After the Dieselgate scandal, cars equipped with diesel engines began to lose market share rapidly. And the acceleration of the electrification process in the automotive industry has further reduced customer preferences for this type of engine.
On the other hand, diesel engines for passenger cars will be phased out of offers in Europe after member countries agreed to ban the sale of new cars with combustion engines from 2035. This aspect also indicates the abandonment of the development of new engines powered by this type of fuel because it is no longer economically viable.
But because we still have a few years until the time when cars with diesel engines will be eliminated from the offers of car manufacturers, those who prefer this type of engine have a wide range to choose from. British magazine Auto Express has compiled a list of the best new diesel cars to buy this year. Most of the models on the list of journalists from the UK are made by German manufacturers, but the dCi 115 engine also used for the Dacia Duster also appears in the top.
The best cars with diesel engines
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Auto Express admits that cars with these engines pollute more, but the British journalists claim that the latest models are much better and have a lot of technology on board to help reduce the harmful gases they release. With clear advantages regarding fuel economy, cars equipped with diesel engines remain the first choice for drivers who cover a lot of kilometers per year. A surprise in this ranking is the lack of cars with the VW logo and the placement of the Skoda Octavia model in first place.
1. Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI
The Skoda Octavia was named Family Car of the Year at the Auto Express New Car Awards 2021 and the British magazine places the model produced in the Czech Republic in first place in the list of the best cars with diesel engines available this year. The 2.0 TDI engine can be ordered for the Octavia in two power versions: 115 HP and 150 HP. This engine is appreciated for its low consumption and good dynamic performance.
2. Mercedes-Benz Class C 220 D
The Mercedes C-Class has continued to evolve and is currently one of the best compact sedans in the premium class. In the diesel engine range we have a 197 hp engine for the 220 D version and one with 265 hp for the 300 D. Auto Express claims that the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 220 D should be the preferred variant to buy because it is offered as standard with the same nine-speed automatic gearbox as in the more expensive model, and this aspect contributes to the very good performance of the sedan.
3. BMW Series 3 320 D
The updated Bavarian model is praised by British journalists because the diesel unit with a power of 187 hp provides very good performance. The BMW 3 Series is also a bit lighter than the previous generation, and the German model offers good consumption.
4. Mercedes-Benz E-Class 300 de
The German premium model has a plug-in hybrid drive system for which it used a diesel engine, and there are not many other car manufacturers with such an offer. The 2.0-liter diesel engine works alongside an electric unit and the total power offered by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 300 is 306 hp. Because it also uses the electrification part, the limousine has low consumption and can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds.
5. Vauxhall/Opel Astra 1.5 Turbo D
The new Astra took over the platform used by the Peugeot 308, and the British journalists draw attention to the fact that the 1.5-liter diesel engine is the four-cylinder and 130 HP. The compact model has very good sales figures in the UK and the makers of the top claim it offers enough power for a family’s needs plus low consumption.
6. Volvo XC60 B4
The Swedish premium SUV can still be ordered with a diesel engine: the Volvo XC60 B4 has a 2.0-liter engine with a power of 197 hp associated with a hybrid system under the hood. It occupies this top position for the ratio between consumption and space offered.
7. Renault Megane dCi 115
This engine is very well known in Romania: the 1.5-liter diesel engine with 115 HP also made a career on Dacia models, and in terms of consumption it is very good. With proper maintenance it can run many kilometers and the purchase price is a plus.
8. Mercedes-Benz S-Class 350 d
Here we enter an almost exclusive segment: the category of customers interested in a diesel Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a very special one. Normally who can afford to pay a price of at least 111,280 euros for such a model should be less interested in consumption. And Auto Express journalists have decided: if you want the ultimate luxury diesel car, then look no further. The massive German model offers a power of 286 hp and promises an average consumption of 6.6 liters.
9. Land Rover Discovery D300
The only SUV in this top capable of offering really good off-road performance, the Land Rover Discovery D300 has a 3.0-liter diesel engine capable of delivering 300 hp under the hood. The average consumption is 8.8 liters and it seems a bit high, but the dimensions of the car are also impressive.
10. BMW Series 5 520 D
The BMW 520d is an all-rounder – combining comfort, economy and performance in a practical package. Like the new 3 Series, the current 5 Series benefits from a weight reduction of 100 kg compared to the previous generation. This engine variant accounts for a large share of 5 Series sales, and it’s not hard to see why: the 187 hp 2.0-liter turbo diesel has good dynamic performance and low consumption.
