More Americans buying diesels as choices diminish

We’ve been seeing more diesel-powered vehicles on the market, but almost all are from European automakers. And news reports now indicate that many plans for any non-European diesels in the U.S. have been canceled. (See our video report from the 2008 Detroit auto show, when the future looked brighter for diesels in the States.) These shelved plans include diesel engine options for the Acura TSX, Chevrolet Silverado (and-or its twin, the GMC Sierra), Dodge Ram, Ford F-150, Nissan Maxima, and an unnamed Toyota model.

Some analysts have blamed the production changes on the added expense of diesel emissions equipment and on volatile diesel fuel prices—now $2.13 below this time last year. New Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) ratings that emphasize city driving also undermine a key diesel selling point—highway efficiency. (In our tests we have found that diesels offer an average fuel savings of 30 percent on the highway.)

Meanwhile, according to Automotive News Volkswagen reports sales of its Jetta diesel models have accelerated from 30 percent of overall Jetta sales last month to more than 36 percent this month. Plus, a whopping 83 percent of Jetta Sportwagens are sold with diesels.

Now BMW is planning to expand its diesel range even further with a new small SUV, the X1.

What do you think? Would you consider a diesel for your next car? Give us your take in the Comments section below.

Read: "Diesel power just in: Mercedes GL320, BMW X5 3.0 diesel, BMW 335d."

—Eric Evarts

Comments

[CT Olson]

I am seriously looking at a diesel myself, likely the Jetta. The volatility of prices does concern me, but a long commute with lots of highway driving (and the better mileage of a diesel) is alluring particularly once fuel prices rise (pretty sure they will). One annoyance - a diesel used to be a really economical choice because several reasons - simplicity of technology, fuel etc. Now they are pricing the vehicles along with normal gasoline based cars. I guess it's the stringent emissions. The prospect of biofuels is another part of its allure for me because of the ecology and economy of that fuel choice.

[Kylo]

I am definitely thinking about a diesel, specifically a Jetta Sedan. I'm sorry to hear about US mfrs pulling back from diesel (though I understand Toyota not wanting to cannibalize the hybrid cash cow).

Appeals to me are: excellent mileage, long-lasting engine, ability to run biodiesel and further reduce carbon footprint. Also, hoping that these will be available under the cash-for-clunkers program; I checked and my 96 Jeep is a candidate ;>

[Byron Horn]

Some years ago I owned a Mercedes 240D. It was one of my favorite cars relative that diesel engine. I now have a 2006 Subaru Outback 2.5. News from Subaru is they've now introduced a boxer diesel engine in Europe. If its as good as this gasoline powered boxer engine I wish I had one in mine!
In answer to your question, yes. I'd love to have a boxer diesel engine in my Outback.
I suspect, relative the new European diesel designs being as quiet and with the performance of gasoline engines while still with all the pluses of the former designs, American engineers may not be able to compete?
One thing else. Its my understanding our air force has tested successfully burning coal oil in place of jet fuel in one engine on a bomber. It performed flawlessly. We have the world's largest coal reserves. The air force may be thinking about the future. Maybe our car makers should too. A diesel is an oil burner. Why not coal oil?

[Dustin]

absolutely I would consider one. clean diesel needs to be more widely accepted in order to help drive down those high production costs. eventually, the best of both worlds will collide with clean diesel hybrids, great HWY and CTY MPG!!! but we need to drive up demand to get the costs down first.

[Bob Dunn]

I currently have a 2001 Dodge Ram with the Cummins diesel. The engine has been flawless for 124,000 miles. If I had my way, all my cars would be diesels. The robust engine designs and low end power output are my favorite attributes with the exquisite fuel delivery systems and improved fuel economy coming in close behind. It's too bad there aren't more small American made diesels (4 and 6 cylinders). You would think companies like Caterpillar and Cummins could easily provide small efficient diesels for the econo car market, but perhaps now isn't the best time.

[Gregory Krohne]

Diesels are still too expensive. The Jetta is the only diesel passenger car that approaches the cost of a Prius. The rest are $10K higher or more. Considering how reliable and fuel efficient the hybrids are, there's no way to make up the cost difference for a diesel. I would

[Jeff L]

I considered it when I went shopping for my last small car (June 09) but was concerned with the limited choices for manufacturers, the haphazard availability of diesel fuel in our area, and issues that I might face in the Chicago winters. Wound up choosing a relatively fuel efficient std gasoline vehicle (Mazda 3i) and have been pleased with my choice so far.

