10 Diesel Cars With the Highest MPG
by 
(Credit: © General Motors)7. 2015 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel
Crammed between all of these German models is a single American car, the Chevy Cruze. For 2014, Chevy decided to enter the diesel market with its compact sedan, in an attempt to get a head start on the competition. For the 2015 model year, the Cruze diesel delivers decent fuel economy at 27 mpg city, 46 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined.
In terms of output, the Cruze Diesel is decent, as its 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine produces 151 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. This powerplant mates to a six-speed auto transmission, and though it has yet to be officially tested, the Cruze should hit 60 mph in around eight seconds.
Pricing for the 2015 Cruze Diesel is not yet available, but it shouldn’t stray too far from the 2014 model’s $25,810 base price. Look for the 2015 Cruze Diesel to hit dealers in late 2014.
37 Comments
Leave a Reply
MORE OF THIS WEEKS NEWS
Free Weekly Newsletter
Latest News
-
Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Getting Range Increase
Everyone’s talking about electric cars these days, but Hyundai’s...
- Jan 5, 2017
-
Tesla Gigafactory Is Now Kicking Out Batteries
Tesla’s humongous battery plant, the Gigafactory, is actually making...
- Jan 5, 2017
-
McLaren’s Next-Generation Super Series to Debut in Geneva
McLaren has never before replaced an entire family of...
- Jan 5, 2017
-
Mercedes GLA-Class Set for an Update in Detroit
The luxury crossover segment is as hot as it...
- Jan 5, 2017
-
-
Ford Is Making A Hybrid Mustang And F-150Ford has created huge waves in the automotive industry,...
- Jan 4, 2017
Trending This Week
Popular Stories
-
Obama Is Killing Trump’s Automotive Regulation PromisesWith Obama heading out of the White House and Trump …
-
Lyft Drivers Loving GM’s New Rental Program
GM and Lyft have been in cahoots for some time …
-
10 Diesel Cars With the Highest MPGWhile diesel-powered cars remain rather slow-selling in the U.S., they …
Tom
Sep 12, 2014 at 4:32 pm
I think the entire Jaguar range of diesels is more economic and with a higher MPG than any of these cars!
Patty Brown
Oct 2, 2014 at 3:39 pm
Really? I’m driving a VW Jetta Sportwagen and getting over 50 mpg at 75 on level straight roads. (Quite a bit less on average, as this area’s short on level straight roads, but still, averaging high 30s overall.)
What sort of mileage do the Jag diesels actually get? Enough better to cover the increased cost?
No European Diesels
Sep 12, 2014 at 10:10 pm
Yup my 1996 Volkswagen Jetta TDI got 44 mpg and I loved it until the cam lifter failure caused half the engine to blow up at 82,000 miles. After paying $4000 for that repair the turbo blew up 2000 miles later. We took it in for repair and after they fixed it and were taking it for a test drive the piston blew through the engine and totaled the car. It was dead at 84,000 miles. The only car we had that was worse was a 1976 Ford pinto that only cost $3000 new. I would not recommend a European diesel car to anyone… EVER.
vehicle engineer
Sep 18, 2014 at 1:02 pm
Everyone knows that VW means a constant stream of expensive little failures and dealer parts with astronomical prices. Purchase cost is just the beginning of your expenses. VW Does not match Ford and Chrysler modern reliability numbers.
Patty Brown
Oct 2, 2014 at 3:40 pm
Where are your numbers? That has not been my personal experience.
Red Five
Oct 5, 2014 at 3:38 pm
I have over 200K miles on my ’01 VW, and have never had any engine problems. I did have to replace the transmission about 3.5 years ago due to a couple of design faults; the replacement resolved the faults. It currently needs a new clutch on the A/C compressor. Admittedly, the parts are expensive, but I’ve had no major reliability issues.
My 20-year-old Taurus has ~120K miles on it, and had a nasty dual head gasket blowout (V-6 engine means 2 head gaskets) around 80K. It’s currently in need of a new transmission and power steering pump; it’s drivable, but it bucks like a bronco on left turns and sounds a bit like a muzzled banshee.
