Diesel power in an SUV package.
Modern SUVs come with a wide range of different engine options; from gas, to hybrid, to diesel. This means there's plenty of choices out there, making it easy to find the vehicle that fits your needs. A diesel engine can give your SUV that extra feeling of power, designed to make pulling away from lights and merging into traffic easier.
If you're in the market for an SUV and want all the benefits that come with a diesel engine, you've come to the right place. To help you on your search, we've compiled this list of the 10 best diesel SUVs for 2020 shoppers, based on CarMax sales data from April 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019. Please note that some of these vehicles are available with gasoline engines, too, so it’s always worth double checking before you buy!
- BMW X5
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport
- BMW X3
- Land Rover Range Rover
- Mercedes-Benz GL350
- Jaguar F-pace
- Mercedes-Benz GLK250
- Land Rover Range Rover Velar
- Land Rover Discovery
There are a lot of powerful diesel engines in this lineup. If you're in the market for a Land Rover, there are a few options on this list. There's the supremely versatile Land Rover Discovery that comes with an optional third row on 2019 models—perfect if you're hauling people or belongings. It also comes standard with some fantastic off-road features such as hill descent control, Terrain Response®, and a two-speed transfer box.
The Range Rover Velar or Range Rover Sport might be more your style if you're looking for a little luxury alongside off-road capabilities. The Mercedes SUVs in the list also offer luxury features alongside your desired diesel engine. The GLK250 features a 201-horsepower 2.1L engine (2009–2012), while the GL350 is a little more powerful with its 3.5L engine and 255 horsepower (2012-2019). The 2016 GL350 comes with standard all-wheel drive, a suite of driver-assist features, a rearview camera, and a remote locking system. Running near the top of our list is the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The 2019 model features available Quadra-Trac II® or the sophisticated Quadra-Drive® II, depending on the level of off-road traction you might need.
At the top of the list is the BMW X5. This is a luxury SUV that combines utility and convenience with style. Inside the 2018 X5, you get split-folding rear seats to customize your passenger- and cargo-hauling abilities. You also get an impressive EPA-estimated 23 mpg city and 29 mpg highway from the 2019 3.0L diesel engine.1 The X5 also boasts a number of available packages across all years that add driver-assist features, premium touches, improved handling, and more.
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1Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates when vehicles sold as new. Fuel economy may vary for reasons like driving conditions and vehicle history. Unless specified, figures are for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. See fueleconomy.gov for details.
Unless otherwise noted, information related to these featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.