Expect the choice of green cars to grow this year as never before. There’ll be a rush of new models as makers respond to demand for cars that we can feel easier driving because of their ‘green’ credentials. And already there’s a good spread that hit the mark. And, as you’ll see from our line-up, if you’re shopping for a new car, there’s something for everyone: going green no longer means shoe-horning yourself into a tiny, feeble-engined machine.

Here are our top buys:

Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion 1  1.4 TDi 3dr. £12,595                  
CO2 rating 99g/km 74.3mpg

Currently pumps out less CO2 than any other mainstream car. Gets there by careful tuning of its 1.4, 80bhp turbodiesel engine, losing weight wherever it can, and wearing  body add-ons to carve through the air more easily. Surprisingly powerful and easy to drive, but it’s very expensive. This model doesn’t have air conditioning – add it and the CO2 rating jumps to 104g/km.

Mini Cooper 1.6 D £14,190                                                          
CO2 rating 104g/km 72.4mpg

Diesel model keeps everything that’s fun about the Mini but adds low emissions and amazing fuel  economy. This engine pulls hard and is pretty quiet until it’s revved.  It’s almost £1200 dearer than a petrol-engined Cooper, but squeezes an extra 20 miles from a gallon. Very cheap to run but loses value faster when second-hand than a petrol Cooper. Not practical because rear seats are cramped and boot is tiny, but most owners couldn’t care less.

Toyota Prius 1.5 Hybrid T3 £17,777                          
CO2 rating 106g/km 65.7mpg

Clever family-sized hatchback hauls itself along using a mix of petrol and electric power. Batteries hidden under the floor drive the car at low speeds so that it glides silently. Petrol engine kicks in to boost acceleration and at higher speeds, when it also recharges the batteries. Exempt from £8 daily London Congestion Charge. Owners love ‘em, although in real-world driving,  they struggle to get anywhere near the official economy figures.

Renault Megane 1.5dCi 86bhp Extreme 5dr £13,230                        
CO2 rating 117g/km 62.8mpg

One of the cheapest Meganes is also the greenest, delivering low emissions and excellent economy.  This diesel-powered small hatchback is part of Renault’s Eco 2 line-up which, the company says, are also built in a low-emissions factory. The Megane has distinctive looks and offers driver and passengers great crash protection. But it’s dull to drive and is also cramped for those in the back.

Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion 1.9 TDi S £16,065          
CO2 rating 119g/km 62.8mpg

Greenest Golf uses tall gears and clever engine mapping to cut emissions and boost fuel economy. Diesel engine is a bit clattery but has fair turn of power. In other respects it is very much a Golf: strongly built, comfortable and good to drive. Available in S trim (fairly basic, but does have six airbags, anti-lock brakes and air conditioning) or as better equipped Match (adding a plusher cabin, alloy wheels).

Renault Laguna 1.5 dCi 110bhp Expression 5dr £16,350                                  
CO2 rating 130g/km 55.4mpg

Another Renault; this time, a new family-size hatchback. Diesel engine here is impressively smooth and quiet but may struggle when the car is full of people and their baggage. The Laguna is no stripped-out eco-special: it’s keenly priced and well equipped. Semi- automatic air conditioning is standard, as is Renault’s keyless system which automatically unlocks the car as the driver approaches it, credit-card sized transponder in pocket,  then allows him to jab the starter and drive off.

Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 TDCi 90bhp Zetec  £16,012              
CO2 rating 127g/km 58.9mpg

This small MPV has room for a family of five and their belongings. The three rear seats fold or lift out individually to offer every possible people/luggage combo, but removing them is fiddly. Engine is smooth and punchy, while fuel economy is fantastic for an all-purpose car. It’s also good to drive and cheap to run, but its main drawback is that it has only five seats where seven-seat rivals cost the same.

BMW 318d ES 4dr £23,090                                                            
CO2 rating  123g/km  60.1mpg

A sassy full-size Beemer, a low CO2 rating and a promise of 60mpg? For once, it’s a deal that every bit as good as it promises. Granted, this diesel is the smallest available for the car and will feel gutless if you’ve stepped into it from any other 3, but a 318d has as much class and drives as nicely as its more polluting range-mates. It will cost you more than the Audi or Mercedes that’s probably also on your buying shortlist but it should see you alright by raising a good price when you sell.

 
BMW 520d SE 4dr (manual gearbox) £27,000                                                      
CO2 rating 136g/km 55.4mpg

This is a big, heavy car, so all credit to BMW for making a 175bhp diesel engine suit it so well, while returning low emissions and 50+mpg.  It rows along smoothly and quickly and, despite having the fewest horses of the range to muster power from, it never feels as if it is lacking. The cabin is roomy, the boot is big and it comes very well equipped. There is also a long list of optional extras. Take care not to over-spend on them: if you do, the weight of added kit will bruise the economy figures and push up emissions, too.

 
Suzuki SX4 1.6 4Grip £12,999                                                                                      
CO2 rating 165g/km 41.5mpg

In the company it keeps here, the SX4’s CO2 rating sounds high. But if you are after a vehicle that has genuine ability in the mud and rough, this is as good as it gets for now. As 4x4s go, the SX4 is mini – matching a Ford Focus in size. It’s attractively priced, but it’s drawbacks include a noisy engine and a small boot. It is nicely finished, though, and reasonable to drive.