22 best diesel cars

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Despite the fact that diesel cars are on the verge of a ban, the interest in them from Russian consumers is not decreasing. Moreover, experts note an increase in sales of diesel-powered cars. Even the higher price of a diesel modification compared to the same petrol model does not stop motorists. What attracts a separate category of motorists to cars with diesel engines?

Diesel vehicle benefits

1. Economical consumption. When the car owner has to move a lot for work or want to see the world, then preference should be given to a diesel car. On average, they consume less fuel, which makes transportation cheaper.
2. Pullibility. Heavy fuel oil engines have high torque. They create a lot of tractive effort, which is required to transport goods when driving off-road. Therefore, it is more profitable to buy commercial vans, pickups or SUVs with a diesel engine.
3. Durability. In recent years, the quality of diesel engines has improved significantly. Accurate dimensions, reliable materials, robust assemblies make diesel vehicles tough and durable. Some motors have a motor resource of about 1 million km.
4. Demand in the secondary market. Specialists in the sale of used cars have discovered another advantage of diesels. They do not fall in price as quickly as gasoline models. And interest in diesel engines in the secondary market remains high.
5. Safety. When choosing the type of motor, you should pay attention to safety. Since diesel fuel is less flammable than gasoline, you should not be afraid of fuel ignition under the hood. In addition, the diesel engine does not have high-voltage wires, which also has a beneficial effect on safety.
6. Myths and Reality. There are still some myths about diesel cars.
7. Noisiness. If before the diesel heart under the hood gave out a characteristic loud roar, today the average man in the street will not determine the type of engine by sound. Even standing next to the hood, it is difficult to guess the type of combustible fuel.
8. Black exhaust. Old cars running on diesel fuel disguise themselves as black smoke from the exhaust pipe. Modern cars are equipped with exhaust gas afterburning systems, so it is impossible to visually guess the type of engine.
9. Cold interior. In winter, diesel engines take longer to warm up to operating temperature. Therefore, the cold reigns inside the car for a long time. To solve this problem, many manufacturers equip machines with autonomous heaters or re-heaters. In such cars, the cabin is always warm in winter.

We have selected 22 of the best diesel cars for our review. All of them are supplied to the Russian market, and some are also assembled in our country. When distributing places in the ranking, the opinion of authoritative experts and reviews of domestic motorists were taken into account.

Rating of the best diesel cars

Nomination	a place	Name of product	rating
Best Cheap Diesel Cars	1	Kia Soul	5.0
	2	Renault Duster	4.9
	3	SsangYong Actyon	4.8
	4	Peugeot 308	4.7
Best Diesel Passenger Cars	1	BMW 5	5.0
	2	Audi A4	4.9
	3	Skoda Superb	4.8
	4	Volkswagen Passat	4.7
	5	Citroen DS5	4.6
The best SUVs with a diesel engine	1	BMW X5 30d	5.0
	2	Audi Q5	4.9
	3	Toyota Land Cruiser Prado	4.8
	4	Volkswagen Tiguan	4.7
	5	Hyundai Santa Fe	4.6
	6	Kia sorento	4.5
The best diesel crossovers	1	Skoda Kodiaq	5.0
	2	Toyota RAV4	4.9
	3	Mazda CX-5	4.8
	4	Nissan Qashqai	4.7
	5	Kia Sportage	4.6
	6	Hyundai Tucson	4.5
	7	Renault Koleos	4.4

Best Cheap Diesel Cars

Diesel engines are installed not only on trucks and SUVs. Manufacturers also equip budget cars with them. This allows people with limited incomes to enjoy all the benefits of diesel. The experts drew attention to several inexpensive cars.

Kia Soul

Rating: 5.0

Already 10 years have passed since the birth of the Korean car Kia Soul. During this time, the car has won the hearts of motorists around the world. During the first year of production, the model managed to win prestigious awards for innovation, design and safety. Experts have identified several reasons for the popularity of cars in our country. First of all, it's good build quality at an affordable price. Due to its high ground clearance, the vehicle has good maneuverability. A high-torque, but economical, diesel engine (128 HP) with a volume of 1.6 liters consumes only 5-7 liters of diesel fuel.

The car becomes the winner of our rating. Users are satisfied with the economical consumption, good acceleration dynamics, decent noise isolation, excellent handling. Of the minuses, there is a small trunk.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• high-quality assembly;
• high ground clearance;
• nice interior.

disadvantages

• small trunk.

