Selecting a Clean Diesel SUV for Fuel Economy
Compare Luxury SUVs including the Audi Q7, Lexus GX470, and BMW X5
Jul 24, 2009
With the additional attention paid to the environmental impact of vehicles, car shoppers are weighing pros and cons of more than just safety ratings and consumer reports while selecting their new vehicle. The biggest news is currently surrounding clean diesel engines and hybrid engines available for luxury SUV drivers.
Car manufacturers have learned from the Toyota Prius that many drivers will not give up style or substance in their SUVs and sedans for the environmental benefit alone. Drivers who have chosen luxury SUVs do so because they want towing capacity, they want room to seat the entire family, and they want a smooth ride, nice torque and a comfortable, quiet interior. Now, these drivers are also considering their gas mileage.
Hybrid SUV versus Clean Diesel
Edmunds has performed a longer term study of the return on investment available for Hybrid SUVs versus clean diesel SUVs. The results were clearly in favor of the clean diesel in terms of gas savings as well as lower cost engine repair and maintenance.
The other things sacrificed with a hybrid SUV? Hauling capacity and torque. Not to mention the environmental impact of retooling manufacturing facilities to produce hybrid vehicles, and the long term considerations of the hazardous waste created by hybrid car batteries.
Why is Clean Diesel considered environmentally-friendly? Because the typical diesel-powered vehicle will have 20% - 40% better fuel efficiency, and will emit 10% - 30% fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Also, existing infrastructure can be used to support an increase of diesel cars. This means lower environmental impact along the entire supply chain, from the manufacture of parts, to the existing gasoline pumps, to each mechanic's tools. Essentially, clean diesel engines allow the automotive industry to reuse and recycle existing infrastructure, rather than have to buy new ways to support new technology.
Not to mention, diesel engines can be converted to run on biofuel (biodiesel).
Weighing the Clean Diesel Luxury SUV Options
The Luxury SUV class includes 5-passenger and 7-passenger models ranging in price from $29,400 to $76,600. Those with Diesel or Hybrid engines include:
- Acura MDX - upcoming 2010 MDX slated to include diesel engine, mpg not yet available
- Audi Q7 TDI - 20 mpg city, 25 highway
- BMW X5 diesel - 14 city, 19 highway
- Cadillac Escalade EXT - 15 city, 20 highway
- Land Rover LR3 - 12 city, 17 highway,
- Lexus GX 470 - 14 city, 18 highway
- Lincoln Navigator - Diesel to be offered late 2010, or 2011 model, mpg not available
- Mercedes-Benz ML CDI - 18 city, 24 highway
- Porsche Cayenne - 2010 TDI 19 city, 25 highway (not available in North America)
- Volvo XC90 D5 - 2010 model produced, mpg not yet available
In terms of miles per gallon alone, the Audi Q7 TDI is the winner. With a 24 gallon gas tank, the Audi Q7 TDI can go up to 600 miles on a single tank of gasoline for those interested in hypermiling. With 50% more torque than engines of similar size, drivers won't be giving up their muscle for better fuel economy.
“The Q7 TDI is a great investment….” says Tracie Dean, General Manager at Jim Ellis Audi Atlanta, one of only six Audi dealerships in the state of Georgia. “Especially now, diesel should at least be a consideration for everyone shopping for cars."
In addition to gas milage, cars should also be compared in terms of long term quality, repair costs and ease of obtaining parts, and establishing a good relationship with a dealer for warranty service. "I promise you that you will not be disappointed!” says Dean.
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