Electric or hybrid vehicles have reduced emissions. As the world witnesses a shift from internal combustion engines, here are the best eco-friendly cars you can get today.
In 2021, electric vehicles reached 6.6 million in sales, outrightly tripling their market share.
The trend is expected to continue as the United States Government sets a goal to have zero automobile emissions by 2030. Similarly, the sales of hybrids will skyrocket in the coming years.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an eco-friendly car pollutes less and runs more efficiently than the regular variants.
This definition does not necessarily exclude gasoline vehicles but emphasizes less pollution.
Hence, we have compiled a list of the best eco-friendly cars.
1. Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
- Powertrain: Plug-in Hybrid
- Fuel Economy: 52 MPGe
Hyundai is showing no signs of slowing down to dominate the car industry. The company has one of the best performing compact cars, the likes of the Veloster N.
Its luxury brand, Genesis, is already among the most sought-after posh vehicles. Today, we see Hyundai vehicles everywhere, from Asia to Europe, Africa, and America.
Nevertheless, can it bring its success in the combustion engine segment to the electric car segment? Certainly – With a top speed of 115 miles per hour, the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is already turning heads.
The vehicle enjoys popularity among the best eco friendly cars and offers an all-electric version. You will certainly skip congestion charges with a CO2 emission of 26g/km from this car.
Additionally, the combination of an electric motor and a petrol engine improves the vehicle’s fuel economy and overall efficiency.
You can cruise around the city knowing that the cost is minimal by the vehicle’s futuristic features.
The Ioniq Hybrid is one of those sleeper cars with hidden potential, but you will have to drive it to uncover them.
2. Audi E – Tron
- Powertrain: All electric
- Fuel Economy: 77 MPGe
The Audi E–Tron is an all-electric car that promises remarkable efficiency and massive benefits for the drivers.
It comes with no road tax or congestion fees, making it a money-saving vehicle.
Furthermore, you can receive government grants by simply driving this vehicle.
While the UK’s 50KW charging network may limit this car, it still ranks among the best eco friendly cars.
Are you ready to read the cool part? This vehicle packs insane performance, bringing 408hp and 665Nm of torque.
Hence, you can enjoy a fun ride while taking care of the environment.
The E–Tron comes in two models, featuring a two-motor setup. Its maximum achievable speed stands at 124 miles per hour.
3. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
- Powertrain: Plug-in Hybrid
- Fuel Economy: 157 MPGe
Remember when plug-in hybrid SUVs were still new to our clime? The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV prided itself as the first car in the world to come in that format.
Today, it has become one of the best eco friendly cars on the road and has spectacular stats to back it up.
Consequently, you can get 157 miles per gallon in this eco-friendly car.
CO2 emissions are also low, coming in at 40g/km. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has found its place among the lower band of company taxis, where it enjoys popularity.
In addition, this car helps you avoid congestion charges and road tax.
4. Jaguar I – Pace
- Powertrain: Al electric
- Fuel Economy: 76 MPGe
Jaguar has been a household name in the automobile industry, and the company boasts a long history of producing classy cars with formidable performance.
Additionally, politicians and wealthy business people have used the brand as a comfortable status symbol.
Jaguar uses the best quality materials to manufacture its vehicles, and it brings much value to the car industry with uncompromised style and luxury.
While you may easily recognize the popular Range Rover or Land Rover models, Jaguar is also in the electric car segment.
With the I-Pace, Jaguar brought all its manufacturing prowess to make this vehicle one of the best eco friendly cars.
Hence, the car ticks almost all the boxes for any eco-conscious driver.
The stylish body and dynamic driving experience will win if the performance doesn’t intrigue you.
It has zero emissions and can cover almost 300 miles on a single charge. Indeed, the numbers don’t lie.
Notwithstanding, if you are ready to splash the bucks on an American muscle, check out the best American sports cars.
The Jaguar I-Pace will still impress you, doing 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds.
This eco-friendly car has proven that electric cars are not slow, with its near-perfect weight distribution and a torque of 696Nm.
5. Kia E – Niro
- Powertrain: Plug-in Hybrid
- Fuel Economy: 46 MPGe
Kia has its main dominance in the small car segment, though the Telluride is a full-size SUV.
The company has ensured you experience no hard time finding a small, eco-friendly car with the E-Niro.
The E-Niro brings a smooth design and an impeccable plug-in hybrid system that pulls in mileage beyond expectations.
A single charge of its system will give you 282 miles, giving you the confidence to take your journey without worries.
Time is of the essence, and we want to top up our vehicles and get going as soon as possible.
Kia thought of this and brought a quick charge system to the E-Niro, matching it with the best eco friendly cars.
You can get your car powered up from 0 to 80% in just 45 minutes. The fast charging speed ensures you have no hassles while driving the E-Niro.
