Economy is the obvious benefit of these models, with up to 58.9mpg in two-wheel drive form and 55.3mpg as the quattro. Not quite enough to match the C-Class above for sheer frugality, but it’ll keep fuel costs low and with a 61-litre fuel tank, 700 miles without stopping for fuel should be well within reach – diesels may not be as efficient as electric vehicles, but if you just want to crack on and cover distance, they’re still largely unmatched.
The new A5 keeps traditional Audi traits like a well-built interior (though it’s a little heavy on the screens these days), and the hatchback layout makes it more practical than the old saloon. There’s still an Avant estate too if you need even more space.
“The experience behind the wheel won’t tempt keener drivers, but the A5 doubles down on being a high-quality, solid and sensible car with smart looks and better legroom (although not headroom) for rear passengers.” – Paul Barker, editor, drove the A5 in the UK
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4. Mercedes E-Class
- Prices from £58,000
- Best diesel-powered executive car
| Pros | Cons |
| Tech-laden interiorSerene on the motorwayBig boot | Noisy when pushed hardNeutral handlingExpensive to buy |
The Mercedes E-Class and diesel power go hand in hand — which is something you’d expect, given how popular it’s been with taxi drivers over the decades. Unlike the BMW 5 Series, which has abandoned diesel engines in its latest form, the E-Class continues to offer a diesel option in mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid guises.
The mild-hybrid E 220 d is a great car, thanks to its frugal engine that will return 58.9mpg in the basic AMG Line trim. Around town, you can hear the diesel engine, but it settles down at speed – and, along with an 855-mile range, makes the E-Class a wonderful long-distance cruiser.
“The Mercedes E-Class is something of a lifeline for buyers needing a car that can travel huge distances in comfort and without having to stop often for fuel.” – Dean Gibson, senior test editor, drove the E-Class in the UK.
5. Skoda Kodiaq
- Prices from £40,000
- Best equipped
| Pros | Cons |
| Five or seven seatsSuspension soaks up bumpsGreat efficiency | Touchscreen won’t please everyoneSteering is vagueFloaty in the corners |
It’s no surprise to see the second of three Skodas in this list, given that all three come with the same 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine. While it’s offered in a few Volkswagen Group cars, you get more for your money with the Skoda-badged offerings.
Indeed, the Skoda Kodiaq diesel is offered in five or seven-seat guises, so those with big families will be well catered for here. Thanks to the engine’s strong torque, the Skoda doesn’t feel particularly underpowered, either, despite its size and weight. The 53.2mpg economy figure (51.7mpg in the seven-seater) is impressive, too. 
“The Kodiaq is spacious, efficient and features plenty of clever touches, while the cabin has taken a step upmarket when compared with the first model.” – Dean Gibson, senior test editor, drove the Kodiaq in the UK
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6. Mercedes S-Class
- Prices from £100,000
- Most refined
| Pros | Cons |
| True limousine comfortRear-seat spaceSmooth inline six-cylinder | Interior quality could be betterAugmented reality is distractingFiddling steering wheel controls |
Massive road presence and a cosseting interior mean the Mercedes S-Class is a top luxury car, and it’s at its best in diesel guise: if you want the ultimate in luxury driving, then look no further.
Mercedes does offer a hybrid S-Class as a true economy champ, but the hybrid powertrain isn’t as well suited to the car as this diesel engine. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder is super-smooth yet seriously quick, with 0-62mph taking just 6.4 seconds – quite a feat in a car weighing nearly two tonnes. Yet driven carefully it will return 42.8mpg.
Whatever guise the S-Class is in, it irons out any imperfections in the road. Sophisticated technology ‘reads’ the road ahead and is able to prep the air suspension for upcoming bumps. This really is one of the most comfortable cars short of a Rolls-Royce Phantom.
The Mercedes S-Class has always been a showcase for the absolute latest technology and this one doesn’t disappoint, with two 12-inch screens in the dash, mobile data, optional night vision, and reclining rear seats. Plus in an industry first, there isn’t a single filament lightbulb on the car.
