Looking for Green at the Auto Show

February 13, 2007 – Vol.11 No.47

LOOKING FOR GREEN AT THE AUTO SHOW.

The Civil Society Institute (CSI) and its 40MPG.org project, report that there are more than 100 car models sold outside US borders that get 40 miles per gallon on gasoline. The vast majority of these are not available to US consumers. Washington won’t let you have them.

Recently the annual auto show came to town and with perfect timing the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) published the 10th edition of its Green Book, an environmental guide to cars and trucks. Green Book in hand (figuratively speaking) I decided to attend and do a rather limited green vehicle review both for this publication and for myself.

The last time I signed on the dotted line for a new vehicle (new to me anyway) was in 2001. At the time I had hoped that it would be my last vehicle fueled with gasoline. Now new vehicle time is rapidly approaching and much to my sadness it will be another gasoline fueled vehicle. But I’m trying to stick to my guns and live with a 20-30 percent improvement in fuel economy, so hybrids are on the list of possibilities.

I have one requirement for my vehicle and it makes choosing rather difficult: It has to be able to carry a 4 by 8 sheet of plywood on occasion. (Aside from writing this, I build stuff. I need the ability to run to the lumber yard and grab a sheet of ply. I need a vehicle with utility but not the sport part. Carrying plywood isn’t on everyone’s list of requirements, but carrying some stuff often is. So I’m limiting my review of vehicles at the show to those that seem to be greener and a little utilitarian, but no trucks.

Here’s what I found:

True to what Honda says about its Fit is its impressively big smallness. For such a little thing it does have a lot of room inside. Plywood capable? It would need some kind of permanent roof rack. Green Score 44-45, Superior in its class.

Honda’s new CRV? The homely beast offers no improvement in fuel economy for me or over its previous model. Honda’s Element? Useful but mediocre to poor fuel economy. (In my opinion.) Average in class Green Book score.

Toyota’s RAV 4. Plenty of space inside, plywood capable on the roof. Mileage OK, but no better than I get now.

A Matrix (or its near ditto Pontiac Vibe) is a useful car. A new version is due for 2008 which could be better. High Green Score and Superior in its class, according to Green Book.

Highlander Hybrid? I wish. My bank account says no. A new model on the way as well. High Green Book scores in two-wheel drive version.

The Prius is a hatch of course (a friend of mine sleeps in the back) but chest of drawers? No way. Forget about plywood on the roof.

Not surprisingly. Toyota has the largest number of Superior in class rankings in the Green Book.

Nothing at the Mazda stand.

KIA, Hyundai? Let’s just say the quest for high fuel economy isn’t on their radar screen yet for their utilitarian vehicles.

GM without Saturn. Pontiac Vibe (see Toyota Matrix above) and the Malibu Maxx quasi-station wagon are possibilities. Plywood is possible on the Maxx roof and, with the seats down, it’s huge in the back. Above average ranking by Green Book but not great fuel economy in my book.

Though small and reasonably fuel efficient the retro HHR (modeled after a 1950’s Suburban) is out for me. With its little windows claustrophobia set in the second I got in.

Saturn. A VUE Greenline Hybrid would be possible if it weren’t set to be replaced already. (Generally speaking good things are on the way for Saturn. It’s in the process of becoming GM’s US outlet for its well received European designs(Opel, Vauxhall) especially the Astra next fall.

Subaru wagons and SUVs are certainly plywood capable, with lesser motors get above average Green Book rating but I wouldn’t get my 20 -30 percent fuel economy improvement.

Nothing at that VW stand. Diesel wagons are back next year or the year after.

Nissan. The new-to-US Versa has some utility, not quite enough for me however. It comes with a Superior Green Book class ranking and really good full economy.

Suzuki. Some utility with built-in roof rack. Standard 4 wheel drive. Not great fuel economy for its size.

Finally Ford. I promised the Ford rep that I was going to beat up a bit on the company so here goes.

First, the company has renamed its lackluster "500" line "Taurus," a failed product line.

Then the company noted in a press release that two of its models - the Escape Hybrid two wheel drive and the Focus wagon - got Superior class rankings in ACEEE’s Green Book.

The company failed to mention that it had stopped building the Focus wagon in December of last year.

Both the 2007 and revised 2008 Escape Hybrids were at the show (as were nearly identical 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrids.) Despite my ribbing of Ford an Escape Hybrid would meet my needs, plywood carrying and all. The Green Book likes the two wheel drive Escape. The big problem? Now that they’re manufacturing the 2008 model, 2007 Hybrids are virtually unavailable, the 2008s won’t be shipped until May or June.

From a green point of view auto shows in the US illustrate how limited the choices are for cars and light trucks with high fuel economy and low emissions. Washington’s import regulations need to change.

Visit the Green Book at http://www.greenercars.com/ and 40mpg.org at http://www.40mpg.org/