In Pictures: Greenest Family Cars

The Ford Escape Hybrid offers exceptional fuel economy, as well as good pollution and greenhouse gas scores for an affordable compact SUV. Additionally, the Escape’s seats are made from recycled materials that would have otherwise ended up in landfills.

________________________________

Get a haggle-free price on a family car with the U.S. News Best Price Program.

However, if your budget won’t allow the Ford Escape Hybrid's $31,395 price tag, don’t overlook the base Chevrolet Equinox, which offers slightly better cargo space as well as good fuel economy.

________________________________

Get a haggle-free price on the Chevrolet Equinox with the U.S. News Best Price Program.

Minivans often trade off fuel economy and eco-friendly drivetrains for comfort and cargo capacity. But in this category, the Honda Odyssey is the best option for families who need good cargo space and seating for seven or eight.

If you have small children, it's important for you to know about crash test scores. To learn more, read Crash Test Scores: What Parents Need to Know.

________________________________

Get a haggle-free price on the Honda Odyssey with the U.S. News Best Price Program.

If you’re willing to give up some interior space, the Mazda5 also stands out with identical air pollution and greenhouse gas scores at a significantly lower price.

________________________________

Get a haggle-free price on the Mazda5 with the U.S. News Best Price Program.

Fuel-efficient small cars like the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Ford Fiesta hatchback are among the greenest options for small families who don’t need a ton of cargo space. The Civic Hybrid averages 44/44 mpg city/highway.

________________________________

Get a haggle-free price on the Honda Civic with the U.S. News Best Price Program.

The Ford Fiesta hatchback is also available with a $395 Super Fuel Economy package. Adding this package does not lower the Fiesta’s emissions, but it does give it two additional mpg on the highway.

________________________________

Get a haggle-free price on the Ford Fiesta with the U.S. News Best Price Program.

In terms of recognition for eco-friendliness, there isn’t a car on the road that outshines the iconic Toyota Prius. But the Prius offers more than just excellent fuel economy. It also offers excellent cargo space and gets the EPA’s top score for greenhouse gas emissions.

________________________________

Get a haggle-free price on the Toyota Prius with the U.S. News Best Price Program.

Shoppers looking for a green non-hybrid option may prefer the base Kia Optima, which boasts attractive sedan styling and an impressive list of standard features at a lower price.

________________________________

Get a haggle-free price on the Kia Optima with the U.S. News Best Price Program.

If you need SUV space but also want better fuel economy, wagons like the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen and Hyundai Elantra Touring are tough to beat. The SportWagen’s optional clean-diesel engine makes it the most fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly wagon in the lot.  

________________________________

Get a haggle-free price on the Jetta SportWagen with the U.S. News Best Price Program.

Although the Elantra Touring can’t match the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen's fuel economy, it’s equally green with identical pollution and greenhouse gas scores.

________________________________

Get a haggle-free price on a Volkswagen with the U.S. News Best Price Program.

If you’re looking for an affordable midsize SUV with a fuel-sipping hybrid powertrain, the all-wheel drive Toyota Highlander Hybrid is currently the only game in town.

________________________________

Get a haggle-free price on the Toyota Highlander Hybrid with the U.S. News Best Price Program.

However, if the $38,140 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is too pricey, consider the base Kia Sorento, which offers comparable interior space and is slightly more fuel-efficient on the highway.

Go back to Greenest Family Cars.

________________________________

Get a haggle-free price on the Kia Sorento with the U.S. News Best Price Program.