2018 Jaguar XE 20d
$37,225 | 32/42 mpg city/hwy | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.7/10
The Jaguar XE 20d gets high marks for its agile handling, and it offers a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is a $2,500 option).
While the optional turbodiesel four-cylinder engine costs $1,500 over the standard gas-powered four-cylinder, it delivers excellent gas mileage. The EPA-estimated fuel economy of 32 mpg in the city and 42 on the highway rivals many economy cars.
Despite producing only 180 horsepower, the diesel delivers a solid 318 pound-feet of torque at 1,750 rpm. This low-end power gives the diesel XE stronger performance than its horsepower figure suggests. Unfortunately, drawbacks to the XE include a higher sticker price compared to some key rivals, not to mention the car’s cramped back seat and small trunk.
2018 Jaguar XF 20d
$49,275 | 31/42 mpg city/hwy | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
The Jaguar XF is a fine luxury sedan but, in a luxury midsize field crowded with extremely good options, this Jaguar sedan simply doesn’t stand out from the crowd. As with the XE, choosing the optional diesel engine costs an additional $1,500 over the base model, which has a turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder.
With its 180 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque, the XF diesel delivers excellent fuel economy – in fact, it almost matches the MPGs of the smaller XE sedan. Though if you choose the standard gas-powered engine, your fuel economy is still a solid 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. Adding all-wheel drive pushes the price up to $52,275, which is substantially more than many rivals. Yet, unlike the XE, the larger XF isn’t hampered by a cramped cabin or limited cargo room.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel
$30,700 | 28/39 mpg city/hwy | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10
Redesigned for the 2018 model year, the Chevrolet Equinox is a five-passenger SUV that places a high priority on value. This could make the optional turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder diesel engine an enticing option, given its high fuel economy figures.
Then again, the Equinox diesel, which is available with front- or all-wheel drive, costs about $7,000 more than what you’d pay for the base model. Adding all-wheel drive pushes the price further upward, to $32,400. That dents the idea that choosing diesel is going to automatically be easy on your budget.
Still, the Equinox is a family-friendly SUV that comes with plenty of standard equipment. If the added cost of the diesel doesn’t deter you, it remains an intriguing alternative.
2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar Diesel
$56,200 | 26/30 mpg city/hwy | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.2/10
No matter which of its three engine options you choose, the Range Rover Velar has a number of fine attributes, including a refined ride, an intuitive dual-screen infotainment system, and a spacious cabin.
Adding an element of strong fuel economy to this mix might seem strange, but the turbodiesel gives the Velar a noticeable boost in mileage compared to the standard gas-powered four-cylinder. With its 180 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, this engine delivers the smooth passing power that diesel fans love.
2018 Jaguar F-Pace 20d
$46,275 | 26/33 mpg city/hwy | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
The Jaguar F-Pace is an agile and elegant choice among luxury compact SUVs. The standard engine is a 247-horsepower gas four-cylinder; the turbodiesel is a $4,210 option for the 2018 model year. While this 180-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder offers economy gains, some F-Pace buyers might be turned off by the sluggish response at low speed.
There’s little to fault with the athletic driving manners of the F-Pace diesel on a twisty highway, however. This is truly an SUV that has much of the feel you expect when behind the wheel of a sport sedan. Though all-wheel drive is standard, the ride and handling have been tuned for on-road adventures, not rugged off-roading. For most SUV buyers, that’s an acceptable compromise.
2018 Land Rover Range Rover Td6
$89,350 | 22/28 mpg city/hwy | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
The Land Rover Range Rover blends legendary off-road ability with the refined cabin of an opulent luxury sedan. Range Rover is one of the most prestigious names when it come to SUVs, so customers demand that the brand continues to offer high levels of luxury, without losing any of its go-anywhere capability
The optional turbodiesel V6 delivers 254 horsepower and returns fuel economy you’d probably never expect from an SUV at this price point. Speaking of price, the Range Rover diesel carries a substantial base price of $89,350 ($2,000 over the base Range Rover with the supercharged gasoline V6), which puts it far beyond the reach of most SUV buyers.
2018 Land Rover Discovery Td6
$54,090 | 21/26 mpg city/hwy | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
The 2018 Land Rover Discovery ranks midpack among luxury midsize SUVs. True to Land Rover heritage, this SUV is capable of venturing places off-road where many rivals would be left foundering for grip. The optional diesel engine in the SE td6 model costs $2,000 more than the base model, which is powered by a supercharged V6 (340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque).
The added torque of the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 (254 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque) could make it the better choice for Discovery owners who intend to tow, or venture off the beaten path. With its optional third-row seating, the Discovery diesel is a practical choice for anyone who needs to transport more than five people.
2018 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Td6
$68,750 | 22/28 mpg city/hwy | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport has sharp handling and a well-built cabin that will appeal to buyers looking for a premium luxury midsize SUV. But the Range Rover Sport is only midpack among rivals, partly due to having less cargo room and lower fuel economy figures than other vehicles in this segment. The optional 254-horsepower 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 at least helps address the fuel economy issues.
The Range Rover Sport diesel returns an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Better still, it costs only $2,000 more than the base, gas-powered Range Rover Sport. When you consider models with the optional supercharged V8 crest the $80,000 barrier, the price for the diesel variant can seem a veritable bargain.