Hence, this vehicle is perfect if you need a small, cost-effective, eco-friendly daily diver for commuting.
6. Tesla Model 3
- Powertrain: Full electric
- Fuel Economy: 113 MPGe
At this time, Tesla has its name worldwide as an electric car titan.
You may not know that the company is not only into cars but renewable energy solutions like solar.
Notwithstanding, the company gained widespread popularity mostly for its electric vehicles.
Tesla vehicles are far from boring, boasting remarkable accelerations and driver-assist features.
Indeed, the company is striving to dominate the electric car segment with Giga factories worldwide.
Where does that leave the Tesla Model 3? This vehicle is one of the best eco-friendly cars, providing you with a unique opportunity to go fully electric.
It has innovative technologies that can rival some of the big players in the industry.
The Tesla Model 3 still retains the range to beat, coming in at 329 miles on a single charge. Yet, you will give out zero emissions throughout your journey in the vehicle.
Tesla equipped this model with two separate electric motors to handle the torque at the front and back wheels.
This configuration gives the car instant torque, allowing it to respond to changes in the road in as little as 10 milliseconds.
The Tesla Model 3 is a performance-oriented vehicle, reaching 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds.
Additionally, you can reach top speeds of 162 miles per hour, which is impressive for an electric car.
7. Toyota Rav4 Hybrid
- Powertrain: Plug-in hybrid
- Fuel Economy: 41 MPGe
Toyota is the go-to brand when you need a durable and reliable piece of self-propelled machinery to take on your daily commute.
The company is one of the biggest car-manufacturing brands globally.
While Toyota focuses on the passenger market, it has the Supra to take on the sports car segment.
Those looking for a luxury version can opt for its Lexus division which offers posh vehicles at affordable prices.
Turn to the off-road segment, and you will still find Toyota with its Tundra and Forerunner branded with the TRD badge. Indeed, this company is into every car niche you can think of.
Many buyers have hailed the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid as one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles, ranking it as one of the best eco friendly cars.
The model features impressive green passes and up-scale styling.
The top speed might be on the lower side, coming in at 112 miles per hour, but you can’t complain because it’s an SUV.
Despite its compact SUV size, the hybrid system can still pull it to 62 miles per hour in 8.4 seconds.
As mentioned earlier, this car will shine in the fuel economy. The vehicle maintains 53 miles per gallon and about 102g/km of CO2 emissions.
The Toyota Rav4 has shown us that not all SUVs are gas-drinking monsters and hostile to the environment.
You enjoy impressive mileage while protecting the environment during your daily commute.
Would you rather pick this car over an all-electric sedan? Please let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
8. BMW 5 Series 530e
- Powertrain: Plug-in Hybrid
- Fuel Economy: 26 MPGe
You can expect an impressive ride when a big name like BMW goes into making an electric vehicle.
The company continues to enjoy success in two areas: performance and luxury.
Any list of sports or luxurious cars without BMW would be incomplete, and this point shows you how popular the company is in the automobile industry.
Additionally, BMW covers everything from sedans to SUVs. What we haven’t seen yet from the company is a proper off-road truck.
Do you think BMW will make an off-road vehicle in the coming years? Please share your opinion in the comments section below.
The BMW 5 Series 530e maintains the same refined class and spectacular driving performance as the rest of the 5 series models.
This plug-in hybrid blends all these characteristics with eco-friendly attributes.
You can run this car up to 29 miles on pure electric power, which is an impressive figure.
Additionally, the CO2 emissions come in at 41g/km, making it one of the best eco friendly cars.
BMW pairs the electric power with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, getting you from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.2 seconds.
This speed might not be mind-blowing, but achieving that while keeping the emissions low is the impressive part.
As a car enthusiast looking for a thrilling and roaring ride, you will probably skip this car for the M Competition version.
But think of the good you can do to the environment by driving this plug-in hybrid instead.
9. Land Rover Range Rover Sport Hybrid
- Powertrain: Plug-in hybrid
- Fuel Economy: 88.3 MPGe
Land Rover Range Rover sits at the pinnacle of luxury and performance, with its models rivaling other big shots like Benz and BMW. Furthermore, it has some impressive models in its lineup.
Range Rovers have enjoyed popularity because of their increasing standard of luxury, reliability, and elite buyers.
They are the kind of cars many aspire to own despite their hefty price tag. However, the Land Rover Range Rover has rolled out a hybrid version of the popular Sports model.
You will still enjoy the luxury, style, and performance like the regular version, but in a more environmentally friendly model.
The Range Rover Sport Hybrid boasts 88.3 miles per gallon, making it one of the best eco friendly cars on the market.
In this model, you will be getting a large battery pack with all the posh leather, comfort, intuitive infotainment system, and ride quality.
It is safe to say that Land Rover has not compromised on the quality of this car with the addition of the plug-in hybrid system.
