Comprising nearly a third of the models on the 2008 Automotive Environmental Index (AEI) Top 30 list, the subcompact car segment is well represented among fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles. This is not surprising, considering the adverse effects weight and engine size/power can have on a car’s “green” quotient. However, good things can come in small packages, and some of these cars are “bigger,” at least on the inside, than they might appear to be at first glance. Subcompact models among the 2008 AEI Top 30 include:

2008 Chevrolet Aveo/Aveo5
The 2008 Chevrolet Aveo sedan and Aveo5 hatchback are carryover from 2007, with few changes. LS models get optional 15-inch aluminum wheels and chrome door handles in 2008, and both the Aveo and Aveo5 have a new tire-pressure monitor. The Aveo/Aveo5, built for Chevy by Daewoo in Korea, provides basic transportation with a good list of standard features for an attractive price. Chevy touts the Special Value Aveo5 as the “lowest-priced car in America.” The 2008 Chevrolet Aveo/Aveo5 is powered by a 1.6-liter, 16-valve, dual overhead cam (DOHC) 4-cylinder engine that produces 103 hp at 5800 rpm and 107 lb.-ft. of torque at 3600 rpm. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, with a 4-speed automatic transmission available. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 1.6-liter engine with automatic transmission are 23 mpg city/32 mpg highway.

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2008 Honda Fit
Introduced for the 2007 model year, the 2008 Honda Fit is available as a 5-door hatchback in Base and Sport models. New for 2008 is a standard tire-pressure monitor. The 2008 Honda Fit is powered by a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with Honda's VTEC variable valve timing system. Power output is 109 hp at 5800 rpm and 105 lb.-ft. of torque at 4800 rpm. The front-wheel-drive Fit is available with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission; Sport models with the automatic transmission get steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for manual control. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 28 mpg city/34 mpg city for the manual transmission, 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway for the Fit Base automatic transmission, and 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway for the Fit Sport automatic transmission. A redesigned 2009 Honda Fit is due to arrive sometime in the fall of 2008.

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2008 Hyundai Accent
Hyundai offers the 2008 Accent as a sedan in GLS form or as a 3-door hatchback in GS and SE trim. The Accent GLS sedan was redesigned in 2006, while the 3-door GS and SE models joined the lineup in 2007. The GS hatchback serves as the entry-level model. Both 2008 Hyundai Accent sedan and hatchback models feature a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with continuously variable valve timing that puts out 110 hp at 6000 rpm and 106 lb.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 27 mpg city/32 mpg highway with the standard 5-speed manual transmission, 24 mpg city/33 mpg highway with the optional 4-speed automatic transmission.

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2008 Kia Rio
The 2008 Kia Rio sedan is sold in Base, LX and SX versions, while the Rio5 hatchback comes in LX (new for 2008) and SX versions. Changes for the 2008 model year are minor, including a molded-in “Kia’’ logo on the steering wheel and an added auxiliary input jack for MP3 players on LX and SX models. The front-wheel-drive 2008 Kia Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter, DOHC 4-cylinder engine with continuously variable valve timing (CVVT). The engine puts out 110 hp and is available with either a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission (on LX and SX models). EPA fuel-economy estimates are 27 mpg city/32 mpg highway with the standard 5-speed manual transmission, 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway with the optional 4-speed automatic transmission.

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2008 Nissan Versa
The 2008 Nissan Versa is offered in two body styles and two trim levels: a 5-door hatchback and 4-door sedan in S or SL trim. Displacing 1.8 liters, the all-aluminum, DOHC, 4-cylinder engine is rated at 122 hp and 127 lb.-ft. of torque. Consumers are offered a choice of three transmissions based on model. Both hatchbacks, and the S Sedan, are equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional on all S models. The SL hatchback and sedan are available with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT continuously variable transmission. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 26 mpg city/31 mpg highway for the 6-speed manual transmission, 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway for the Xtronic CVT, and 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway for the 4-speed automatic. The emission certification level of the engine is LEV2-ULEV, and it is designed to run on regular unleaded fuel.

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2008 Smart Fortwo
After years of rumors, the Smart Fortwo finally arrived in the U.S. for the 2008 model year. The Fortwo is a 2-door, 2-seat subcompact car with rear-wheel drive. Two body styles are offered: coupe and convertible. Three models are on sale: Pure Coupe, Passion Coupe and Passion Cabrio. The car is produced by the Mercedes Car Group and is sold through stand-alone Smart dealers and Mercedes-Benz dealers in the U.S. Power for all Smart models comes from a rear-mounted, 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine that makes 70 hp at 5800 rpm and 68 lb.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm. The 5-speed automated manual transmission can be set to shift like an automatic or controlled manually via the gearshift or steering-wheel paddles. According to Smart, the Fortwo takes 12.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph and is capable of a top speed of 90 mph. The EPA fuel-economy ratings are 33 mpg city/40 mpg highway.

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2008 Toyota Yaris
The 2008 Toyota Yaris is available in both sedan and 3-door hatchback bodystyles in base and S trim. New for 2008 are minor changes like a tire-pressure-monitoring system, parking brake-unlock reminder system, and the S, or Sport, nomenclature added to the hatchback model. The Sport adds front and rear spoilers, amber Optitron instrument gauges, sport seat fabric, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and “S” badges. There’s only one engine regardless of trim level or body style: a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder that produces 106 hp and 103 lb.-ft. of torque. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission is available. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2008 Toyota Yaris are 29 mpg city/36 mpg highway with the manual transmission and 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway with automatic transmission.—Jeff Youngs

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More Research
2008 Automotive Environmental Index
2008 AEI Compact Cars
2008 AEI Midsize Cars
2008 AEI Multi-activity Vehicles
What To Drive: MPG and the Environment Edition
2008 Initial Quality Study Results