May I suggest making this a sticky topic at the top? I feel it's pretty important as reference material. EQUA conduct and compile real world data of hundreds of new cars currently on the market. According to them:
Quote:
"The EQUA Index provides an easy and honest picture of vehicle performance in real-world driving. It puts accurate fuel consumption and air quality data in the hands of the car buyer so they can make an informed decision.
EQUA sets the standard for independent, real-world emissions data."
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EQUA Index - Real-world driving data
There is everything there from MPG (including US MPG and litres/100 KM) carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and general air quality. It makes for an interesting read.
Note, the top 20 worst rated MPG vehicles are all petrol, all automatic and all SUV's or estates. Almost all the bottom 1000 worst rated MPG cars are automatic transmissions, so if you prioritise economy, DON'T buy an auto!
The top 144 best MPG rated cars are diesel (no surprise) with manual gearboxes. In fact, taking the Toyota Auris hybrid, which is rated higher than the Prius, out of the equation, the top 650 ish highest MPG cars are all diesel. The worse MPG hybrid car is the BMW X5 hybrid, getting just 26 MPG. The best is actually the Auris hybrid, which along with the Peugeot 508, Mercedes C class, E class, the Yaris and a few other hybrids, are rated higher than the famous Prius.
The lowest carbon dioxide emitting car is the Honda Civic diesel, then Lexus CT and the Toyota Auris hybrid (same platform)
The lowest emitting ICE only Petrol car is the Honda Jazz (Fit in the US) The majority of the low C02 cars are German or Korean diesels.
The diesel car with the best air quality rating is the Audi A5, rated cleaner than many petrol cars, even hybrids. On the flip side, the Audi A8 diesel is one of the worse for air quality. The worse petrol car for air quality is the mighty Audi RS4, ironically followed by the tiny 1.0 litre Ford focus, with the same rating!
Audi also make an appearance in the carbon monoxide ratings, with the Audi A3 diesel being the lowest carbon monoxide emitting diesel car. The highest emitting car in this sector is the Mazda 3 petrol, which got a dismal "H" rating (A is good, H is very bad...) the highest emitting 34 cars here are all petrol.
So, perhaps your opinions of certain cars will change? Perhaps your perceptions of certain fuels will change too? Diesels are obviously great for economy, low C02 and low carbon monoxide, but many are bad for air quality. Of course some are cleaner, just as clean as hybrids. Petrol cars, high carbon monoxide and climate destroying C02, and poorer economy too, but better air quality perhaps in some instances. Food for thought.
EQUA Index - Real-world driving data
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