If you're looking for the best diesel SUV, you should consider a Mercedes-Benz GLE300d. This vehicle is one of the best commuter diesel SUVs available. You can also consider the Land Rover Discovery Sport. These models are the best pick for families that travel a lot. All these models have excellent fuel economy, which is important when you're navigating unfamiliar roads.
Escalade diesel
The Cadillac Escalade diesel is a high-performance SUV that offers the same high level of luxury and versatility as its V8-powered counterpart. Its independent rear suspension isolates vertical motions and spine jitter from the ride and helps reduce harshness. With a diesel engine, the Escalade is an excellent choice for those who travel frequently or need to tow large loads.
The Escalade diesel returns 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. That's an improvement of about six mpg compared to a gasoline-powered Escalade. Although you'll still have to use premium gas in the Escalade, you'll save more than $1,350 on fuel costs per year. The difference is just 39 cents per gallon compared to premium 91-octane gas, making the Escalade diesel a better value.
Mercedes-Benz GLE300d
The new Mercedes-Benz GLE300d diesel SUV offers a smooth ride, comfortable front seats, and a large cargo hold. Although it's not as responsive as the V-6, the GLE300d's engine offers plenty of torque. It also comes with an infotainment system that offers many tools and applications. The car's split-screen infotainment system is a great feature, and it lets you run apps along with the navigation system.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV is available in seven sub-models, each with a different price. The lowest-priced model is the GLE350, a rear-wheel drive SUV with a familiar 3.5-liter direct-injected V-6. A $2,500 option is 4Matic all-wheel drive. The most affordable of the three diesel models are the GLE300d, which comes with a 48-volt mild hybrid system and is rated at 245 horsepower.
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 diesel is one of the best compact SUVs on the market. Its diesel engine offers instant torque and smoother progress than turbo gasoline engines. Diesel is also an excellent choice for towing. Plus, modern diesel after-treatment systems are as clean as gasoline. However, you should be aware that diesel will be more expensive than a gasoline-powered model.
The Mazda CX-5 diesel is a capable vehicle with advanced safety features. It has four disc brakes with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), a traction control system (TCS), rear cross-traffic alert, and advanced blind-spot monitoring. Although the diesel version of the Mazda CX-5 feels a bit nervy on the road, it is very enjoyable to drive. The handling is responsive and the ride is quiet.
Land Rover Discovery Sport
If you're looking for an affordable diesel SUV, the Land Rover Discovery Sport is a solid choice. It has a posh interior and is very practical. It comes with a 2.0-liter diesel engine and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. And while the entry-level D165 doesn't have any mild hybrid tech, it's still a tempting PS32k entry-level Land Rover.
Although the Discovery Sport doesn't have much off-road capability, it has a practical interior and a raised driving position. Plus, it looks pretty smart. The vehicle is available in four trim levels and features heated seats, a 10-inch touchscreen, LED headlights, cruise control, and a rearview camera. There's also an HSE variant with climate control, touchscreen navigation, and leather upholstery.
Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is a luxury SUV that offers superior performance at an affordable price. It is one of the first diesel-powered vehicles to reach the market and is equipped with advanced technology. The new Q7 features LED headlights as standard. It also offers HD Matrix LEDs and Audi Laser Light, which combines an automatically controlled high beam with a laser module to double the range of the full beam. It also offers air suspension and active roll stabilization, as well as busy anti-roll bars. The latter is available only on the SQ7 Prestige trim levels in the US and Canada. It features 48-volt electric motors to automatically adjust the anti-roll bar's height based on the type of driving style and road conditions.
The Audi Q7 has a 3.2-liter TDI diesel engine that has been a mainstay of the Q7 range since 2015. Last year, the engine's output was increased by 10 kW to 210 kW (286 PS). The torque remains unchanged at 600 Nm. The power and torque of the TDI diesel are managed by an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission called Tiptronic. The Q7's TDI version weighs 4,398 pounds.