Love the Environment? Don’t Buy These Cars, Study Says

If you’re a tree-hugger, these cars aren’t for you. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has put out its 2020 “meanest” list that details the worst cars for the environment, according to ACEEE’s criteria. It’s not just about gas mileage; the Council considers the entire environmental impact of a vehicle, including how it’s made, the materials used in it and how easy it is to be recycled.

Ten of the 12 are SUVs, all of which are either enormous, excessively quick — or both. Only one car and one full-size truck made the list. Check out all 12 of the offending — and, admittedly, awesome — vehicles below, starting with the worst.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (Green Score: 26/100)

The Trackhawk is a 707 horsepower monster. It earns just 11 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.

Mercedes-AMG G63 (Green Score: 27/100)

The G-Class may be the most capable vehicle on the market. But it gets just 13 mpg city and 15 mpg hwy.

Lexus LX 570 (Green Score: 27/100)

The LX 570 is a lightly modified Toyota Land Cruiser. Somehow, those modifications make it even less efficient.

Toyota Land Cruiser (Green Score: 28/100)

Toyota

The Land Cruiser is an icon — but a bloated, horribly inefficient one by modern standards.

Toyota Sequoia (Green Score: 28/100)

Toyota

Less capability than the Land Cruiser. Same ancient 5.7-liter V8 engine.

Toyota Tundra (Green Score: 28/100)

Toyota

The Tundra is old, reliable — and, yes, uses the same 5.7-liter V8 as the Land Cruiser and Sequoia.

Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang (Green Score: 29/100)

This is the one car on the list. The Shelby GT500 may redefine what you think the Mustang can be, but it’s not an efficient daily driver.

Dodge Durango SRT (Green Score: 30/100)

The SRT version has 475 horsepower…and it’s not great for the environment.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (Green Score: 30/100)

It’s hard to get a Jeep Grand Cherokee to go from zero to 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds efficiently.

Land Rover Range Rover LWB SVAutobiography (Green Score: 30/100)

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Land Rover Range Rover Long Wheelbase Special Vehicles Autobiography is hard on your mouth — and not so great for the planet, either.

Infiniti QX80 (Green Score: 30/100)

The Infiniti QX80 is lavish in all respects, including its fuel consumption.

Nissan Armada (Green Score: 30/100)

Nissan

More pedestrian styling than its QX80 sibling, but similar fuel consumption.

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