Here are the 10 Volkswagen Diesel Cars Every Gearhead Should Drive

Volkswagen is quite well known for producing diesel cars and has a long history with them. As for diesel cars, they are quite well-known for fuel efficiency, high amount of torque, and the most important for vehicles nowadays, which is low emissions. The German automaker is quite good at making diesel cars that provide a good balance between both performance and efficiency.

We have curated a list of the best Volkswagen diesel cars out there. It consists of the Amarok pickup truck, the luxurious Phaeton, and the iconic Volkswagen Golf. And all of these vehicles showcase a good amount of performance and efficiency. So without further ado, let's dive into the article. 

10. Volkswagen Amarok

The newly revealed Volkswagen Amarok comes with strong Ford roots thanks to the vital underpinning it shares with the Ford Ranger. For instance, both cars feature the Ford T6 Platform, transmissions, and four-wheel-drive systems. However, the main focus is on the diesel powerplant options available with the truck.

A smaller but efficient 2.0L Turbo diesel making 302 horsepower and 333 pound feet of torque which is mated with 6-speed manual transmission and attains 0-60 in 8.4 seconds at a top speed of 111 MPH.

9. Volkswagen Tiguan

Upon its debut, the Tiguan wasted no time becoming a bestselling SUV, and the latest generation just took sales beyond the 4 million mark. American fans have a reason to smile after Volkswagen announced plans for a hotter and more powerful Tiguan variant. Crossovers are the go-to vehicles at the moment, and the next-gen Tiguan will capitalize on the current model’s lively handling, well-mannered ride, and practicality.

Meanwhile, the diesel-powered Tiguan is worth checking out. The 2.0L TDI suits the Tiguan and effortlessly copes with its weight, it is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and this setup churns out 184 horsepower and 221 pound feet of torque and attains 0-60 at a top speed of 114 MPH.

8. Volkswagen Polo TDI 

The Volkswagen Polo is top of the market’s list regarding compact, affordable hatchbacks. It offers a classier, highly-refined, and comfier tiny family car featuring a sleek cabin, plenty of boot space, and a smooth ride. While it isn't as fun or exciting as its Golf sibling, the Polo is much easier to live with, thanks to its high efficiency.

Engine options include a 1.0L turbocharged engine and the 1.5L diesel returning an incredible 60MPG. It generates 108hp and 250 lb-ft of torque.

7. Volkswagen Jetta TDI 

The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI gets all the diesel plaudits thanks to the Golf moniker. That means the Jetta from the same year flies criminally under the radar because it offers excellent value in the TDI market and even has a bigger stout for the best TDI ever made. Coming in the sixth generation Jetta in 2011, VW wanted to build a sub $17,000 car, but it was a quality disaster. However, they fixed all the flaws by the time the 2015 model rolled out of the factory.

It packed a 1.5 L Inline-4 engine which was transmitted with a 6-speed automatic transmission that generated around 158 hp and 184 pound feet of torque. It was highly aerodynamic, which significantly improved fuel economy in highway driving. 

6. Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen will bring the production of the saloon Passat to an end after 2022. Although it isn’t the prettiest car in the rich lineup, it offers one of the best value for money. While the last iteration shipped with one engine option, the 2.0 Inline-4, previous models came with diesel engines until Dieselgate hit home. The B6 generation Passat with multi-valve 2.0L TDI is one of the most sought-after versions in the European car market. 

Volkswagen however has revealed its all-new Passat, the one with the 2.0L Inline-5 that is mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It generates 174hp and 206 pound-feet of torque and does a 0-60 sprint in just 5.7 seconds at a top speed of 127 MPH.

5. Volkswagen New Beetle 

The original Beetle followed the Ford Model T and was the world’s best-selling car with 21 million copies until the Toyota Corolla overtook it. Any self-respecting car enthusiast knows about this iconic car. But the modern iteration of the German classic was a different animal and wasn't a hit like its predecessor. It featured a front-mounted engine, the 1.9L ALH Diesel engine, which powered the Jetta and Golf between 1998 and 2006. 

The 1.9L inline-4 direct injected turbocharged motors were reliable and had terrific fuel economy. Today you will find these cars on the road choking over 500,000 miles on the odometer. Many considered it among the best diesel engines that can survive with zero maintenance.

4. Volkswagen Sportwagen Golf TDI

The Golf is an iconic nameplate and a fan favorite among compact haulers. VW offered the car with a diesel engine in the Golf TDI trim for a while. The highlights version came with the MK7 generation but lasted only one year, halted by Deselgate. Long-term reviews overwhelmingly point to solid build quality, excellent drive experience, and sufficient power when needed. 

It featured a 2.0L turbo diesel Inline-4 pushing 150hp and 236 pound-feet of torque, resulting in a powerful and efficient ride. It attained 0-60 in 8.4 seconds and had a top speed of 127 MPH. 

3. Volkswagen Touran 2 TDI SCR

Volkswagen has produced the Touran since 2003 and comes with a characteristically intelligent selection of Wolfsburg’s excellent, efficient turbocharged engines and smooth transmissions. It sits below the larger Multivan in VW’s lineup but comes with plenty of space and a comfortable riding experience. While the new model ships only petrol engines. 

The previous models came with 1.6L and 2.0L TDI diesel engine options. In 2005 the “What Car?” named it the compact van of the year, and it has consistently received a five-star in the Euro NCAP crash safety ratings. 

2. Volkswagen Touareg R50 TDI 

Diesel and high performance rarely mix, but the Touareg V10 TDI is a noticeable exception. The R50 was a tuned version of Volkswagen's luxury 4X4 which helped put Sport back into SUV with stomping performance, a comfortable and luxurious interior, and standout exterior styling. 

It featured the same 4.9L V10 TDI in the standard Touareg but increased power from 310 hp to 345 hp. Add the 625 lb-ft of torque available at only 2000 rpm, and you have a beast that can pull hard and fast. It is one of the best diesel-powered cars, just behind its cousin the Audi V12 TDI. 

1. Volkswagen Phaeton

The Volkswagen Phaeton unveiled a redesigned Phaeton successor that never was to celebrate 20 years of the brand’s first luxury saloon car. It was a car targeting individualists, enthusiasts, and connoisseurs. It shared the same underpinning with the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur to provide excellent comfort, high-tech features, and impeccable build quality in a confident and calm package.

While the engine of choice was the 6.0L W12 gasoline engine, Volkswagen offered two diesel engine options, the 3.0L V6 TDI and the 4.2L V8 TDI. The V10 was so smooth that besides the low redline, you couldn't tell compression instead of sparks-assisted propulsion.