If you'd like to commute in a diesel but don't want to drive a giant truck or a clapped-out, old oil-burner, there are lots of choices for new diesel vehicles that offer terrific fuel economy. Even more diesel vehicles will be on the way later this year, but here's a list of the diesels with mpg ratings by the EPA that should be on dealer lots by the time you read this.
The '07 Jeep Grand Cherokee...
The '07 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be available with the same engine found in the E320 Bluetec.
'07 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD
MSRP: $38,475
City: 20
Highway: 25, 24 (4WD)
Combined: 22, 21 (4WD)
Annual fuel cost (based on 15,000 miles per year at $2.43 per gallon): $1,658, $1,735 (4WD)
Barrels of oil per year (one barrel equals 42 gallons): 17.9, 18.8 (4WD)
Greenhouse gas emissions (tons per year): 9.6, 9.9 (4WD)
Mercedes-Benz is getting ready...
Mercedes-Benz is getting ready to bring diesel back to all 50 states with its line of Bluetec "clean diesel" cars and wagons, such as the E320 Bluetec.
'07 Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec
MSRP: $51,550
City: 26
Highway: 37
Combined: 30
Annual fuel cost: $1,214
Barrels of oil per year: 13.1
Greenhouse gas emissions: 7.1v
The Mercedes-Benz Bluetec...
The Mercedes-Benz Bluetec lineup will include three wagons: (from left) the GL-class, the R-class, and the popular ML-class.
'07 Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI 4Matic
MSRP: $52,400
City: 20
Highway: 25
Combined: 22
Annual fuel cost: $1,658
Barrels of oil per year: 17.9
Greenhouse gas emissions: 9.5
'07 Mercedes-Benz R320 CDI 4Matic
MSRP: $44,000
City: 21
Highway: 28
Combined: 24
Annual fuel cost: $1,520
Barrels of oil per year: 16.4
Greenhouse gas emissions: 8.8
'07 Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDI 4Matic
MSRP: $43,680
City: 21
Highway: 27
Combined: 23
Annual fuel cost: $1,586
Barrels of oil per year: 17.1
Greenhouse gas emissions: 9.0
Fuel economy is measured under controlled conditions in a laboratory using a standardized test procedure specified by federal law. Manufacturers test their own vehicles-usually preproduction prototypes-and report the results to the EPA. The EPA reviews the results and confirms about 10-15 percent of them through its own tests at the National Vehicles and Fuel Emissions Laboratory.
The EPA fuel-economy tests use driving routines, or schedules, performed in the laboratory. For '07-and-earlier model year vehicles, two test schedules are used:
City: It represents urban driving in which a vehicle is started with the engine cold and driven in stop-and-go, rush-hour traffic. The driving cycle for the test includes idling, and the vehicle averages about 20 mph.
Highway: It represents a mixture of rural and interstate highway driving with a warmed-up engine, typical of longer trips in free-flowing traffic. Average test speed is about 48 mph and includes no intermediate stops or idling.
Average user estimates are based on data from Your MPG users rather than official sources. Since the source data cannot be verified, neither DOE nor EPA guarantees the accuracy of these estimates