In the USA diesel cars are becoming increasingly common and demand for them has also been increasing as well. These changes in the consumer automobile market have surfaced as the advantages of diesel cars (most notably their spectacular fuel mileage and corresponding increase in vehicle range) have become more important, and traditional downsides such as noise, production of pollutants, dark smoke and/or acrid smell have been mitigated by advancing technology.
Today's clean diesel vehicles are able to achieve fuel mileage figures around 30-50% greater than their gasoline counterparts and they are able to do that with little notable increase in engine noise or the smoky emissions that diesels used to be known for. Altogether, that adds up to one great reason to take a look at a few diesel options when considering your next car purchase. Here is a quick summary of what manufacturers are offering clean diesel options in their 2011 lineup.
Audi
Unsurprisingly, German automaker Audi will continue with diesel offerings of several of their popular models set to be available in the US market. Currently the A3 and the Q7 are available domestically equipped with TDI motors but Audi says they plan on expanding that number, especially with the success of the A3 TDI last year. Look for an A6 to offer a clean diesel option next.
- Audi A3 Hatchback. The Audi diesel engine has been a long standing favorite for people who want a clean, reliable, efficient car. This 2.0L vehicle can travel more than 450 miles with its 15-gallon tank of gas. Even though it is a hatchback, this car gets high marks from drivers for its roomy interior and design.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen has offered their compact Jetta with a TDI power plant for several years and will continue to do so.
Also available with diesel motors in 2010 will be the Golf and the Toureg, bringing the German manufacturer up to second place with three separate models available in clean diesel.
- Jetta Diesel. The VW diesel Jetta is compact but is as good as any regular sedan. It is available as a sedan or wagon and there are also three different engines to choose from. What makes this VW car stand out is its turbocharged diesel engine that offers great mileage. In addition, it has electronic stability control and there is also a col weather package offering features such as heated front seats and heated steering.
- Golf Diesel. The MKVI Golf offers 140 horsepower with 2.0 liter engine and there are two options to choose from including either six speed manual transmission or six speeds DSG automatic having Tiptronic. Besides its attractive features, the VW diesel Golf has good safety features such as anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control. In addition it also has tire pressure monitoring and six airbags. The TDI versions also incorporate features like sport suspension and 17-inch large alloy wheels. The steering wheel and shift knob is made from leather, while a touch screen six disc stereo with SIRIUS rounds off the other special features. It is interesting to note that 30 percent of VW Golfs are diesels with waiting lists to boot.
- Beetle Diesel. The VW Beetle was and continues to remain an economy vehicle that also has always sold like hot cakes. In 1951 the first VW diesel Beetle prototype was introduced and in its initial test runs showed that the prototype could achieve acceleration of zero to sixty mph in just 60 seconds. Today, it has 1.9 liter engine and excellent fuel economy which is achieved thanks to its diesel direct injection fuel system (TDI). The acceleration has drastically improved since the 50´s. It scores high on crash test ratings and in fact the front occupants just will not be any securer than in a VW diesel Beetle.
- Passat Diesel. The VW diesel Passat is a very popular model in Europe and only recently has it been introduced in North America. Without a doubt, this particular VW is considered the best among all mid-sized sedans as well as wagons. It sports a 2.0 liter TDI engine and also has the latest Pump Duse technology. The VW Passat can churn up 134 HP which may not be a lot but given the fact that it has excellent torque it will still be able to produce superb acceleration to ensure that overtaking cars on the highway is never going to be a problem.
Mercedes
Mercedes leads the pack with their Blutec diesel motor available in the ML350, R350, and GL350 lines and a diesel version of their flagship E class sedan on the way. According to Mercedes, the E350 will be available in the US market with the Blutec before the close of the 2010 model year, and will continue to be offered for 2011.
- Mercedes Benz GL Class. The Mercedes GL class of vehicles are diesel SUVs that give you a little more power and room than a sedan. Perfect for people with larger families, this diesel powered vehicle will get you to where you need to go. Spacious, roomy and delivering up to 26 MPG, you will always be happy when driving around in this powerful mid-size SUV.
BMW
BMW offers diesel motors in two specific cars - the 335d Advanced Diesel 3 series sedan and the X5 xDrive35d (say that 10 times fast). Both of these cars are available in limited numbers in the US market. However if sales of these vehicles are successful here then BMW may expand its offering, possibly to include a diesel version of the brand new 1 series that will get around 50mpg.
- BMW 335D. This is a four door sedan that always ranks high among customer satisfaction. By being able to haul around your family, with a spacious interior and a powerful 3.0 6-cylinder engine, the BMW diesel presents stylish lines that look great traveling down the highway.
Interestingly enough, that is all that is set in stone as the 2011 season looms. Only four manufacturers offering diesels in the US domestic market and all are German. American auto Juggernaut Ford stated that they have no current plans for a diesel car, and rumors of a diesel version of Cadillac's CTS never materialized. Jeep discontinued the very limited run of their diesel "Liberty" compact SUV and haven't made any promises concerning the proposed offering of a 3.5 liter Mercedes-sourced diesel in their popular "Cherokee" line.
Related Questions and Answers
Is there a Diesel Honda Civic Model Available in the US?
No, there is not a diesel Honda Civic for sale in the United States. According to the Honda website, they do not currently sell any diesel engine products in the US. There is a diesel Civic that is sold in Europe. It is powered by a turbo diesel engine that is well reviewed by both experts and customers that drive it. In the US, you can purchase a Hybrid Civic or one that is powered by natural gas. The hybrid is second in popularity only to the Toyota Prius. It gets an estimated 43 MPG on the highway.
Are there Any Peugeot Cars Available in the USA?
No, there are no Peugeot sales in the USA. They have not been sold in the United States for a number of years, Originally, they were not allowed to be sold here because they failed both emissions and crash tests. This is no longer the case, but they have never returned to the US market. The reasons are many and complex. The US market is an expensive one to enter, requiring lots of marketing, as well as clearing regulatory hurdles. Peugeot does quite well in Europe and Latin America, so entering the US market is not a priority at this time. There is the possibility that sometime in the future they will once again be sold in the US.
Are All Diesel BMW Cars Turbo Powered?
Yes, all diesel BMW's feature the turbo diesel BMW engine. In the United States, BMW sells two diesel models. The 335d is a couple that features a 3.0 litre, 6-cylinder engine. It has the most powerful turbo diesel engine in the world. They also sell an SUV. The X5 diesel has a V-8 engine in it that is also turbo charged. These vehicles get excellent gas mileage without sacrificing performance. The X5 starts at roughly $55,000, while the 335d comes in at $44,000, depending on the trim level and options that you choose. BMW makes one of the highest quality diesel engines in the world, and their vehicles are well regarded by industry experts.
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