VW consistently gets diesel efficiency numbers far better than Hollyweird’s favorite hybrid.
Basil Bhan
Apr 20, 2015 at 11:36 pm
Exceptions don’t make rules.
87 Mercedes diesel owned 27 years - now at 286,000mi.
No problems. Nada. Daily driver, to boot.
dan1701
Sep 14, 2014 at 3:16 pm
Of these 10 which ones have timing belts instead of timing chain or timing gears? VW has a belt and Audi uses the same engine. Since these cars are interference engines a broken rubber belt will result in major engine damage. Timing chains rarely break and timing gears even less often. The only reasons for using a rubber belt is a minor reduction in engine noise, cheaper to produce than a chain or gears, and keeps the customer returning for belt changes which can cost hundreds. These cars are too large of an investment to have it depending on a glorified rubber band. I would buy a Jetta TDI in a heartbeat if not for the belt.
Ab
Sep 28, 2014 at 10:25 pm
The VW TDI hasn’t had a belt for years. They are chain drive on the 2.0
George
Sep 29, 2014 at 8:04 pm
How many years? My 2009 has belt. Same engine in 2010. Cost over $1,000 to replace as they do water pump at the same time.
dan1701
Oct 1, 2014 at 3:30 pm
It’s a belt. Fact check.
Eric Haulenbeek
Jul 31, 2015 at 11:08 am
I just paid $1100 to have my 2006 Jetta timing belt replaced at 80,000 miles! Believe me when I tell you that that little 4-banger couldn’t have been a noisier engine, timing belt or chain. It’s one of the most reliable car’s I’ve ever owned though. In fact I just replaced it with a new Passat diesel, though the noise quotient has been seriously quieted. Yes, the new engine does have a timing chain, but I’ve never owned a more quiet diesel-powered vehicle!
Pumbaa
Sep 14, 2014 at 8:40 pm
Investigate before buying a car with a General Motors diesel engine. Where is the engine made that is used in the Cruse? I remember when Oldsmobile and Pontiac used converted gasoline to diesel engines in their cars.
BFL
Oct 4, 2014 at 12:24 am
The Cruze diesel is by Fiat. Have one and am quite impressed with the power and torque. By the way, Fiat has a long and successful diesel history.
JohnC
Oct 12, 2014 at 10:45 pm
GM has made loads of great Diesels. The 350 gas Oldsmobile engine was one of the great engines of all time. When it was converted to a Diesel it was not. The 6.2 and 6.5 liter Diesels that replaced it were very good.
athlon
Jun 18, 2015 at 7:47 pm
Many GM diesels come from Isuzu . After WW11 each American manufacture of vehicles put in funds to restart Japans auto industry. Chrysler took a percentage of Mitsubishi, Ford ,Mazda and GM , Isuzu. Now most have bought back most of their holdings but US makers still use their services.
Nissan is now part of the French, Peugeot / Renault conglomerate.
Ron Valiquette
Oct 14, 2014 at 12:29 am
… and now owns Chrysler/ Jeep?
athlon
Jun 18, 2015 at 7:50 pm
Fiat , who also owns Ferrari , Maserati , Alpha Romeo and others besides Chrysler.
athlon
Jun 18, 2015 at 7:38 pm
Fiat is part of the group Fiat , Allison who build large equipment and diesel engines for on and off road .
athlon
Jul 7, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Fiat Allison has a long history of building very large equipment diesels and off road units much like Caterpillar. Allison in Europe , Kubota in Asia and Caterpillar in the Americas. Those are not the only companies ,but also produce the very large land based vehicles for construction and maintenance .
SGT Rock
Sep 18, 2014 at 4:44 pm
Oooh, wow, 31mpg city, 41 mpg highway, 34 mpg combined.
The 2.0 TDI 140PS gets 44.8 mpg in the city, 67.3 mpg highway, 57.6 mpg combined. Problem is you can’t buy this motor here because of antiquated EPA rules, yet it is offered in England.
