Diesel’s popularity is waning. In the early 2000s, the fuel was viewed as somewhat of a miracle for its stunning blend of high fuel efficiency and low CO2 output. However, the fallout from the Volkswagen dieselgate scandal and growing concern for the health risks of diesel particulate emissions are pushing the fuel out of the showrooms. We think that’s a shame because, in the correct usage case, diesel engines pair exceptionally well with some of the best SUVs on sale.
If you spend most of your time pottering around a busy city, you absolutely should not buy a diesel SUV. Not only would it be inconsiderate to you neighbours, it’d also be a waste of money. Diesel engines need to get up to temperature to operate efficiently – and you’ll never get your engine properly warmed through if you’re only using the car to drive a few miles in stop-start traffic from your home to work and back.
That can end up costing you thousands of pounds in needless maintenance. There’s a filter in a modern diesel SUV’s exhaust which captures some of the harmful particulate emissions and burns them before they exit the exhaust. But the system doesn’t work well when the exhaust is cold so, if you only do lots of short journeys, the filter quickly becomes clogged and your engine is choked by the blockage. You’ll then need to take your car to a mechanic to have the filter cleaned or replaced.
However, if you spend a lot of time on the motorway, a diesel SUV could be perfect for you. Diesel engines offer their best fuel economy on long-distance trips, sometimes even beating the figures claimed by the best hybrid SUVs. Plus, because the engine will be able to get up to temperature, the particulate filter will hold enough heat to clean itself – and the extra torque you get compared to a comparably sized petrol engine makes it far easier to overtake slower-moving traffic from a cruise.
If you’re a long-distance driver, we highly recommend you opt for one of our best diesel SUVs. Our list below includes something for everyone, from frugal four-cylinder family cars to decadent luxury liners with enough power to drag the moon out of its orbit. Scroll down for some inspiration – and remember to check out our in-depth reviews on each car if you require more information.
Best diesel SUVs for 2024
It’s a Parkers award winner. Need we say more?
The Range Rover is available with a choice of two 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engines – one with 300hp and one with 350hp. They’re both fast, whisper quiet and economical but, if your budget can stretch to it, we recommend you opt for the more powerful unit. Its enormous reserve of low-down grunt gives the car a wonderfully relaxed character.
For a more in-depth look, read our Range Rover review
Pros
- Beyond comfortable
- Seating for up to seven
- Staggering off road ability
Cons
- Expensive, even for a Rangey
- Wrong image for some people
- Massive size can be tricky in town
Fantastic value and surprising off-road ability
Four-wheel drive variants are slightly less economical, but the extra off-road ability you gain more than makes up for the extra fuel consumption. Standard equipment levels are strong, too. Go for the £18,295 Expression model and you’ll get 16-inch alloys, cruise control, a rear-view camera, air conditioning and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
For a more in-depth look, read our Dacia Duster review
Pros
- Available with four-wheel drive
- Practical, spacious interior
- Did we mention its value?
Cons
- Less refined than rivals
- Unsettled ride quality
- Rear seats don't fold flat
The most highly recommended mid-sized SUV
There are two diesel options available, both based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit. The cheap model produces 115hp, while the more expensive model has 150hp. The higher-powered engine can also be specified with four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox – and it’s more than capable enough to tackle a spot of mild off-roading. The lower-powered model can easily return upwards of 50mpg, while the 150hp four-wheel drive variant achieves figures in the high 40-mpg range. Not bad at all.
For a more in-depth look, read our Skoda Karoq review
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Incredibly spacious
- Loads of equipment
Cons
- Not that sharp to drive
- Options quickly inflate prices
- No hybrid powertrains
A delightfully desirable icon, reborn
The diesel engine to go for is the 250hp 3.0-litre straight-six model. It makes the Defender more muscular and luxurious – and the extra torque it provides over the standard 2.0-litre diesel makes it easier to tackle rough terrain. Just don’t expect stellar fuel economy figures. The Defender’s weight and four-wheel drive system means the 3.0-litre will struggle to achieve 30mpg in the real world.
For a more in-depth look, read our Land Rover Defender review
Pros
- Unstoppable off the road
- Good to drive on the road
- Loads of personalisation options
Cons
- Personalised cars cost big money
- Expensive running costs
- Limited rear seat access
Mazda’s largest SUV is available with a stellar six-pot diesel
But the CX-60’s biggest selling point is its interior. It’s spacious, well equipped and very high quality, which is impressive considering it costs a good £10,000 less than the equivalent BMW X3. Obviously, you make some compromises. The ride is rather harsh and, at just 477 litres with the boot floor in place, it doesn’t have as much luggage room as the Skoda Karoq.
