Diesel Mileage: 1998 – 2008

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The choices thinned for diesel owners in America in the years between 1998 and 2008, with Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz continuing to be the only manufacturers to offer diesel passenger cars in the United States. Budget conscious Jetta, Golf, Passat, and Beetle TDI owners enjoyed excellent mileage throughout the period, benefiting from VWs commitment to the market. 1999 marked the last year for a domestic diesel SUV – with the GMC Yukon and Chevy Tahoe – until Jeep ever-so-briefly bolted a VM Motori diesel under the hood of the domestic Liberty. 1998 saw the last of the light diesel pickup trucks with the GMC and Chevy K2500 and C1500 models, as diesel-power retreated to the heavy-duty trucks. The end of this period offers hints of the clean diesel revolution, with Jeep’s introduction of the world-class six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz diesel in the Grand Cherokee CRD.

Diesel Mileage: 1998 – 2008


Year Manufacturer Model class Engine Disp Fuel Trans City Hwy
2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2WD SUV – 2WD 6 cyl 3.0 liter D (L5) Auto 18 23
2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 4WD SUV – 4WD 6 cyl 3.0 liter D (L5) Auto 17 22
2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 BLUETEC MIDSIZE 6 cyl 3.0 liter D (L7) Auto 23 32
2008 MERCEDES-BENZ GL320 CDI 4MATIC SUV – 4WD 6 cyl 3.0 liter D (L7) Auto 18 24
2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 CDI 4MATIC SUV – 4WD 6 cyl 3.0 liter D (L7) Auto 18 24
2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R320 CDI 4MATIC SUV – 4WD 6 cyl 3.0 liter D (L7) Auto 18 24
2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG SUV – 4WD 10 cyl 5.0 liter D (S6) Auto 15 20
2007 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2WD SUV – 2WD 6 cyl 3.0 liter D (L5) Auto 20 25
2007 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 4WD SUV – 4WD 6 cyl 3.0 liter D (L5) Auto 20 24
2007 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 BLUETEC MIDSIZE 6 cyl 3.0 liter D (L7) Auto 26 35
2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL320 CDI 4MATIC SUV – 4WD 6 cyl 3.0 liter D (L7) Auto 20 25
2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 CDI 4MATIC SUV – 4WD 6 cyl 3.0 liter D (L7) Auto 21 27
2007 MERCEDES-BENZ R320 CDI 4MATIC SUV – 4WD 6 cyl 3.0 liter D (L7) Auto 21 28
2007 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG SUV – 4WD 10 cyl 5.0 liter D (S6) Auto 17 22
2006 JEEP LIBERTY/CHEROKEE 4WD SUV – 4WD 4 cyl 2.8 liter D (L5) Auto 22 26
2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 CDI MIDSIZE 6 cyl 3.2 liter D (L5) Auto 27 37
2006 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (S5) Auto 33 44
2006 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 37 44
2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (S6) Auto 35 42
2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 36 41
2006 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 37 44
2006 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (S6) Auto 35 42
2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 CDI MIDSIZE 6 cyl 3.2 liter D (L5) Auto 27 37
2005 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 38 46
2005 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (S5) Auto 32 43
2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (S5) Auto 32 43
2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 38 46
2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAGON SMALL STATION WAGONS 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (S5) Auto 32 43
2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAGON SMALL STATION WAGONS 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 36 47
2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 38 46
2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (S6) Auto 36 42
2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT MIDSIZE 4 cyl 2.0 liter D (S5) Auto 27 38
2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON MIDSIZE STATION WAGONS 4 cyl 2.0 liter D (S5) Auto 27 38
2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (S5) Auto 32 43
2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 38 46
2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 38 46
2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (S5) Auto 32 43
2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAGON SMALL STATION WAGONS 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 36 47
2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAGON SMALL STATION WAGONS 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (S5) Auto 32 43
2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (S6) Auto 36 42
2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 38 46
2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG SUV – 4WD 10 cyl 5.0 liter D (S6) Auto 17 23
2003 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 45
2003 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 45
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAGON SMALL STATION WAGONS 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 45
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAGON SMALL STATION WAGONS 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 50
2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 44
2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
2002 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
2002 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 45
2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 45
2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAGON SMALL STATION WAGONS 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 50
2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAGON SMALL STATION WAGONS 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 45
2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 44
2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 44
2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 45
2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 44
2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 45
2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 45
2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 45
2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
1999 CHEVROLET K1500 TAHOE 4WD SUV – 4WD 8 cyl 6.5 liter D (L4) Auto 15 19
1999 GMC K1500 YUKON 4WD SUV – 4WD 8 cyl 6.5 liter D (L4) Auto 15 19
1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E300 TURBODIESEL MIDSIZE 6 cyl 3.0 liter D (L5) Auto 26 36
1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 40 49
1999 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
1999 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 45
1999 VOLKSWAGEN NEW GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 45
1999 VOLKSWAGEN NEW GOLF COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
1999 VOLKSWAGEN NEW JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 45
1999 VOLKSWAGEN NEW JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 42 49
1998 CHEVROLET C2500 PICKUP 2WD STANDARD PICKUP TRUCKS 2WD 8 cyl 6.5 liter D (L4) Auto 15 18
1998 CHEVROLET K1500 PICKUP 4WD STANDARD PICKUP TRUCKS 4WD 8 cyl 6.5 liter D (L4) Auto 15 19
1998 CHEVROLET K1500 TAHOE 4WD SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE 4WD 8 cyl 6.5 liter D (L4) Auto 15 19
1998 GMC C2500 SIERRA 2WD STANDARD PICKUP TRUCKS 2WD 8 cyl 6.5 liter D (L4) Auto 15 18
1998 GMC K1500 SIERRA 4WD STANDARD PICKUP TRUCKS 4WD 8 cyl 6.5 liter D (L4) Auto 15 19
1998 GMC K1500 YUKON 4WD SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE 4WD 8 cyl 6.5 liter D (L4) Auto 15 19
1998 MERCEDES-BENZ E300 TURBODIESEL MIDSIZE 6 cyl 3.0 liter D (L5) Auto 26 34
1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 40 49
1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 34 44
1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SUBCOMPACT 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 41 48
1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT MIDSIZE 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 39 50
1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT MIDSIZE 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 31 44
1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON MIDSIZE STATION WAGONS 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (L4) Auto 31 44
1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON MIDSIZE STATION WAGONS 4 cyl 1.9 liter D (M5) Manual 39 50

2 thoughts on “Diesel Mileage: 1998 – 2008”

  1. I want to know what sedan model BMW (diesel) gets the best mileage (2007/8 or 9) and what are the numbers.
    The BMW websites rave about all their other features but don’t talk about mileage numbers.

  2. If they put a manual grannie trannie in that Jeep Grand Cherokee and left the high speed rear end that comes with the automatic they should be able to pick up 8 more miles per gallon. On a 2 wheel drive they may, if geared right, be able to get 32 MPG with that 6 cylinder diesel. That’s with parts we have now, without making anything new. I’m just wondering what mileage could be acquired with a 4 cylinder diesel turning a generator with only electric motors turning the wheels, forget hybrid, go diesel electric! Like a train only smaller. How many pounds per horsepower is a train? How many gallons per pound is consumed in a train? You should be able to come close to the same gallons per pound on an SUV, try one and see.

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