Diesel Pilot... Any Takers

[LINDW4LL]

Originally Posted by hkellogg

Diesel cost too much now a days to be worthwhile. The maintenance costs are higher also. I'd rather a turbo 6 or even turbo 4.

How does it cost too much? Looking at the national average, diesel only costs $.07 more per gallon than premium. Lets take an Audi A4 for example. Turbocharged 4 cylinder. Gets ~28mpgs. Now that same car with the 2.0TDI gets 51MPG. Definitely worth it. Also, diesels have been known to go for 300,000+ miles with relative ease. They are much more reliable than a normal gas engine.

[rocky]

Diesel engines also cost most to buy

[LINDW4LL]

Originally Posted by rocky

Diesel engines also cost most to buy

True, but they also hold their value much better than their gas siblings.

[xGS]

Originally Posted by LINDW4LL

Lets take an Audi A4 for example.
Turbocharged 4 cylinder. Gets ~28mpgs.
Now that same car with the 2.0TDI gets 51MPG.

Where do you get 51mpg for a diesel A4 (in the US)?
According to the EPA, an A3 is rated for only 42mpg highway - a 50% increase over the 28mpg rating for the gas version, nonetheless.

However, compare Pilot-size diesel SUVs (such as the Q7, X5, ML350 and Touareg) and the gain in highway mpg is only 15-20% over the gas versions.

[LINDW4LL]

Originally Posted by xGS

Where do you get 51mpg for a diesel A4 (in the US)?
According to the EPA, an A3 is rated for only 42mpg highway - a 50% increase over the 28mpg rating for the gas version, nonetheless.

However, compare Pilot-size diesel SUVs (such as the Q7, X5, ML350 and Touareg) and the gain in highway mpg is only 15-20% over the gas versions.

Oops, I accidently went to Audi UKs site. I didn't realize the A4 TDI isn't available here. But as you stated, it's still a 50% increase. (I think its interesting that the same A3 is rated at 58mpg in Europe. Probably caused by extra emissions equipment required in the US?)

You're right about the SUVs generally. But for example, the ML350 diesel is rated at 20/27mpgs, while the gas is 17/22 which is a nice little bump. Granted, I wouldn't buy a diesel JUST for the gas mileage. I also like the performance bump (in some applications) and the increased reliability.

[rocky]

Fwiw: for many Mopar products and Jeep, 2013 is going to be very short. 2014 will arrive early second quarter next year.
Major changes will be under the hood of v6 and v8 vehicles with product of 8 speed sufficient to support widespread use across many more models. That's worth 1-2mpg on its own.
CRD variants will also appear across Ram and Jeep products. Ram will add sprinter type vans.
But back to the subject. For NA Honda will stick to gas and hybrid technology. No diesels.

[metallocene]

As speculated, "sigh".

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee First Look - Motor Trend


As unspeculated, WOW!

DETROIT AUTO SHOW: Has The VW CrossBlue Finally Cracked The Code For A Successful SUV In America? - AutoSpies Auto News

Late 2014 could be very interesting (can even use the Li battery pack to run devices when parked (ie camping)). I fear how much it will cost and wonder if VW will really have the stomach to use diesel instead of gas. Still pretty neat.

[N_Jay]

Oh well.

My Pilot could not hold on.

Maybe I'll sell the GL in a couple of years and pick up the Jeep. (Or maybe the larger Durango sibling)

[Johnjk]

Ran in to a guy last October while diving that had one of the new Grand Cherokee diesels. He had it only for a few weeks but was very pleased with the performance. I don't recall what he said he was getting for MPG.

The payback in my area of OH is a bit longer since diesel runs on average .50 - .80 more per gallon than unleaded. That being said, I'd love to get one in my Pilot and add another gear to the tranny as well.

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by Johnjk

Ran in to a guy last October while diving that had one of the new Grand Cherokee diesels. He had it only for a few weeks but was very pleased with the performance. I don't recall what he said he was getting for MPG.

The payback in my area of OH is a bit longer since diesel runs on average .50 - .80 more per gallon than unleaded. That being said, I'd love to get one in my Pilot and add another gear to the tranny as well.

Was it a pre-release test vehicle?

I thought they were coming in 2014?