Chevrolet recently announced a diesel version of the popular Cruze compact sedan. If you want to see it, use DexKnows to find your local Chevy dealer, and if you want to learn more about both the good and bad about diesel engines, read on.

Diesels have changed

There’s a perception that diesels are noisy, smelly and slow. That might have been true 30 years ago, but it’s incorrect today. Car manufacturers, especially the Germans — who know a thing or two about engineering great vehicles — have improved and refined diesel engines to the point where they’re almost indistinguishable from their gasoline equivalents.

Diesel fuel has changed, too. Since 2006, diesel sold in the United States has been classed as “ultra-low-sulfur diesel,” which, as reported by Popular Mechanics back in 2008, “has sulfur concentrations of no more than 15 parts per million (ppm). That’s 98.5 percent cleaner than … in those [1970s] disco-era rides.”

What does all this mean? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.

Good things about diesels

You can travel farther on a gallon. For example, a turbo-diesel VW Jetta boasts EPA numbers of 30 mpg city and 42 mpg highway, while an equivalent gasoline-engined Jetta turns in 23/33. And if you check the “My MPG” tab of the Department of Energy’s fueleconomy.gov website and look at “shared MPG estimates,” you’ll see that many diesel drivers beat the EPA estimates hands-down.

Diesel engines last almost forever, as many a Mercedes taxi owner will testify. There are two reasons. First, because burning diesel fuel places higher loads on the engine, the internal components are engineered to be much stronger. Second, diesel fuel has a lubricating effect on internal surfaces, which helps minimize wear.

Diesel engines also tend to be more reliable. Because they don’t need spark plugs and a complicated ignition system, there’s less to go wrong and maintenance costs are lower.

Size for size, a diesel engine develops more torque than a gasoline engine. Torque is a measure of turning force: it’s needed for good acceleration and it’s especially important for towing. That’s why trucks like the Silverado 2500HD come with diesel engines.

Not so good things about diesels

Diesel fuel is more expensive. In early April, AAA reported that while a gallon of unleaded gasoline averaged $3.59 nationally, diesel was $3.99. But set that against the superior mileage and you can see that the diesel driver still comes out ahead.

Not every gas station sells diesel, so if you make the switch, you might need to change your routine a little. Of course, you won’t be visiting the gas station as often, so perhaps that helps a bit.

Diesel vehicles are more expensive. For example, a turbo-diesel VW Jetta costs about $23,850 on the road, while the very similar gasoline-powered SE model is about $21,125. Whether you’ll recoup the extra cost in fuel savings depends on how many miles and what kind of miles you drive.

Is a diesel right for you?

A limited number of vehicles are available with diesel engines. Volkswagen has more models than any other manufacturer, though you can also look at Audi, Mercedes and Chevrolet. If you’re looking for a diesel truck or SUV, there are more options, and the number is likely to grow in the years ahead.

Diesels have a lot to recommend them, but there are still some disadvantages. If you’re interested in learning more, find your local car and truck dealers on DexKnows and ask what they can show you.

 

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