When it comes to the automotive industry, there is perhaps not a more unique form of the vehicle than diesel-powered, and in recent years in the wake of the fuel crisis and the economic downturn, diesel-powered vehicles have become a popular alternative to the traditional gasoline-powered cars which have roamed our roads for decades. Although many drivers get the wrong impression about diesel fuel and think that it is only suitable for heavy-duty trucks, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, many diesel-powered cars get exceptional gas mileage when compared to their gasoline-powered brethren, even costing less to fuel up a full tank in a lot of the instances.

Nevertheless, diesel-powered vehicles have come a long way and we are going to take a look at the coolest models that have graced the roadways in recent years. Some of the most common cars that you would never expect actually come in a diesel variation as well, and if you are looking for a great way to get better gas mileage, then a diesel car might be the choice for you. Diesel-powered cars have come a long way from the days of the diesel Volkswagen station wagons which were unreliable and a pain to keep on the road. The modern diesel vehicle is much more advanced with new technology that helps the cars to be some of the most reliable models around, and you can’t go wrong with the stellar gas mileage, either.

30 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel

When a diesel engine comes to mind the last company that you think of is Jeep, and that is why the Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel is a new concept that really gives the company a new footing in the SUV market that hadn’t been tackled before. The Jeep Grand Cherokee brand is synonymous with the off-roading scene, as well as being one of the first luxury SUV models to hit the market, offering most of the notable features that we see on SUV models today.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel is a one of a kind choice, offering a distinct blend of gas efficiency and engine technology.

29 GMC Terrain Diesel

GM is never one to be left in the dust by other automakers, and with everyone jumping on the diesel bandwagon, GM has decided to release the GMC Terrain Diesel. This variation of the popular compact SUV from GMC really takes the brand to new heights, with a brand new diesel engine that was designed from the ground up to be unique and offer a serious amount of economy and performance. Gone are the days of the sluggish old diesel engine that is a pain to start in the cold and lackluster in performance, and in comes the new and modern diesel designs like that in the GMC Terrain.

28 BMW X6 M50d

Another notable diesel-powered SUV to come out of Germany is the BMW X6 M50d, which is a larger variation of the X5 and one of BMW's cornerstone SUV models. The diesel engine provides a smooth operation that you would not ordinarily expect out of an SUV or a diesel engine, and with the fun BMW driving characteristics, you cannot go wrong by picking this one of a kind SUV.

The BMW X6 M50d is also one of the more exclusive models to feature the new BMW technology upgrades, which have been following all of their recent models.

27 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel

GM has slowly been evolving their most popular car and crossover models for the past decade, and the diesel engine has finally advanced enough that it can be utilized in a more mainstream fashion and thus, the Chevrolet Equinox Diesel was born.

The Chevrolet Equinox is already a stellar SUV model, and with the recent advancement to diesel, the model will continue to evolve and become more mainstream. Gas mileage is an important aspect of a diesel-powered vehicle, and the model continues to add a number of innovative features to the mix.

26 Land Rover Range Rover Velar Diesel

Another notable face in the diesel-powered competition is the Land Rover brand, which has been working to innovate the diesel engine for some time, just like their Jaguar brand has. The Land Rover Range Rover Velar Diesel is a notable SUV model that takes the off-road capability of the brand and adds to it with a notable design and a well-designed diesel engine. The Land Rover Range Rover Velar Diesel is perhaps the most notable diesel-powered SUV to have come out of the Land Rover lineup.

25 Jaguar F-Pace 20d

The Jaguar brand has come a long way in the last decade, with the brand coming from obscurity to a well-known luxury brand again with viable products that the automotive consumers are actually vying for. The Jaguar F-Pace 20d is a notable addition to the already exceptional Jaguar line of vehicles, offering the addition of a diesel engine which really added a level of refinement that's not usually seen on a high-performance SUV such as the F-Pace, and really adds to the level of refinement.

24 Land Rover Range Rover Td6

There is no doubt that the diesel engine has come a long way in terms of development and design, and the Land Rover brand has excelled at creating stellar SUV models that utilize the diesel power plant in a new and modern way. The Land Rover Range Rover Td6 is a prime example of this as one of the newest models to feature this one of a kind diesel engine, and in terms of a diesel SUV, there are very few that can compete with the Range Rover Td6. We think that the Land Rover Range Rover Td6 is a vehicle that is very much worth noting.

23 Land Rover Discovery Td6

Land Rover has become the quintessential expert at designing one of a kind diesel SUV models, and the brand prides itself on a 'do anything, go anywhere' design. The Land Rover Discovery Td6 is another one of a kind model that really takes the ability to go anywhere to a new level, with one of the most advanced diesel engines that have ever been used in a modern SUV. The Land Rover Discovery Td6 is another example of what makes the Land Rover company the most dedicated SUV builder.

22 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel

Although the Chevrolet Cobalt was a fine compact car, it never managed to regain the steam that the company had lost with the Cavalier. Thus, the Chevrolet Cruze was developed to replace the one of a kind Cavalier and introduce a new compact car to the market that could compete with the likes of the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla.

