Just two years ago, you’d see more than a dozen cars from Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche dominating the diesel cars list. And then “Dieselgate” happened, and the floor dropped out of the diesel car market.
If you’re one of the many people interested in diesel cars, your choices were extremely limited and you’d need to have deep pockets.
For 2017, you finally have a couple more options again, and even more if you’re interested in diesel trucks. No, they aren’t VWs. Yes, these ones all currently comply to emissions regulations. And these top diesel cars of 2017 are all cars you’d want to drive, not just because they’re your only diesel options.
If you’re thinking Chevy diesel, the name that comes to mind is Duramax. That might be a bit of overkill for the Chevy Cruze, though. Instead, the 2017 Cruze comes with a 1.6-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque.
The reason the Chevy Cruze has a diesel option? It’s about fuel efficiency. The Cruze has a best-in-class rating, offering 52 miles per gallon. On a full tank, you can take a 700-mile trip without running out of fuel.
You probably didn’t consider Jaguar to provide diesel options in its lineup. And even more so, you likely didn’t consider it was as affordable as it is. The 207 Jaguar XE has an available diesel engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel 4-cylinder, pushing out 180 horsepower and 318 lb-ft of torque. It still manages to pull a 0-60 time of 7.5 seconds, impressive for the low horsepower rating. It’s all without compromising on the Jaguar luxury you’ve come to expect.
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If you’re looking for big-time performance from Jag, look at the XE S. Its 380-horsepower supercharged V6 gets to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, but it’s not a diesel.
One brand that is still around and popular in diesel options is BMW. The 207 BMW 328d Sports Wagon has such an option, using a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The proven powertrain has 180 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty for a car this size.
If you want to go fast, the 330i can do it a bit better. However, the 328d Sports Wagon is decent, turning in a time just over seven second for 0 to 60. And that hatchback style, love it or hate it, will turn heads.
It’s not available yet, but Mazda has confirmed a Mazda6 Skyactiv-D for mid-2017. A 2.2-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder will be used, likely the same one found in the Mazda6 overseas. Expect somewhere around 170 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque.
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And if you’re interested in a diesel SUV, a Mazda CX-5 Skyactiv-D will accompany the Mazda6.
If you liked the Jaguar XE diesel, you’ll love the 2017 Jaguar XF. It’s a healthy step forward in luxury and refinement from the XE although it shares a few things…other than Jaguar looks. The main piece that stays the same are the powertrain options. That means the 2017 Jaguar XF diesel has the same 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel engine.
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It’s available in both FWD and AWD versions, but it’s a touch slower because it’s a heavier car. The 0-to-60 time is 8.0 seconds flat. The 380-hp supercharged engine is still an option…
You’ll notice a gaping hole in the diesel car market. There are a handful of good choices in SUVs and some outstanding diesel pickup truck choices. But in the car segment, diesels seem to be a dying breed, and Mercedes-Benz is taking notice.
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The E-Class diesel models, the Mercedes-Benz E220d and E350d, along with the C300d, are no longer in the U.S. lineup while Mercedes-Benz weighs the viability of diesel in the North American market. While they’ve been long-time proponents of clean diesel technology, it hasn’t had the booming success of years gone by.
There’s a possibility you’ll see one or more Mercedes-Benz models return in the next year or so with a diesel engine option. It hasn’t been ruled out, at least. But for now, there are fewer choices in the marketplace if you want that diesel exhaust smell in your garage.
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