Top Picks for Green Drivers

Someone — besides Al Gore — has to save the world. Earth-friendly cars include gas/electric hybrids, diesel cars and even a few fuel-sipping gas-only cars. Our list included cars from our 2008 Best Bets and models we've driven since, and from there we considered gas mileage and drivability.

Best New Car for Green Drivers 2009 Toyota Prius Starting MSRP $22,000 There's really no contest here, as the Prius hybrid gets the best mileage of any car on the road today, with an EPA-estimated 48/45 mpg city/highway. What's more, it's not hard to do better than those estimates in real-world driving. On top of its frugal fuel use, the Prius is also very affordable for a hybrid, with a starting price of $22,000. If you're able to find one — they've been in high demand recently after last summer's spike in gas prices — it's hard to go wrong with the Prius if you're looking for a green car. Plus, it has exceptional reliability to boot.

Best Deal for Green Drivers 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Starting MSRP $15,660 If you don't have the dough for high-tech hybrids, fear not: GM offers an XFE Cobalt coupe at just $15,660 that gets a class-leading 37 mpg on the highway (only with the manual transmission, though). Cabin quality and driving dynamics are decidedly pedestrian, but that sort of mileage would be impressive in just about anything. Step up to the 1LT trim — the highest you can go while keeping the thrifty stick shift — and you get basic comforts like power windows and keyless entry. Those are much-needed conveniences for most people, though serious penny-pinchers will probably want nothing of them.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid (2009) Starting MSRP $71,915 Who would have thought that the Escalade — chrome grille and all — would ever make this list? But it does, thanks to an advanced hybrid drivetrain that gives the Escalade Hybrid the ability to move on electric power alone at low speeds. This helps two-wheel-drive models achieve an EPA-estimated 20/21 mpg city/highway. Not bad for a vehicle that can also tow up to 5,800 pounds. Research this car      Build this car

Chevrolet Malibu (2009) Starting MSRP $21,605 With a six-speed automatic and four-cylinder engine, the Malibu achieves 22/33 mpg city/highway, which are excellent numbers for a midsize family sedan. Compromises are slim: The drivetrain rivals the four-bangers from Honda and Toyota in terms of smoothness and acceleration, and it's offered on most Malibu trims. It doesn't hurt that the recently redesigned Malibu is a desirable choice for any buyer, green or not. Research this car      Build this car

Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid (2009) Starting MSRP $38,020 The notion of a hybrid truck or SUV offends some environmentalists, but if someone's going to buy big anyway, isn't it better if it burns as much as 50 percent less gas than the non-hybrid? The Silverado Hybrid is a real work truck with most of the gas-only model's capabilities, including a 6,100-pound towing capacity. Research this car      Build this car

Ford Escape Hybrid (2009) Starting MSRP $29,305 As the most efficient SUV available for 2009, the Escape Hybrid is a clear choice for this category. It's offered in either front- or all-wheel-drive form, and its fuel-saving hybrid system allows it to move at low speeds on electric power alone. The SUV segment is in need of better gas mileage, and the Escape Hybrid delivers just that. Research this car      Build this car

	Honda Fit (2009) Starting MSRP $14,550 Just because a car is easy on the environment doesn't mean it can't be fun to drive. Take the new Honda Fit: It gets an EPA-estimated 28/35 mpg city/highway with the automatic transmission, and is a blast to drive thanks to an energetic four-cylinder engine and nimble handling. Research this car      Build this car

Mini Cooper (2009) Starting MSRP $18,550 Did you know the base Mini Cooper gets 28/37 mpg city/highway when equipped with a manual transmission? Even with an automatic, the little sportster returns a thrifty 25/34 mpg. That's on par with or better than a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, and this thing is built by BMW. A starting price of under $19,000 is also alluring, but the Mini has proved so popular — in part because of its mileage — that you'll have a tough time finding one, especially for that price. Research this car      Build this car

Toyota Camry Hybrid (2009) Starting MSRP $26,150 The hybrid version of Toyota's popular midsize sedan brings even more efficiency to the Camry lineup — especially in city driving — by getting an EPA-estimated 33/34 mpg. The things we like about the regular Camry, like its easy drivability and large backseat, are also there in the hybrid, and it's still relatively affordable, with a starting price of $26,150. Research this car      Build this car

Volkswagen Jetta TDI (2009) Starting MSRP $21,990 The 2009 VW Jetta TDI sedan and wagon represent the first 50-state clean-diesel car, with emissions comparable to a gas model and clean enough to be sold in California. What makes it eco-friendly is about 40 percent better fuel economy than the gas Jetta, which means 40 percent less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Research this car      Build this car