Should you still consider a diesel car or SUV?
General Motors (GM) thinks you still might want to buy a diesel car or SUV.
Diesel sales, especially among sedans, have slumped since two thousand fifteen after it was exposed that Volkswagen’s popular TDI diesel models had passed the U.S, air pollution emissions test only by cheating . Volkswagen and its subsidiary Audi as well as Mercedes-Benz did not sell any two thousand seventeen sedans with diesel engines.
Now General Motors is suggesting a diesel option in the fastest-growing U.S, automotive segment: compact SUVs. The two thousand eighteen Chevrolet Equinox–introduced to Fresh York auto writers at an event this week–will feature an optional four-cylinder 1.6-liter, one hundred thirty seven horsepower diesel engine. Its corporate sibling GMC Terrain will also suggest the diesel option.
The headline number with this engine is 39, the EPA rating for fuel mileage in highway driving. (The city number is twenty eight miles per gallon). Dan Nicholson, GM vice president for global propulsion systems, noted that the thirty nine mpg highway rating topped competitors Nissan Rogue (35 mpg highway) and Toyota RAV4 (30 mpg) in their hybrid gas-electric versions.
Five of the best deals on fresh cars
“Diesel has definite benefits for customers who drive a lot of highway miles,” said Nicholson.
Some independent analysts believe shoppers will timid away from the extra initial cost of diesel versions. “Diesel engines are usually more expensive to build than gasoline engines and thus are priced at a premium,” said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director of Kelley Blue Book. Indeed the Equinox diesel is priced at $31,435, or $Two,195 more than a comparable gasoline-powered version. “Diesels do suggest higher fuel economy but in this era of low fuel costs that isn’t a big advantage,” Nerad continued.
Albeit the diesel in the Equinox–and in the Chevrolet Cruze puny sedan–is fresh this year, Nicholson said the company had been encouraged by sales of a different diesel engine suggested in two thousand seventeen models of its compact pickups Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. And V-8 diesel engines have remained popular in heavy-duty pickups like the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD.
So with the Volkswagen gig in the past and current diesel offerings in fair compliance with EPA testing, should you consider a diesel if you are shopping for a fresh car? If you fit one of these categories below, you should at least do the research and compare the economics of diesel versions versus gasoline engines.
You have a long commute mostly at highway speeds. Not only do diesels put up good fuel mileage on the highway, you don’t have to stop and refill the tank as often. GM says the fresh Equinox diesel has a range of five hundred seventy seven miles to the next refill kicking off with a utter tank.
You need to tow a boat, trailer or camper. The strong torque of diesel at low speeds makes it ideal for towing. If you have intense towing to do, consider a large pickup like the Chevrolet Silverado one thousand five hundred or its competitor the Ford F-150–both of which will have diesel options soon.
You think quick acceleration makes a car joy to drive. That same strong torque means slew of zip when you hit the accelerator in a diesel vehicle. In a brief test drive, the fresh Equinox diesel lived up to that picture.
© two thousand seventeen CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved. Go after @MoneyWatchCars
Should you still consider a diesel car or SUV? CBS News
Should you still consider a diesel car or SUV?
The two thousand eighteen Chevrolet Equinox–introduced to auto writers at an event in Fresh York this week–will feature an optional four-cylinder 1.6-liter, one hundred thirty seven horsepower diesel engine.
General Motors (GM) thinks you still might want to buy a diesel car or SUV.
Diesel sales, especially among sedans, have slumped since two thousand fifteen after it was exposed that Volkswagen’s popular TDI diesel models had passed the U.S, air pollution emissions test only by cheating . Volkswagen and its subsidiary Audi as well as Mercedes-Benz did not sell any two thousand seventeen sedans with diesel engines.
Now General Motors is suggesting a diesel option in the fastest-growing U.S, automotive segment: compact SUVs. The two thousand eighteen Chevrolet Equinox–introduced to Fresh York auto writers at an event this week–will feature an optional four-cylinder 1.6-liter, one hundred thirty seven horsepower diesel engine. Its corporate sibling GMC Terrain will also suggest the diesel option.
The headline number with this engine is 39, the EPA rating for fuel mileage in highway driving. (The city number is twenty eight miles per gallon). Dan Nicholson, GM vice president for global propulsion systems, noted that the thirty nine mpg highway rating topped competitors Nissan Rogue (35 mpg highway) and Toyota RAV4 (30 mpg) in their hybrid gas-electric versions.
Five of the best deals on fresh cars
“Diesel has definite benefits for customers who drive a lot of highway miles,” said Nicholson.
