With sales of petrol and diesel-only cars being phased out – and banned completely from 2040 – the current crop of diesel engines is likely to be the last. Sure, 2040 may be several years away, but manufacturers are already moving away from traditional diesel-powered cars, which have seen a huge drop in sales over recent months.
Here, then are 10 very different diesels that are the absolute best of their type. If you want one, buy it now before they disappear for good.
10. BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics
The drop in diesel’s popularity has knocked the once best-selling diesel car from its perch, but despite that the 320d Efficient Dynamics remains a truly superb all-rounder, with a combined economy figure of 64mg, masses of torque and terrific mid-range performance. As diesel compact executive cars go, it’s one of the best.
9. Vauxhall Astra 1.6 CDTi
Vauxhall is really feeling the pinch of diesel’s dip in the sales charts, with the stalwart Astra dropping out of the UK’s top 10 seller lists for the first time since the 1980s. It’s a real shame, as in 1.6 CDTi format the British-built Astra is extremely efficient, while it’s also loaded with tech features and is terrific to drive.
8. Ford Mondeo 2.0 Duratorq
Ford’s 207bhp twin-turbo diesel is eager and lively, but also one of the most refined four-cylinder diesel engines on the market at the moment. It’s particularly good at high speed, where it’s both quiet and extremely responsive. And while 56.5mpg isn’t class leading, it’s efficient enough.
7. Jaguar F-PACE 3.0d V6
Jaguar was a latecomer to the diesel revolution, with the XJ6 2.7 diesel joining the line up in 2006, several decades behind its German rivals. But it has made up for lost time, and the 3.0-litre V6 unit under the bonnet of the latest F-PACE is an absolutely terrific companion for the UK brand’s first foray into off-road territory.
6. Land Rover Discovery Td6
It will come as no surprise, then, that the Discovery Td6 features the very same 254bhp engines as the F-PACE, as the two models were developed alongside each other. The Discovery is a more rugged and more expensive vehicle, with a focus on go-anywhere ability over performance and refinement, but both are magnificent cars in their own right.
5. Volkswagen Golf GTD
Volkswagen was first to market with a diesel hot hatchback, with the original GTD – with just 130bhp – launched almost 20 years ago as part of the Golf Mk 4 line-up. We’re now on Golf Mk 7, and 184bhp, along with an optional DSG gearbox, which bring the 0-60 time down to 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 149mph. Who says diesels can’t be fun?
4. Jaguar XE 2.0d
It’s a sign of how quickly diesel has fallen out of favour that the Jaguar XE’s 2.0-litre ‘Ingenium’ diesel engine was originally seen as the powerplant that would finally make Jaguar fully competitive in the fleet sector. The 178bhp unit comes with a choice of six-speed manual or terrific eight-speed automatic transmissions, excellent emissions and terrific power delivery. It’s brilliant.
3. BMW 435d xDrive M-Sport
The BMW 435d xDrive M-Sport has to be one of the most fun-to-drive diesel cars that money can buy, with four-wheel-drive, blisteringly quick pace and 309bhp – enough to give it 0-62mph acceleration of 4.5 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 155mph. All that in a subtle coupe body that’s more grand tourer than the sports car that lies beneath.
2. Audi SQ7
It’s neither cheap nor subtle, but the 4.0-litre V8 diesel SQ7 is a technological tour de force, with three-way induction via two turbos and an additional electronically-controlled compressor. It develops 429bhp and an eye-watering 907Nm of torque, which gives it a sub 5.0-second 0-60 time and an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph.
1. Peugeot 208 1.6 BlueHDI 100
There’s nothing outwardly special about the diesel-engined 208, other than the fact it’s the most economical deisel-powered car on sale, with a claimed fuel economy figure of 94.5mpg on the combined cycle. Other than that, it’s a competent, stylish and fine handling supermini, and if that’s the kind of car you’re after than the 208 is hard to beat – we’ll miss diesel’s fuel-sipping efficiency when it’s gone…
