Have you seen our new 2012 diesel car lineup post?
There have been a few exciting new developments in diesel automobiles available in the United States since we published our 2010 list, but for the most part the diesel vehicles available in the US remain the same.
A wide variety of car manufacturers have diesel available in Europe, but the stricter emissions standards in the States have prevented them from bringing those models over here. It’s evidently quite expensive to upgrade a standard diesel engine so that it meets US “clean diesel” standards. Therefore, while there are some diesel powered cars available in the United States, it’s currently a minority market.
Without further hesitation, here’s our list of diesel powered cars for 2011 in the US:
Acura – There has been speculation of an Acura diesel model in the US for 2011, but recent updates show that the manufacturer is currently shying away from one being offered in the US. Currently, there is no diesel model available.
Audi – Audi will continue to offer its TDI diesel line. Complete information can be found on the Audi TDI site. The two cars offered are the Audi A3 TDI and the Audi Q7 TDI.
In 2010, the A3 was listed as the Green Car Journal’s ‘Green Car of The Year.’ It gets 30 mpg hwy and 42 mpg city. You may also remember it from the Green Police Ad featured during the last Superbowl.
The Q7 TDI is Audi’s diesel powered SUV. This SUV gets 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Coincidentally, it’s also the same diesel engine that the Porsche Diesel engine is based off of (however, Porsche currently only has a diesel model available in Europe). More information about the Q7 can be found here.
BMW – Many will argue that Bavarian Motor Works make some of the finest cars out there. Not to be outdone, BMW also offers two different diesel models: The 335d and the X5 xDrive 35d.
The 335d sedan features a 3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A engine, and gets 23 mpg city and 36 mpg highway (for a combined total of 27).
The 2011 BMW X5 xDrive 35d features is a 265 horsepower, 3.0-liter, inline 6-cylinder engine with TwinPower Turbo technology that gets 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
Buick – There are no Buick diesel models available in the US for 2011.
Cadillac – Cadillac does not currently offer any of their models in Diesel.
Chevrolet – There are no Chevy cars that feature diesel, but the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD Pickup Truck comes with a Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 that has an output of 397 max horsepower and 765 lb.-ft. of torque.
This truck is supposed to have a 11% increase in fuel saving technology over the 2010 model.
Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge – Chrysler and Jeep do not offer any cars with diesel capabilities for 2011. Dodge, however does. The 2011 Ram Chassis is available in diesel (if you plan to do a lot of heavy loading from now and then, or are really just a hoss).
In addition, the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 models are also slated to be diesel trucks, with the 2500 typically getting 15 mpg city and 20 hwy.
Ford – Cars, not so much. Trucks, Yes. The Ford Super Duty models (F-250, F-350, and F-450) are all available with a 6.7L Power Stroke(R) V8 Turbo Diesel Engine.
These trucks are workhorses, but can also be the maximum in comfort. The King Ranch edition, for example comes fully loaded so you can utilize your truck in style as well as in an alternative fuel manner.
GMC – Much like Chevy, GMC will feature the Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD models with a diesel engine.
Honda – While there has been plenty of speculation and hope of Honda releasing a 2011 diesel model in the US, it doesn’t appear as if that will be happening.
Hyundai – The folks over at Hyundai currently have no diesel models slated for the US in 2011.
Kia – Kia currently does not have a diesel powered car in the US market.
Lexus – While there are plenty of fuel efficient hybrids that Lexus has to offer, they currently do not have a diesel model available in the United States.
Lincoln – There are no Lincoln diesel models listed for the 2011 year.
Mazda – No diesel models are listed for 2011.
Mercedes-Benz – Mercedes features three models with their diesel Bluetec system. These models are the ML350, the GL350, and the R350. The R350 model is a crossover, while the G and M models are sport utility vehicles.
As far as gas mileage is concerned the M class will get 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, the G class will get 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, and the R class will get 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. These models were also available in 2010.
Mercury – There are no Mercury diesel models listed for 2011.
Mitsubishi –2011 does not have any diesel models listed for Mercury.
Nissan – There are no diesel cars slated to come out for Nissan in 2011, despite some speculation.
Pontiac – There are no new Pontiacs for 2011, or ever for that matter. Hence, there will be no Pontiac models available as diesel powered cars either.
Porsche – While there is a Porsche Cayenne diesel powered SUV available in Europe, there is not currently one available in the USA.
However, a unique fact is that the engine technology used for the Porsche Cayenne Diesel features the same look and basic engine design of the Volkswagon Toureg TDI and the Audi Q7 TDI, both of which are available in the United States of America.
