Best Diesel Cars Ever Made: 10 Legendary Oil Burners

Best Diesel Cars Ever Made: 10 Legendary Oil Burners

Diesel cars have fallen out of favor, but there are some good ones out there.

Throughout automotive history, diesel engines have been a popular choice for drivers looking for increased fuel economy, with average running costs typically lower than those of gasoline engines. A diesel car could make a tank of fuel go further on long highway trips, and being more fuel efficient than a gas-powered equivalent, it was even considered the “eco-friendly” option until not too long ago.

However, in recent years, diesel engines have fallen out of favor with consumers and automakers regarding passenger cars. They are now much more prevalent among trucks, their characteristics being more practical for a sturdy workhorse than a daily commuter. Prospective buyers of diesel vehicles now place less importance on lower fuel consumption, instead focusing on diesel’s strengths regarding torque and hauling capabilities.

Let’s explore some of the best cars with diesel engines that ever went on sale in the US, from SUVs that can tow a passenger jet to trucks that can drag an entire small town.

Although diesels were at the height of their popularity in the early 2000s, diesel engines and thrilling performance were not typically associated. Audi wanted to change that, and in 2008, the Q7 V12 TDI hit the market.

Two years prior, a diesel-powered Audi race car (the R10 TDI) was the first diesel vehicle to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans; the technology that powered the R10 TDI loosely served as the basis for the V12 engine this unusual Q7 was equipped with.

The V12 diesel remained one of the Q7’s available engine options for four years before being discontinued in 2012. It produced 493 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, achieving 19 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

From its military origins to its cult following of “Jeepers,” Jeep is a brand that has always been associated with rugged, utilitarian vehicles. Diesel powertrains have formed an integral part of the company’s history, especially when it comes to its flagship SUV, the legendary Wrangler. However, Jeep eventually had to keep up with a changing automotive landscape, and diesel powertrains were dropped from its lineup in 2023, with the special edition Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon FarOut as a final, epic send-off.

The Rubicon FarOut is equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6, producing 260hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. It achieved 21 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway.

Between 2013 and 2018, American drivers could order their new BMW X5 with a somewhat unusual engine option: a 3.0-liter, straight-six diesel engine with not two, not three, but four turbochargers. It was paired with an eight-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox, produced 376hp and 546 lb-ft of torque, and achieved 35 mpg on the combined cycle.

The M50d X5’s blend of performance and efficiency made it an exciting offering, but relatively few customers chose the quad-turbo option. It was discontinued a few years after being launched as it didn’t form a large enough part of BMW’s business strategy in the future.

The bonkers brainchild of pre-Dieselgate Volkswagen, the version of the Touareg equipped with a diesel V10 has earned itself a place in the list of most memorable diesel-powered vehicles in automotive history. First offered in 2004, it was forced off the market due to emissions regulations but returned in 2006 (only in some states) before eventually being discontinued in 2008 and replaced with the V6 TDI version.

It may have been propelled by diesel power, but better fuel economy was missing from the priority list. This incarnation of the Touareg wasn’t exactly economical, only achieving 15 mpg during city driving and 20 on the highway.

Its talents lay elsewhere: the 5.0-liter V10, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, produced 310hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. (Enough grunt to tow a Boeing 747, according to British TV show Fifth Gear).

One of the most recently available mid-size luxury SUVs powered by a diesel engine, the Range Rover Sport is smaller and more agile than a full-size Range Rover while maintaining a comfortable and spacious interior perfect for longer journeys. A diesel engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission was available until 2021.

The now-defunct Range Rover Sport Td6 was equipped with a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine. It produced 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, achieving 22 mpg during city driving and 28 mpg on the highway.

The best-selling vehicle in the US for forty years and counting, the Ford F-150 is the ultimate American pickup truck.

Its ample cargo space and steady reliability have built a long-standing reputation as a reliable workhorse. A diesel option was available for most of the model’s history, but in 2022, diesel-powered F-150s were discontinued and replaced by the PowerBoost hybrid powertrain.

The last diesel F-150 for sale was equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 that produced 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque; it achieved 20 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway. The diesel F-150 may have been the least powerful option in the lineup, but it was the best for towing purposes.

However, the new PowerBoost hybrid trucks outperform the diesel on both fronts, producing 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque.

When it comes to heavy-duty pickup trucks, the clue is in the name. With a spacious cabin and rugged exterior styling, the Ram HD series of pickup trucks (2500, 3500, 4500, 5500) are powerful and versatile options for a work truck that can lend itself to all sorts of towing and hauling jobs. Three different cab configurations are available: a two-door regular cab with a long bed, a four-door crew cab with a choice of standard or long bed, and a four-door extended cab “Mega Cab” with a standard bed.

The Ram HD comes equipped with a 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six engine. Power output and torque vary depending on trim and configuration:

Needless to say, fuel economy is not one of the Ram’s main selling points. The high-output version of the 3500 only achieves 16 mpg during combined driving.

If you’re looking for a full-size SUV powered by a diesel engine and can transport up to eight passengers, look no further: the GMC Yukon can do all this and more, combining a spacious interior with easy-to-access rear seats and a generous towing capability. The Yukon can tow up to 8,200 pounds when equipped with a diesel engine.

A 2021 re-design ushered in the fifth and current generation of the Yukon, with some new features, including an independent rear suspension and an updated infotainment system with a larger screen (exclusive to the Denali version). Higher trims are relatively expensive for what you get, but the mid-level SLT trim hits the sweet spot of affordability and comfort.

Under the hood of the diesel Yukon is a 277 hp turbodiesel V6 that produces 450 lb-ft of torque. The RWD version achieves 21 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway, while for the AWD version, those figures are 20 and 26 mpg, respectively.

The Ford F-450 Super Duty is a powerful diesel workhorse that pushes the limits of what pickup trucks can do with its class-leading hauling capabilities, making it the perfect choice for a work truck that can easily handle any job. Its dually configuration with its extra rear wheels gives it additional stability for towing; the highest trim level (Limited) has a maximum towing capacity of 30,000 pounds.

At the heart of the F-450 is a 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8, producing 475hp and 1050 lb/ft of torque. The high-output version of the same engine, only available in the Limited trim level, produces 500hp and 1200 lb/ft. Gas mileage is predictably low (11 mpg for combined driving).

Up there with the F-450 in the category of ultimate diesel haulers is the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. The Silverado doesn’t shy away from even the most challenging jobs. Its maximum towing capacity is 20,000 pounds, and it can also be configured as a dually for when four wheels just aren’t enough.

The Silverado 3500HD is equipped with a legendary Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8, which has been squeezed even further for the 2024 model year to produce ever-increasing amounts of power (401hp and 464 lb/ft of torque). Gas mileage is 19 mpg during city driving and 24 mpg on the highway.