Diesel toad

[ronspradley]

When I get ready to replace my current toad, I am looking for a similar size SUV but powered by a diesel. Looking for reliability, mileage, and being able to use one fuel instead of both gas and diesel. What is available out there with diesel power?

ronspradley

[KSCRUDE]

Jeep grand Cherokee is coming in a diesel!2013

[ronspradley]

Right now I am running about 3500 pounds dry weight and get 25 mpg highway. So I would be looking for around 30 mpg with a diesel to compare (with the premium price for diesel). And awd or 4wd would be nice. Why aren't there relatively small SUV's out there that are running diesel?

ronspradley

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by ronspradley

Right now I am running about 3500 pounds dry weight and get 25 mpg highway. So I would be looking for around 30 mpg with a diesel to compare (with the premium price for diesel). And awd or 4wd would be nice. Why aren't there relatively small SUV's out there that are running diesel?

ronspradley

I think it's a U.S. thing. I know auto diesels made by GM in the '70's were very unreliable and had all the downsides, noise, vibration, stink, etc. I've had a diesel car since 2000 and still like it, 45 mpg. Had a diesel van in the '80s and it got 30 mpg all day.

Here in Australia I see more diesels than 'petrol' in cars, vans, and trucks. I know it's also true in Europe. I don't think our emissions requirements are the problem, except maybe Calif, I think it's the old idea that they're smelly, hard to start in Winter, etc. I've never had an issue in Ohio winters or anywhere else. Diesels have reliability, lots of torque, and little maintenance except oil and filter changes.

[KSCRUDE]

Jeep sells the wrangler all over the world in a diesel model. Made right here in the good ol USA. But for some strange reason we can't buy one here! Ford sells the new ranger pickup in a diesel or gas. We get neither model here. Go figure. I think Toyota sells their small pickup with a diesel in other markets also. And their small SUVs. In Europe about 80% of all vehicles are diesel. Us Americans love our gasoline and we seem to be stuck with it. Volkswagen does sell several diesel cars and some SUVs here though.

[Algoma]

The other problem you have is whether you can tow these 4 down, particularly if you want AWD. A number of magazines are complaining that the newer models are being sold with automatic transmissions only. The Porsche Cayenne Diesel looks nice though!

[amanda_h]

Mazda is supposedly coming out with a small diesel SUV in the next few months but who knows if it will be towable or not.

The Audi Q7, not towable. The VW diesel Touareg not towable. VW Tiguan TDI may be coming but will not be towable. The diesel Subaru Forester was once rumored to be coming but they decided against it.

Yeah, not many choices ...if any at all. We may consider the diesel Grand Cherokee when it comes out but we'd like something lighter.

We are seriously considering a VW Jetta Sportwagen (TDI diesel). However, we'd really like to have AWD. We may buy one anyway. It can be towed 4-down with a manual transmission.

[40GnTX]

Originally Posted by KSCRUDE

Jeep sells the wrangler all over the world in a diesel model. Made right here in the good ol USA. But for some strange reason we can't buy one here!

What is the deal with that?? I would absolutely love a Wrangler in diesel!! It makes no sense to me

[KSCRUDE]

The ford escapes with the Ecoboost engines have diesel torque and fuel mileage. We have the 1.6 litter Eco and it runs and pulls at low rpms like a diesel. I have not driven the 2.0 Ecoboost that is also available and has 100 FPT more then the 1.6. These little things are turbocharged, but not diesel. If you really want a diesel, ram, gm, and ford all have good diesel heavy duty pickups.

[KSCRUDE]

Originally Posted by 40GnTX

What is the deal with that?? I would absolutely love a Wrangler in diesel!! It makes no sense to me

I used to spend a lot of time on the wrangler forum. Many of the jeepers there are lusting after the diesel wrangler. We may get one soon as the grand Cherokee is supposed to be coming in 13. They would probably share most of the same drive train. I like my gas wrangler and probably wouldn't get a new one anyway. But never say never.

[Mr_D]

Jeep used to sell a diesel engine model around 2008(?). There was one on a used car lot here for a while, I wanted to go look but both our vehicles are paid off and I didn't want to start over.
Friend has had TDI's for years and just bought another one, he likes the torque.

[Gary RVRoamer]

VW has a full line of diesel-powered vehicles. The Toureg and Jetta Sport Wagon are suvs.

[amanda_h]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

VW has a full line of diesel-powered vehicles. The Toureg and Jetta Sport Wagon are suvs.

Can the Touareg now be towed???! That's great news. We'll have to check into that.



The general rule was that the "full line" of VW diesels can be flat towed as long as they have a manual transmission and FWD, i.e. the TDI Beetle, Golf, Jetta, Sportwagen, Passat (haven't seen a base plate for the new TDI, though). The Touareg has never been offered in a manual transmission so I'm surprised that it can now be towed. We're definitely excited about that!


.

[amanda_h]

Originally Posted by amanda_h

Passat (haven't seen a base plate for the new TDI, though).


.

Correction: I see that Blue Ox now makes a base plate for the new Passat.