If you visit this site regularly, you’ll know that we usually only cover smaller, more fuel efficient cars and those powered by alternative fuels like electricity, hydrogen or biofuels. 

But yesterday the EPA certified the 2013 Ford Taurus 2.0-liter Ecoboost with gas mileage figures never seen before in the segment: 32 MPG highway and 26 MPG combined.

For reference, that’s the same gas mileage figures as it gave the 2009 Mini Clubman, a car which we’re sure you’ll agree is much, much smaller. 

Powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, turbocharged engine, the 2013 Ford Taurus 2.0-liter Ecoboost offers V-6 power (237 horsepower) without compromising on gas mileage. 

In fact, the 2013 Ford Taurus 2.0-liter Ecoboost beats the combined gas mileage figures of cars like the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 Bluetec diesel and 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid. 

2013 Ford Taurus Limited - First Drive, 3/2012

2013 Ford Taurus Limited - First Drive, 3/2012

More importantly, the 2013 Ford Taurus beats the gas mileage of its most efficient predecessor, the 2012 Ford Taurus 3.5-liter V-6, by 5 mpg. That’s a massive improvement in a segment where average combined gas mileage figures hover into the low 20s. 

But the 2.0-liter Ecoboost isn’t the only Ecoboost engine Ford is offering in its 2013 Taurus lineup. As we announced back in January, Ford wants to offer Ecoboost engines across its range, from subcompact cars through to pickup trucks and sports cars. 

For those in need of a little more power, Ford offers a 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engine on its 2013 Taurus SHO. Capable of producing 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, Ford’s performance Taurus still manages 25 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg combined. 

2013 Ford Taurus SHO

2013 Ford Taurus SHO

Still convinced the 2013 Ford Taurus classifies as a green car? 

Take a look at this list of small cars which match the 2013 Ford Taurus 2.0-liter Ecoboost’s gas mileage, but are much smaller in size. 

Large and green? Yes.

And with competition due from the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid and 2014 Chevrolet Impala Eco, it looks like you'll soon be able to have your green full-size car cake and eat it too.

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