Compact Cars on the 2007 AEI

According to verified owners and the EPA, these are the most environmentally friendly compact cars on the road

When it comes to finding a fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly car that also provides more room inside than the typical subcompact, sometimes a compact car fits the bill perfectly. Compact cars typically burn less fuel than larger cars―and sometimes less fuel than smaller cars―and many models are engineered to exceed strict emissions regulations in California and the New England region. Furthermore, compacts can be bigger inside than many consumers might expect, and there are even a few models that are fun to drive. Each of the following compact cars lands on this year’s AEI as among the “greenest” vehicles consumers can buy.

2007 Ford Focus

No spring chicken because it debuted way back in 2000 and has seen few updates since, the Ford Focus nevertheless is one of the most environmentally friendly small cars on the road today. Plus, its European engineering and heritage add a dash of flavor missing in some of its competitors. Offered in sedan, 3- or 5-door hatchback, and station wagon form, the 136-hp Focus is rated by the EPA to get 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway with a manual transmission, and 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway with an automatic. The Focus is significantly restyled for 2008, and Ford is dropping the hatchback and wagon models while adding a new 2-door coupe to complement the 4-door sedan.

Learn more about the 2007 Ford Focus

2007 Honda Civic

With a longstanding history of building engines rated to emit few pollutants, and with a 40 mpg highway rating from the EPA on certain models, it comes as no surprise that the Honda Civic is on the J.D. Power and Associates AEI for 2007. That 40 mpg highway rating pertains to the 140-hp Civic DX, LX and EX equipped with an automatic transmission, which is also rated to get 30 mpg in the city. Choose the manual transmission and the city rating remains the same but the highway rating drops to 38 mpg. Honda sells the Civic as a coupe or sedan, and this year introduced the performance-tuned 197-hp Si Sedan to the lineup. In addition to the traditional gasoline engines, the Civic can also be equipped with a natural gas powertrain. Furthermore, according to recent J.D. Power and Associates quality, performance, and design studies, consumers who buy Civics rate them well among compact cars.

Learn more about the 2007 Honda Civic

2007 Honda Civic Hybrid

Honda's Civic Hybrid is one of the most fuel efficient cars on the road, and because it's sold as a 4-door sedan with room for five passengers and a good-size trunk, it's practical, too. Offered as a sedan and powered by an electrically-assisted 4-cylinder engine, the Civic Hybrid’s powertrain offers a combined 110 hp and is rated by the EPA to achieve 49 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway. Civic Hybrids come with a continuously variable transmission that maximizes fuel economy and power delivery, and are available with a navigation system and satellite radio.

Learn more about the 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid

2007 Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai has completely redesigned the Elantra for 2007, but the new car is offered only as a sedan. The previous 5-door hatchback has been discontinued. The new Elantra has a 138-hp 4-cylinder engine matched to a manual or automatic transmission. According to the EPA, fuel economy is identical no matter which transmission is selected, rating 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The Elantra is sold in GLS, SE and Limited trim levels, and the powertrain is covered by a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. Consumers who have purchased the new Elantra rate it high in quality according to this year’s IQS.

Learn more about the 2007 Hyundai Elantra

2007 Kia Spectra

Like the smaller Rio, the Kia Spectra is sold as a sedan or a 5-door hatchback. It also comes with the same 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty as the Rio. But because it’s larger, it has a more powerful 138-hp 4-cylinder engine that gets 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway with a manual transmission and 27 mpg city/35 mpg highway with an automatic, according to the EPA. Choose the Spectra5 hatchback and you’ll get a firmer suspension than that offered on the sedan. Kia gave the Spectra a styling update for 2007.

Learn more about the 2007 Kia Spectra

2007 Mazda 3

Mazda updated its entry-level compact this year, giving the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback a mild styling update. A performance-tuned MazdaSpeed3 also debuted for 2007, but that car is not included on the 2007 AEI. Rather, it’s the mainstream models equipped with either a 148-hp or 156-hp 4-cylinder engine that make the environmentally friendly cut. They’re matched to a manual or an automatic transmission, and EPA fuel economy ratings range from 25 mpg in the city for the 156-hp model with an automatic transmission to 35 mpg on the highway for the 148-hp model with a manual transmission.

Learn more about the 2007 Mazda 3

2007 Nissan Sentra

Completely redesigned for 2007, the Nissan Sentra is larger inside and out, comes with a more powerful 140-hp 4-cylinder engine, and is equipped with added safety features. Plus, it’s environmentally friendly according to the results of the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates AEI. Choose the manual transmission and the EPA says the Sentra will deliver 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. With the optional continuously variable transmission, which helps maximize fuel economy, the Sentra is rated to get 29 mpg city/36 mpg highway.

Learn more about the 2007 Nissan Sentra

2007 Pontiac Vibe

The Pontiac Vibe is a restyled version of the Toyota Matrix, built in a joint-venture assembly plant in California. It is a 5-door wagon similar in size to the Ford Focus, and is equipped with a 126-hp 4-cylinder engine rated by the EPA to get 30 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway with a manual transmission, and 29 mpg city/34 mpg highway with the optional automatic. Pontiac pared the Vibe lineup down for 2007, discontinuing the optional all-wheel-drive system and the performance-tuned GT model.

Learn more about the 2007 Pontiac Vibe

2007 Toyota Corolla

The 2007 Toyota Corolla is nearing the end of its lifecycle, but it’s still a roomy and fuel-efficient sedan that ranks high in initial quality, according to the 2007 IQS. Because Toyota dropped the performance-tuned Corolla XRS this year, all Corolla models have a 126-hp 4-cylinder engine. With a manual transmission, this engine returns 32 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. With an automatic, the Corolla is rated to get 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

Learn more about the 2007 Toyota Corolla

2007 Toyota Matrix

As Pontiac did with its version of this car, Toyota has canceled the Matrix’s optional all-wheel-drive system and the performance-tuned XRS model for 2007, leaving standard and XR versions equipped with a 126-hp 4-cylinder engine. With a manual transmission, this small wagon gets 30 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway according to the EPA, and with the optional automatic the Matrix delivers 29 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.

Learn more about the 2007 Toyota Matrix

2007 Toyota Prius

Many consumers think the Toyota Prius is a compact car, but it’s actually quite roomy inside, making it more useful to families. It also has a handy 5-door hatchback body and folding rear seats, so the Prius can handle weekend do-it-yourself chores, too. This hybrid’s gasoline/electric powertrain makes 110 hp and, according to the EPA, is rated to get 60 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway.

Learn more about the 2007 Toyota Prius

2007 Volkswagen New Beetle

Previously, the retro-styled New Beetle could be had with a range of powertrains spanning from a fuel-efficient turbo-diesel to a performance-oriented turbocharged engine. For 2007, the New Beetle hatchback and convertible are offered only with a 150-hp 4-cylinder burning unleaded fuel at the EPA-estimated rate of 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with a manual transmission, and 23 mpg city/32 mpg highway with the optional automatic.

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