Best diesel cars 2024
Diesel power strikes a balance between performance and fuel economy, and these are the best diesel cars you can buy
Sales of diesel-powered cars have been declining for the past few years, with some manufacturers dropping these engines from certain model line-ups altogether. However, the best diesel cars still offer clear advantages in fuel economy and CO2 emissions over petrol-engined cars, making them a sensible choice for some buyers – and particularly for people who want a larger car and cover higher mileages. The smooth, muscular power delivery of a diesel engine really comes into its own on longer journeys.
With that in mind, check out what we think are the top 10 best diesel cars on sale now. They offer a great combination of low running costs and superb performance...
Best diesel cars
- Skoda Octavia
- Mercedes E-Class
- Skoda Kodiaq
- Mercedes Benz S-Class
- Land Rover Defender
- Citroen Berlingo
- Skoda Superb
- Volkswagen Golf
- Kia Sorento
- Volkswagen Multivan
1. Skoda Octavia
- Prices from £27,000
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The Skoda Octavia was crowned Family Car of the Year at our 2024 New Car Awards, with the hatchback offering a unique mix of efficient engines, a practical cabin, great technology and – as the Czech brand does so often – a focus on value for money.
The car was facelifted in 2024, but the crucial elements behind the Octavia’s success remain. First and foremost, the 2.0-litre diesel engine available in the line-up comes in two states of tune: a lower-powered, 114bhp version that’s capable of up to 66.2mpg, or a 148bhp alternative with a DSG automatic gearbox that still achieves 63.2mpg. The 0-62mph sprint takes 10.4 and 8.5 seconds respectively, and while the turn of speed won’t blow you away, there’s more than enough performance for everyday driving in either model.
Inside, passenger space is excellent, with plenty of legroom and headroom throughout. The boot is an impressive size too, measuring 600 litres even with the rear seats in place. Should you drop those down, capacity rises to 1,555 litres.
2. Mercedes E-Class
- Prices from £57,000
- Best diesel-powered executive car
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The Mercedes E-Class and diesel power go hand in hand — which is something you’d expect, given how popular it’s been with taxi drivers over the decades. Unlike the BMW 5 Series, which has abandoned diesel engines in its latest form, the E-Class continues to offer a diesel option in mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid guises.
The mild-hybrid E 220 d is a great car, thanks to its frugal engine that will return 58.9mpg in the basic AMG Line trim. Around town, you can hear the diesel engine, but it settles down at speed - and, along with an 855-mile range, makes the E-Class a wonderful long-distance cruiser.
3. Skoda Kodiaq
- Prices from £39,000
- Best equipped
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It’s no surprise to see the second of three Skodas in this list, given that all three come with the same 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine. While it’s offered in a few Volkswagen Group cars, you get more for your money with the Skoda-badged offerings.
Indeed, the Skoda Kodiaq diesel is offered in five or seven-seat guises, so those with big families will be well catered for here. Thanks to the engine’s strong torque, the Skoda doesn’t feel particularly underpowered, either, despite its size and weight. The 53.2mpg economy figure (51.7mpg in the seven-seater) is impressive, too.
4. Mercedes S-Class
- Prices from £94,000
- Most refined
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Massive road presence and a cosseting interior mean the Mercedes S-Class is our top luxury car, and it's at its best in diesel guise: if you want the ultimate in luxury driving, then look no further.
Mercedes does offer a hybrid S-Class as a true economy champ, but the hybrid powertrain isn't as well suited to the car as this diesel engine. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder is super-smooth yet seriously quick, with 0-62mph taking just 6.4 seconds – quite a feat in a car weighing nearly two tonnes. Yet driven carefully it will return 42.8mpg.
Whatever guise the S-Class is in, it irons out any imperfections in the road. Sophisticated technology 'reads' the road ahead and is able to prep the air suspension for upcoming bumps. This really is one of the most comfortable cars short of a Rolls-Royce Phantom.
The Mercedes S-Class has always been a showcase for the absolute latest technology and this one doesn't disappoint, with two 12-inch screens in the dash, mobile data, optional night vision, and reclining rear seats. Plus in an industry first, there isn't a single filament lightbulb on the car.
5. Land Rover Defender
- Prices from £60,500
- Go-anywhere ability
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Land Rover silenced the doubters, producing a Defender worthy of its predecessor’s famous name. It’s clearly a more technologically advanced and luxurious car, but it hasn’t lost any of its character or core attributes, which means the Defender is equally at home on the steepest of muddy slopes or in the urban jungle.
While die-hard Landie fans have moaned about the price and luxuriousness of the new Defender, the current car is worlds apart from its agricultural predecessor. The diesel-powered mild-hybrid D350 edition is no slouch, with the three-door Defender 90 S managing the 0-62mph sprint in just 6.2 seconds. Even the huge 130 model takes only 7.1 seconds, and both versions return around 33mpg.
While the CO2 emissions are relatively high – the D350 emits 221g/km – those looking for a practical, incredibly competent off-roader are in the right place.
6. Citroen Berlingo
- Prices from £22,300
- Best value for money
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With massive amounts of passenger and boot space, low running costs and refined driving manners, this Citroen takes a different approach to many other MPVs.