Saab – There are currently no Saab diesel models slated for 2011 in America.
Saturn – There are currently no Saturn diesel models available. Much like Pontiac, there will be no more Saturns made ever. So hope you weren’t holding out hope for a Saturn diesel model, because quite simply put: it’s not going to happen.
Subaru – Subaru unfortunately doesn’t have any diesel models available in the US, although they are available in Europe.
Toyota – There has also been some buzz and speculation of Toyota potentially releasing a diesel model in the US in 2011, but this will not be the case either.
Volkswagen – Ah yes, the “V-dub.” There are actually four Volkswagen diesel models available in the United States. They are the Touareg TDI (a sport utility vehicle), the Jetta TDI, The Jetta SportWagen TDI, and the Volkswagen Golf.
Gas Milage for the Touareg is 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. For the Jetta, it’s a whopping 30 mpg and 42 mpg highway. As far as the golf is concerned, you’re going to be looking at a very similar number: 30 mpg city and 41 mpg highway.
Volvo – There have been Volvo diesels before, and there are Volvo diesel cars overseas, but 2011 will not see any Volvo diesel cars in the United States.
Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!
Diesels have always been popular in Europe. I have seen a small road roller with a single cylinder and a big flywheel. With a compression release one could get the big flywheel to going then release the compression release and the engine would start (usually). I speak from experience as I have driven over 60,000 miles in Europe since 1952. Now in Germany at least and perhaps in the other European countries the fuel tax is around $1.00 per equivalent gallon price higher for gasoline. a good incentive to use diesel. In the US diesel is taxed higher because of the truck destruction of the highways. There is very good reason that our trucks, trains, and ships are diesel. Too bad our politicos don’t have the guts to do as in European taxes.
Has anyone heard whether VW is planning to offer once again the new beetle with the TDI diesel engine currently being installed in the Jetta and Golf.
I keep seeing LandRover absent the list. I imagine it is the same issue with US clean air for Diesels, but some models like Discovery/Defender are much more popular in Diesel elsewhere, but only gas in the US. Many folks are buying old 200TDI/300TDI engines from overseas and swapping out gas engines. You basically go from a 13-14MPG V8 gas Discovery to one with a 300 turbo diesel getting 28MPG. It seems like there would be some better way to deal with the clean air US if you can double MPGs.
Too bad Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Fiat, Subaru, etc. aren’t as technologically advanced as Dodge. Or Mahindra. Or Volkswagen. A pity that these exquisitely technical people can’t seem to figure out how to pass US Emissions with the same elan that Dodge shows with it’s 15 MPG diesel Ram 2500. Those 60 MPG D-4D Yaris engines must really have serious problems, maybe like the 1.3L 70 MPG TDI Multijet Fiat engines or the 2L 35 MPG TDI’s Ford puts in their Eurospec Kuga SUV’s. These guys will just have to stick to USA marketing Hybrid Gas-Engined cars that retail for 30% more than their euro-spec TDI counterparts and lock buyers into a guaranteed 15 year dealer-only maintenance cycle, I guess.
Curious that there are laws on the books that affect about 1% of the existing car market that serve to (apparently) keep out vehicles that are 30% – 50% more fuel efficient, only about 15% more expensive than the equivalent gas engined vehicles, about 20% cheaper that equivalent Hybrids, have better maintenance costs, and are flexible in their maintenance requirements. Also curious is the LACK of regulation imposed on railroads or ocean shipping. Although the trucking industry (cooincidentally not as wealthy as the railroads) has had some regulation sent their way.
So other than selling less fuel, less parts, and losing dealer-only maintenance to small independent garages, I guess that there is no reason to believe that we are being gamed by Big Oil and the Auto Industry.
There must be a pretty severe set if intra-industry sanctions imposed on folks that violate the “Code”. Look how the Jeep Liberty Diesel was pulled, despite really good sales demand. A 10 year old gas Liberty retails for about $4000-$7000. The same vehicle in diesel goes for $10,000 to $15,000. No demand there, yesireebob. Try to get Chrysler/Fiat/Jeep to even talk about importing the ultra low emissions Fiat Panda Cross, a small AWD cutie that looks remarkably like the Jeep Liberty but pulls down around 65MPG. They almost run from the topic. A car that every college kid should be driving, every motor home towing, and you can’t get it here.
So rest easy America – while the Big Boys can sculpt the market they want and the operating environment they want using our for-sale legal system, they can also prevent you from obtaining the hardware that would allow you to reduce your own costs and become more competitive.
