The Edmunds.com Green Car Guide

What Do You Give Up for Better Fuel Economy?
Fuel Economy. Performance. Safety. They're the automotive holy trinity. So what gets sacrificed on the altar of higher MPG?
Should You Dump the SUV for a Gas-Sipper?
Gas prices have Americans in a panic. Before you dump the truck, check our new gas-guzzler trade-in calculator to see if it makes financial sense.
Consumer Comparison Test: 2008 Economy Sedans
Six lucky Edmunds readers test the Honda Civic against the Mazda 3 and the Toyota Corolla. Here's what they think.
Gas-Sipper Smackdown!
We pit the 2008 Smart Fortwo against the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI and the 2008 Toyota Prius in a small car fuel-economy test.
Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient SUVs of 2008
Our list of the most gas-thrifty SUVs includes both hybrid and gas-only vehicles.
Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Sedans of 2008
At #10, the Kia Rio foils a Japanese shutout. Not a domestic on the list.
Car-Buying Tips for a Slow Economy
You won't find a lot of bargains on gas-sippers, but you can still find and make good deals during tough times.
What the New Fuel Economy Rules Mean for You
The new corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) rules mean big changes. While it sounds great, "35 MPG" doesn't really mean what it says.
An Auto Factory as "Green" as Its Cars
Auto factories create literally tons of junk. But Subaru's plant sets the new gold standard, producing zero landfill waste.
Untangling Emissions Regulations
When you're shopping for a fuel-efficient car, it's helpful to know your PZEV from your Tier 2. Here's help getting through all the acronyms.
Cheap, Small Imports: Future or Fantasy?
Will consumers take interest in what could be "the next Yugo?" Despite low prices and high fuel economy, the answer may still be no.
Break-Even for Diesels Is Shorter than for Hybrids
New Edmunds data proves it: Diesels present a better economic choice for fuel-economy-minded consumers than hybrids.
SmartWay: The EPA's Green Vehicle Ratings
How green is your ride? The Environmental Protection Agency's new SmartWay ratings, part of its Green Vehicles Guide, make it easy to find out.
From Womb to Tomb: What's Really Green?
A "green car" may get great fuel economy, but did you consider how green is it to manufacture, or what happens when it's junked? We did.
Explained: 2008 EPA Fuel Economy Ratings
The fuel economy estimates on 2008 models will drop significantly, and hybrids get hit the hardest. The new number will reflect "real world" driving habits, but lower gas mileage numbers don't mean thirstier cars.
Shopping For a Fuel-Efficient Car
Shopping for a hybrid, or any car that delivers good fuel economy, presents a different set of challenges. We outline the basic buying steps for you in this story.

Biodiesel Basics
It's homegrown and eco-friendly, but is it safe for your car?
2007 Honda Civic GX — Our Long-Term Blog
The Civic GX, which runs on compressed natural gas (CNG), is the most environmentally friendly car available on the market. Read our editors' real-world impressions.
EVS 23 Reveals the Future of Electric Vehicles
At the recent International Electronic Vehicle Symposium, noteworthy start-up companies showed up Big Auto with their next-generation EVs.
2009 Honda FCX Clarity
The fuel-cell future is finally here, and Honda's ready to lease it to you this summer.
Automotive X Prize Teams Rev Up To Compete
Cars that run on air, biodiesel electric hybrids, and pure electric cars? See five teams' designs competing for the multimillion-dollar AXP.
Miles Automotive Breaks the Lithium-Ion Battery Barrier
Miles' highway-speed, all-electric sedan, due out in 2008, will have a 120-mile range and cost about $30,000.
The Revolutionary Mercedes-Benz DuoTec Engine
It's clean, powerful and gets 40 mpg. Witness a new engine that blends the best of gasoline and diesel technologies.
Watts the Deal With Lithium-Ion Batteries?
The future of many alternative fuel vehicles depends on the success — and safety — of this new technology.
E85 vs. Gasoline Comparison Test
Will E85 help you get better fuel economy, lower CO2 emissions, or save money? Our E85 vs. gasoline test results may surprise you.
Fully Charged
The wait for highway-safe electric vehicles is almost over — really!
How To Help Save the Planet
You may not be ready to buy a super-low-emissions vehicle, but you can do the next best thing to help stop global warming: Offset your car's carbon emissions, making it "carbon neutral."
Diesel Reborn
After a promising start, the diesel's fortunes sputtered. Today its future is bright — and clean.
Ethanol? Fuel Cell? Biodiesel? An Alternative Fuel Overview
What's an alternative fuel? Where can I get it? Here's what's on the market and what's coming.

