Most vehicles come equipped with standard internal combustion gas engines. However, there are increasingly more models that now offer diesel engines, too. Diesel is often considered more efficient than traditional gas, mainly for those not engaging in city driving. Vehicles powered by diesel will have more torque to offer and achieve better fuel economy with impressive acceleration.
The science is the key difference between gas and diesel. Fuel and compressed air combine with piston pressure in a traditional gas engine. The spark plugs then ignite. In any diesel engine, the air is compressed first, making it hot before the fuel hits it, causing the ignition. This translates to an almost 20{09e594db938380acbda72fd0ffbcd1ef1c99380160786adb3aba3c50c4545157} fuel efficiency advantage over gas engines.
You might presume that diesel vehicles are mostly trucks, and you’d be right. However, there are a variety of models out there that have non-truck variations with diesel engines. Here are 10 non-truck diesel engine vehicles you can buy today.
1. Cadillac Escalade
Car and Driver put together a recent list of available diesel models for sale right now, with the Cadillac Escalade as the cherry on top. You can also get a gas or diesel-powered Escalade for the same $77,490-$80,490 price range. Additionally, you’ll enjoy the 277-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel, inline-six engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Lastly, this version of luxury on big wheels still earns a roughly 23 mpg combined fuel economy rating.
2. Chevrolet Express Diesel
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If you need a Chevy workhorse with a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine, harnessing four cylinders for a 181-hp output and 269 lb-ft of torque, you need to see the Chevrolet Express. You can get a half-ton variation or a three-quarter-ton, depending on what you need. Additionally, the price points are reasonable at $37,865 for the Cargo and $41,690 for the Passenger version.
3. Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevrolet Suburban is a top diesel contender since it’s the same 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine offered in the favorite pickup truck relative, the Silverado 1500. This inline-six comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission and cranks out 277 horsepower. You can buy one for $52,695. Additionally, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, you won’t be disappointed. As UTI points out, even though diesel fuel may cost more at the pump, it contains more energy potential, meaning less fuel is needed to achieve the same amount of power as gas.
4. Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevy Tahoe offers the same powertrain outfitting that the Suburban does if you prefer the Tahoe style. So, you can still harness 277 horses with that 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six engine and achieve the combined EPA rating of 24 mpg but pay a little less. The base price of a Chevrolet Tahoe is $51,290.
5. GMC Savana
The GMC Savana is worth a look with its turbocharged 2.8-liter diesel inline-four Duramax engine. Don’t let the four cylinders deter you. This van still hits 181 horsepower. Cargo versions will only set you back $37,865, while the Passenger variations start at $41,690.
6. GMC Yukon
If you’re a GMC fan, check out the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL to sample the optional 3.0-liter turbo diesel inline-six engine capable of 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of monstrous torque for serious get-up-and-go. EPA ratings aren’t terrible, either with city driving coming in at 23 mpg and highway at 27 mpg. The base Yukon is $52,990, while the extended Yukon XL starts at $55,690.
7. Jeep Wrangler Diesel
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You might have assumed the Jeep Gladiator would make the diesel list, but so did the Wrangler. Yes, you can get a Wrangler Unlimited with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine, according to Cars. That’s 260 horses powering the ultimate off-roader. The price tag is appealing, too, with a base MSRP of $39,470. EPA ratings are solid, as well, with a combined 25 mpg.
8. Land Rover Range Rover
You can’t have a diesel list of non-trucks with a few Land Rovers. The Land Rover Range Rover is the first of its generation to come with a 3.0-liter diesel V6 engine, providing 255 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Combined EPA fuel ratings are 24 mpg, and it will cost $99,350 to buy.
9. Land Rover Range Rover Sport
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is another variant to consider, with its 254-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine and eight-speed auto transmission. The combined EPA rating is 24 mpg, and the base price is $80,850.
10. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Diesel
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Rounding out this roster is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with its 188-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 engine and seven-speed automatic transmission. You can buy a cargo version of the Sprinter for $48,595 and a Passenger ride for $55,195.
Now that you know which non-truck models are available with a diesel engine, all you have left to do is pick one!
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