That’s why that Diesel locomotive at the crossing can run open stacks, and yet YOU cannot buy a 55 MPG Toyota Yaris D-4D or 40 MPG Ford TDI Kuga or 35MPG Nissan Frontera. It’s the Golden Rule: Them that has the gold makes the rules…
You forgot to mention the 5 cylinder Mercedes cargo van. It’s sold in the U.S. by Dodge and Freightliner. In 2006 I purchased a 2500, 190 inch wheel base, extended ceiling and converted into a 7200 pound camper. I’m getting 25+ mpg on the highway and never worse than 18 towing a trailer around town.
From 2007 on, they changed the body and switched to a 6 cylinder diesel engine. Still, it’s a Mercedes, and if you’re going to include Ford, GMC and Dodge trucks, you should be including this.
Mercedes still also offers the E350 Bluetec sedan
Mahindra’s planning to bring diesel pick-ups/SUVs into the US.
I’m currently driving a 2007 MB GL320CDI (pre-Peetec). In discussions with other MB owners, it is a bit of an abberation but with over 100k miles on it, it’s proven to be highly unreliable. When it IS running on the highway, it’s just gorgeous even at speed. No, it’s not a sports car, but it feels exceptionally solid, doesn’t have huge body roll (though I do wish I’d gotten the variable suspension which apparently REALLY reduces the wallows), and is about as roomy as any SUV out there. At about 19 city/24 highway (real world) it’s wonderful. At $3.46 a gallon (just saw that near my home), it’s horrid.
I got this beast after visiting friends in Europe and Scandanavia and realizing diesel wasn’t what we here think of any more. It’s exceptionally efficient, even the most current generation models are very simple, and they’re nowhere near as noisy as they used to be. But the diesels we put in our US cars and trucks are these monster models meant to tow a small village. Ultimately, the lawsuits from the environmentalists are what’s kept diesels out. My car couldn’t be sold in several states until it was officially “used” (I think it was 7k miles for California) because of NOx levels. Now everyone driving a GL gets not only a sloshing tank of pee where their spare tire used to be, they get to drive around on extremely expensive run-flats because there is no spare tire on the car. Oh, by the way, if your run-flat tire goes kaboom on a holiday in the middle of nowhere – good luck!
While UK gallons are bigger than US gallons, I was still amazed even after conversion at the mileage my buddy was getting in his BMW 1-series deisel hatchback. Yes, he was paying like $7/gallon for fuel, but remember that in the UK about $6.75 of that is taxes – they’re buying it for the same amount we do, they just have to pay for things like “universal” health care, etc.
Mercedes have begun to lower their warranty repair percentages (one indicator of reliability) but they’re not done yet. BMW’s percentages are still something like 60% of the cars they sell needing warranty work. I think VW’s lower but not tremendously. But you know the Ford Mondeo has a diesel engine in Europe, why doesn’t it here (in the Fusion)?
Why are we, with these huge wide straight roads and highways, still relying on complex, expensive and very dirty (batteries) hybrid technology? It’s nonsensicle for anyone living or even driving outside a major metropolitan area to drive a hybrid. It borders on irresponsible. You carry around these huge, heavy, lead acid or other dangerous volitile chemical batteries on the highway with them doing nothing but reducing the efficiency of the usually anemic engine they’ve mated with the electric motor. You’re wasting fuel and eventually having to change the batteries. Until water/hydrogen fuel cells and the infrastructure for them are economically feasable, electric cars will be a novelty in cities at best.
Oh, and I was annoyed they never brought the GL420 over. I would’ve liked the extra hauling power for trailers. Granted, 7,000lbs (if I install a weight-distribution system) isn’t bad, and the system MB uses is really good (excellent traction control, sway control, etc.), but I’d have liked more towing and acceleration. I guess I’ll keep dreaming!
Hi, I read on the net a few months ago that Mazda would introduce a CX 7 diesel in 2012 in Canada. As anyone heard the same rumour?
Now here’s some fun…a “Top Gear” Yaris D-4D road test from waaay back in 2005…50+MPG…about $15,000 USD… still in production. So what year is it now in the good ‘ole USA… you say it’s SIX years later??? Hmmm….
http://www.topgear.co.uk/news/2005/12/23/toyota-yaris-d-4d/
We are SOOOO not worthy…apparently. Ask any US auto retailer.