Renault Duster

Rating: 4.9

Many residents of small settlements, hunters and fishermen vote with a ruble for a French car Renault Duster. High ground clearance in combination with a high-torque diesel engine (1.5 liters) turns a budget car into an SUV, especially if you choose an all-wheel drive version. At the same time, experts note a modest configuration. For example, the Expression version is equipped with options such as an audio system, ABS, remote central locking and power lifters in the front doors. But on the other hand, the owner will be pleasantly surprised by the fuel consumption in the car; it will take about 5 liters of diesel fuel to cover 100 km of mixed roads.

Domestic users are satisfied with the low price, efficiency and cross-country ability. The model ranks second for vibration and heavy smoke when starting the engine.

Advantages

• low price;
• economical consumption;
• excellent cross-country ability;
• stylish appearance.

disadvantages

• vibration at idle.

SsangYong Actyon

Rating: 4.8

There are few budget SUVs on the domestic market. The Korean car SsangYong Actyon became a worthy competitor for UAZs and Dasters. The first deliveries to Russia took place in 2006, after which production was established in Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Among the advantages of this crossover, experts first of all mention the D20DT diesel engine, which was assembled under license from Mercedes. With a capacity of 141 liters. with., the unit accelerates a two-ton car without problems. The manual transmission also looks simple and reliable. The high cross-country ability of the car is provided by a full (plug-in) drive.

The third place in our rating is explained by a number of shortcomings noted by the owners. This is the unreliable fastening of the body to the frame and the fragility of the vacuum hubs.

Advantages

• powerful durable motor;
• four-wheel drive;
• reliable transmission;
• stylish design.

disadvantages

• quick failure of the front hubs.

Peugeot 308

Rating: 4.7

Beauty is a terrible force! It was this statement that guided the experts, explaining the reasons for the popularity Peugeot 308. The French manufacturer endowed the car with an impressive appearance, high-quality interior trim, took care of sound insulation. The advantages include good driving performance, reliable turbodiesel units (1.6 and 2.0 liters). The manual gearboxes are praised, but not the AL4. The body is well protected from corrosion, but the owner must promptly eliminate the emerging chips and scratches.

The car was liked by domestic users, thanks to which it got into our rating. Not all is well with the reliability of the 308 Peugeot, and many modern options are not included in the basic configuration.

Advantages

• graceful appearance;
• effective sound insulation;
• reliable diesel engines;
• durable mechanical transmission.

disadvantages

• modest basic equipment;
• short-lived automatic transmission.

Best Diesel Passenger Cars

Not only budget segment cars, but also premium class cars have to drive a lot. Therefore, diesel engines are installed by manufacturers on prestigious brands of cars and sports cars. The specialists have chosen several interesting cars.

BMW 5

Rating: 5.0

The Bavarian business sedan BMW 530d xDrive can be called the perfection in the world of passenger cars. In appearance, the experts did not find a single flaw, not a single extra line. The drag coefficient of 0.22 is also unique for this class. The shape of the head optics is flawless, daytime running lights provide 100% visibility of the car on the road. The traditional BMW aggressive acceleration dynamics (5.4 s to 100 km / h) is provided by a six-cylinder diesel unit (3.0 liters) with a capacity of 249 hp. from. It works in tandem with an 8-speed automatic. Perfect handling is achieved thanks to the all-wheel drive and adaptive suspension, in which shock absorbers with variable stiffness are installed.

The Bavarian car deserves the laurels of the winner of our rating. The owners especially praise her for her comfort and drive.

Advantages

• spectacular appearance;
• powerful motor;
• excellent handling;
• excellent acceleration dynamics.

disadvantages

• not found.

Audi A4

Rating: 4.9

An updated version Audi A4 was presented to the public in 2015. Externally, the car has undergone few changes, but experts found many improvements in the filling. The salon of the new Audi A4 is the most spacious in its class, although it is decorated in the tradition of German pragmatism. The manufacturer offers fans of diesel cars a version with a 2.0 D engine with a capacity of 190 hp. from. The machine can be equipped with a 6-speed manual or S tronic robot. The car is assembled with high quality, but inferior to the winner of our rating, both in technical parameters and in sophistication.

Car owners praise the car for its power and stability on the road. The suspension is somewhat rigidly tuned, with a long ride there is discomfort due to uncomfortable seats.

Advantages

• good acceleration dynamics;
• reliable transmission;
• stable behavior on the road;
• excellent corrosion protection.

disadvantages

• rigid suspension and seats.

