Vote for the 2011 Diesel Car of the Year
Four companies, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen, currently offer diesel passenger cars in the U.S. 
This year’s stellar field of nominees includes six passenger cars, the Audi A3 TDI, the BMW 335d, the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec, the Volkswagen Golf TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sedan TDI, and the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI, as well as six SUVs, the Audi Q7 TDI, the BMW X5 xDrive35d, the Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec, and the Volkswagen Touareg TDI.
Voting starts at 12:01 a.m. on December 1 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2011. The 2011 Diesel Car of the Year as well as the two runners up will be announced in late January.
Each year, the Diesel Driver’s readers will select the Diesel Car of the Year and recognize the top three vehicles offered in the U.S. As jurors, you can vote for any one of the 12 nominees. Criteria range from fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions to performance, handling, styling, comfort, and the overall package.
The Diesel Driver is the world’s leading publication geared towards automotive enthusiasts interested in diesel-powered passenger cars. The Diesel Driver offers in-depth road tests and reviews, diesel-oriented travel features, and features that focus on the latest in diesel technology.
Voting has ended. The 2011 Diesel Car of the Year will be announced shortly.
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I like to vote the car you haven’t posted review yet.
The Diesel engine in the SUV just makes sense.
These are all great engines but the BMW 6cyl is the king especially in the X5 35D where the torque is fully utilized.
335d: 3-series fast plus diesel mpg=great combination. Only thing missing: manual shift fun!!
The 335d for sure! It is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, almost.
Jetta is the only diesel with a manual transmission. That pretty much clinches it in my book.
Sadly most of the real world winners are not sold in the United States where the engines are mostly limited to premium and luxury cars though Honda, Subaru and more have diesel engines in Europe. I’d vote for one of those but alas, no.
The VW Golf is my vote only because it is a Diesel for the masses, and it is a blast to drive.
I voted for the Jetta diesel wagon since it was the only one the list I road tested, and the only one apparently available in the manufacturers’ test fleets.
I did drive the RAM 3500 (Cummins 5.9( and Ford F-350 (Duramax 6.7), but they are not on the list.I was most impressed with the Ford Focus diesel wagon, but I drove that in Scotland, so it does not count.
Russ Dodge
I did some work with VW when the TDI was initially introduced. After driving both the diesel and gas versions of the Sportwagen, I chose the TDI with the DSG for it’s great mileage and expected longevity. I purchased a 2010 model in August and have enjoyed its performance and versatility. This type of vehicle makes so much more sense to the environment (and to a car enthusiast) than huge ‘hybrid’ SUVs and slow, unexciting electrics.
Although it is not for the average guy , which we do need , Mercedes history with the diesel is unequaled – drove one for several years in the 80′s and they just keep getting better.
The Jetta Sportswagen TDI gets my vote because it’s sensibly-sized in combination with a spacious, flexible, well-finished interior and plenty of entertainment behind the wheel, especially when ordered with a good old-fashioned manual gearbox. Anyone who samples it should be livid that station wagons have become such an endangered species in the SUV and crossover-saturated U.S. market.
There’s no manual in the 335d because BMW don’t have a gearbox that can handle that incredible torque, and will fit in the E90 chassis! That said, a stick would be great in the 335d, but the feeling of 425 lb.ft. every time I mash the pedal makes up for the lack of a clutch. On the other hand, the manual in the 320d is great, but it doesn’t have the thrust of the 335d. It’s a problem that’s pretty good to have, and I bought a 335d. Giggity.
I voted for the Audi A3 TDI because I’d consider trading in my Mk4 Golf TDI for the Audi.
But then I remember the Audi doesn’t come with a manual transmission, so I guess I’ll just keep the Golf for another 300,000 miles or so.
There are no dogs on the list.
VW is the only manufacturer offering a diesel with a manual transmission. I have a 2010 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI and love it! 40.2 mpg average real world after 24,500 miles. Easily gets 45+ mpg on the highway.
Although I really like the BMW 335d. BMW, offer one with a manual transmission and you would sell even more of them.
Audi, bring us the A4 and A6 2.0L and 3.0L TDIs with manual transmission options!
I have a friend who has a VW Jetta diesel and it is alsome. Great gas milage. The interior is alsome designed and plenty of leg space in rear compartment. This is a great quality car. I give it an A+ over toyota brands…I plan on buying a VW Jetta Diesel next month.
Sincerely,
Jim helton jr.
Automakers see the USA as essentially a captive market full of folks programmed to buy cars long on flash but short on practical. You can buy all of the really expensive (>$70K) 20+MPG TDI cars you want, or all of the giant $45K+ 15+MPG TDI pickups that you want, but (except for VW) you CANNOT get any of the really nice $25-$35K 35-60MPG TDI cars, SUVs or pickups that are commonly available to folks in other countries. And there are simply NO AWD affordable diesels offered, period.
Other than the facts that:
1) the greater the cost, the more profit available-
2) the greater the horsepower/weight, the more fuel consumed-
3) repairs to cars using hybrid technology are pretty much dealer only-
I can’t think of any reason that hybrid makers GM Ford Honda Nissan Toyota Lexus Mercedes Cadillac Chevrolet Lincoln BMW Porsche wouldn’t be stacking the deck against the lower mark-up, affordable and sensible vehicles that would stomp their gravy-train mobiles into the dirt…