Car Buying

Diesel Cars: What Are the Benefits?

RELATED READING
RESEARCH BY MAKE
Toyota cars, trucks and SUVs Honda cars, trucks and SUVs Ford cars, trucks and SUVs Chevrolet cars, trucks and SUVs Volkswagen cars, trucks and SUVs Jeep cars, trucks and SUVs Nissan cars, trucks and SUVs Mercedes-Benz cars, trucks and SUVs BMW cars, trucks and SUVs
Acura cars, trucks and SUVs Alfa Romeo cars, trucks and SUVs AMC cars, trucks and SUVs Aston Martin cars, trucks and SUVs Audi cars, trucks and SUVs Bentley cars, trucks and SUVs BMW cars, trucks and SUVs Bugatti cars, trucks and SUVs Buick cars, trucks and SUVs Cadillac cars, trucks and SUVs Chevrolet cars, trucks and SUVs Chrysler cars, trucks and SUVs Daewoo cars, trucks and SUVs Datsun cars, trucks and SUVs DeLorean cars, trucks and SUVs Dodge cars, trucks and SUVs Eagle cars, trucks and SUVs Ferrari cars, trucks and SUVs FIAT cars, trucks and SUVs Fisker cars, trucks and SUVs Ford cars, trucks and SUVs Freightliner cars, trucks and SUVs Genesis cars, trucks and SUVs Geo cars, trucks and SUVs GMC cars, trucks and SUVs Honda cars, trucks and SUVs HUMMER cars, trucks and SUVs Hyundai cars, trucks and SUVs INFINITI cars, trucks and SUVs Isuzu cars, trucks and SUVs Jaguar cars, trucks and SUVs Jeep cars, trucks and SUVs Karma cars, trucks and SUVs Kia cars, trucks and SUVs Lamborghini cars, trucks and SUVs Land Rover cars, trucks and SUVs Lexus cars, trucks and SUVs Lincoln cars, trucks and SUVs Lotus cars, trucks and SUVs Maserati cars, trucks and SUVs Maybach cars, trucks and SUVs MAZDA cars, trucks and SUVs McLaren cars, trucks and SUVs Mercedes-Benz cars, trucks and SUVs Mercury cars, trucks and SUVs MINI cars, trucks and SUVs Mitsubishi cars, trucks and SUVs Nissan cars, trucks and SUVs Oldsmobile cars, trucks and SUVs Plymouth cars, trucks and SUVs Pontiac cars, trucks and SUVs Porsche cars, trucks and SUVs RAM cars, trucks and SUVs Rolls-Royce cars, trucks and SUVs Saab cars, trucks and SUVs Saturn cars, trucks and SUVs Scion cars, trucks and SUVs smart cars, trucks and SUVs SRT cars, trucks and SUVs Subaru cars, trucks and SUVs Suzuki cars, trucks and SUVs Tesla cars, trucks and SUVs Toyota cars, trucks and SUVs Volkswagen cars, trucks and SUVs Volvo cars, trucks and SUVs Yugo cars, trucks and SUVs
RESEARCH BY STYLE
AWD/4WD
Commercial
Convertible
Coupe
Hatchback
Hybrid/Electric
Luxury
Sedan
SUV/Crossover
Truck
Van/Minivan
Wagon
author photo by Doug DeMuro June 2013
Diesel Cars: What Are the Benefits? featured image large thumb0

In the last 20 years, Americans have largely stayed away from diesel technology. Much of the reason is early diesel cars were loud and slow -- and many were big polluters. But that's no longer true, and diesel has surged in popularity as drivers and automakers search for better gas mileage. Should you consider a diesel car for your next vehicle? We've examined the benefits of diesel technology.

Fuel Economy

The main benefit of diesel powertrains is better fuel economy over gasoline equivalents. That's important for drivers looking to spend less money at the pump. Some diesel vehicles can improve gas mileage by 20 percent or more, which is a huge boost. And while others don't increase fuel economy that much, they can offer better gas mileage and acceleration that feels like a larger engine.

Of course, hybrid cars also save at the pump -- and drivers have to carefully consider which is better for their lifestyle. For instance, hybrids may be better in town, while diesels offer a greater benefit on the highway.

Highway Driving

Many drivers prefer hybrid technology to diesel powertrains because hybrid cars are more beneficial in the city. The reason is hybrids offer regenerative braking that helps boost gas mileage as you're slowing down. But for those who spend a lot of time on the highway, there's nothing like a diesel car.

One example is the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, which is only rated for around 30 miles per gallon in city driving. That figure isn't exceptional -- but the car's 42 mpg on the highway certainly is. The same is true for the Chevrolet Cruze Diesel, rated at 27 mpg in the city but a whopping 46 mpg in highway driving. As a result, we strongly suggest considering a diesel car if you do a lot of highway driving.

Low-End Power

Many drivers like the feel of diesel cars when they accelerate from a stop. Unlike gas engines, diesel engines don't need to be revved high for the best acceleration. As a result, diesels often feel more powerful than they are -- especially at lower speeds. For drivers who enjoy being the first away from a traffic light, or for those who just enjoy a jolt of power when the light turns green, a diesel may be worth considering.

Improved Towing

Diesels also offer improved towing capabilities compared to their gasoline counterparts. That's why many heavy-duty trucks use diesel engines: They can tow and haul heavier loads.

The reason for this is diesel vehicles tend to have more torque than gas vehicles. While horsepower is a measure of how fast a car's engine can propel it, torque describes how much work it can do. When you're towing, you want to have more torque since that lets you do more work -- and in that case, diesel is the powertrain you'll want.

Reliability?

Many drivers believe diesel engines are more reliable than gas engines. This is an old concept that may be based on simple diesel powerplants from years past -- but few automotive experts believe it's true anymore. These days, gas engines are just as reliable as their diesel counterparts, but diesels benefit from a perception of reliability that helps them still find buyers.

ChangeCancel
This image is a stock photo and is not an exact representation of any vehicle offered for sale. Advertised vehicles of this model may have styling, trim levels, colors and optional equipment that differ from the stock photo.
Diesel Cars: What Are the Benefits? - Autotrader