CARS YOU PROBABLY FORGOT WERE AVAILABLE WITH A DIESEL ENGINE

Most Americans associate diesel engines with pickup trucks and maybe an off-road SUV. This isn't always the case, but you can basically thank Volkswagen for ruining the diesel fun for everyone else. It always had the potential to take off here in the US, and numerous automakers experimented with it, hoping to capture a wider customer base, which led to the creation of several diesel versions you've probably never heard of.

Our favorite has to be the 2019 Mazda CX-5 SKYACTIV-D, a one-year-only turbodiesel variant of one of America's favorite crossovers that completely flew under the radar. There are plenty of others just like this, sedans and crossovers that hoped to win buyers over with their incredible fuel economy, and while some were better than others, none are still surviving today.

We've compiled eight diesel vehicles you've probably never heard of over the last 30 years and ordered them from oldest to newest according to their first model year. EPA-rated fuel economy is listed with the most efficient transmission and drivetrain options.

Volkswagen Beetle TDI

1998–2015

The first entry is a Volkswagen. However, this isn't just any VW. This is the Volkswagen, more appropriately called the Beetle. The original Type 1 gained worldwide fame due to its air-cooled flat-four-cylinder engines, so when the New Beetle arrived with its range of turbocharged and naturally aspirated water-cooled engines. The model was a bit of a shock to the senses. However, we still think the introduction of a 1.9-liter turbo diesel engine was the wildest part, specifically when paired with the 5-speed manual, because then it had about a 700-mile range.

The model must have sold well, because when the second generation arrived, diesel was once again available. The 2.0-liter engine was less fuel-efficient but much more powerful, and it gained praise for its smoothness and ease of use. The powerplant survived until Volkswagen was finally caught lying, which was a shame, because a 6-speed manual diesel VW Beetle was one of the coolest things we've ever heard about.

Jeep Liberty CRD

2005–2006

Jeep is synonymous with rugged SUVs, and everyone knows off-roaders love diesels. Still, it was a bit surprising that, in the mid-2000s, the company decided to give the compact Jeep Liberty crossover a special, Italian-sourced diesel powerplant, rather than the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. The Jeep Liberty CRD (Common Rail Diesel) featured a VM Motori 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine that came out of the DaimlerChrysler partnership, which produced a respectable 160 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

These numbers provided a 0-60 mph acceleration of approximately 10 seconds, but more importantly, the vehicle achieved a combined 21 mpg and could still tow up to 5,000 pounds. However, the main drawbacks were that the engine wasn't as refined as other diesels on the market, according to Car and Driver's review at the time. It was a nearly $4,000 option that bundled a higher-end four-wheel-drive system and a 5-speed automatic transmission, too. Understandably, sales were poor, and in the end, the Liberty CRD was canceled after only two years.

Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTec

2007–2012

The R-Class was an unusual part of the Mercedes-Benz's lineup. It was an MPV that attempted to masquerade as a crossover, and in doing so failed to capture what makes both such great people movers. A shame, but we still appreciate the R-Class regardless, and we especially appreciate the fact that Mercedes decided to offer it with a diesel V6 option. Available almost from the beginning, the BlueTEC engine produced a solid 210 hp and a whopping 400 lb-ft of torque, but don't let that fool you into thinking this car was actually quick.

It still took over 8 seconds to hit 60 mph, and the minivan leaned in the turns, but at least the powertrain was returning about 21 mpg combined. We're unsure how popular an option it was, mostly because the R-Class as a whole was unpopular, but it does position itself as quite a unique option if you find one for sale in 2025.

Audi A3 TDI

2010–2017

The Audi A3 TDI was another interesting offering here in the US. Sold over two generations, it paired the brand's tiniest model available in the US with the same engine found in the VW Beetle and others, and it was strictly mated to a 6-speed DCT, sending its power to the front wheels. The main difference between the two generations, besides, you know, the sheetmetal and interior layouts and whatnot, was the fact that the second-generation TDI was sold here strictly as the A3 hatchback, while the 3rd generation TDI was strictly sold as the A3 sedan.

This is a shame, because we always liked the look of the hatchback A3, and we particularly liked how the brand sharpened it up as it moved into the third generation, but that's usually how these things go. The TDI was discontinued for the 2017 model year for obvious reasons.

Chevrolet Cruze Diesel

2014–2015, 2017–2019

In the early 2010s, GM began to eye VW's diesel sales and decided it wanted a piece of the market. However, it already offered diesel-powered SUVs and pickup trucks. What it didn't offer was a diesel-powered compact car. The Chevy Cruze was chosen to take up the mantle, and the first diesel-powered model arrived in 2014 with 264 lb-ft of torque and 32 mpg combined. Impressive stuff, but Chevy really upped the ante with the second generation.

This time around, a new 1.6-liter turbodiesel powerplant was introduced, and although the powerplant made slightly less power, the mill offered a much more impressive 37 mpg combined. Even better was the fact that Chevy decided to offer it with a 6-speed manual, too. It's remarkable to think there was a diesel-powered compact car was offered in the US with a manual transmission until 2019, but at least it's now dirt cheap.

Jaguar XF 20d

2017–2019

When Jaguar started introducing diesel powertrain options, most traditionalists were scratching their heads. In the F-Pace, it could make sense, since that's a decidedly modern vehicle, but in the XE and XF, it was confusing. We decided to focus on the XF here because it's the one that made the least amount of sense, due to the seriously lacking performance of its sports sedan brethren.

Taking about 8.5 seconds to hit 60 mph may not seem that bad for a base engine, but when all of your competitors are doing it in about 2.0 seconds less, it starts to become noticeable. The good thing is that it delivered stellar fuel economy, and it could be paired with the R-Sport trim, which seriously tightened up the driving experience. Why the brand decided to offer this car, we'll never know, but at least we know the company will never offer anything like it ever again.

Chevrolet Equinox Diesel

2018–2019

Now that Chevy had this 1.6-liter turbodiesel powertrain in its back pocket, it decided to spread the diesel love in the wake of the Dieselgate scandal by introducing the Equinox diesel in 2018. It existed on a similar plane as the Cruze. The model was meant to be an affordable, entry-level car for those who craved better fuel economy. It made sense, though, because of its weight, shape, and 6-speed auto, the car only managed 32 mpg combined.

When TopSpeed reviewed one, it found it to be peppy enough around town, but the main appeal was keeping you away from the pump. Other than that, it was just an Equinox, and that's probably why you haven't heard of it, because the previous generation Equinox was very middling. Good to know things have changed.

Mazda CX-5 Diesel

2019

And finally, we arrive at the car that inspired this list. Let's start off by saying we love the Mazda CX-5. There's a ton to like, and we have no doubt we'll be smitten with the upcoming 2026 model. Going back to the 2019 model year, everyone was still surprised that the company had announced a version of the popular CX-5 with a diesel engine, but many were willing to give it a shot. 168 hp didn't seem like much, but 290 lb-ft of torque sure did, so there was some hope.

However, once behind the wheel of the CX-5 SKYACTIV-D, many realized why basically every other automaker in the US had given up on a diesel passenger vehicle at this point. It was difficult to keep it in power, and the overall performance was slow, but the worst part was that the fuel economy wasn't as good as many had hoped. Nobody wanted this car, which is why it earned the rare distinction of being killed off after only a single model year.

Sources:PR Newswire/VW, Car & Driver (vehicle testing), Motortrend (vehicle testing), EPA

2025-09-28T05:24:51Z