[CA Guy]

The only new vehicles my wife and I are considering are diesel key reason being durability and milege. The VW TDI sportwagon will be purchased this next year. Our larger SUV 1994 we will keep and replace with a used SUV when the time comes or be replaced by a new diesel if any are to show up on US shores. Given the lack of fuel efficient SUV's on the market there is no justification to buy new for an 8% increase in milege - I can buy a whole lot of gas for 25-30K to put in my paid for SUV.

Ford recently developed a new V6 240hp diesel with Peugot if that was in the current Ford Explorer it would be the first Ford anyone in my family has owned since the mid 80's. As it stands now a 18-20mpg Explorer for 30K makes zero sense when I can buy a used Landcruiser that gets 18mpg with a tail wind for 20K.

[Scooter Jim]

I put my name on the waiting list since January 2008 and purchased the Jetta TDI Wagon August 2008. I have 18,000 miles and average 40 mpg, highway is 42-44 mpg. Torque is tremdous and feels like a sport car. I am waiting for a Mazda5 diesel (fat chance for the near future), but Subaru Boxer D will arrive next year (hopefully) in the Forester and Outback. That will be my next purchase.

[charles r]

I have a 2001 TDI (diesel) Golf, 130K miles, manual, and runs perfectly, very reliable (change the oil at 10K and fuel filter at 20K intervals, thats about it), 50 mpg highway, 45ish city. The newer diesels have discrete electronic fuel pumps on each cylinder (versus the high-pressure mechanical pumps), and a somewhat more complicated emissions system (but not as complicated as some with the the urea injection systems). Been very pleased with the Golf, excellent low-end torque, good pickup, you can set the cruise in 5th gear in the mountains and it cruises right along at 60 without downshifting, handling is excellent and fun to drive. Does not have a lot of mechanical and electronic widgets to break, but base model comes with cruise, ac, abs, 4w discs, 6 airbags, heated mirrors, decent stereo (items lots of manufacturers add-on to base prices, so make sure youre comparing apples to apples)

[TDI Guy]

I wasn't planning on a vehicle purchase this year. However, the CARS program made me rethink that. So I am trading in my 21 year old C2500 pickup (13 combined mpg) for a Jetta TDI Sedan. The opportunity to receive $4500 for my trade plus another $1300 tax credit was too much to pass up. On top of that, my miles per tank is going to double and my cost to fill up is going to be more than half!

The test drive was the deal maker. The TDI feels and drives like a regular gasoline car. No warm-up idling, noise, or smoke. Just a hint of the diesel sound at idle if you pay close attention. Acceleration feels like a 200HP V6. Cruising at 70MPH I was observing 52mpg on the highway. On local roads at 40MPH, I observed 44mpg. Ride was a typical European feel which I personally like. The vehicles are nicely appointed especially for this price point. So hats off to you VW. Nice work!

I'm just waiting for the dealer to be ready to go forward with the CARS program (Jul 24th supposedly). We'll see how it turns out.

[BMW Fan]

The recent uptick in diesels sales speaks the the fickleness of U.S. consumers. Specifically, the price of diesel fuel is at or below the price of regular gasoline at the moment, so consumers see diesels as a good buy. This same phenomena happens with the hybrid car market where we see wild seasonality in terms of sales volumes that are directly linked to the price of fuel at the pump. When gasoline is $4 a gallon, hybrids fly off the lots - in the winter when gasoline is $2 a gallon, they sit on the lots.

I am optimistic about diesels though - considering diesel has roughly 20% more energy per gallon than gasoline, it only makes sense it should cost roughly 20% more per gallon than gasoline and get minimum 20% better mileage. If the price at the pump goes too high, mainstream consumers will get shy about buying diesels.

Hopefully the forthcoming Rabbit TDI and Audi A3 diesels will sell well. I recently bought the BMW 335d, which gets better MPG than any Mercedes diesel, yet is screaming fast, but kept my Honda Civic Hybrid for driving around town, where it gets almost double the mileage of the 335d.

[VW Jetta TDI Owner]

We are on our 2nd TDI with manual transmission(2004). The things we love: 46/56 mpg (suposedly manual transmissions get 8 mpg more than the automatics), great accelaration, good fit and finish, full sized spare, and awesome sound system. Things we don't like: Legroom - wife is 5'10" and I am 6'4" the car is great for the two of us and very cramped with passengers (note: newer models are longer); Cosmetics - the car uses a rubber coating on on alot of interior parts this scratches easily and doesn't look very good in a relatively short time; Mechanical - both cars had issues which required towing within the first 40K miles. The warranty covered one and the other was out of pocket (about $500). Overall it does what I want and then some.
I e-mailed Ford a while back about their european diesel car that gets 50 mpg (or so), they have no plans to sell it here. If it was more comfortable for four people I'd switch, I'd even go to Toyota or Honda if they put it in a Prius/Camary or Accord.

