Best Diesel Cars Of 2010 Your search for a new car in 2010 may lead you to look for diesel cars from major automakers.  Before purchasing a diesel car, you need to know the best diesel cars available in 2010.  Benefits Of Diesel Cars Diesel cars have been largely relegated to second-class status because of the lower costs of gas-powered cars.  The upfront costs of gas-powered cars may be lower, but the best diesel cars deliver performance unrivaled by their competitors.  Diesel cars produce more power than gas-powered vehicles, creating better acceleration from full stops.  Another benefit of diesel cars is the length of peak performance by their engines, which typically last between 200,000 to 250,000 miles.  Diesel drivers find that their cars get better mileage than gas-powered cars, which makes up for slightly higher diesel prices over time.  The final benefit of a diesel car is reduced carbon dioxide emissions compared to a comparable gas-powered vehicle.  Who Drives Diesel Cars? The diesel car market in the United States is geared toward consumers concerned about adverse driving conditions and long-term costs.  The reason why diesel engines are typically used in trucks and SUVs is that these vehicles are often used in poor weather conditions.  A diesel car can not only traverse paved roads but gravel roads, muddy trails, and other difficult conditions.  Consumers looking for better values over the lives of their vehicles choose diesel cars rather than gas-powered cars.  The combination of an engine with a long life and an efficient drive system makes up for the higher retail cost for a diesel car.  These concerns are particularly acute for long-range commuters, business owners, and parents who need reliable vehicles for day-to-day events.  Volkswagen© Volkswagen© has the most extensive inventory of clean diesel cars as of early 2010.  The VW Golf TDI® (http://www.vw.com/golf/en/us/?tab=tdi) is a clean diesel version of the popular hatchback.  This clean diesel car is priced from $22,354 and offers an estimated fuel mileage of 30 miles per gallon during highway driving.  The heart of the VW Golf TDI® is a 2.0-liter turbocharged clean diesel engine that produces 170 horsepower.  The VW Golf TDI® and other clean diesel cars from Volkswagen© in 2010 come with a three-year, 36,000 Care Free Maintenance package.  The next step up in clean diesel cars from Volkswagen© is the VW Jetta TDI® (http://www.vw.com/jetta/en/us/?tab=tdi).  This clean diesel car features the same 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine as the VW Golf TDI®.  The VW Jetta TDI® borrows the same design as its popular gas-powered counterpart while achieving upwards of 30 miles per gallon during highway driving.  Volkswagen© offers the Jetta TDI® for an MSRP of $22,830 USD with enough luxurious features to make this vehicle a worthwhile investment.  The VW Jetta TDI® contains a pair of radio antennae, a chrome front grill, and rear view windows with extended turn signals.   Mercedes-Benz© The highlight of the clean diesel vehicles from Mercedes-Benz© is the R350 BlueTEC® (http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/#/vehiclesMenu/ exploreOverview/?vmf=R350BTC&vc=R&yr=2010).  The R350 BlueTEC© is powered by the automaker’s 3.0-liter BlueTEC® clean diesel engine capable of producing 210 horsepower.  The EPA mileage rating for the R350 BlueTEC® is 24 for highway driving and 18 for city driving.  This clean diesel car also features the automaker’s 4MATIC four-wheel drive for better handling.  The interior design of the R350 BlueTEC® features walnut trim, individual climate control, and a large sunroof.  Mercedes-Benz© prices the R350 BlueTEC® from $50,800, which may push this clean diesel car out of the price range of many drivers.  BMW© BMW© is competing with Mercedes-Benz©, Audi©, and Volkswagen© for the clean diesel crown.  The BMW X5 xDrive35d® (http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/vehicles/ 2010/x5/xdrive35d/default.aspx) is a crossover vehicle powered by the automaker’s 3.0-liter clean diesel engine with 265 horsepower capacity.  BMW© notes that the X5 xDrive35d® is capable of reaching 26 miles per gallon highway, which is competitive with other crossover vehicles.  The xDrive system from BMW© allows for nimble steering during city driving and power steering in adverse conditions.  The X5 xDrive35d® is priced from $51,300, which should come down in subsequent generations.  BMW also offers the 335d Sedan® (http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/vehicles/ 2010/3/335dsedan/default.aspx) in the 2010 model year.  This clean diesel car is built on the same drive system as the X5 xDrive35d® with a lighter frame.  BMW© offers a two-wheel rear drive system customary in sedans rather than the more expensive xDrive system.  The 335d Sedan® gets an estimated fuel mileage of 36 miles per gallon in highway conditions, putting it at the high end of fuel mileage in its class.  Customers looking to save money while enjoying diesel cars from BMW© will find the $43,950 MSRP to be more palatable.  Audi© Audi© is joining the ranks of BMW© and Volkswagen© by expanding its line of diesel cars.  The Audi Q7 TDI® (http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/models/q7_tdi.html) is a clean diesel crossover that offers the best elements of sedans and SUVs.  The centerpiece of the Q7 TDI® is the 3.0-liter clean diesel engine capable of producing up to 225 horsepower.  The Triptronic™ automatic transmission within this clean diesel crossover allows for easy transition from gear to gear for better fuel efficiency.  The Audi Q7 TDI® achieves an estimated fuel mileage of 20 miles per gallon to compete with SUVs on the market in 2010.  Audi© added luxurious features like wooden trim, leather seating, and the MMI® control interface to make drivers feel at home.  This clean diesel crossover starts at $50,900 with optional features like satellite radio and higher trim levels adding thousands to this total.  Audi also offers the A3 TDI® (http://www.audiusa.com/ us/brand/en/models/a3_tdi.html) to consumers in Europe and America in 2010.  The A3 TDI® is a new take on the hatchback design featuring the automaker’s proprietary clean diesel engine.  This clean diesel car is powered by a 2.0-liter clean diesel engine capable of producing up to 140 horsepower.  The combined EPA mileage rating for the Audi A3 TDI® is 34 miles per gallon, which reduces the number of trips to gas stations.  The Audi A3 TDI® is outfitted with individual climate controls for two passengers as well as leather seats.  With an MSRP of $29,950, this Audi© hatchback is fairly competitive with pricing from traditional models in its market sector.