Skoda Superb

Rating: 4.8

Affordability, durability and good looks are the main advantages of the Czech sedan Skoda Superb. The car has seriously changed since its inception, today it adequately represents the D-class, competing with the Russian-assembled Toyota Camry. The eyes of the car enthusiast are attracted by a large radiator grill, in which there are many chrome parts. The manufacturer has a very successful 2-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 140 hp. from. It works smoothly, consumes only 5.9 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle.

The owners speak flatteringly about the car's reliability, its resistance to bad roads and unpretentiousness to low-quality diesel fuel. The car took an honorable third place in the ranking, yielding to the leaders in dynamics and comfort.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• high-quality assembly;
• economical fuel consumption;
• endurance and unpretentiousness.

disadvantages

• modest overclocking dynamics;
• simple interior trim.

Volkswagen Passat

Rating: 4.7

The German car Volkswagen Passat has always been associated with comfort and spaciousness. Many Russian car enthusiasts appreciate this model for its reliability and durability. The provincial car enthusiasts hold station wagon cars in high esteem. The 2.0 l TDI diesel engine is economical (4.8 l per 100 km), while it does not look weak (150 hp). The basic configuration of Trendline has a keyless engine start button, an option for determining driver fatigue, an audio system with a 5-inch screen, and a wheel pressure monitoring system.

The model stopped one step away from the top three in the rating, since experts and motorists consider the price of the promoted Passat to be overstated. At the same time, multi-functionality, spaciousness and reliability deserve praise.

Advantages

• German quality;
• economical motor;
• good basic equipment;
• spaciousness.

disadvantages

• high price.

Citroen DS5

Rating: 4.6

The flagship vehicle in the family Citroen is the DS5. The name is consonant with the French word deesse, which is translated into Russian as “goddess”. Since the introduction of the Citroen DS5, many revolutionary solutions have been introduced, from the hydropneumatic suspension to the unusual body silhouette. Much original can be found in the interior of a French car, which are located on the ceiling of the control buttons for the projection display. The two-liter turbodiesel unit has a high power (163 hp), turning an ordinary passenger car into a real starship. The advantages of a car include reliable protection of the body against corrosion.

The experts gave the car the fifth place in the rating. A new car is expensive, and selling it on the secondary market is problematic.

Advantages

• galvanized body;
• powerful motor;
• high-quality finish;
• original interior.

disadvantages

• high price;
• it is difficult to sell a used car.

The best SUVs with a diesel engine

Traditionally, real SUVs are equipped with high-torque diesel units. At low revs, powerful torque is generated, allowing you to overcome the most difficult sections of the path. Here are the best diesel heart models.

BMW X5 30d

Rating: 5.0

The German SUV BMW X5 30d leaves no motorist indifferent. He is both praised and scolded, but the popularity of the model in Russia only grows from this. First of all, experts pay attention to the 3-liter diesel engine. For our country, the Bavarians limited its power to 249 liters. with., which allows you to pay normal road tax. At the same time, the dynamics of the car is excellent, up to the coveted hundreds of cars accelerates in 7 seconds. In the basic configuration, the manufacturer offers an 8-speed automatic transmission, ABS, multifunction steering wheel with adjustable angle and length, power windows, a multimedia system with a 6.5-inch display, climate control and many other options.

Despite the stiff suspension and high fuel consumption, the car becomes the winner of our rating.

Advantages

• dynamics;
• good handling;
• comfortable lounge;
• effective sound insulation.

disadvantages

• rigid suspension.

Audi Q5

Rating: 4.9

Presentable and rich! These are the epithets that come to mind when meeting the German crossover Audi Q5. The model is already well known to Russian motorists, its owners appreciate it for its good off-road qualities and reliable diesel engines. On the roads of the country, cars with TDI engines with a capacity of 150, 163 and 190 hp successfully drive. from. But the maximum driving pleasure is provided by a 3-liter unit, paired with an 8-speed TipTronic automatic transmission. Given the all-wheel drive and the power of 286 liters. with., you can not be afraid of movement on country and forest roads at any time of the year.

The car is in second place in our rating. Users, along with the advantages, note such disadvantages as costly maintenance and poor wipers.

Advantages

• good acceleration dynamics;
• beautiful appearance;
• rich line of motors;
• high-quality interior trim.

disadvantages

• expensive maintenance.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

Rating: 4.8

The legendary Japanese SUV Toyota Land Cruiser Prado continues to conquer the Russian off-road. Frame construction, diesel unit with a capacity of 177 liters. from. (2.8 l), 6АКПП, four-wheel drive – these are the main components for successful off-road conquest. But even on the track, the car behaves perfectly, such modern systems as ABS, exchange rate stabilization system are responsible for driving safety. The diesel engine is controlled by Multi Terrain Select, independently choosing one of 5 operating modes depending on road conditions.

