www.smartaustralia.com.au
Hyundai i30
The Hyundai i30 has won more awards than you can poke a stick at and there are good reasons for that. It could be because it's dashingly good looking and mega suave in a European-styling kind of a way (it sort of looks like a BMW 1 series at first glance) but it also could be because it has great fuel economy and is jam-packed with safety features.
For women, this car is all about making your life easier with loads of clever storage options – there are more in this car than you'll find in an Ikea catalogue.
The Hyundai i30 is sure to get rid of the 'cheap Korean' tag Hyundai has been labelled with and is jumping through all the hoops to be in the running for your next new purse-friendly car. Take a closer look at www.hyundai.com.au
Do your part – choose ethanol
Limit your own carbon
emissions by choosing ethanol-blended fuel. You may like to try BP's
renewable ethanol fuel (new BP Unleaded 91 + ethanol),
which is available at over 150 service stations in Queensland, the ACT
and New South Wales. Find your nearest ethanol fuel BP station here! Just enter your postcode and BP will do the rest! 