Diesel is cheaper than premium in most places, and not far off from regular gas. Now that you're lusting after an oil-burner, Jalopnik readers know the ten best diesel cars and trucks you can buy new or used.
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We will point out that these are the best diesels you can buy in America. If we were to include cars sold elsewhere in the world, the list would include a few more vehicles. The Porsche Panamera diesel, the BMW 335d, the BMW 550d, the VW Touareg V10, the Audi Q7 V12, the Mini D, the BMW 120d, the MTM-tuned Audi A6 BiTDI Quattro, the new Toyota Hilux, and the VW GTD that we reviewed. As you have probably gathered, there are a lot of diesels we'd like to have in these United States.
Photo Credit: Black Smoke Racing
10.) Porsche Cayenne Diesel
We really had our hearts set on the ugly-yet-efficient Panamera diesel, but since we don't get that here in America, we'll have to settle for the next best thing: the Cayenne Diesel. Our reviewer Alex Lloyd liked it and he races IndyCars. That's good enough for us.
Suggested By: Dream Crusher, Photo Credit: Porsche
9.) Land Rover Defender
You can find imported Land Rover defender diesels in the States easily enough. They are kind of like the British roadsters of the SUV world — rough and finicky, but wonderfully capable.
Suggested By: Superkiwizorro, Photo Credit: Raphael Orlove
8.) Toyota Land Cruiser BJ70
Like the LR Defender, you can find plenty of imported ‘80s Toyota Land Cruisers over here, especially in the Pacific Northwest. They're as close as we get to that indestructible HiLux that Top Gear tried (and failed) to destroy.
Suggested By: 404 Name not found, Photo Credit: Lexis_2k
7.) Jeep Liberty Common Rail Diesel
You'd be forgiven for not knowing that Jeep sold a diesel Liberty here in America for a year or two. They had good common rail diesel motors, but nobody bought them and they were quickly discontinued. If you're looking for a newer, more comfortable small diesel SUV, though, they're on the used market.
Suggested By: kermitatUM, Photo Credit: Chris Dunphy
6.) Mercedes 300SD
You can buy a brand new S-class diesel from Mercedes-Benz USA if you so choose, but we have our hearts set on one of the imperious old 300SDs from the ‘70s and ‘80s. They are built like tanks.
Suggested By: Patrick Frawley, Photo Credit: Jaime Kopchinski
5.) Mercedes E350 BlueTec
While BMW and Audi only currently sell diesels in their SUVs (and the A3), Mercedes still offers diesel sedans. They're clean and these E-classes offer a hefty 400 lb-ft of torque. They're perfect for long, lazy American highway drives.
Suggested By: bpmoore178, Photo Credit: Mercedes-Benz
4.) Peugeot 505 4x4 Dangel
Peugeot was once known as ‘the French Mercedes' for its amazingly sturdy cars. One French company, Dangel, made a living building jacked-up four-wheel-drive 504s and 505s for safaris and whatnot. There are only a handful of them in the States, but you can import them legally.
Suggested By: Grolar, Photo Credit: Dangel/Peugeot505.info
3.) BMW 335d
BMW isn't selling the new 3er diesel in the Land of the Free, but the did sell the old E90 with the 245 horsepower and 425 lb-ft turbodiesel. It is a thing of wonder. Now bring us the new one, BMW!
Suggested By: 404 Name not found, Photo Credit: tomvio77
2.) Ex-Military Vehicles
Perhaps the best source for unquestionably tough diesel vehicles is the United States military. They have tons of old trucks, SUVs and cargo transporters with military-spec diesel engines for sale. We'd go to Military Vehicles For Sale and search for a 4x4 Chevrolet C/K truck or K5 Blazer with a non-emissions 6.2 liter Detroit Diesel.
Suggested By: jglavin, Photo Credit: eBay Motors
1.) VW TDI
Volkswagen's TDI is still the standard when it comes to diesel passenger cars the US. You can get a new TDI Golf that rivals a Prius in economy, but beats it totally in driving fun. If you're looking for something sportier, a used 2.0 liter TDi Cup Jetta will fit the bill. If you need space, get a TDI Jetta wagon.
Suggested By: mattp123, Photo Credit: steve lyon