The long anticipated Mahindra TDI SUV/Pickup onslaught has yet to happen. One wag I talk with believes they will probably try to corner the industrial sector service vehicle market and not even go “public”, sort of like the Checker Cab Co. did for years. At least they would know the service shop people are probably changing the oil at regular intervals. This is sure one helluva “free market” we live with. I wonder why the canny Socialistical Canucs are the only North American Continent folks that got the eminently reasonable 60+MPG diesel option on their tiny but tall Smart Kars?
I have driven the Ford Mondeo in Europe with the 2.0 liter diesel. Ford has a very nice lineup of Duratorque diesel engines available overseas. It is a shame they cannot get one or two certified for 50 State US sales.
You left one biggie out of the line up… major mistake! The Mercedes Benz E class sedan… Turbo Diesel … 24mpg city/ 34 mpg highway…. I ordered one and will arrive early March.. You really need to do your homework better!
jim
Most of the manufacturers listed do indeed have diesel engined models. Why do you think they are not sold only in other markets and not here? The demand does not make up for costs associated to offer them in the US. The costs are largely related to the various regulations that manufacturers have adhere to introduce a particular new model and/or engine type. Reduce the bs regulations, and you’ll lower the costs.
I’m currently driving a 2007 MB GL320CDI (pre-Peetec). In discussions with other MB owners, it is a bit of an abberation but with over 100k miles on it, it’s proven to be highly unreliable. When it IS running on the highway, it’s just gorgeous even at speed. No, it’s not a sports car, but it feels exceptionally solid, doesn’t have huge body roll (though I do wish I’d gotten the variable suspension which apparently REALLY reduces the wallows), and is about as roomy as any SUV out there. At about 19 city/24 highway (real world) it’s wonderful. At $3.46 a gallon (just saw that near my home), it’s horrid.
I got this beast after visiting friends in Europe and Scandanavia and realizing diesel wasn’t what we here think of any more. It’s exceptionally efficient, even the most current generation models are very simple, and they’re nowhere near as noisy as they used to be. But the diesels we put in our US cars and trucks are these monster models meant to tow a small village. Ultimately, the lawsuits from the environmentalists are what’s kept diesels out. My car couldn’t be sold in several states until it was officially “used†(I think it was 7k miles for California) because of NOx levels. Now everyone driving a GL gets not only a sloshing tank of pee where their spare tire used to be, they get to drive around on extremely expensive run-flats because there is no spare tire on the car. Oh, by the way, if your run-flat tire goes kaboom on a holiday in the middle of nowhere – good luck!
While UK gallons are bigger than US gallons, I was still amazed even after conversion at the mileage my buddy was getting in his BMW 1-series deisel hatchback. Yes, he was paying like $7/gallon for fuel, but remember that in the UK about $6.75 of that is taxes – they’re buying it for the same amount we do, they just have to pay for things like “universal†health care, etc.
Mercedes have begun to lower their warranty repair percentages (one indicator of reliability) but they’re not done yet. BMW’s percentages are still something like 60% of the cars they sell needing warranty work. I think VW’s lower but not tremendously. But you know the Ford Mondeo has a diesel engine in Europe, why doesn’t it here (in the Fusion)?
Why are we, with these huge wide straight roads and highways, still relying on complex, expensive and very dirty (batteries) hybrid technology? It’s nonsensicle for anyone living or even driving outside a major metropolitan area to drive a hybrid. It borders on irresponsible. You carry around these huge, heavy, lead acid or other dangerous volitile chemical batteries on the highway with them doing nothing but reducing the efficiency of the usually anemic engine they’ve mated with the electric motor. You’re wasting fuel and eventually having to change the batteries. Until water/hydrogen fuel cells and the infrastructure for them are economically feasable, electric cars will be a novelty in cities at best.
Oh, and I was annoyed they never brought the GL420 over. I would’ve liked the extra hauling power for trailers. Granted, 7,000lbs (if I install a weight-distribution system) isn’t bad, and the system MB uses is really good (excellent traction control, sway control, etc.), but I’d have liked more towing and acceleration. I guess I’ll keep dreaming!
.
Why can’t we have these cars here???? Ask your US Government why we can’t have them..
These are American cars in Australia with diesel engines. This Dodge Avenger averages 37.9 US MPG on diesel fuel. They make these diesel cars also for Europe and have been for up to 10 years. They also make Jeeps, Chryslers, Fords, Holden (GM) with these diesel engines also and many are well over 40 MPG’s. These mileages are an average so highway mileages will be higher.
I ask you all to forward this to all your friends and call your representatives and ask them. I have been following some of these diesels (Chryslers in Europe for 10 years now) and they are extremely durable and economical. Remember the average diesel will double the life of a gas powered car. I have watched tests on Caravans that exceed 43 mpg and that is what I drive but mine only gets a best of 26.9 but an average of about 23. Your American government does not want these cars in this country…. WHY? If they can get that kind of mileage I believe Chrysler, Ford & GM would be selling more automobiles and using less energy. I called my congressman this morning and they told me to send them the info, which I did.
If Mercedes brings the E250 CDI to the US I’ll buy one. Prefer the Cabriolet.
Obama gives us diesel cars. We are being screwed . Why in europe everyone drives a diesel and we in the us cant?
You’d think with all the cutsie comments about Pontiac and Saturn that the author would have known that Mercury has also been phased out…
Can anyone explain why no manufacturers sell economical awd diesels in North America. Even Audi, famous for the Quattro, removes the awd if you order an A3 diesel. Several companies sell diesels here but none with awd unless you get over $50,000. There are many awd diesels in Europe so they do work!
Fred
Why not many diesel vehicles in “the” US? Why Americans still rave about the petrol engines and make them even bigger and “badder” than ever before and winge later on how much they have to spend on their gasoline? No US manufacturers are willing to invest in diesel engines? Well, CONSPIRACY?????
I reckon the US government has collected so much of gasoline from all over the world that it is showing as a bloody “surplus” in their ledgers!! It would certainly be a lost if they give incentives to promote and sell diesel cars in the country.
I have no doubt that they would certainly know the rate of efficiency brought about by diesel engines and the less polution emitted internally in the engines as well as externally into the environment. (The CO2 emissions from diesel are 73.25 g/MJ, just slightly lower than for gasoline at 73.38 g/MJ.[7]). And yet, they are trying to paint the picture that gasoline is more superior to diesel fuel. In South East Asia, the diesel sold by SHELL as “V-Power” gives more torque and is cleaner both internally and externally for the past 3 years. Ask any local Americans of that particular diesel fuel and they would look at you as if you are from another planet! I did start up a conversation at the pub “RED ROCKS” and I was almost thrown out!!@#%!!!
I drive a Jetta Sports Wagen TDI and I travel approximately 27 miles back and forth (54 miles total) between Centreville and DC and my monthly average bill comes to $110. Fair-Dinkum mate!! Talking of efficiency, I won’t be surprise if the country goes into second recession.
When are we going to see the Diesel 1/2 tons. Who will have the first one out in the market.
If every car in America was a diesel we could cut fuel use by 1/3rd. For 7 years the Honda Accord diesel has been sold in the UK and gets 50+ mpg, 0-60 mph in 8.6 sec, and top speed of 130 mph.
Remenber VW , Porsche and Audi are all one company hence th similiarlty in engines . The WV Touareg, is a plain jane version of the Porche Ceyanna!
Also MPG is not the same US vs UK/eoro as gal is different size!
Try to think in terms od exhaust emissions per mile driven.
Peugeot! Not mentioned too. Most Americans would run a mile and yes 99% of the Peugeots Diesels sold here were junk. (Just Like Renault instead of selling a hi quality car the sold some excess production models and ruined the chance of selling in the US market for a very long time).
My point is that In fact Peugeot are or were the largest maker of small Diesels for a long time and their engines are actually used in many different makes of cars around the world because they are incredibly good engines that last and last and perform well…..But you will never convience an American market of that.
I believe you missed the E350 Mercedes diesel. My brother just bought one and is getting close to 40mpg highway.
Automakers see the USA as essentially a captive market full of folks programmed to buy cars long on flash but short on practical. You can buy all of the really expensive (>$70K) 20+MPG TDI cars you want, or all of the giant $45K+ 15+MPG TDI pickups that you want, but (except for VW) you CANNOT get any of the really nice $25-$35K 35-60MPG TDI cars, SUVs or pickups that are commonly available to folks in other countries. And there are simply NO AWD affordable diesels offered, period.