Domestic motorists praise the Japanese cruiser for its beautiful design, reliability, and a large resource of all units. The car failed to take a higher place in the rating due to expensive maintenance and high fuel consumption.

Advantages

• prestige;
• comfortable lounge;
• reliable engine;
• spacious trunk.

disadvantages

• expensive maintenance;
• high fuel consumption.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Rating: 4.7

The second generation Volkswagen Tiguan was presented to the automobile beau monde in 2015. Externally, the city SUV began to look more solid and presentable. Elongated headlights with lensed optics, chrome elements of the radiator grille, black roof rails make the car easily recognizable on the road. The German crossover is well equipped, there are many useful options in the basic configuration. A diesel engine (2.0 l) with a capacity of 150 hp does not cause any complaints from experts. from. It is not designed for high-speed driving, but thanks to the all-wheel drive it manages to conquer serious off-road conditions.

Tiguan looks more modest than the leaders of our rating. But the owners note the reliable protection of the body against corrosion, the operation of the engine and gearbox.

Advantages

• economical fuel consumption;
• good cross-country ability;
• presentable appearance;
• galvanized body.

disadvantages

• headlight adjustment required;
• rigid suspension.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Rating: 4.6

The experts recognized the model Hyundai Santa Fe as the best Korean premium SUV. The car is perfect for a family with two children. You can go on a long trip by car or use it for visiting. The advantages of the crossover include spaciousness, reliability, presentability and serviceability. The car is equipped with a 2.2 liter diesel engine, automatic transmission, all-wheel drive. He feels confident not only on asphalt roads, but on forest and meadow paths. Inside the SUV, luxury and comfort reign.

The owners are satisfied with the complete set of the Korean car, its reliability and versatility. However, one should not demand sports qualities from him, as well as conquering serious off-road conditions.

Advantages

• spaciousness;
• luxurious salon;
• reliable engine;
• presentable appearance.

disadvantages

• does not like aggressive driving;
• difficult to pull out of the mud.

Kia sorento

Rating: 4.5

Another Korean diesel powered SUV made it to our ranking. This is the KIA Sorento model, which is also distinguished by an affordable price and good quality. The manufacturer has installed a 2.2 liter diesel engine, which provides even traction, both on the plain and on the slopes. The power unit is complemented by an 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive ensures a stable position on the road. True, the car is not designed for serious dirt, as evidenced by the small clearance (185 mm). But everything looks rich in the cabin, the trunk is spacious, which emphasizes the family purpose of the car.

During trips over bumps, the disadvantages of the car were also revealed. All the bumps are felt in the cabin, the suspension does not work out bumps and potholes poorly.

Advantages

• economical fuel consumption;
• comfortable lounge;
• elastic motor;
• good handling.

disadvantages

• rigid suspension;
• poor cross-country ability.

The best diesel crossovers

Large amounts of fuel are burned in city traffic jams. Therefore, crossovers with a diesel engine are in demand. They do not overheat in the heat, using diesel fuel sparingly. The experts have selected several worthy cars.

Skoda Kodiaq

Rating: 5.0

The Czech crossover Skoda Kodiaq looks solid and harmonious. The strict design does not look boring. The designers have provided a number of useful little things that make being in the cabin comfortable and pleasant. The experts appreciated the high build quality and the use of high-quality materials in the decoration. The coordinated work of the diesel engine and the 7-speed DSG transmission makes the ride dynamic. Good crossover and handling, electric power steering allows you to reduce effort when performing parking maneuvers. The Czech car becomes the winner of our rating.

Car owners speak flatteringly about the spaciousness of the cabin and trunk, the dynamics of acceleration and efficiency. It is unpleasant to drive only on dirt roads, since the suspension transmits all the minor irregularities.

Advantages

• roomy trunk;
• a bunch of motor and automatic transmission;
• high-quality assembly;
• economical consumption.

disadvantages

• rigid suspension.

Toyota RAV4

Rating: 4.9

In 2018, the fifth generation of the legendary Toyota RAV4 was presented at the exhibition in New York. Russian pensioners and fishermen, managers and housewives, travelers and farmers love this car. Each of them finds a number of advantages in the crossover, for which the car gets the second place in our rating. Cars with a diesel engine with a capacity of 149 liters. from. complemented by all-wheel drive and automatic transmission. In the database, the manufacturer offers a proprietary audio system, air conditioning, power windows, heated front seats.

