5 Cars That Are The Kindest To The Environment, And 5 That Are The Meanest

In 2024 there are more green cars on the market than ever before, but what does that really mean? When an automaker or some publication says a car is “green” it usually has to do with how little emissions it produces, thus giving the illusion it’s much better for the environment than a similar combustion vehicle. While it’s true EVs are high up on the list, there are many different factors to consider when labeling a vehicle green or not, and fortunately, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has done the hard work for us and compiled a list of the very best and worst.

Called the GreenerCar ratings, the non-profit foundation has been compiling the list for years, and “evaluates each model year 2024 car on its cost to human health from air pollution associated with vehicle manufacturing and disposal, the production and distribution of fuel or electricity, and vehicle tailpipe emissions.”

It looked at 1,200 different 2024 vehicles and compiled a score based on the above criteria which we’ve included, breaking them up into the Greenest, Greener, and Meanest mass-market vehicles on sale. Each car gets a score out of 100. The bigger the number, the friendlier it is to Mother Nature.

We’re only going to be looking at the top 5 best and worst models on its newest list to get a comprehensive idea of what makes a vehicle green or not. EVs and hybrids dominate the greenest list as is expected, but surprisingly, an EV – the GMC Hummer EV SUV – has made the meanest list for the first time. It came in 9th on the list, so we won’t be covering it, but interestingly, the pickup isn’t mentioned. It goes to show that just because a vehicle isn’t emitting pollution doesn’t mean it’s better for the environment, and automakers need to make sure all aspects of production are green too.

Greenest: Be Kinder To The Planet

These vehicles represent the greenest options available in 2024, the best-of-the-best, the cream of the green crop. If you’re looking for a vehicle that has as little impact on the environment as possible, these are the cars to pick. Just don’t expect most of them to offer much in terms of excitement or serious range.

Prius Prime SE: 71

We can’t tell if this one is surprising or not, but we do think it makes perfect sense. If you think about all the minerals that need to be mined for a battery pack, it makes perfect sense for a car with a small pack to be at the top of the list. Plug-in hybrids also offer the best of both worlds. You can commute short distances on electricity alone, but you also have an engine for longer distances.

The Prius Prime received a glow-up in 2023 unlike any other. No longer the efficient ugly ducking it once was, the company ensured the performance was better than ever, and the vehicle now features a healthy 220 horsepower on top of an impressive 127 MPGe. It shows that combustion can still be green if done the right way, and can offer decent performance to boot.

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Lexus RZ 300e: 67

As the brand’s first purpose-built EV, the RZ is a big deal for a company that makes most of its sales off of a returning loyal customer base. The company can’t afford to screw this one up, and we have to admit, its first offering left a little to be desired. The RZ originally only came equipped with AWD and 220 miles of range, but FWD and a different battery pack were added for 2024, which bumped it to 266 miles. Most likely, the source of the CATL-supplied battery and the increased range helped it to make it to the top of this list.

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Mini Cooper SE Electric

The Mini Cooper SE Electric is not what we would call a good car. Its appearance is fine, offering the same cute, Mini looks we’re used to, but sprinkled with some neon yellow accents to let you know this car is hiding an electric secret. Unfortunately, its max range of 114 miles simply isn’t enough, and its rather low base price doesn’t do enough to offset this. Fortunately, Mini is planning on turning its image around with the next generation, but that’s unfortunately been pushed back as the company figures out a way around the tariffs announced on Chinese EVs.

Nissan Leaf EV: 66

In 2024, the Nissan Leaf has two benefits: one, it’s dirt cheap, and two, it’s a car. We guess we can add “one of the greenest cars on sale” to the list too, but really, the vehicle just isn’t as compelling as it once was. Its range is encroaching on the “acceptable” territory, but it’s just lacking the charging capability, charging port style, and attractive styling offered by many other vehicles on the market these days.

Toyota bZ4X: 66

The bZ4X is an odd car with an odd name, but we can’t exactly say it offers much to buyers these days. Created from a joint effort between Toyota and Subaru, the Toyota product offers both FWD and AWD whereas the Subaru one only comes with the latter. This means the Toyota model offers a smidge more range in FWD guise, but even 252 miles is lacking in a world of 300-mile range EVs. Despite this, it’s obvious Toyota found a way to make the car better for the environment than others, and for that we applaud it.

Meanest: Tear The Trees Down

According to the survey, the vehicles below are the worst on the market for the environment. The non-profit tested everything from the Bugatti Chiron to the Colorado ZR2 Bison. You’ll pretty quickly notice a trend between them, but what they lack in environmental awareness they make up for in being pretty darn cool.

Mercedes-Benz AMG G63: 20

Coming in as the least environmentally friendly mass-market vehicle in the world is the beloved Mercedes-Benz AMG G63. This iconic model combines the best parts of luxury and off-roading into a unique, yet attractive package. The model is unmistakable, and so is the growl from its twin-turbo V8, but that also contributes to the model’s poor fuel economy. It’s also heavy, expensive, and requires premium fuel. It’s not a vehicle that cares about the planet, but thanks to the introduction of the first-ever electric G-wagon, Mercedes is hoping to change this image.

Ram 1500 TRX: 22

We still miss the big brute that was the Ram 1500 TRX. This model set the trophy truck segment on fire, offering more power from a production pickup than we’d ever seen before. Of course, the Raptor R now carries the torch (foreshadowing), but it still doesn’t make its demise any less bittersweet. Unfortunately, sometimes vehicles need to be sent out to pasture, and in the case of the TRX, its negative impact on the environment from its massive 6.2-liter supercharged V8 was rather apparent.

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Ford F150 Raptor R: 24

See? We’ll say it: the Raptor R is awesome. Not only is this truck wicked off-road, but it’s also a beast in a straight line thanks to all of that power churning under the hood. It’s an imposing vehicle, but it’s obvious Ford threw all the might it could muster behind it to ensure there wouldn’t be another truck on sale that could touch it. Unfortunately, when you go all in on performance, there’s no room for much else, and good for the environment, it simply isn’t.

Cadillac Escalade V: 26

The idea of a 7-8 passenger vehicle with nearly 700 horsepower is patently ridiculous, but that hasn’t stopped companies like Cadillac from producing the Escalade V. Is it cool? Well, of course it is, it’s one of Cadillac’s most famous models with the twin-turbo V8 out of the CT5 V Blackwing strapped under the hood, allowing it to sprint to 60 MPH faster than any vehicle this size should, but it’s also unnecessary and gratuitous for the sake of being gratuitous, so thank goodness the last entrant is something much more sensible…

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Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat: 26

American car companies are just something else, aren’t they? The Durango SRT Hellcat never needed to exist like all the other vehicles on this list, but somehow it’s survived to the point that it’s the last Hellcat model on sale. Is it as luxurious as the Escalade? No, certainly not, but what it lacks in its appointments it makes up for in its charming good looks and gorgeous supercharger whine under the hood. It being the last of its species is a clear indicator it’s terrible for the environment, so don’t be surprised when it’s sent out to pasture very soon.

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