Some independent analysts believe shoppers will bashful away from the extra initial cost of diesel versions. “Diesel engines are usually more expensive to build than gasoline engines and thus are priced at a premium,” said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director of Kelley Blue Book. Indeed the Equinox diesel is priced at $31,435, or $Two,195 more than a comparable gasoline-powered version. “Diesels do suggest higher fuel economy but in this era of low fuel costs that isn’t a big advantage,” Nerad continued.
Albeit the diesel in the Equinox–and in the Chevrolet Cruze petite sedan–is fresh this year, Nicholson said the company had been encouraged by sales of a different diesel engine suggested in two thousand seventeen models of its compact pickups Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. And V-8 diesel engines have remained popular in heavy-duty pickups like the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD.
So with the Volkswagen gig in the past and current diesel offerings in fair compliance with EPA testing, should you consider a diesel if you are shopping for a fresh car? If you fit one of these categories below, you should at least do the research and compare the economics of diesel versions versus gasoline engines.
You have a long commute mostly at highway speeds. Not only do diesels put up good fuel mileage on the highway, you don’t have to stop and refill the tank as often. GM says the fresh Equinox diesel has a range of five hundred seventy seven miles to the next refill commencing with a utter tank.
You need to tow a boat, trailer or camper. The strong torque of diesel at low speeds makes it ideal for towing. If you have strong towing to do, consider a large pickup like the Chevrolet Silverado one thousand five hundred or its competitor the Ford F-150–both of which will have diesel options soon.
You think quick acceleration makes a car joy to drive. That same strong torque means slew of zip when you hit the accelerator in a diesel vehicle. In a brief test drive, the fresh Equinox diesel lived up to that picture.
Should you still consider a diesel car or SUV? CBS News
Should you still consider a diesel car or SUV?
General Motors (GM) thinks you still might want to buy a diesel car or SUV.
Diesel sales, especially among sedans, have slumped since two thousand fifteen after it was exposed that Volkswagen’s popular TDI diesel models had passed the U.S, air pollution emissions test only by cheating . Volkswagen and its subsidiary Audi as well as Mercedes-Benz did not sell any two thousand seventeen sedans with diesel engines.
Now General Motors is suggesting a diesel option in the fastest-growing U.S, automotive segment: compact SUVs. The two thousand eighteen Chevrolet Equinox–introduced to Fresh York auto writers at an event this week–will feature an optional four-cylinder 1.6-liter, one hundred thirty seven horsepower diesel engine. Its corporate sibling GMC Terrain will also suggest the diesel option.
The headline number with this engine is 39, the EPA rating for fuel mileage in highway driving. (The city number is twenty eight miles per gallon). Dan Nicholson, GM vice president for global propulsion systems, noted that the thirty nine mpg highway rating topped competitors Nissan Rogue (35 mpg highway) and Toyota RAV4 (30 mpg) in their hybrid gas-electric versions.
Five of the best deals on fresh cars
“Diesel has definite benefits for customers who drive a lot of highway miles,” said Nicholson.
Some independent analysts believe shoppers will timid away from the extra initial cost of diesel versions. “Diesel engines are usually more expensive to build than gasoline engines and thus are priced at a premium,” said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director of Kelley Blue Book. Indeed the Equinox diesel is priced at $31,435, or $Two,195 more than a comparable gasoline-powered version. “Diesels do suggest higher fuel economy but in this era of low fuel costs that isn’t a big advantage,” Nerad continued.
Albeit the diesel in the Equinox–and in the Chevrolet Cruze petite sedan–is fresh this year, Nicholson said the company had been encouraged by sales of a different diesel engine suggested in two thousand seventeen models of its compact pickups Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. And V-8 diesel engines have remained popular in heavy-duty pickups like the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD.
So with the Volkswagen gig in the past and current diesel offerings in fair compliance with EPA testing, should you consider a diesel if you are shopping for a fresh car? If you fit one of these categories below, you should at least do the research and compare the economics of diesel versions versus gasoline engines.
You have a long commute mostly at highway speeds. Not only do diesels put up good fuel mileage on the highway, you don’t have to stop and refill the tank as often. GM says the fresh Equinox diesel has a range of five hundred seventy seven miles to the next refill commencing with a total tank.
You need to tow a boat, trailer or camper. The strong torque of diesel at low speeds makes it ideal for towing. If you have mighty towing to do, consider a large pickup like the Chevrolet Silverado one thousand five hundred or its competitor the Ford F-150–both of which will have diesel options soon.
You think quick acceleration makes a car joy to drive. That same strong torque means slew of zip when you hit the accelerator in a diesel vehicle. In a brief test drive, the fresh Equinox diesel lived up to that pic.
© two thousand seventeen CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved. Go after @MoneyWatchCars