The Chevrolet Cruze Diesel offers a great level of gas efficiency with one of GM’s more desirable diesel engines, which has been developed for the compact car market.

21 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 JTDM-2

Is it a sports car or an economy car? The Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 JTDM-2 is a serious blend of style coupled with a hidden secret that you probably wouldn’t guess by looking at it, and that is the advent of a diesel-powered engine. Yes indeed, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 JTDM-2 is quite the unique car, to say the least. With one of the most striking exteriors to be seen on an Alfa Romeo to date, this brand is making big inroads into the sports sedan market, and this is a welcome addition.

20 Peugeot RCZ

Here we have another beautiful example of high-grade diesel engineering, with the Peugeot RCZ. This one of a kind car has one of the highest quality interiors that you can get on a production vehicle, with real leather and faux-wood accents to make the car quite welcoming. The addition of the diesel powerplant is also a welcome choice for many consumers, and the Peugeot RCZ is a steady performer with a good amount of gas mileage and reliability to match, which make the car an awesome choice.

19 BMW 328d

There is no doubt that BMW has pioneered the diesel car market, heck the brand is known as the ultimate driving machine. We think that the BMW 328d is a stellar choice for a diesel luxury sedan that performs in every way as good as the gasoline counterparts do, and with the legendary BMW reliability and functionality. This is a welcome choice for anyone who has been a loyal driver to the 3-series line but wants to try something a little more unique and out of the box.

18 Mini Cooper SD

When the Mini Cooper came onto the scene it was a welcome alternative to other tiny cars that were on the market, such as the VW New Beetle. With the signature German engineering behind it, the Mini Cooper is a wonderful addition to any garage. Coupled with the addition of a diesel engine the Mini Cooper SD is quite the urban driver, with stellar gas mileage and one of the best diesel engines that can be found in a modern compact car you simply cannot go wrong with this innovative piece of engineering.

17 Jaguar XF

Yes, it's true that even Jaguar had to get in on the diesel car race. The Jaguar XF is already a beautiful luxury car in every aspect, but add a diesel engine to the mix and you have something that is truly special indeed. The Jaguar XF is one of the best performance sedans to come out of England and the Jaguar brand has spent a lot of time perfecting their diesel engine which makes the car a surprising performer, to say the least.

The Jaguar XF in diesel trim is definitely a surprising entry and one that will satisfy any driver.

16 Porsche Macan S Diesel

Without a doubt, the Porsche brand has come a long way, from just selling dedicated sports cars to selling SUVs that will break the barrier for speed and style. The Porsche Macan S Diesel is the first compact SUV to be released from the brand, and it also features one of the most high-performance diesel engines that has been put into a compact SUV. Just looking at the Porsche Macan S Diesel you see something that is truly special, and this is a car that many people wouldn’t realize was powered by a diesel engine.

15 Volkswagen Golf GTD

The Volkswagen brand has come a long way, from a decade of decline back to popularity within a matter of years, and the company looks stronger than ever. The Golf is actually one of the world's most popular compact cars, and the diesel engine is one of the most comfortable areas for the Golf because it has perfected the gas efficient diesel engine like nothing else.

The Volkswagen Golf GTD is a winning combination of fuel efficiency and one of a kind style, and you're not going to find another compact diesel that looks this cool.

14 Audi A5 3.0 TDI Coupe

The Audi brand, in general, has been releasing some pretty cool cars over the last decade, and when it comes to German engineering there is nothing that is more perfected than diesel power. So much so that the Audi A5 3.0 TDI Coupe is one of the best diesel-powered cars that you can drive and one of the most fun. From the smooth running engine to the one of a kind interior that is wrapped with luxury appointments, the Audi A5 3.0 TDI Coupe is pretty much a step above anything else that you might come into contact with within this price range, not to mention the one of a kind Audi engineering.

13 Maserati Quattroporte Diesel

Yes, you are reading this title correctly, there is, in fact, a Maserati Quattroporte Diesel. This is a sports sedan that is one of the most rewarding cars to drive on the market, with a performance that rivals even the best sports coupes. Coupled with the legendary diesel engine the Maserati Quattroporte Diesel is a step above anything else that is on the market, sans the Ghibli model which it shares the showroom with of course.

The Maserati Quattroporte Diesel is just about as full featured as you can get, with a silky smooth diesel engine.

12 Maserati Ghibli Diesel

The other notable sports sedan on this list that is powered by a diesel engine, the Maserati Ghibli Diesel is also a one of a kind performer that takes the love of a diesel engine to the next level of performance. Wrapped in all kinds of luxury the interior is a step above what you might be used to, and once you fire up the silky smooth diesel engine you are in for a treat, as the Maserati Ghibli Diesel is a one of a kind car that really separates itself from other sport sedans on the market with a top-notch driving experience.

11 Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI Quattro

Another unique Audi model to be featured in this list is the one of a kind Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI Quattro, which is also powered by a diesel engine. When it comes to a truly unique diesel driving experience there are very few cars on the road that are as cool as the Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI Quattro, which combines a functional amount of space with a luxurious driving experience (which Audi is known for). The Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI Quattro is also a credible performer in all types of driving conditions thanks to the Quattro setup, which makes for a well-rounded vehicle.