“The S-Class is a supremely luxurious, refined and technology-laden conveyance for affluent and successful individuals, and the current seventh-generation car has a bold face that enhances its opulent style.” – Max Adams, online reviews editor, drove the Kodiaq in the UK
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7. Land Rover Defender
- Prices from £60,000
- Go-anywhere ability
| Pros | Cons |
| Off-road abilityStrong accelerationWell equipped | Not the most engaging handlingExpensiveSome motorway wind noise |
Land Rover silenced the doubters, producing a Defender worthy of its predecessor’s famous name. It’s clearly a more technologically advanced and luxurious car, but it hasn’t lost any of its character or core attributes, which means the Defender is equally at home on the steepest of muddy slopes or in the urban jungle.
While die-hard Landie fans have moaned about the price and luxuriousness of the new Defender, the current car is worlds apart from its agricultural predecessor. The diesel-powered mild-hybrid D350 edition is no slouch, with the three-door Defender 90 S managing the 0-62mph sprint in just 6.2 seconds. Even the huge 130 model takes only 7.1 seconds, and both versions return around 33mpg.
While the CO2 emissions are relatively high – the D350 emits 221g/km – those looking for a practical, incredibly competent off-roader are in the right place.
“Core to the Defender’s appeal is, of course, its off-road ability, which very few SUVs can match. Although a true 4×4, it also works well as a family car and looks the part in the most upmarket environments.” – Alastair Crooks, senior news reporter, drove the Defender in the UK
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8. Skoda Superb
- Prices from £36,000
- Best for boot space
| Pros | Cons |
| Huge bootGreat efficiencyWell equipped | Feels underpoweredCould be more refinedBig touchscreen might not appeal to everyone |
The latest Skoda Superb picks up where the third-generation model left off. Skoda set about improving the car’s boot space (now a whopping 645 litres for the hatch and 690 litres for the estate) and adding a flashier, tech-filled cabin.
Thankfully, there are still diesel options available, with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI putting out either 148bhp or 190bhp. The lower-powered version is able to reach 57.6mpg, but the more powerful model fares a bit worse at 47.9mpg. The estate version is only slightly more thirsty at 55.4mpg, and on long journeys you can expect a figure much closer to 60mpg. At this kind of economy, you can expect a real-world range of 800 miles or more – enough to get from London to Edinburgh and back on one tank.
“Both the king-size hatchback and massively practical estate car versions are comfortable, hugely spacious, and offer a well-finished interior at an affordable price.” – Ellis Hyde, news reporter, drove the Superb in the UK
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9. Volkswagen Golf
- Prices from £30,000
| Pros | Cons |
| Neat interior designDrives comfortablyDecent 381-litre boot | Annoying touch-sliderLess-powerful diesel not quickDull styling |
The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf didn’t endear itself to us as much as its predecessor when it launched with its annoying touch-sensitive buttons. The facelift that arrived in 2024 got rid of the haptic controls on the steering wheel for some good old-fashioned physical buttons, and while the touch-sensitive slider remains under the central touchscreen it is at least backlit these days.
What we’ve always liked about the current Golf is the 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine. Available in 114bhp form in Match trim or in R-Line trim for the more powerful 148bhp version, they’ll return a very impressive 63.5mpg and 60.5mpg respectively. While its CO2 emissions won’t make it very popular with company car users, as a private buy its miserly consumption will keep running costs about as low as anything this side of an electric car.
“As ever, the Golf strikes a fair balance between comfort and performance, with a well-judged ride that can smooth out rough surfaces (although bigger wheels will tend to negate this).” – Alex Ingram, chief reviewer, drove the Golf in the UK
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10. Kia Sorento
- Prices from £42,500
| Pros | Cons |
| Classy interiorRefined rideLots of equipment | Diesel can be noisyNot quickNoticeable body roll |
The Kia Sorento is a rare example of a car being offered with petrol hybrid, plug-in hybrid and diesel powertrains. Each has its own merit, but the diesel seems well suited to the relaxed, comfortable driving experience of the Sorento.
The 2.2-litre four-cylinder unit puts out 190bhp and a meaty 440Nm of torque. It’s not especially quick, but like a lot of diesels, what it does well is tow. Where the Sorento PHEV and HEV versions have towing limits of 1,010kg and 1,110kg respectively, the diesel will pull up to 2,500kg. Economy’s not bad either considering the Sorento’s size, with a claimed 43.5mpg combined in basic ‘2’ trim. It’s a figure we were able to fairly easily replicate when we tested the car, too.
