Diesel vs. Gas: Which Is Right for You?

When shopping for a new car, you have many options. Some cars have diesel engines, and you may wonder whether buying a diesel is a good idea. Until recently, most diesel-powered vehicles in the U.S. were trucks, since diesel motors are better suited for large, heavy vehicles such as tractor-trailers, construction vehicles, and school buses. Their durability, strength, and the cost of owning a diesel truck vs. a gas-powered truck made them a good choice.

However, passenger cars with diesel motors are gaining in popularity, and carmakers produce more of them each year. If you're asking yourself, “Should I buy a diesel car?” you may find it beneficial to weigh the pros and cons associated with these types of vehicles. 

Just make sure that no matter which type of vehicle you choose to buy, you're covered by a good car insurance policy. A local independent insurance agent can help you find affordable coverage. But first, consider our guide to the pros and cons of buying diesel to make your decision.

What Is a Diesel Engine?

Most people know how to tell if a truck is diesel since many on the road are not well-maintained, often have a strong odor, and emit smoke when starting up or accelerating. These negatives may deter you from wanting a diesel car or truck. However, well-cared-for diesel cars don't have these problems and are often indistinguishable from traditional gas-powered vehicles.

The Difference Between Gas and Diesel

Before choosing which type of vehicle to purchase, first consider how a diesel engine is different from a traditional gasoline-powered engine. Both types of vehicles have combustion engines, but differ in how they ignite the fuel to power the vehicle. Gas-powered cars use spark plugs, whereas diesel engines use extreme compression, which generates enough heat to ignite the fuel. 

If you put gasoline into a diesel engine, the generated heat would not be sufficient to ignite the fuel, and the car would not run. If you put diesel fuel into a gas-powered car, you would destroy the engine as soon as you turned it on. Fortunately, diesel fuel pumps are designed not to fit into gas-powered cars to deter people from making this error.

The Pros and Cons of Diesel

Diesel vehicles have numerous pros and cons to consider. Evaluating them can help you determine if buying a diesel vehicle is right for you. 

Fuel Efficiency and the Diesel Engine

Many people choose to buy a diesel car for the improved fuel efficiency it offers. So, does diesel get better gas mileage?

A diesel car will frequently get about 25% to 30% more miles per gallon than the same car with a gasoline-powered engine. If you own a truck or SUV, the difference in gas mileage is usually lower but still higher than that of a gasoline-powered truck or SUV.

However, it's notable that diesel fuel is more expensive than gasoline. If you're used to using only premium gasoline, this cost difference might be less apparent to you. But for those who like to fill up their tanks with the least expensive option, paying slightly more than the cost of premium fuel may be hard to swallow at first. 

Fortunately, because of the increased gas mileage with diesel engines, your trips to the pump will be less frequent. Even with the increased cost of diesel, you can expect to pay less in fuel costs each year. 

Also, consider that in the past, not all gas stations offered diesel fuel. The good news is that with the rise in popularity of diesel vehicles, nearly two-thirds of gas stations in the U.S., including all newly built gas stations, currently offer diesel as a fueling option.

Finally, the area where diesel engines excel most is highway miles. If the bulk of your driving involves frequent stopping and starting for traffic lights, traffic, and stop signs, your mileage difference will be far less apparent, and you may be better off with an electric car or a hybrid. However, if you spend a lot of time on the highways, you stand to save a lot of money in fuel costs.

Diesel Pros and Cons: Fuel Efficiency

Pros:	Cons:
Better fuel efficiency than gas-powered cars	Higher cost to fill up than gasoline-powered cars
Fewer trips to the pump	Not all gas stations carry diesel

Car Maintenance 

You may be wondering, are diesel vehicles expensive to maintain? They can be, but the cost usually balances out in the end because, in some ways, diesel-fueled engines require less maintenance. Diesel vehicles don't use spark plugs or distributors, so there's no need for ignition tune-ups. 

However, keeping your engine well-maintained with regular and frequent oil changes, along with air, oil, and fuel filter changes, is absolutely necessary. Diesel cars are also equipped with water-separator collection bins that must be emptied manually.

Failure to keep your diesel engine maintained with routine care can result in dire consequences. The fuel injection system can break down and require expensive repairs. Additionally, you may need to have a dealership or certified diesel mechanic do the repair work, and these professionals work at a much higher rate.

Diesel Pros and Cons: Car Maintenance

Pros:	Cons:
Fewer parts are necessary than for gas-powered engines	Regular maintenance is necessary
No need for ignition tune-ups	Increased costs for repairs over gas-powered cars

Engine Power

Why is diesel better when it comes to towing and transporting heavy loads? The answer is the reason that so many trucks have diesel engines: the high amount of low-end torque they can produce. This is one of the top considerations of people who ask, "Should I buy a diesel or gas truck?" A diesel-fueled car, truck, or SUV can accelerate more rapidly from a complete stop than a gasoline-powered car, and these vehicles have far better towing capabilities. 

Another benefit of diesel engines is that they're powerful and long-lasting. If you're buying a truck or SUV that you will frequently use to tow or haul very heavy items, a diesel-powered engine may be the best choice. However, with the increased torque comes decreased horsepower. 

If you're the type of person who enjoys speed, you may be disappointed with your vehicle’s performance if you buy a diesel car. But if you're looking for a strong and steady engine that will get the job done, a diesel engine may be the right fit.

Diesel Pros and Cons: Engine Power

Pros:	Cons:
Increased torque	Decreased horsepower
Better towing capabilities	Less speed than gas-powered engines

Noise and Smoothness of the Ride

Traditionally, diesel-powered engines have had the reputation of being loud and foul-smelling. This gave diesel vehicles a bad reputation and is one of the main reasons that they didn’t get a strong foothold in the American marketplace until recently. Today’s diesel cars benefit from current technology and building methods that make for a much quieter and smoother ride. 

However, despite these improvements, diesel owners might notice that their cars' engines are not as smooth or quiet as their gasoline-powered counterparts, and might make an occasional clacking or clattering sound. The question is whether the increased noise comes at a level that you find acceptable.

Diesel Pros and Cons: Noise and Ride Smoothness

Pros:	Cons:
Vastly improved noise level in newer vehicles	Not as smooth and quiet as gasoline-powered engines
Increased ride smoothness in newer vehicles

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Pollution and Emissions

Another reason that diesel cars didn’t take off in America as they did in Europe is their dirty emissions, since emission standards in the U.S. are much stricter. Anyone who's ever had the misfortune of driving directly behind a school bus or construction vehicle is aware of the smell and dark soot that these vehicles often produce, particularly when accelerating from a dead stop.

Fortunately, today’s diesel cars run much cleaner than they did just a few years ago and can meet the government's emission requirements. Those who are concerned about the environment might like the fact that they'll use less of the non-renewable fuel source that vehicles require. Some people may even consider using biodiesel, which is a more eco-friendly option, though it does lead to decreased engine performance.

On the downside, however, despite the cleaner emissions that catalytic converters can provide, diesel cars still pollute the air, particularly when accelerating from a stop. Some of the particulates in these cars' emissions include carcinogens, soot, and nitrous oxide. If you'll be doing frequent city driving or you want to own a vehicle that's good for the environment, you may be better off with a hybrid or electric car.

Diesel Pros and Cons: Pollution and Emissions

Pros:	Cons:
Newer diesel vehicles are more fuel efficient, emit less carbon into the atmosphere, and run much cleaner than earlier models	Diesel emissions release carcinogens, nitrous oxide, and soot into the air
	Emit more pollution than gas-powered cars

Overall Costs

When considering the cost of owning a diesel car, the first thing you may notice is that these cars are more expensive to purchase. But why are diesel cars and trucks so expensive? It has a lot to do with the weight of the engine block. Although diesel vehicles generally cost more to purchase than their gasoline counterparts, you can recoup most of this cost at the gas pump if you keep your vehicle long enough.

One of the greatest advantages of a diesel engine is that it's long-lasting, which makes your car’s trade-in and resale value much better. If you plan to keep your car for a long time and provide frequent routine maintenance, you can expect your vehicle to save you money in the long run. However, if you're lax on the upkeep because of the increased cost of having a diesel mechanic work on it, buying a diesel car may end up costing you more in the long run.

Diesel Pros and Cons: Overall Costs

Pros:	Cons:
Lower fuel cost over time	More expensive than gas vehicles
Higher resale value than gas-powered cars	Mechanics are more expensive than for gas-powered cars
Longer-lasting engine than gasoline

What Are Some of the Best Diesel Vehicles Available Today?

Here are some of the top-recommended and most popular diesel vehicles that you can buy this year.

• Chevrolet Colorado
• Chevrolet Silverado
• Chevrolet Suburban
• Chevrolet Tahoe
• Ford F-150
• Jeep Gladiator
• Jeep Wrangler
• Land Rover Range Rover TD6
• Mazda CX-5
• Ram 1500

Of course, there are other diesel vehicles that provide exceptional quality and gas mileage, so be sure to read reviews for any that you may be interested in. 

Only you can decide whether a diesel vehicle is right for you. If the other characteristics are a fit, these cars have the potential to save you a lot of money. But you'll need to weigh all the pros and cons of choosing a diesel engine before ultimately making your choice.

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Get Help Finding Insurance for Your Diesel Car with Help from an Independent Insurance Agent

While an independent insurance agent may not be able to advise you on which type of car is best for you, they can certainly help you find an affordable car insurance policy that matches your coverage and budgetary needs once you've found the perfect vehicle. They can shop and compare quotes from multiple local carriers for you to find the best deal. And down the road, your agent will still be there to help you update your coverage when necessary.