With the onset of mainstream electrification for vehicles and the decline of the plug-in hybrid, it's kind of hard to believe diesel passenger cars are still around. But you can blame VW for the fact that most diesel cars, crossovers, and SUVs have gone away (Audi, VW, Porsche, and BMW no longer make any diesel vehicles) after their emissions cheating scandal.
But we really love diesels (the non-cheating ones, anyway), and they're still around, believe it or not. They provide long motor life, great torque, and excellent efficiency. Here are all the diesel passenger vehicles available and one that's on its way.
Mazda CX-5 Diesel
It really has been a long time coming, but the CX-5 with its Skyactiv Diesel is just about here. First announced back in 2010, it took a while for Mazda to develop the 2.2-liter that develops 168 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque that actually amounts to less than the CX-5's optional turbocharged gasoline 2.5-liter inline-four, which makes 250 hp and 310 lb-ft. The upside is the 5,500 rpm redline and the increased gas mileage. Plus, the CX-5 just happens to be one of the best-designed crossovers on the market, as well as the one that we enjoy driving the most.
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Jaguar XE 20d - Base price: $39,510
The XE was created to go up against the likes of BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. Though it doesn't sell in the same numbers, the XE sports sedan is fun to drive and stylish with great brand cues throughout. The diesel model, the 20d, has a turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel that's known more for efficiency than speed. 60 mph comes in 8.4 seconds, which is on the slow side, but it has optional AWD for four-season traction and up to 40 mpg highway, which is a superb number for a sporty European sedan.
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Jaguar XF 20d - Base price: $52,460
Like the XE, the elegant and plush XF sedan doesn't sell as well as the competition, but that doesn't mean it's not worthy, especially in handsome Sportbrake (station wagon to us Americans). The XF 20d gets 42 mpg highway thanks to the same turbodiesel mill as its smaller brother XE. Plus, the engine option costs only $1,500 more than the gas-powered variant, and it will last longer, too. What you get is one of the slinkiest wagons/sedans around and more efficiency than some economy cars.
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Chevrolet Equinox - Base price: $30,795
What? an American diesel that's not a truck? The newly redesigned Equinox is fresh, well-appointed and now has a 1.6-liter turbodiesel that's only a couple thousand more than the gasoline version. The boon here isn't just torquey (240 lb-ft), it's also seriously efficient with 39 mpg highway (front-wheel drive) and 38 mpg highway (all-wheel drive). The fact that the mill is even an option on what's already a popular crossover is pleasantly surprising.
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GMC Terrain - Base price: $32,995
The GMC Terrain is the more luxed out version of the Equinox, and the same 1.6-liter turbodiesel is found within. The torquey engine is available on both the SLE and SLT trim levels, and nearly the same levels of efficiency are present here as they are in the Equinox but just a couple of MPGs shy. What you do get is a more opulent crossover and additional standard equipment along with better efficiency than pretty much any other crossover this size.
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Jaguar F-Pace 20d - Base price: $49,525
Take a look at the F-Pace, and you witness one of the best-designed crossovers in the business, essentially a stilted version of the beautiful F-Type sports car but with way more utility. The fact that it gets a turbodiesel option is even better. 318 lb-ft of torque is substantial even though the acceleration isn't mindblowing. But the gas mileage is pretty good at 33 mpg highway, making it a comfortable and luxurious cruiser for the long haul.
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Land Rover Discovery - Base price: $55,625
Now that the Discovery has been properly redesigned for the times, it's only right to add a versatile engine option to the mix. The much less boxy looking Discovery benefits from improved aerodynamics (the last Discovery LR4 was a box of an SUV), and the powerful optional 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel is good for 254 horsepower and a whopping 443 lb-ft of torque. The efficiency also goes up to 26 mpg highway for better mileage than its gas counterparts. And should you exploit the Discovery's off-road chops, you'll have plenty of power to get you over whatever you need to.
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Land Rover Range Rover Td6 - Base price: $92,455
If you've ever driven the top-level Range Rover, you know it's both luxurious and one serious mountain goat of an off-road vehicle. Too bad most owners never take advantage of its legendary abilities. Now, the fanciest steed in the lineup gets the same turbodiesel mill as the Discovery, that potent 3.0-liter V6 with 254 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Efficiency is a couple of miles less than the Discovery but no less impressive for a big luxury vehicle like this.
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Land Rover Range Rover Sport Td6- Base price: $70,345
The Range Rover Sport is the brute of a bouncer in the Land Rover lineup, and it also gets the excellent V6 turbodiesel like its big brother, the Range Rover. The sportier SUV is nearly as rugged off-road but has more performance leanings with its standard all-wheel drive setup. The V6 diesel engine option only costs $550 more than the gas V6 version but with better efficiency and more torque. If it's a more muscular ethos you like, then the Sport is for you. You just don't have to compromise on the badge.
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Land Rover Range Rover Velar D180 - Base price: $56,925
The latest Range Rover in the Land Rover fleet is easily the most fetching. Designed to be the most modern Range Rover, the Velar is truly a sight to behold with its raked windshield, flush door handles, and blackened trim all around. Inside, it's even more stunning with huge twin color screens and trim bits to rival the top trim Range Rover. The Td6 gets a turbodiesel 2.0-liter inline-four with 180 horsepower. and a big 317 lb-ft of torque that results in a serious 30 mpg EPA highway estimate. But one look at this beauty, and no one will call you efficient.
