Why You Should (and Should Not) Consider Buying a Diesel Car

Are you thinking about buying a diesel-powered car rather than regular gasoline? If yes, check out the insights below on why you should (and should not) consider buying a diesel car.

First off, why are diesels so popular now? A few years back, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required diesel vehicles use ultra low sulfur diesel. This new “clean” diesel fuel is truly environment friendly. And, because of these super low emissions, the new diesels offer big tax credits. Plus, the new diesels are extremely fuel efficient.

In addition, the new diesels have great performance and all the old problems with diesels (like slow initial acceleration and noisy pings) have been resolved. With all these positives, perhaps that’s why half of Europe’s car owners drive a diesel.

European car makers and Asian and American car companies (Toyota, Honda, Ford, GM, Chrysler) who build cars in Europe all have clean diesel models. However, VW is a leader in building diesel vehicles, which are mostly sold in Europe, Asia and Russia.

In 2009, VW introduced its wildly popular Volkswagen Jetta TDI, which I road tested last year and thoroughly enjoyed driving. Now, in 2010, VW is introducing its four-cylinder 2.0-liter clean diesel 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI (42 mpg hwy, 30 mpg city). The Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI is pictured here.

“I don’t believe that VW has an edge when it comes to the diesel market,” says Cole Quinnell, who is a media consultant to the auto industry and a powertrain engineering enthusiast. “Any car company doing business in Europe must have high-quality diesel vehicles across the lineup that they sell there.”

Some other diesel models to jump the pond are the 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML 320 Bluetech as well as some Mercedes GL and R-class models. BMW is also offering a 2010 335d sedan and the X5 35d sport wagon. Some other 2010 diesels models coming to America are the 2010 Audi Q7 TDI, 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2010 Nissan Maxima, 2010 Subaru Legacy, 2010 Subaru Outback and some 2009-2010 light duty trucks from GM, Ford and Dodge.

Why do Europeans demand diesel vehicles? Gasoline costs about $10 per gallon there and diesel-powered vehicles use about 30 percent less fuel than their gasoline-powered counterparts.

When it comes to diesel in the United States, says Quinnell, there are a couple of key differences in the market. First, he says, there are financial incentives to buy hybrid and electric vehicles in the form of tax rebates and credits.

“These (tax credits and rebates) help the customer overcome the higher price of these technologies, but does not help a customer with the higher price of a diesel powertrain.”

Much like paying extra for a newfangled gas-electric hybrid engine, the new diesels usually cost thousands more than their gas-powered brethren. So, the tax credits for both diesel and hybrid vehicles offset this initial expense.

So, what does Quinnell think about the drive? Are diesels fun to drive or are they noise, unreliable and inconvenient?

“I think (diesels) are fantastic engines,” says Quinnell. “Every time I am in Europe, I insist on a diesel-powered vehicle.

Performance and refinement are two areas that diesel powertrains have really made progress in over the past several years, says Quinnell. “The powerband is broader, delivering a feeling more like a powerful gasoline engine, but still retaining the low-end torque that diesel engines are best known for.”

In fact, Quinnell says refinements in clean diesel engines have made them smooth and much quieter. “In expensive luxury vehicles, the average driver probably wouldn’t even notice if the car had diesel engine.”

And, all the negatives surrounding U.S. diesel cars from the 1970s have been removed, says Quinnell. “They start in extremely low temperatures, they are reliable and durable, they are much quieter, they cloud of dark exhaust is gone,” he says. “They do emit a different smell than a gasoline car, but that’s about it.”

What about fueling? Should a potential diesel buyer be worried about not finding a fueling station? Is fueling enough of a problem to not consider diesel?

Quinnell says diesel car owners are cognizant of which gas stations generally have diesel fuel. “Diesel is an extremely common fuel,” says Quinnell. “And you certainly know which stations on your regular commute carry it and which don’t.”

So what’s the bottom line? “It really comes down to preference and cost,” says Quinnell. He says potential diesel buyrs should add a slight extra cost of maintenance (diesel engines generally require less maintenance, but things like oil changes cost more) and then divide by the annual fuel savings and compare the cost of the expected length of car ownership.

Fortunately for American consumers, says Quinnell, the decision is no longer based on whether you’re willing to “put up” with a diesel engine.

I agree. VW’s new clean diesel engines are super fuel efficient and fun to drive. They are so clean, in fact, that they are considered green vehicles. What could be better? Go diesel, America!

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif. Follow me! @sheryllalexande

Select photos by Jeffrey N. Ross