Other than the facts that:
1) the greater the cost, the more profit available-
2) the greater the horsepower/weight, the more fuel consumed-
3) repairs to cars using hybrid technology are pretty much dealer only-
I can’t think of any reason that hybrid makers GM Ford Honda Nissan Toyota Lexus Mercedes Cadillac Chevrolet Lincoln BMW Porsche wouldn’t be stacking the deck against the lower mark-up, affordable and sensible vehicles that would stomp their gravy-train mobiles into the dirt…
About time more interest is shown in clean diesel. This old technology has great potential. Look at the progress in mpg of gasoline autos from 18 mpg 1958 VWs (36 hp), to the same mpg in Deville in 2000. (at 265hp) We also need simpler cars with less failure prone electronic gadgetry. Slip a clean turbo diesel engine into a 1929 Model A(Ford) and let’s go touring.
my 2001 VW beetle has 274,000 miles on it. i asked VW about the new beetle – there are no plans at the current time for a diesel version. i will start looking around once i get to 300,ooo miles.
Look out. I and many other VW TDI Diesel owners are getting burned by the dreaded HPFP issue. My TDI SportWagen has 24k miles, and died last week on the road. Towed to VW and will cost 7k to replace clean and replace the entire fuel system due to metal shavings that the dealer claims happened when gasoline was introduced into the tank. Not by me but by contamination at the fuel station tanks. Currently seeking legal assistance and selling as soon as possible. The US is NOT ready for diesel autos.
@Cankicker
Thanks for your reply. I had never heard about that issue before, and had to do a Google search to figure out what you were talking about. I wonder how common this is?
Yes baby, how could you miss the Mercedes-Benz E350 Bluetech (diesel engine) , V6, for 2011?
Mercedes did not announce the MPG, but Edmunds.com says:
22 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.
I live in Germany and drive a 2003 BMW 4cyl diesel with 116k miles on it. It uses 6.5l/100km or 6.5l/60miles or 36 mpg combined city & highway driving. Mind you, when I am on the highway I go between 90 and 130 mph. Especially in the US with these great distances between places and with the commutes that many Americans have on a daily basis, it is only sensible to introduce more diesels in the US. Better gas mileage, lower CO2 emissions. The clean diesel is a little more expensive than the regular even here in Germany. A BMW upgrade to clean diesel cost around 1,100-1,600 Euros but it is not required until 2014. And even without a clean diesel one can still drive normal diesels it is just that the tax on it will be higher. The number one problem for the US to not offer more diesel cars has to be that there is not enough outspoken demand, cause why would auto manufacturers change their production lines if they don’t really profit from it. In Europe diesels just have always been part of life. And yes, each manufacturer European, US, Japanese, Korean offers multiple diesel models in europe cause in some cases they make up 60% and more of model sales.
I hope things will change in the US
I live in the N.East USA and recently hired a Volvo V50 wagon in the UK whilst on a trip there. This vehicle had a 1.9TD engine and was rated at 70mpg / 56mph. This was with the Imperial gallon which is one quart more than the US gallon. (I had to do a conversion from litres which are 4.546 to the Imperial gallon). I would buy this car in a heartbeat over here IF it was available but alas my local dealer was only interested in trying to sell me the 5cyl. gas engine which has twice the consumption!
I had a 1500cc Citroen diesel in the UK in 1989 which returned 70mpg on my daily 72 mile commute ( again Imperial gallons – divide by eight and times by seven to get US equiv.). Why are we going backwards with consumption?
As a final note I was recently offered one of the original all aluminium Insights for $1000. the battery pack had gone and the car was apparently not functional on the gas engine alone. Is this the fate of the Prius and its ilk? What is the enviromental cost of disposing of these battery packs?
It is bizarre……I checked the mileage in the cars on this page and it’s pretty lame.
My old 1984 diesel maxima did 44mpg on the highway.
@ Andrew The better question is “What is the environmental cost to produce these battery packs?” Look that up if you want some scary night time reading. Personally I think it is absolute crap that a diesel will not sell in the U.S., the oil companies have to have a place to sell their gasoline, that is oh by the way, a by-product of oil refining. Follow the money…….
About 400 mil gal of fuel is sold everyday in US. 400 mil x 0.20 $(federal fuel tax per gal) = $80 mils a day.Now improve mpg from 20 to 40 and feds will loose $40 mils a day and 14.6 bilions a year less for gov.No car for sale in US with smaller engine tahen 1.6 L except some hybrid combos.US have to buy oil som dollar is on world market and will keep value.
@ Jan: that makes sense but not all vehicles would be converted to Diesels so the tax losses would be a bit less.
In Germany the government actually rewards people for driving diesels. Even though the cost of diesel to the petrol station is higher than the cost of regular and premium gas, the price the consumer pays is less for diesel because the tax on it is lower than it is on gas. While the yearly vehicle tax is higher on diesel cars it balances out over the course of the year if you drove the same amount of miles with a diesel compared to a non-diesel car (there are different break-even-points in terms of annual mileage for different cars at which the diesel is cheaper in the end). But often that break-even-point can be as low as 5000 miles during the year.
