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Word Count: 1011 Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 7:21 AM

Save On Fuel Prices: Australia's Top 10 'Green' Cars

As the fuel prices continue to edge upwards, our interest in "green" cars is going right along with it.

Last year a survey conducted by the Australian Automobile Association, found that 79 per cent of Australian motorists are concerned about the effect cars are having on our environment.

We're also very concerned about the effects oil prices are having on our hip pocket. Luckily both concerns can be addressed by one vehicle.

Buying an eco-friendly car also means buying more fuel efficiency. And some makes and models do it a lot better than others.

All new vehicles sold in Australia with up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass are tested for fuel consumption and their level of CO2 emissions.

This information is displayed on fuel consumption labels fixed to the windows of all new vehicles. Being able to see this information at a glance can help car buyers make decisions based on fuel efficiency and lower greenhouse impact. When you're considering fuel efficiency, the lower the numbers, the better the vehicle.

Choosing a car that ranks high for fuel efficiency could save you thousands of dollars over the life of the vehicle.

To learn more about the best "green" cars available in Australia, the Federal Government's Green Vehicles Guide provides lists of the best cars across a number of classes. We've included the top 10 performers in four classes: small cars, medium cars, large cars and off-road.

Top Ten Small Cars
Smart Forfour
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 5.6
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 6.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 8

Fiat Punto
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 5.7
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 8

Mitsubishi Colt
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 5.6
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 6.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 8

Mini Cooper
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 5.8
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 6.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 8

Peugeot GT 207cc
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 5.9
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 8

Citroen C3
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 6.2
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 7.5

Citroen C2
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 6.3
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 6.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 7.5

Mercedes Benz A150
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 6.7
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 7.5

Mercedes Benz A200
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 7.4
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 7

Holden Astra
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 7.4
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 7

Top Ten Medium Cars
Toyota Prius
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 4.4
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 8.5

Citroen C4 D
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 4.5
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 8.5

Honda Civic Hybrid
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 4.6
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 6.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 8.5

Honda Civic
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 6.9
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 7

Toyota Corolla
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 7.4
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 7

Mercedes Benz B200
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 7.4
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 7

Peugeot 307
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 7.4
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 6.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 7

Dodge Calibre
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 7.4
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 6.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 7

Mercedes Benz CLK
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 8.4
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 6.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 8.5

Mercedes Benz C Class
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 9.6
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 5.5

Top Ten Large Cars
Volkswagon Jetta
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 8
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 6.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 6.5

Saab 9-3
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 8.3
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 8

Mercedes Benz CLK
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 8.4
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 6.5

Hyndai Sonata
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 8.8
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 6

Toyota Camry
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 8.9
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 6

Mercedes Benz R Class (D)
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 9.3
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 5

Mercedes Benz E Class
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 9.7
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 5.5

Toyota Aurion
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 9.9
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 5.5

Mercedes Benz S Class
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 10.2
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 5

Chrysler 300C
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 11
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 5

Top Ten Off-Road Cars
Suzuki Jimny
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 7.3
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 7

Lexus RX400H
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 8.1
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 6.5

Hyundai Santa Fe
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 8.1
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 6

Jeep Compass
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 8.7
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 6

Kia Sportage
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 9
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 6

Suzuki Grand Vitara
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 9
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 6

Toyota Rav 4
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 9.1
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 6.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 6

Lexus RX350
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 11.2
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 6.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 4.5

Jeep Wrangler
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 11.5
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 4.5

Mercedes Benz M Class
-Fuel consumption (L/100 km) 11.7
-Air pollution rating (10=best) 8.5
-Greenhouse rating (10=best) 4.5