In terms of fuel consumption, SUVs are probably better known as big and extremely thirsty, but not all of them come with gas engines – you can also buy a diesel SUV.
There are diesel SUVs in the USA, but not as popular as in other parts of the globe. These diesel-powered engines, usually fitted with a turbo, are cheap to operate and provide plenty of torque.
Our reviews will provide you with access to the best information on these niche cars and tell you if your preferred model is also reliable, giving you the scoop on a used version.
We have extensive coverage of models from today and back to 2019 and 2018, whether the US models you want are all new 2020 editions or a little older.
What SUVs Have Diesel Engines
There are various brands that sell different versions of this kind of engine. The Grand Cherokee has a Jeep, the Discovery has a Land Rover, and the X5 has a BMW.
The GMC Yukon, Mercedes-Benz GL, and Jaguar F-Pace are all among those shipping diesel engines, with Chevrolet’s Tahoe and Suburban also having late access to such a mill.
Most Reliable Diesel SUVs
None of the crossovers on our list were especially poor, nor did the majority have any significant recalls.
Nevertheless, the complex structures of luxury models such as those of Land Rover may be susceptible to failure.
We would suggest opting for something simpler and more popular, such as the Grand Cherokee, for this purpose. This Jeep has been around for years and is still one of the best.
The Jeep Wrangler is another great choice if you need something with even better 4×4 skills and ruggedness.
What to Consider Before Buying
There are a few characteristics to mull about if you’re after something torquey with enough strength to conquer both the highway and the trail.
You should consider the suspension, for instance, for competence and comfort. Also critical is an attractive design, as is cargo space.
Perhaps the most important is affordability and reliability, and the best diesel SUVs would, therefore, be those that perform well in all of these areas.
Pros
- Mountains of torque
- More impressive towing capacities
- Better gas mileage
- More rugged, less wear and tear
Cons
- Not particularly fast
- Shorter service intervals
- Coarse engine sounds
- Regular maintenance needed
Specifications
For individuals needing a multi-purpose vehicle, the USA has many choices, whether it is for regular commuting, weekend adventures, or leisure trips.
The conditions that will hold this form of the purchase at a high value are those that normally have the following:
- Automatic transmissions: In order to optimize comfort and its ability to manage higher outputs, the auto ‘box is normally preferred
- AWD: The four-wheel drive makes finding traction on slippery ground much easier and provides grip to pull weightier loads.
- Suspension: A soft setup helps to rebound over wide shocks and enhances road comfort, offsetting an often gruff-sounding engine.
- Ground clearance: good ground clearance to help climb over obstacles and cross rougher terrain is something typically present in this section.
- Economy: The excellent gas mileage is a standard by-product of oil burners like these.
- Solid torque figures: Due to how it burns fuel, outputs from diesel hubs are often correlated with much more torque, making it suitable for pulling or hauling.
Purchasing Advice
In this segment, too many different brands compete, making it tricky to pick the right diesel crossover for your needs.
Reliability, torque, price, and features should be counted at the top of your list of requirements.
The more money you can get for your money and the less it would cost you a car in the long run, the better.
You would also want something that holds a decent chance of resale.
It is crucial to make the right decision on how much it would cost you at the pump, its off-road prowess, and a high ranking for hitching a trailer.
Compare the requirements with what is on offer and what you consider absolutely appropriate – this means theoretically securing a better price or initiating a prime deal.
Take a look at our best diesel SUV roster for 2020, too.
FAQs about Diesel Crossovers
The main factors behind opting for diesel are fuel economy and torque. The gas mileage and torque figures are usually higher than those of gas-powered machines for those who have not considered this.
Depending on your needs, you can spend anything from $25,000 to nearly $200k. Roughly $60,000 is a decent sum to invest that will return a nice spread of features.
Few do, but most markets are leaning toward automation, and it’s harder to find a manual version of a truck than a car these days.
10 Best Diesel SUV
If you’re a diesel engine fan, you know they’re made to be incredible workhorses. Why would this be a positive factor for you?
Well, a diesel-powered SUV gives you the versatility to load up your friends or family members with plenty of get-up-and-go leftovers if you are a weekend explorer who likes to bring along a camper or cruise.
We have compiled this new list of the ten best diesel SUVs for shoppers to assist you in your quest.
Please notice that some of these vehicles are also available with petrol engines.
The ten best Diesel SUVs are;
- BMW X3
- Mercedes-Benz ML350
- Mercedes-Benz GLK250
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport
- Land Rover Range Rover
- BMW X5
- Jaguar F-Pace
- Mercedes-Benz GL350
- GMC Terrain
If you’re a Mercedes-Benz or Land Rover fan, you’ll be happy to see that half of our list of best diesel SUVs for 2019 comprises those two brands.
Both the Range Rover Sport and Land Rover Range Rover are rugged beauties made for the outdoors near the top of our list.
A diesel-powered 3.0L V6 generating 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque is used in the Range Rover’s diesel variant (known as the Td6 for 2017-2019).
Three diesel models are common in our batches on the Mercedes-Benz side: the 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350 and 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL350 are each fitted with an AWD diesel-powered 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine generating 240 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque.
With a turbocharged 2.1L four-cylinder diesel engine, the slightly smaller 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 is available. With an abundance of style, all three of these sleek crossover SUVs stand ready as regular drivers.
The 2017 BMW X3 in the xDrive28d trim is fitted with a diesel engine that drives 180 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, while a 255 hp, 3.0L turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine with 413 lb-ft of torque is powered by the 2017 and larger 2017 X5 (in the xDrive35d trim).
The streamlined GMC Terrain with a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder diesel engine is available in SLE and SLT trims for model years 2018 and 2019.
Creature comforts such as heated seats and a powered driver’s seat in the SLE or convenience features such as a power liftgate and a heated steering wheel in the SLT are also included in the 2018-2019 Terrain.