If you don’t believe me, check it out for yourself at VW of England’s website. They have the information in mpg, not a conversion by me.
Yep, we are better off here when it comes to fuel mileage.
marineflotsam
Sep 22, 2014 at 9:34 pm
The Imperial gallon is larger than the US gallon (about 20%), therefore the higher mpg.
Bill Kuhn
Sep 18, 2014 at 6:46 pm
I wish they’d come up with something with mpg in the same league as the Prius. I’d like some variety (whether gas/diesel/ or hybrid). I’d jump at an EV if they had range AND a somewhat affordable price tag.
As it stands, my wife and I are on Prius #s 3 and 4. We just can’t argue with 50mpg year round in an inexpensive car.
Patty Brown
Oct 2, 2014 at 3:41 pm
I regularly beat my friends’ Prius(es?) with my VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI. The Prius would beat it if we lived in a flat area, but we don’t, and the Prius mpg suffers tremendously on hills.
Bill Kuhn
Oct 3, 2014 at 1:19 pm
The Prius generally does better on hills than on flat ground. I average 50-55 mpg in Kansas (somewhat hilly in the east), but closer to 60 in the mountains in New England and Tennessee where I travel frequently.
roadrunner
Jul 28, 2015 at 6:24 pm
I run an Audi 2006 A3 2.0 TDI (170hp) Common Rail and it is right up there with the Prius. I admit the Prius has an ever so slight advantage in stop and go traffic but it doesn’t stand a chance on the highway. We’re talking 60mpg…
real77777
Sep 25, 2015 at 4:49 am
Suzuki have 4 passenger car that is 105mpg for $8000 in Japan. For environment, USA should allow 80mpg and above mileage car with less safety standard since they are much safer than a motorcycle. Things like painted yellow/orange and additional education etc.
F4F
Feb 2, 2016 at 10:44 am
I bought a used 2004 prius, uaed to get 45-47 summer/ 42-44 winter. Had to get new tires now I get 45 if I’m lucky. 50mpg year round is what sold me, but its not the full story! Now I’m wishing I had a diesel with a manual!
Financial Man
Sep 25, 2014 at 12:13 am
I have an Audi A$ and have found it an expensive vehicle to maintain and repair. It seems that the Germans build beautiful high performance vehicles. However, they are seem to be built the same way their military hardware was during World War II when an extensive amount of effort was expended to keep the tanks, etc operational in the field. When they worked, they worked great. I have switched back to buying American brands again and am much happier with the lack to high maintenance costs. These American cars are much better made than they were back when I purchased by Audi.
25800
Sep 26, 2014 at 5:07 pm
When is Washington going to let Toyota put a small diesel engine in the Tacoma for the US market????
rscurtis
Oct 9, 2014 at 3:24 pm
Toyota can do it whenever they want, just like Ram did and Nissan is supposed to do.
George
Sep 29, 2014 at 8:10 pm
Also depends where you live. In CA diesel is priced like premium, not that much more than regular. In Texas, diesel is at least 50 cents more than regular. There is little or no economic advantage in that case.
Supermal
Oct 4, 2014 at 5:07 pm
They get exactly the same mph when you convert from imperial to US gallons.
Steve
Oct 15, 2014 at 3:08 pm
I’ve got a 2012 Jetta and average 45 mpg commuting to work. The thing I like is that it is a decent sized car that has a nice sized trunk and carries 4 people very comfortably, while the fuel economy is better than all those little mini cars.
Steve
Jun 21, 2015 at 4:14 pm
The reason diesels don’t sell in the states, is that the price is higher to begin with on these cars, then you add the price of diesel being anywhere from 60 to 85 cents per gallon higher, it would a long time and many thousands of miles to reach the break even point.
Steven G
Jul 22, 2015 at 1:52 pm
I have a 2009 Jetta TDI, with 80,000 miles and so far runs like a champ. I have not had any major issues and maintenance costs are very low since you only need to bring it in every 10,000 miles.
jameskatt
Aug 30, 2015 at 4:59 am
If only the Chevrolet Cruze Diesel came in an small SUV model. I’d snap it up.