For a more in-depth look, read our Mazda CX-60 review
Pros
- Powerful engine
- Premium interior
- Affordable (for its class)
Cons
- Choppy ride
- Enormous dimensions
- Monotone interior
BMW X3
Comfortable and dynamic – it’s still a proper BMW
We like the X3’s technology, too. It’s equipped with BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, which features a rotary controller on the centre console to navigate the menus on the screen. It’s much easier to use than its touchscreen-led rivals, as you don’t need to divert as much of your attention. You also get a very practical 550-litre boot. It’s no wonder so many people drive X3s.
For a more in-depth look, read our BMW X3 review
Pros
- One of the best-driving SUVs available
- Smooth and powerful diesel engines
- Loads of space in the boot
Cons
- M-badged cars have a firm ride
- Top-spec models are expensive
- Lacks serious off-road ability
It’s a cut-price South Korean Volvo XC90
Kia’s 2.2-litre diesel engine has 192hp and 440Nm of torque, which is enough to shunt the Sorento from 0–62mph in 9.2 seconds. That’s not bad at all – and that vast amount of torque means it never feels sluggish, even with six passengers and a boot full of luggage on board. What’s more, you can tow up to 2.5 tonnes with the Sorento diesel, which is more than enough for a five-berth caravan.
For a more in-depth look, read our Kia Sorento review
Pros
- Seven-seat capacity
- Affordable running costs
- Immensely practical
Cons
- Limited trim selection
- No cheaper front-wheel drive option
- Diesel can be quite vocal
A rock-solid choice in a busy marketplace
When Volkswagen updated the T-Roc in 2022, it ditched its aging 1.6-litre diesel engine in favour of the 2.0-litre unit used elsewhere across the Volkswagen Group. Like the Skoda Karoq, it’s available in two states of tune – the entry-level model has 115hp, while the flagship variant churns out 150hp. Both claim strong fuel economy figures, but the 115hp model is the efficiency champion, returning up to 60.2mpg under official WLTP conditions.
For a more in-depth look, read our Volkswagen T-Roc review
Pros
- Funky paint options
- Low running costs
- Comfortable
Cons
- Firm ride on large wheels
- Unadventurous
- Disappointing interior plastics
A unique plug-in hybrid diesel SUV
The rest of the GLC is rather hit and miss. We like the car’s cabin, with its crisp infotainment system and pretty ambient lighting system (which even makes the air vents glow), but we’re less impressed by its driving experience. The car’s steering system offers little feedback and its low-speed ride is rather unsettled, although it does smooth out well once you’re up to speed on the motorway. Which, mercifully, is where this car is at its best.
For a more in-depth look, read our Mercedes GLC review
Pros
- It’s a plug-in hybrid diesel!
- High-quality interior
- Attractive infotainment system
Cons
- Fidgety low-speed ride
- Lifeless steering
- Price – it starts at £53,000!
Peugeot 5008
Likeable and comfortable seven-seat family SUV
Now, there’s just one diesel engine available in the 5008 but, thankfully, it’s a good ‘un. Peugeot’s 1.5-litre BlueHDi 130 unit produces, unsurprisingly, 130hp – and it feels far more muscular than the SUV’s standard 130hp 1.2-litre petrol engine. What’s more, you should be able to extract 45mpg from it with a mixture of A-road and motorway driving, which is great for a car of this size.
For a more in-depth look, read our Peugeot 5008 review
Pros
- Flexible seating
- Roomy interior
- Good value for money
Cons
- Third row is tight
- Expensive options
- Limited engine range
Diesel SUVs buyers guide
What is the most efficient diesel SUV?
On paper, it’s the plug-in hybrid-powered Mercedes GLC 300 de. Merc reckons it can return upwards of 700mpg on the WLTP combined cycle – but it’s ludicrous to expect you’ll get anywhere near that figure in the real world. On a long jaunt, you might average around 80mpg if you start with a fully charged battery and make the most of the car’s 80-mile electric range.
What is the best used diesel SUV in the UK?
The Skoda Karoq is a great used buy. Not only is it affordable (you can pick up a high mileage example for less than £10,000), but it’s very practical and incredibly comfortable. Plus, because it’s built using readily available Volkswagen Group parts, it’s easy to maintain. In fact, we think the Karoq is one of the best used family SUVs on the market.
Should I buy a petrol or diesel SUV?
That all depends on how you intend to use your car. If you generally only do local journeys, you’ll be better served by a petrol SUV as they won’t suffer from the diesel particulate filter fault mentioned at the top of this article. But if you cover lots of motorway miles, opt for the diesel. You’ll soon claw back the higher purchase price in fuel savings.
