Diesel or not

But with cars, petrol still outsells diesel by more than 12 to one, despite the number of diesel versions on the market increasing. The premium charged for diesel cars — typically $2500-$3000 — isn't much of an incentive.

However while the price of diesel at the pump has previously been north of PULP, it’s now more likely to be comparable with the cheaper 91 RON unleaded petrol.  This means absurdly long periods of ownership are no longer necessary to make diesel's superior fuel economy a paying proposition. And its resale is also likely to be higher.

And that makes many a car glaringly better value in the oil-burning version than the one with spark plugs.

HATCH MATCH

Volkswagen Golf GTI 5-door ($40,490)
Volkswagen Golf GTD ($39,290)

One goes a bit harder, the other goes a lot further.  If the Mark VI GTI is the best all-round car under $100,000   and, let’s face it, it is   the diesel sibling runs it close and surpasses it in some areas. In every way a GTI with a diesel donk, the GTD runs probably the best of the new crop of common rail four cylinder turbo diesels.

Power-wise, the GTD’s 125kW is 30 units behind the GTI, but its 350Nm wins the torque contest by a fat 70, so in gear punch more than compensates for being a bit over a second off the petrol car’s claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.9. But the performance benchmarks seem more than somewhat irrelevant with the GTD, which, manual form, can rev to 5200rpm and even more atypically sounds alright too.

Both five door models weigh in the same, so it takes a discerning judge going hard to fully appreciate the GTI’s dynamic edge. While the latter is imbibing 95 RON (98 preferred) at 7.7l/100km, the GTD manual’s 5.5l/100km sees it extract the utmost from the Golf's 55-litre tank.
Not only is the diesel take on this celebrated hot hatch cheaper to buy, it will distinguish you from the white cap wearers.

EXECUTIVE DECISION

BMW 320i Lifestyle ($55,300)
BMW 320d Lifestyle ($59,100)

One’s the most popular 3 Series, the other is pound for pound the best. The 320d is the no-brainer, default choice in Europe, where they wrinkle their high brows that anyone would bother with BMW’s gutless petrol four.

The extra ask for the diesel is more than a bit bloody rude, but consider the 320d is not only the 320i’s effortless superior, but an argument can be made for it being the best 3 Series this side of $90K.

The 320d’s four is good for 135kW/350Nm through the perfectly simpatico six-speed ZF auto and is the equal of its better in almost any legal circumstance, with BMW's hallmark rear-wheel-drive and near even weight distribution being present and correct. In fact, the 320d’s standard 16-inch runflat tyres are among the better-riding versions of this widely-disliked rubber.
As for consumption, the “d” does 5.4L/100km to the “i’s” 8L   98 RON at that.

FLEET AFOOT

Ford Mondeo LX wagon ($32,390)
Ford Mondeo LX TDCi wagon ($36,390)

There was a conspicuous lack of mourning when Ford canned the Falcon wagon, largely because this hugely capacious Euro lugger was on hand, more so because the diesel was en route.  That price disparity is no little thing, but (based on driving the Mondeo hatches), the diesel is so superior that it should have another name.

Even on the open road, with all care, we exceeded the combined fuel consumption claim 9.5-litres per 100km/h in that weedy 118kW/298Nm 2.3-litre petrol four. It isn’t engine enough for a near 1600kg car, let alone one with a total luggage capacity of a hearse-like 2163 litres.

With a new six-speed dual clutch transmission, the improved TDCi wagon range is good for 120kW/340Nm married and a 6.2L/100km.

SOCCER MUM MOBILE

Kia Sportage SLi ($31,990)
Kia Sportage SLi diesel ($34,990)

One of the newcomers of 2010 designed by an Italian in California, made in Korea and adapted especially for Australia the Sportage is light years ahead of its predecessor.  On paper, though, the petrol versus diesel thing isn’t quite so clear cut. In the mid-spec SLi, claimed combined fuel consumption being as close as 9.2l/100km (petrol) versus 7.5.

The former’s 2.4L/4-cylinder (130kW/227Nm) gets done like a dinner by the 2L/4-cylinder turbo-diesel with 135kW and class bashing 392Nm, but the it’s lighter and more “car-like” in its demeanor, so with identical specification, a six-speed auto and new variable all-wheel-drive system it depends what appeals. Of course, if you happen to be in the habit of pulling anything along behind you, or doing vast open road distances, it’s the diesel every time.

AFFORDABLE DILEMMA

Hyundai i30CW SLX wagon ($27,390)
Hyundai i30CW SLX CRDi wagon ($29,890)

The i30 CRDi (diesel) hatch won the Carsguide’s 2007 Car of the Year despite the supposed handicap, in fact enhancement, of the then non-choice five speed manual transmission. The 1.6-litre diesel makes better by far then the 2.0-litre petrol of the four-speed automatic only SLX wagon.

But then it would be with 85kW/255Nm against 105kW/187Nm. Again it’s a case of torque being far from cheap, but that extra is the difference between a highly capable lifestyle or owner operator device and one that’s ordinary by comparison.