The Jeep Liberty CRD 2.8L was an instant hit with American buyers. The VM Motori common-rail, four-cylinder turbodiesel was able to motivate the small SUV with 160 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque while achieving up to 26 mpg.
'06 Jeep Liberty CRD 4WD
MSRP: $25,370
City: 22
Highway: 26
Combined: 23
Annual fuel cost: $1,586
Barrels of oil per year: 17.1
Greenhouse gas emissions: 9.1
Greenhouse gas emissions: 21.2
Your MPG range: 18-27
'07 Volkswagen Touareg V-10 TDI
MSRP: $59,140
City: 17
Highway: 22
Combined: 19
Annual fuel cost: $1,917
Barrels of oil per year: 20.7
Greenhouse gas emissions: 11.4
 | 
The Mercedes-Benz S420 will get a V-8 version of the diesel engine that will also be available in the GL-class SUV. The 4.0L engine will make 320 hp and 538 lb-ft of earth-distorting torque-nearly as much power as the 31/44- and 1-ton trucks from the Big Three. |
The 3.0L V-6 Bluetec engine uses a four-valve, single-overhead-cam design; high-pressure, common-rail fueling; piezo injectors; and a variable-geometry turbo. All this adds together for 208 hp and an amazing 400 lb-ft of torque from an engine that sips fuel like a four-cylinder gasser. | |
'06 VW Jetta TDI (manual)
MSRP: $21,605
City: 36
Highway: 41
Combined: 38
Annual fuel cost: $959
Barrels of oil per year: 10.3
Greenhouse gas emissions: 5.6
Greenhouse gas emissions: 42
Your MPG range: 34-54
'06 VW Beetle TDI (manual)
MSRP: $18,390
City: 37
Highway: 44
Combined: 40
Annual fuel cost: $911
Barrels of oil per year: 9.8
Greenhouse gas emissions: 5.4
Greenhouse gas emissions: 50.7
Your MPG range: 46-64
The Volkswagen Touareg was the first (and still the only) vehicle to offer a V-10 diesel engine. The 4.9L twin-turbo mill is rated at 310 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque.
'06 VW Touareg V-10 TDI
MSRP: $67,750
City: 17
Highway: 22
Combined: 19
Annual fuel cost: $1,917
Barrels of oil per year: 20.7
Greenhouse gas emissions: 11.4
'06 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI
MSRP: $51,050
City: 27
Highway: 37
Combined: 30
Annual fuel cost: $1,214
Barrels of oil per year: 13.1
Greenhouse gas emissions: 7.0
Greenhouse gas emissions: 33.4
Your MPG range: 27-38
'06 VW Golf TDI (manual)
MSRP: $19,580
City: 37
Highway: 44
Combined: 40
Annual fuel cost: $911
Barrels of oil per year: 9.8
Greenhouse gas emissions: 5.4
Greenhouse gas emissions: 46.2
Your MPG range: 43-51