With the economy slowly recovering many people are looking to replace their old cars. That being said, with environmental concerns and rising gas prices many are looking to purchase something with more fuel economy than usual. Some are purchasing hybrids or all electrics but many are beginning to turn to diesel and it’s about time they do.
While diesel has been popular in Europe and other parts of the world for several decades it has been slow to catch on in the US, but with the tougher MPG rules coming into effect by 2025, diesels are emerging as a major market.
Diesel burns far more efficiently and produces far more power the gasoline does. There is a reason why big rigs run diesel and not gas. That being said, which are the best diesel vehicles on the market? Here are our rankings of upscale diesels.
2013 Volkswagon Golf Diesel
Admittedly the Golf is pricier then many of its rivals but there is a reason for that. The Golf comes with a good array of details and is over-all a high quality product for those that appreciate riding in a little style and don’t mind paying extra for it. Some may even call it upscale.
It is made of top-notch materials and has nice extra features like rear air vents and a tilt-and-telescoping armrest.
Upgrades include navigation, heated seats and Dynaudio stereo. The handling is solid and the ride comfortable. Besides the higher price the biggest knock on it is that it has a lower mpg on the highway than its competitors. It has a 2.0 liter, 4 cylinder, engine with 30/42 mpg.
2013 BMW X5
The BMW X5 remains a top choice among upscale diesels. As a front-runner in the luxury crossover the X5 offers everything you would expect from BMW. Yes it is pricier but you do get what you pay for. The exterior is sporty and stylish while the interior is well designed and of the highest quality.
It has a choice of powerful engines that range from a stout turbocharged six-cylinder to a powerful twin-turbo V8. All versions offer up an athletic and fun driving experience. It offers a wide range of features but be warned the more you add the higher the price.
Standard options do include fog lights, adaptive xenon headlights, roof rails, power tailgate with adjustable opening, parking sensors, leather vinyl upholstery, Bluetooth, Ipod/USB port and HD radio. The base engine is a 3.0 liter, 6 cylinder engine with 19/26 mpg.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Few upscale cars offer the variety of the famed E-Class, especially with diesel options. There are four different body styles, four engines and two trim levels with numerous options, all equally impressive. The E-Class continues on with the meticulous engineering and excellent driving experience that Mercedes-Benz has become known for.
It also strikes an amazing balance between responsive handling and overall performance. It has a spacious interior filled with the luxury that this automaker is known for. To make matters more impressive it is available in a sedan, coupe or even convertible with the convertible offering up some nice innovative features.
Each version has its own set of features depending on what you are wanting so you will need to do a little research along the way. The diesel version comes in a 2.0 liter V6 with 21/32 mpg.
Aiden Jefferson writes from sunny Southern California. Look for useful used car reviews at enterprisecarsales.com.