2018 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel
$25,420 | 31/47 mpg city/hwy | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.5/10
The Chevrolet Cruze diesel is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a compact car with a quiet ride and outstanding fuel economy. It places in the top half of our compact car rankings.
If you have a long daily commute, the turbodiesel is worth consideration. Powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder that’s coupled to a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Cruze diesel returns an exceptional 47 mpg during highway driving. With the manual gearbox, this figure is nudged to 52 mpg on the highway and the price drops by $1,600 to $23,820.
One drawback to the diesel is that it resides at the upper-end of the Cruze range. While a base Cruze starts at just under $17,000, the least-expensive diesel model is almost $24,000. In a market where every dollar matters, that higher price could sway many shoppers to the available gas-powered engine, which still gets a commendable 29/40 mpg city/highway with an automatic transmission.
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel
$42,995 | 22/30 mpg city/hwy | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.5/10
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a comfortable SUV for daily driving, and a highly capable off-roader whenever the pavement ends. Available on the Limited trim level for an additional $4,500, the EcoDiesel delivers strong fuel economy figures to match this Jeep’s reputation for adventure.
With 240 horsepower on offer, the EcoDiesel doesn’t have quite the performance punch of the optional V8 engines offered in the Grand Cherokee lineup – though, to be fair, not much comes close to an SUV like the 707-horsepower Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.
2018 GMC Terrain Diesel
$31,600 | 28/39 mpg city/hwy | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.5/10
Redesigned for the 2018 model year, the GMC Terrain ranks highly compared to other compact SUVs. With seating for five, the Terrain delivers a comfortable ride and a cabin that comes standard with tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional turbodiesel four-cylinder helps the Terrain stand out in a very crowded market.
The diesel delivers 137 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. This gives the Terrain a good deal of low-end power, even if the horsepower rating looks deceptively meager. Available on only two midlevel trims – SLE and SLT – the Terrain diesel comes with front- or all-wheel drive. While adding all-wheel drive costs an extra $1,800, the price could be worth it for car buyers living in areas where winter weather is a factor.
2018 BMW 328d
$41,750 | 31/43 mpg city/hwy | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.7/10
The 2018 BMW 3-Series is a smart choice among luxury small cars. It’s especially attractive to buyers interested in athletic handling, a strong attribute in the performance repertoire of this German luxury sedan. While the base 180-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine can feel uninspired, the optional turbodiesel four-cylinder adds much needed verve.
Delivering 180 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, the 328d returns 31 mpg during city driving and 43 mpg on the highway. Opting for the 328d xDrive, which is fitted with all-wheel drive, raises the base price by $2,000 to $43,750, while slightly lowering economy ratings to 30 mpg in city driving and 40 mpg on the highway. Still, for some buyers, the added grip of all-wheel drive is worth sacrificing a few MPGs.
2018 BMW X5 xDrive35d
$61,000 | 23/29 mpg city/hwy | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.8/10
If driving dynamics are a high priority and you don’t mind its higher price, the BMW X5 remains one of the best luxury midsize SUVs. The ride is composed and the handling provides excellent feedback, letting the driver feel in control in all conditions. While the entire engine lineup earns high marks for power and performance, the X5 diesel delivers a substantial dose of fuel economy, too.
The xDrive35d’s turbocharged six-cylinder engine delivers 255 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. As you’d expect with that torque figure, acceleration off the line is quick and purposeful. Coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, the lithe X5 diesel proves that gas-powered SUVs don’t get to have all the fun.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
To learn more about these diesels, head to the U.S. News Best Cars rankings. To read about diesel trucks, click here.
To get the best deal on one of these great diesel vehicles, check out our featured lease deals and finance deals. Finally, use our Best Price Program to find the dealer offering the best price in your area.
12 Best Diesel Cars and SUVs
- 2018 Jaguar XE 20d
- 2018 Jaguar XF 20d
- 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel
- 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar Diesel
- 2018 Jaguar F-Pace 20d
- 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Td6
- 2018 Land Rover Discovery Td6
- 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Td6
- 2018 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel
- 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2018 GMC Terrain Diesel
- 2018 BMW 328d
- 2018 BMW X5 xDrive35d
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Great Fuel Economy, Lots of Torque, and a Little Signature Rumble
Now could be the perfect time to consider a diesel-powered car or SUV. Despite the slew of negative publicity caused by the Volkswagen emissions scandal, the fact is diesel engines have a lot to offer in terms of power, longevity, and fuel economy.
Diesel is still a popular choice among truck buyers, where a typical diesel’s strong torque and low-end grunt make it ideal for heavy-duty work and towing. (If you’re looking for a list of the best diesel trucks, click here.)
The market for cars and SUVs is a different matter, since bad publicity and negative headlines could lead many car buyers to automatically dismiss diesel as outdated and dirty. Think of this as an opportunity, because you could find a great deal on a diesel-powered car or SUV that might have gone unnoticed or been ignored.
On the following pages, we’ve compiled a list of all the diesel-powered cars and SUVs available for the 2018 model year and included their U.S. News overall score, as well as their price and fuel economy.
(If you’re looking for just diesel SUVs, click here.)