The Citroen Berlingo can be specced with a 99bhp or 128bhp variant of the 1.5-litre diesel engine. But those likely to carry a full load of passengers and luggage, or to use it as a tow car would be better off with the higher-powered option. It accelerates from 0-62mph in 11 seconds, while producing a useful 300Nm of torque.
Whichever diesel variant you pick, the small Stellantis-group engines tend to sip fuel at a lower rate than the majority of their rivals, returning between 45.1mpg and 50.3mpg. Their CO2 emissions under WLTP regulations range from 135g/km for the lowest-powered diesel, with the figure not changing whether you opt for the short or long-wheelbase version.
7. Skoda Superb
- Prices from £34,700
- Best for boot space
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The latest Skoda Superb picks up where the third-generation model left off. Skoda set about improving the car’s boot space (now a whopping 645 litres for the hatch and 690 litres for the estate) and adding a flashier, tech-filled cabin.
Thankfully, there are still diesel options available, with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI putting out either 148bhp or 190bhp. The lower-powered version is able to reach 57.6mpg, but the more powerful model fares a bit worse at 47.9mpg. The estate version is only slightly more thirsty at 55.4mpg, and on long journeys you can expect a figure much closer to 60mpg.
8. Volkswagen Golf
- Prices from £29,400
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The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf wasn’t our most favourite when it launched with its annoying touch-sensitive buttons. The facelift that arrived in 2024 got rid of the touch buttons on the steering wheel for some good old-fashioned physical buttons and while the touch-sensitive slider remains under the central touchscreen it is at least backlit these days.
What we’ve always liked about the current Golf is the 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine. Available in 114bhp form in Match trim or in R-Line trim for the more powerful 148bhp version, they’ll return a very impressive 63.5mpg and 60.5mpg respectively.
9. Kia Sorento
- Prices from £42,000
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The Kia Sorento is a rare example of a car being offered with petrol hybrid, plug-in hybrid and diesel powertrains. Each has its own merit, but the diesel seems well suited to the relaxed, comfortable driving experience of the Sorento.
The 2.2-litre four-cylinder unit puts out 190bhp and a meaty 440Nm of torque. It’s not especially quick, but like a lot of diesels, what it does well is tow. Where the Sorento PHEV and HEV versions have towing limits of 1,010kg and 1,110kg respectively, the diesel will pull up to 2,500kg.
10. Volkswagen Multivan
- Prices from £48,400
- Most versatile
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The Volkswagen Multivan retains the practicality of the old Transporter Shuttle, but thanks to the new MQB Evo platform it shares with VW’s passenger cars, it’s better to drive than ever.
We like the plug-in hybrid version of the Multivan, but this went off sale in 2024, leaving just the TSI petrol and TDI diesel options. The diesel still makes sense in the VW, with the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder providing 148bhp and 360Nm of torque that feels pretty accessible through the rev range. With power going to the front wheels via a smooth-shifting seven-speed DSG automatic transmission, the Multivan TDI will return a decent 43.5mpg. You won’t do much worse than that with all seven seats fully loaded either.
The challenges facing diesel
Today's diesel cars are a far cry from the noisy, rattly, smoky diesels of old. They use clever particulate filters and additional measures that are designed to cut exhaust emissions, and one study has estimated that you would need to put 42 million new diesel cars on the road to match a coal-fired power station for harmful nitrogen oxide emissions.
That hasn’t stopped the UK government from introducing schemes like the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) in London as a deterrent for drivers of high-polluting vehicles. Unfortunately for drivers of most diesel cars registered before 2016, their cars don’t meet the standards set by Euro 6 and they’ll need to pay to enter the ULEZ zone. Every new diesel car on sale today is Euro 6 compliant and increasing numbers are also compliant with the tougher RDE2 real-world emissions standards.
The reputation of diesel wasn't helped by Volkswagen and the Dieselgate scandal. The manufacturer fitted devices to some of its TDI engines to achieve better emissions results in lab tests than were possible in everyday driving. The resulting scandal pushed through the introduction of the more representative WLTP and RDE emissions tests that give a closer indication of the fuel economy and emissions a car will produce in the real world. But even the VW story was concentrated on older diesel engines, and the current ones are just as clean and efficient as those made by rivals.
As part of the fallout of the diesel backlash, some manufacturers have rolled back on the number of diesel models they offer. Small diesel engined cars in particular are becoming rare with hybrid and electric technology taking over. On the whole, however, a diesel car is still a sound choice for the new car buyer with the right usage patterns.
Should you buy a diesel car?
Our top 10 diesel cars offer smooth driving, great efficiency and plenty of power for every day needs, although you should still consider whether a diesel model suits you. If you do lots of short, urban low-speed journeys, then you won't be getting the best from a diesel, and a petrol, hybrid or electric car might be a better bet. That’s part of the reason why so few small cars are offered with diesel engines today.
Diesel is still the engine of choice if you cover longer distances, as it's more fuel efficient than an equivalent petrol, while the torque of a diesel engine means they're well suited to towing, but without harming fuel economy too severely.
Best diesel automatics
Given the kind of long distance driving at which diesel cars excel, automatic gearboxes are a very popular choice. The user-friendliness of a smooth self-shifting gearbox is great whether you’re cruising on the motorway or snarled up in an urban traffic jam. Our picks of the diesel models on sale today include numerous models with automatic gearboxes that will take even more of the strain out of your daily driving.
Diesel power not for you? Check out the best hybrid cars to buy...