Who knows? You might even find the hybrid model more fun to drive.
That being said, you can churn out 31 miles on electric power alone in this vehicle. The CO2 emissions drop to an impressive low of 69g/km.
It is nice to see a premium brand offer an electric version of one of its most successful models.
10. Mini Cooper Electric
- Powertrain: Electric
- Fuel Economy: 108 MPGe
Mini gave the 2022 MINI Electric Hardtop 2 Door some fresh, stylish, and technological features.
The car comes packed with premium features to give you a more fun drive. It has a short 110 miles of estimated driving range, which is lower than some rivals.
But Mini Cooper Electric is one of the most inexpensive electric cars on the market. Combine that with its features, and you get one of the best eco friendly cars available.
The interior has a quirky styling but may lack the space to carry full adults comfortably over long distances.
Also, you must set your expectations lower as the traction-control system hinders any wheel-spinning action.
You can still enjoy innate agility because of the low center of gravity from the battery pack. Indeed, this vehicle will leave you with smiles after the day’s commute.
The Mini Cooper EV is as pleasing to the eye as it is friendly to the environment. In 35 minutes, you can charge the battery to 80 percent and get going on your pressing commitments.
Notwithstanding, the average household power of 7.4kW will take four hours to juice up.
The Mini Cooper Electric has all the basic interior features plus a few more to give you a decent riding experience.
It is not mind-blowing; rather, it sits in a unique spot among the ride quality of rivals.
11. Nissan LEAF
- Powertrain: All electric
- Fuel Economy: 98 MPGe
The 2022 Nissan Leaf has impressive stats on paper but lacks striking features in real-world usage.
It manages to be among the best eco friendly cars with its high mileage of 98. You will start seeing the lag in this vehicle when you compare it with rivals like the Chevy Bolt EV or the Kia EV6.
The driving range could use a little boost, and the charging technology screams for replacement. Nissan, why?
Notwithstanding, you can still squeeze out over 200 miles of driving range from this all-electric model, and it falls short of the ranges of the Tesla Model 3 and other rivals.
Note that not all public charging stations have compatibility with Nissan’s CHAdeMO charging connector.
This feature absence could affect reliability and bring more stress to finding the right charging station.
You can still enjoy the car if you are planning to drive around town and charge it when you get home.
The small architecture will briskly take you through congested city traffic and bring you home in no time. Also, it is easy to find street parking for small cars.
One surprising aspect of the Nissan Leaf is the spacious interior that is comfortable and comes equipped with innovative tech features.
The cargo compartment is the best in class, giving you more space to store your luggage or shopping bags.
12. Toyota Corolla Hybrid
- Powertrain: Plug-in hybrid
- Fuel Economy: 50 MPGe
The Toyota Corolla is among the best compact sedans on the market. This car offers so much value for money that it is irresistible to buyers who want to get around town quickly and efficiently.
Making a hybrid version is a welcome development, bringing more options to the table and protecting the environment.
As a result, Toyota made the Corolla Hybrid to improve the mileage and suit the eco friendly drivers.
The car is undeniably one of the best eco friendly cars, with a fuel economy among the best in its class.
Its cabin will wow you with impressive features and tech to keep you comfortable and safe.
You won’t be wrong if you say that this car has impeccably married the Prius’ thrifty powertrain with the sporty styling of the new-generation Corolla.
Power comes from a 121 hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine in the hybrid system. The engine pairs with a continuously variable transmission to deliver power to the front wheels.
Furthermore, the safety features include automatic braking, emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.
13. Mazda MX – 30
- Powertrain: All electric
- Fuel Economy: 76 MPGe
Looking at Mazda’s first attempt at an all-electric SUV, it is clear that the company still has a long way to go.
Notwithstanding, the MX-30 brings a stylish exterior and simplistic cabin that you won’t find in many rivals.
Its sharp exterior design sports a cool coupe-like roofline and rear-hinges backdoors.
You will get a 30.0 kWh battery pack that can take you up to 100 miles with the 143 hp electric motor.
Rivals like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Tesla Model 3 offer twice its driving range.
That being said, this vehicle offers poised handling and a fun-to-drive nature that will attract car enthusiasts.
The Premium Plus model has innovative equipment like front cross-traffic alert, active blind-spot assist, a heated steering wheel, and a 12-speaker Bose stereo system.
Where it lacks in performance and mileage, it makes up with tech features.
Conclusion
Would you rather have an electric car and save the environment or go with a combustion engine? Several car brands, like Toyota, Land Rover, BMW, etc., offer you the best of both worlds.
You can cruise around town with impressive mileage and low emissions. There are countless electric vehicles today, but the primary point is to save the environment while retaining the fun driving nature.
Nevertheless, you choose to go all-electric or get a plug-in hybrid.