See All Alternative Fuels Articles

Why We Buy Hybrids
We look at the phenomenon sweeping the nation, and it's not just about fuel economy.
Updated: The Real Costs of Owning a Hybrid
Hybrids are still more expensive, but savings on taxes, gas and insurance make them a better deal than ever.
2007 Hybrid Sedan Comparison Test
We pitted Nissan's 2007 Altima Hybrid, Saturn's 2007 Aura Green Line and Toyota's 2007 Camry Hybrid against one another. We found that not all hybrids are created equal.
Hybrids Pull Into the Automotive Mainstream
A growing variety of models promises to lure more American consumers as they face $3-a-gallon gas.
Will GM Win the Great Plug-In Hybrid Race?
Gentlemen, start your (PHEV) engines! In this three-part series, we speak candidly with the inventor of the plug-in hybrid, Andy Frank; Felix Kramer, founder of CalCars.org; and Tony Posawatz, vehicle line director for the Chevrolet Volt and Saturn Vue Green Line hybrids.
Finding Great Perks for Hybrid Buyers
Government agencies and private companies now offer a wide variety of perks for hybrid owners – from $5,000 cash and discount auto insurance to free parking. Here's how to find them all.
Plug-In Hybrids: Who Saved the Electric Car?
Wouldn't it be nice if you had your own gas pump right in your garage, costing less than $1 a gallon? Plug-in hybrids, embraced as the second coming of electric cars, could make that dream come true.
Diesel, Gas or Hybrid?
One way or the other, you're going to be paying more for a fuel-efficient engine. But whether it's a diesel, gasoline or hybrid remains to be seen.

See All New Hybrid Cars, Trucks and SUVs

See All Hybrid Articles

Top 10 Ways To Waste Gas
How do you save gas? Don't waste it in the first place. Find out what you might be doing that's costing you at the pump.
All New: We Test the Tips
Driving style. Aerodynamics. Tire pressure. We put these factors to a new test to determine what really saves gas, and how much.
Save Money on Gas
Where are the real savings for motorists?
Hypermiling: Quest for Ultimate Fuel Economy
For "hypermilers," beating the EPA average fuel economy is an obsession. Are these folks frugal, or just nuts?
Gas Buying Strategies
Not ready to buy a new car or change the way you drive? Never fear; these fuel-saving tips take the sting out of today's gas prices.
Don't Believe the Hype
You've probably seen ads touting products that claim to improve your gas mileage. But chances are they won't.
Do You Really Need Premium?
With pump prices soaring, some drivers try to cut costs by buying a lower grade of gas. Is this a safe strategy for the road ahead?
Gas-Saving Maintenance Tips
These easy maintenance steps will save you money at the pump.
Change Your Driving Habits (and Save Gas!)
That surge of power off the line wastes more gas than you'd think. Consider these driving tips that will save you money and provide hidden benefits you're sure to like.

See All Fuel Economy Articles

Review: Who Killed the Electric Car?
Conspiracy theories abound in the automotive world. But this anatomy of the murder of GM's EV1 raises issues much larger than just the demise of an electric car.
Understanding Oil Prices
Join us for a look at how world crude oil prices are set and the different factors affecting the price you pay at the gas pump.
How Much Oil Is Left?
Are spiking gas prices ever going to drop? The oil companies know a lot, but they aren't saying much.

CONSUMER RATINGS & REVIEWS

What real people are saying about the
2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid Touring
4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid Touring Review: "This is my first Mazda and my first hybrid. I was leery of the 30 to 34 mpg claims because of my past experiences with new vehicles, but I have had this vehicle for several months now and I can say that I have been at or just below 32 mpg since Day 1! This model is almost identical to the Ford Escape which I was considering as well, I went with the Mazda because the interior was more comfortable and the interior (while far from elegant) looked better than Ford's version. It drives very well, with solid kick and has great legroom in the backseat. Most other SUVs of this size had my knees banging on the front seat, but not this one. Overall, I am very happy with this purchase."

Favorite Features: "Comfortable seats. Legroom in the backseat. Cargo space. Gas mileage. Drives smoothly."

Suggested Improvements: "The exterior style... I think they could improve on it. Also the door handles can be difficult to open. More options would be nice. Getting out of the vehicle, people often hit the doorway because it gets in the way. More color options."

— ddnuutz

Consumer Rating	8.4
See all reviews of this vehicle Rate your own car

CONSUMER DISCUSSIONS ON CARSPACE

MORE GREEN INFORMATION

G.M. Going Green
How GM is trying to make its entire company — not just its vehicle fleet — green.
Discover Alternatives
News and info on alternative fuels, plus lists of available and future alt fuel vehicles. From the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
E.P.A. Green Vehicle Guide
SmartWay designations, including pollution and greenhouse gas scores for every make and model.
GasBuddy.com
Find the lowest gas prices near you.
Fueleconomy.gov
The federal government has created this page about fuel mileage and rising gas prices.
Autoblog Green
Keep up with new technology and all things green on this auto blog.
Hybrid Center
Consumer and technological information from the Union of Concerned Scientists.

CONSUMER ADVICE GUIDES

2008 BUYING GUIDES

ZIP:

Research New Cars

ZIP:
Research Used Cars