I think you forgot to mention the Ford Fiesta…
I have 3 Diesels, a 2006 Jetta, a 2007 ML320 CDI and a 2009 GL320 Bluetec. They are ALL phenominal. The Jetta gets 40 around town and 50 on the highway. The ML and GL get 20 around town and 30 on the highway at 65 on cruise control. The problem is that the fuel (which should be cheap) is more than premium! It should be cheaper than regular. In the U.S. there is also a hefty tax on diesel because the heavy trucks use it and the thinking goes that they ruin the roads. BUT if you have a diesel with a GVW under 6000lbs, you get a tax break on the fuel cost.
I think it is a conspiracy by the oil companies to keep the price of diesel high because if everyone drove diesels, than we would all use 30% less fuel and the oil company profits would go way down.
I am currently living in the UK, and there are so many different types of diesel vehicles. I would like to purchase another one when I return to the U.S. I don’t understand why there are so few diesels in the U.S. I had wanted to get an Audi, but after their Superbowl commercial with people being arrested for incandescent light bulbs and other stupid environmental stuff, I have been completely turned against them. I want a diesel to help in cost of gas, don’t give me the Save the Earth crap!!!!
dont worry the earth will save itself by getting rid of humans. meanwhile enjoy your front/rear wheel drive, gasoline muscle car. we need awd/tdi CARS not SUV’s/Trucks in the u.s
VW, Audi FTW!
Diesels definitely have a place in boosting mileage and reducing fossil fuel use. But the goal is to eliminate dependency on an energy source that will eventually run out, so I applaud any new technology that propels us in that direction.
News since this article.
VW will offer the new Passat, which will eventually be built at the new Chattanooga plant, with the 2.0 TDI as an optional engine (same set up as the Audi A3, VW Golf, VW Jetta, and Jetta SportWagen TDIs). Estimated hwy. rating around 42 mpg/140 hp and 236 foot lbs or peak torque from 1750-2500 RPM.
I didn’t see this one coming. I would have thought the Passat would get the V-6 that’s in the Touareg, but that would have been the same mistake BMW, and MB made. BMW and MB marketers thought that Americans wanted powerful diesels in SUVs and mid-size cars but that hasn’t had near the market impact as the VW four banger with 40+ mpg. The VW 2.0 TDI outsells all three six cylinders, built by three manufacturers, put together.
VW is selling almost 40% of their Jettas and Golfs as TDIs. The SportWagen is almost 80% TDI. MB gets about 10%; BMW–around 15%.
The Passat TDI will do well too. Americans who are seeking diesels are seeking high fuel economy; not 400 + lbs of torque.
Excellent comments here. My own experience is with a 2004 VW Jetta TDI bought new, and a 1980 Audi 5000S diesel years ago. The Audi got 33 mpg in all types of driving, not too bad for the available contemporary technology. The TDI returns anywhere from 40 – 41+ mpg ( US gal ) in winter, city driving to 56+ in better weather in highway driving.
I absolutely have to second the belief here that there is obvious collusion among auto makers, oil companies and governments. After 130+ years of engine development it doesn’t even make sense to imagine that a more efficient engine than what is available for production cars cannot be introduced.
And the earlier post mentioning the huge tax load on fuel in Europe is spot-on. It is the one factor that is intentionally left out of discussions concerning fuel price comparisons between Europe and US: “Americans have such cheap fuel compared with Europe! We need to get in line with them!!!!”
Still awaiting an AWD turbo diesel in something other than a pickup or SUV.
grrrr
Update to previous post: I just spoke with a dealer rep who actually has some skills and experience. After visits to many dealers, this was the first time anyone brought my attention to the fact that, even though there is no AWD available, I should consider the traction control advantage of the front wheel drive. Duh! I love the experience I’ve had with traction control on slick roads w/a RWD car.
Back to considering a VW or Audi. Any input from those who have driven a front wheel drive with traction control on steep, uneven but solid surfaces?
TIA,
-j
As is noted by a couple comments above, you left out Mercedes E-Class sedans. They’ve offered diesels in the US probably longer than any manufacturer, for decades. I had a 1980 model and currently have an E320CDI from 2005. I get 37 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg average all around. This is better than all the small car diesels you do include. They started the BluTec diesel in 2006 and continue it to today.
What I’m wondering is why has the author left it out last year and again this year?
