Rugged and ready SUVs.
If you're seeking a rugged and capable vehicle, a diesel SUV could be right for you. You'll get the torque of a diesel engine—which means plenty of pulling power and favorable mpg figures—plus all the benefits of an SUV. If you want a vehicle that's great for camping and can haul a caravan on your next trip, you're in the right place.
Whether you're looking for the height of luxury or basic utility, a diesel SUV delivers. To help you on your search, we've compiled a list of the 10 best diesel SUVs for 2022 shoppers, based on CarMax sales data from July 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021. Please be aware that some of the vehicles on this list are also available with gasoline engines.
1. Land Rover Range Rover Velar
2. Jaguar F-Pace
3. Land Rover Range Rover Sport
4. Land Rover Discovery
5. Audi Q7
6. Jeep Grand Cherokee
7. Land Rover Range Rover
8. GMC Terrain
9. Audi Q5
10. Chevrolet Equinox
Key Diesel SUV Features
Towing Power
All the SUVs on our list stand out for their towing capabilities, proving you don't always need a truck to get the job done. Take a look at the 2018-2021 GMC Terrain, which has an estimated towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. with the optional 2.0L engine, when properly equipped.1 Even the luxurious 2018-2020 Velar at the top of our list has a huge estimated towing capacity of 5,291 lbs. with the base 2.0L turbocharged engine, when properly equipped.1
Another great Land Rover model—the Discovery—is known for its off-road capabilities. It has a whopping estimated towing capacity of 8,201 lbs. with the supercharged 3.0L engine across 2017-2020 models, when properly equipped.1
Fewer Trips to the Pump
Diesel engines tend to be thriftier than their gas counterparts, meaning you can go farther on a tank. Take the Range Rover Velar, for example—2018-2019 models with the 2.0L diesel engine get an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined, while the gas equivalent gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined.2
If you're looking for luxury and power, don't miss the 2017-2019 Jaguar F-Pace. You'll love the 180-hp turbocharged 2.0L diesel engine's responsive power. It makes it a great road trip companion. To sweeten the deal, you'll also get an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined.2
Luxury Details
SUVs provide the best of both worlds—the easy driving of a car combined with the space and utility of a pickup. What's more, you can get the latest luxury features at your fingertips. Inside the 2017-2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, you'll find lots of standard tech features, like voice-activated entertainment controls, a 10.2-inch touchscreen, and ambient interior lighting. If you want comfort, the 2017-2020 Audi Q7 comes with standard leather upholstery, driver's seat memory settings, and three-zone automatic climate control.
Whether you want to live a life of luxury or you need some rugged utility (or both!), a diesel SUV could be right for you. If your daily errands include a long commute, shuttling kids around, or grocery runs, these SUVs are a great choice.
Ready to explore more used SUV options? Take a look at these related articles:
