Though they’ve never made up the bulk of the market, diesel-powered SUVs had something of a moment in the 2010s. Back then, diesel-loving SUV buyers had plenty to choose from, including offerings from BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Porsche and Jeep. Fast-forward to the modern day, and there are far fewer diesel SUVs available. However, a few stragglers remain, and the diesel ‘utes from the auto-makers mentioned above remain plentiful on the used cars market.
In this guide we’ve gathered together the best new and used diesel SUVs you can buy in 2025.
The Best Diesel SUVs in 2025
- 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2025 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2025 GMC Yukon
- 2025 GMC Yukon XL
- 2014-2018 BMW X5 xDrive35d
- 2020-2023 Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel
- 2016-2021 Land Rover Range Rover Td6
- 2019 Mazda CX-5
- 2013-2016 Porsche Cayenne
- 2013-2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 BlueTec
- Why Choose a Diesel Engine
- Maintenance Tips for Diesel SUVs
2025 Chevrolet Tahoe
Base price: $72,815 (LT trim with Duramax turbodiesel engine)
The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe is the most affordable new diesel SUV on sale today. Despite that, the Tahoe’s diesel engine option isn’t exactly inexpensive, and can cost buyers a good chunk more than the SUV’s standard V8 gas engine.
Up-front pricing is more expensive than than that of gas models, but the Tahoe’s Duramax-branded 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel engine, paired exclusively with a 10-speed automatic transmission, could save you money over the long haul in fuel savings. The EPA’s fuel economy figures haven’t been announced for 2025, but if they mirror last year’s 24 mpg combined city/highway in two-wheel drive (2WD) form, the diesel Tahoe is more than 40% more efficient than the SUV’s standard gas V8 engine, which is rated at 17 mpg when equipped with 2WD. That’s an impressive number for a large SUV with three rows of seats and the ability to tow up to 8,200 pounds.
It also has a suite of driver assistance and safety features as standard. The LT trim level (the diesel engine isn’t available with the entry-level LS) includes the likes of enhanced automatic emergency braking, intersection automatic emergency braking, and front pedestrian and cyclist braking as standard. Also standard are heated front seats, a 17.7" touchscreen with Google compatibility, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving function is available.
2025 Chevrolet Suburban
Base price: $75,815 (LT trim with Duramax turbodiesel engine)
The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban is a long-wheelbase version of the Tahoe, making it ideally suited for diesel lovers with big families. The Suburban is roughly 15 inches longer than the Tahoe, with part of that stretch contributing to 1.8 inches of extra legroom in its third row compared to its smaller counterpart. The Suburban also boasts a much larger cargo space than the Tahoe: 42 cubic feet compared to 26 cubic feet.
Even though it’s a larger vehicle, the Suburban is expected to return fuel economy similar to that of the Tahoe diesel. For the 2024 model year, the 2WD Suburban was good for 23 mpg in mixed driving.
2025 GMC Yukon
Base price: $74,760 (2025 Elevation 2WD with Duramax turbodiesel engine)
The 2025 Yukon is essentially GMC’s take on the Chevrolet Tahoe. Both SUVs use the same body-on-frame construction, and even the powertrains and drivetrains are identical.
Though largely the same underneath, the GMC sports unique styling, both inside and out, and is available in five trim levels: Elevation, AT4,AT4 Ultimate, Denali, and Denali Ultimate. The exterior of the Yukon is a bit more expressive than the Tahoe, and the interior of the GMC features a vertically-oriented infotainment system while the Chevy’s is mounted horizontally. With the same Duramax diesel engine and 10-speed automatic transmission as last year's Yukon, the 2025 model should return similar figures of around 23 mpg when combined with 2WD.
2025 GMC Yukon XL
Base price: $77,260 (2025 Elevation 2WD with Duramax turbodiesel engine)
What the GMC Yukon XL is to the Yukon is what the Suburban is to the Tahoe. So, if you like the looks of the Yukon lineup but the rear seat space of the third row seating in the Suburban, the GMC Yukon XL diesel variant is the full-size SUV for you.
2014-2018 BMW X5 xDrive35d
The X5 xDrive35d is a diesel version of BMW’s athletic midsize SUV. Though earlier versions are available, we’d recommend the generation of the diesel X5 that was sold between the 2014 and 2018 model years. That’s because these updated models feature sleeker styling, a revamped interior, and a number of tech and feature upgrades, including a high-resolution 10.2-inch infotainment screen.
The BMW X5 xDrive35d is powered by a 3.0-liter straight-six turbodiesel that’s good for 255 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. All diesel versions of the X5 came standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD).
The appeal of the diesel X5 is its signature BMW qualities: a luxurious interior combined with outstanding driving dynamics. Despite a high fun-to-drive factor, the xDrive35d delivers up to 27 mpg in mixed driving.
2020-2023 Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel
If you want the odd combination of a diesel-powered convertible that just so happens to be a capable off-road SUV, the Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel is the vehicle for you. Released for the 2020 model year, the Wrangler EcoDiesel uses a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 (the same one that was used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel beginning in 2014) paired with standard four-wheel drive. Although other Wranglers could be had with a manual transmission, the EcoDiesel model was limited to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Despite its boxy shape and generous power (it’s rated at 260 horsepower and a stout 442 lb-ft of torque), the Wrangler EcoDiesel is efficient, delivering 25 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
2016-2021 Land Rover Range Rover Td6
Arguably the most opulent vehicle on this list, the Range Rover Td6 blends classic British luxury with a potent diesel engine. The Td6 is based on the standard Range Rover, so you get a handsomely styled exterior and a lavishly equipped interior, all powered by the whoosh of a turbodiesel engine.
In the case of the Td6, that gusto is provided by a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 that generates 254 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Even with all of that luxury to haul around, along with standard 4WD, the Land Rover Range Rover Td6 can hit 24 mpg in combined city and highway driving.
2019 Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 Diesel might be the most difficult vehicle to locate on this list, as it was produced solely for the 2019 model year, but it’s a crossover worth looking for. The CX-5 is a beautifully styled compact SUV that, thanks to its Skyactiv-D engine, delivering gobs of diesel power while sipping on fuel. The twin-turbocharged 2.2-liter inline-four beneath the CX-5’s sculpted hood generates an impressive 290 lb-ft of torque while returning up to 29 mpg on the combined cycle.
The only real knock against the CX-5 diesel when new was a high price tag, but depreciation has since removed that consideration.
2013-2016 Porsche Cayenne
Though based on the same general platform as the Volkswagen Touareg TDI, the Cayenne Diesel is tuned to deliver the kind of sporty handling you’d expect from a Porsche. Moreover, its turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel engine, rated at 240 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, delivers the kind of straight line performance you’d expect from the brand.
That performance does come at a price, however. With a combined rating of 23 mpg, the Cayenne Diesel is the least efficient diesel SUV on this list.
2013-2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 BlueTec
The Mercedes-Benz GLK BlueTec Diesel is a compact luxury SUV sold in the U.S. through the 2015 model year. Based on the popular GLK350, the GLK250 swapped out that model's gas 3.5-liter V6 in favor of a 2.1-liter inline-four turbodiesel. Despite being down a couple of cylinders compared to the gas model, the diesel actually pumped out a lot more torque: 369 lb-ft compared to 273 lb-ft. Even with that kind of power on tap, the GLK250 BlueTec returns 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
Why Choose a Diesel Engine
Compared to gas engines, diesels have a couple of key advantages.
Fuel Efficiency: Diesel engines are known for excellent fuel mileage, and that’s true for every vehicle on this list. As mentioned earlier, the diesel version of the Tahoe was over 40% more efficient than its gas-powered counterpart in 2024.
Towing Capacity: The other perk of a diesel engine is power, or perhaps more accurately, torque. Diesel engines generally produce much more torque than a comparable gas engine, which is the kind of low-down grunt that helps a vehicle accelerate away from a stop as well as increase their towing capability. Take a test drive, and you’ll see what we mean. Their ability to accelerate makes diesel engines particularly desirable in larger vehicles used for heavy-duty jobs, which is why you often find them in pickup trucks, such as the GMC Sierra and the Chevrolet Silverado HD.
Maintenance Tips for Diesel SUVs
Although they burn different fuels, basic diesel engine maintenance largely mirrors that of a gas engine: routine oil changes, keeping up on air filter replacements, etc. But there are a few unique considerations for diesel engines.
Fuel Filter Replacements: Generally speaking, fuel filters in diesel vehicles have to be changed more frequently than those installed in gas-burning vehicles. The exact intervals will depend on the car, but you should change the fuel filter in a diesel roughly every 30,000 miles, whereas that schedule in a gas vehicle can be anywhere between 50,000 miles and the life of the car.
Refilling Diesel Exhaust Fluid: Many diesel vehicles also require diesel exhaust fluid or DEF for short. An integral part of a diesel vehicle emissions system, DEF helps clean up tailpipe gases through a chemical reaction that turns harmful nitrogen oxide gases into harmless nitrogen and water, reducing emissions by up to 90%. DEF is stored in a dedicated tank and needs to be refilled approximately once every three or four fuel fill-ups. If you run out of DEF, your vehicle might automatically immobilize until the tank is refilled.