Bravo AZ¬_Utilitarian, Anonymous January 8, 2011 at 1:53 pm, Hack Saw, warren, Jan March 12, 2011 at 2:12 pm and gregsfc April 9, 2011 at 2:37 pm, you have hit the nail on the head. The Petrol Industry and the U.S. Government have successfully blocked the growth of affordable midsized passenger automobiles. It is a matter of Dollar and Cents; the impact of 60% of Diesel passenger automobiles on American roads (like Europe) would mean a too great a loss of revenue to the taxing authorities and the petrol industry.
I am convinced as many other are that the world wide petrol industry is responsible for Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel’s demise. The original design of his engine was supposed to run on coal dust and or vegetable oil. The design was changed after his passing to run on fossil fuel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Diesel
I expand now on warren’s January 23, 2011 at 10:20 am Peugeot Diesel engine critique. I drove a Peugeot 407 2.0 liter TDI in Europe in 2007. We put 6215 miles on the odometer with an average of 48.6 mpg at an average of 33 mph. One has to drive very quickly on the open roads (on European Autobahns up to 215 kmh) to accomplish an average of 33 mph over 6215 mixed city / open road driving. We toured Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, France and Spain drove over many mountain passes and never turned the air-condition off. Can you imagine what mpg one would get driving across our beautiful country on our straight highways at a maximal speed of 80 mph in rural Texas with a car like that?
Last year we drove a Peugeot 308 SW 1.6 Liter 92 bhp, with a little less mileage but a little better mph (52.3). Neither of the Peugeots missed a bead. However, the 1.6 liter was not as spunky as the 2.0 Liter but still satisfactory.
gregsfc your April 9, 2011 at 2:37 pm, news about the 2.0 Liter Passat TDI are very good news, if correct. However, I read somewhere that the Chattanooga design will differ from the European one; with fewer bells and whistles to compete with the Toyota Camry. Well gregsfc, let’s wait and see how spartanly the Chattanooga Passat will be.
Dear Najib Hogans, Jim K, dan griggs, Lion and Curious, your fascination with and favoritism for the MB, E320 CDI is a little misguided.
The 3.0 Liter Diesels and larger (MB & BMW) are allowed into country because they are only a little over the brink of allowable mpg usage.
Additionally, these cars have a price tag of over $50,000.00 and are out of the reach of most consumers. For that reason this car is not a viable solution for the folks crying for an affordable midsized 2.0 Liter TDI Automobile.
To say the the US “clean diesel” EPA standards are “more stringent than the European standards” is an all out assault on the American gasoline consuming public (a big fat lie)! The US standard for diesel is 15 ppm since 2008 for passenger cars (was 150 ppm for the US) the European standards of 10 ppm (since 2005) make our standards look like we are still paying $1.00 per gallon for gasoline. Who do you think first formulated low-sulpher diesel in the first place? Americans are and have been lied to all along and have come to believe that the diesel engine is “underpowered, dirty, noisy, expensive and certainly smelly,” when the Europeans have been enjoying the fruits of their “clean diesel” technology with access to such cars as a mid-size Toyota Avensis wagon with a 2.0 liter tdi that delivers 47 mpg on the open road. I spend two months a year in Nederland, so I’ve seen the evidence. European diesels comprise approximately 55% of all passenger vehicles sold (and rising), and this is only because they are cleaner and more economical that any other form internal combustion engine. If the readers of practicalenvironmentalist.com are buying into the lie told in this article, then you need to take a look at what the reality is in Europe. Look at the automakers websites, choose the diesel options and do the math. In the mean-time, invest in oil stocks; they’re profitable—with regular gasoline at $5/gallon in many states, the oil companies are reporting “record profits” again.
What is the fascination with AWD Americans have? It is nearly useless and takes at least 10% of your gas mileage?
1) It only helps you get from 0 to 10MPH
2) The extra weight makes it longer to stop (Mercedes test AWD vs 2WD, same tires).
3) It does NOT give you more stability/safety on icy roads.
In the cold and ice, Snow Tires are key. They actually help you STOP, which is more important in my book, than GO. They also help you stay on the road.
As I have never been stuck in snow/ice in 30 years and ski every weekend and drive through blizzards to get there, I have some experience.
In order of importance to drive in snow:
1) Good Snow Tires (Most important, even with AWD, you can actually STOP)
2) Antilock brakes
3)Stability Control
4) AWD
And I want an American Diesel Small car. But will probably get a VW, because that is all I can get. 2WD please.