[2000 Jetta TDI Owner]

Price voaltility is a serious issue. I was suffering everytime I went to the pump during the diesel price hike. I agree with most of the comments, long lasting engines is a plus, I have 207,000 miles, however the new cars the emmision system is extremely complex and I'm concerned what happens at 80,000 miles when the warranty is out and you have a problem? 3-5K?? If you want a new Jetta because you think you can run biodiesel realize VW has certified the vehicle to run on only 5% BD, what's the point? Running >5% will void the warranty and clog up the emmision system. Rumor has it they are trying to move that up to 20% BD, time will tell.

[Jerry]

I have a 2003 Jetta TDI and just went over 100K. No problems with regular maintainence. 5-speed gives me a consistent 44 to 46 mpg with a combo of city and highway driving. There is a major belt maintainence every 100k which runs about $1000. Very pleased with overall performance especially on our mountain roads. We will be purchasing another in near future.

[Earl]

I owned a mercedes 240D and then a 1984 300 turbodiesel which I drove for 14 yrs. and 245000 miles. I never had any problems and only sold the car because I just wanted something new. Never considered either car to be luxury cars, but just well- built, very tough vehicles made for any type of road and conditions they may encounter. I changed the oil every 3k miles and the car ran the same after all those miles as it had when purchased. As a retired locomotive Engineer I have long been impressed by diesel engines in general.

[John]

Just donatated a '99 Jetta TDI I had for 11 years that I didn't have time to restore (got 45cty and 49hwy in that one) and still drive a 2004 Jetta TDI PD (get 42cty 45hwy.) Wish I had other choices though in the over 40 mpg diesel vehicles in the same price range. A diesel Liberty that gets 24 mpg? Nice idea but I don't want to tow a house, just want to go a week without filling up.

[Bruno Velasquez]

Am currently living in Europe where diesels are common. Have driven diesels as rentals and there is no noticeable difference in acceleration however the fuel efficiency is far superior. Am planning to purchase a diesel with US specs as my next car. Once again it seems the US auto industry is missing an opportunity.

[Geoffrey King]

Jumped on the diesel bandwagon in 2000 with the VW Beetle. There was a learning curve with the new fuel ( smell, smoke on startup, noise, fuel gelling) but I loved the mileage (avg.55mpg with standard) and the 4star safety rating. So when VW came out with the new diesel, I took it for a test drive and was impressed. Like the comments above it drove like a gasoline car. No smoke on startup no diesel smell (except at refueling)very much quieter and no gelling this past winter. Yes I did trade the Beetle in after 225,000 miles (with no engine problems at all). Car manufacturers come out with "new" models every year. The diesel put out by VW this year IS NEW and IMPROVED (avg.47mpg after 25,000 miles with automatic).

[Dave]

I have owned diesel trucks since 1987. My present Ford F250 diesel returns 20 MPG on the highway unloaded. The maintenance is higher on diesels. However the extra power and better fuel milage is important to me as I often pull a 10,000 pound trailer. It is a shame the light truck builders dropped their plans for diesels in the half ton pickups. If one of them went ahead with thier plans, there might be enough sales for that builder.

[William]

We have owned several cummins diesel engine Dodge trucks. The engines are superb. The trucks have been mediocre. We lived in Europe and Asia for many years where diesel engines were common in passenger cars. Currently, we are trying to figure out how to buy an American car other than a hybrid, and would gladly purchase an American diesel engine car if there were one to buy. We have owned several VW vehicles with varying degrees of satisfaction. Often, the problem is not the car, but the service departments. Maintenance on the VWs was overly expensive compared to other auto companies.

[Mike]

I would love a diesel Honda or Acura. Please lobby for fair emission standards that bias gas engines into the American marketplace.

[Jim Michaud]

I owned a 95 VW Passat diesel. Great mileage. Great torque. Lousy repair record. It didn't take long for a $1000 flexible coupling (apparantly this joint was not designed for the diesel vibtrations) repair and a $1000 glow plug repair to eat into all of that great mileage savings.

[Sara]

I am considering the Audi Q7 TDI...brilliant SUV and gets great gas mileage for a full size 7 passenger SUV. The only downside is that the Q7, in general, is behind the times technology wise...no real time traffic or Ipod hookup until the 2010 model.

[King]

I have 2 payment left on my current lease and I'm seriously considering a diesel for my next car. Great fuel economy, better wear and tear on the engine and amazing torque. Add a turbo and you suddenly have something to talk about. Clean diesel has a lot to offer.