Car enthusiasts highlight such advantages of the RAV4 as a beautiful exterior, LED optics, soft suspension, and economy. Of the shortcomings, the owners note the slow opening of the trunk lid and cheap finishing materials.

Advantages

• keyless access;
• versatility;
• trunk opening auto;
• spacious salon.

disadvantages

• cheap finishing materials;
• scattered control buttons.

Mazda CX-5

Rating: 4.8

Japanese designers pleasantly surprised many experts and motorists by creating a crossover Mazda CX-5. Externally, the car looks dynamic and fast, the designers have given the body an elegant respectability. The updated head optics began to look more aggressive, diodes were used as a light source. Motorists are offered one 2.2 liter diesel engine equipped with two turbines. The all-wheel drive car in combination with a ground clearance of 193 mm allows the driver to feel confidently, both on wet asphalt and on a broken country road.

The advantages of the model include good acceleration dynamics and economy. The owners only lack the space in the trunk. The crossover ranks third in the ranking.

Advantages

• high-spirited motor;
• economical fuel consumption;
• effective sound insulation;
• stylish design.

disadvantages

• vibration at idle;
• small trunk.

Nissan Qashqai

Rating: 4.7

For those car owners who are used to counting their money, the Qashqai crossover Nissan is suitable. The machine is sold at an affordable price, it does not require large costs during operation. Small diesel engines of 1.5 liters and 1.6 liters consume only 4.0-5.0 liters of diesel fuel. Such low consumption is observed when equipping the car with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive. As for the driver's comfort, the manufacturer has provided for steering wheel adjustment, heated seats, and decent materials were used for interior trim. A clear sound is emitted by the standard audio system. The suspension successfully copes with uneven road surfaces.

The crossover stopped one step away from the top three in the ranking. Users criticize the car for a short-lived CVT, the presence of “crickets” in the cabin.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• economical fuel consumption;
• comfortable lounge;
• solid finish.

disadvantages

• low CVT resource;
• squeaks in the cabin.

Kia Sportage

Rating: 4.6

After restyling, the iconic crossover Kia Sportage became bold and recognizable. This model has long been assembled in Kaliningrad (since 1998). The diesel version stands out with 19-inch wheels, which give the car more presentability. The two-liter diesel unit runs quietly, producing 185 hp. from. But due to the thoughtfulness of the 6-speed automatic transmission, the acceleration dynamics are poor. Experts consider the strengths of the crossover to be ergonomics and equipment. The model is included in our rating for efficiency, good cross-country ability, easy engine start.

The Korean car also has disadvantages. The owners are dissatisfied with the wide A-pillars, poor sound insulation and short-lived body protection against corrosion. Maintenance of the diesel unit is regularly required.

Advantages

• recognizable design;
• 19-inch wheels;
• rich equipment;
• good cross-country ability.

disadvantages

• wide front pillars;
• weak insulation.

Hyundai Tucson

Rating: 4.5

The Korean crossover Hyundai Tucson has long been sold in the Russian market, competing with its fellow countryman Kia Sportage. Even the equipment is very much like a fellow tribesman. Same 2-liter diesel engine, same 6-speed automatic transmission. The machine uses diesel fuel sparingly, keeping within 6.5 liters in a combined cycle. What catches your eye when you first look at the crossover is its striking design. It has been developed in accordance with the Flowing Lines 2.0 concept. Experts pay attention to affordability and decent equipment. The car is ranked next to the Kia Sportage, because even their sores are similar. There are complaints about noise insulation, the steering mechanism rattles when driving on gravel.

Advantages

• spectacular design;
• rich equipment;
• economical engine;
• affordable price.

disadvantages

• ineffective sound insulation;
• the steering gear rattles.

Renault Koleos

Rating: 4.4

The crossover Renault Koleos became a joint French-Japanese development. The updated version has already won a standing ovation at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show.Many chrome elements on the body have given the crossover a French charm. The interior of the car also looks impressive, where the multimedia system with a 9-inch screen immediately catches the eye. The Russian consumer is offered a 2.0 liter diesel engine with a capacity of 177 liters. with., four-wheel drive and variator. The crossover can hardly be called economical, the consumption of diesel fuel in mixed mode is approaching 9 liters per 100 km.

The car is included in our rating for its stylish interior and exterior, roomy interior, energy-intensive suspension. The disadvantages include modest dynamics, the brooding of the variator and gluttony.

Advantages

• French sophistication;
• spacious salon;
• comfortable suspension;
• several options for interior lighting.

disadvantages

• modest dynamics;
• high fuel consumption.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.