Can the fuel economy gains of a diesel ever overcome the more expensive (usually) price tag associated with it?
Fuel economy has never been as crucial a factor in the decision-making process of buying a new car as it is now. Manufacturers spend much of their development and research money on reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Here in South Africa, buyers have generally favoured cheaper petrol cars over their pricier diesel siblings, but in the SUV and bakkie segments, diesel reigns supreme, mostly because these vehicles tend to be sold to buyers for whom the greater torque and power delivery characteristics are important. Either way, diesel engines are more expensive to manufacture and therefore they are generally priced significantly higher than their petrol equivalents. But with their greater economy, are diesel engines actually the more cost-effective purchase?
In order to calculate which is cheaper, we’ve taken the cost of two models within a vehicle’s range and compared their cost and fuel consumption for the life of the vehicle’s service/maintenance plan. This should (hopefully) remove any unforeseen costs of replacement parts, as they should be covered by the manufacturer. Basically, can the extra cost of a diesel car be overcome by the better fuel consumption over the length of the car’s service plan? For this exercise we used the coastal price of fuel – currently 95 Octane petrol is R15.44 per litre and diesel is around R14.04 if you happen to buy it wholesale. From a regular garage, you are looking more at around R15 per litre.
Audi Q5 2.0TFSI quattro vs 2.0TDI quattro
Audi Q5 2.0TFSI quattro |
Audi Q5 2.0TDI quattro |
|
| Price | R754 000 | R704 000 |
| Fuel Economy | 6.8L/100km | 4.9L/100km |
| Range | 1 029 km | 1 327 km |
| Power and Torque | 185 kW / 370 Nm | 140 kW / 400 Nm |
| 0-100kph | 6.3s | 7.9s |
| Maintenance plan | 100 000 km | 100 000 km |
| Service interval | Determined by OBC (max 30 000 km) | Determined by OBC (max 30 000 km) |
| Fuel Cost | R105 034 | R68 772 |
| Cost to run | R859 034 | R772 772 |
|
|
R86 262 cheaper to run |
Audi SQ5 quattro (2017) Review
Audi Q5 2.0 TDI quattro (2017) Quick Review
Audi Q5 2.0 TDI quattro (2017) Video Review
Search for a used Audi Q5
BMW 220i auto vs 220d auto
|
|
BMW 220i Sport line auto |
BMW 220d Sport line auto |
| Price | R533 359 | R571 600 |
| Fuel Economy | 5.5L/100km | 4.0L/100km |
| Range | 946 km | 1 300 km |
| Power and Torque | 135 kW / 270 Nm | 140 kW / 400 Nm |
| 0-100kph | 7.2s | 7.0s |
| Maintenance plan | 100 000 km | 100 000 km |
| Service interval | Determined by OBC | Determined by OBC |
| Fuel Cost | R84 871 | R56 160 |
| Cost to run | R618 230 | R627 760 |
R9 530 cheaper to run |
Also read: BMW 2-Series (2014) Driven
2014 BMW 2-Series Video Review
Hillclimb Shootout: Aston Martin Vantage N430 vs BMW M240i vs Jaguar F-Type 400 Sport
Facelifted BMW 2 Series and M2 Revealed
Interested in buying a BMW 2-Series?
Search for a new or used BMW 2-Series on Cars.co.za
BMW 330i auto vs 330d auto
BMW 330i auto |
BMW 330d auto |
|
| Price | R664 139 | R737 039 |
| Fuel Economy | 5.5L/100km | 4.9L/100km |
| Range | 1 091 km | 1 163 km |
| Power and Torque | 185 kW / 350 Nm | 190 kW / 560 Nm |
| 0-100kph | 5.8s | 5.6s |
| Maintenance plan | 100 000 km | 100 000 km |
| Service interval | Determined by OBC | Determined by OBC |
| Fuel Cost | R84 913 | R68 812 |
| Cost to run | R749 052 | R805 851 |
R56 799 cheaper to run |
BMW 340i vs Jaguar XE S Driving and Interior Comparison (Video)
Looking for a used 3 Series?
Ford Fiesta 1.0 turbopetrol vs 1.5 turbodiesel
Ford Fiesta 1.0 Trend |
Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi Trend |
|
| Price | R261 900 | R292 500 |
| Fuel Economy | 4.3L/100km | 3.3L/100km |
| Range | 977 km | 1 273 km |
| Power and Torque | 74 kW 170 Nm | 63 kW 175 Nm |
| 0-100kph | 10.5s | 12.5s |
| Service plan | 60 000 km | 60 000 km |
| Service interval | 15 000 km | 15 000 km |
| Fuel Cost | R39 825 | R27 793 |
| Cost to run | R301 725 | R320 293 |
R18 568 cheaper to run |
Also read: Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi Trend (2018) Quick Review
Video Comparison | Ford Fiesta vs Volkswagen Polo
Interested in buying a Ford Fiesta?
Search for a new or used Ford Fiesta here
Hyundai 2.0 Elite auto vs 2.0CRDi Elite
Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Elite auto |
Hyundai Tucson 2.0CRDi Elite |
|
| Price | R479 900 | R544 900 |
| Fuel Economy | 9.0L/100km | 6.7L/100km |
| Range | 689 km | 925 km |
| Power and Torque | 115 kW 196 Nm | 131 kW 400 Nm |
| 0-100kph | 11.1s | 9.3s |
| Service plan | 90 000 km | 90 000 km |
| Service interval | 15 000 km | 20 000 km |
| Fuel Cost | R125 044 | R84 695 |
| Cost to run | R604 944 | R629 595 |
R24 651 cheaper to run |
|
Hyundai Tucson (2017) Specs & Price
Hyundai Tucson Sport (2017) Quick Review
Hyundai Tucson 1.7 CRDi Executive (2017) Review
Searching for a used Tucson?
Land Rover Discovery S Si6 vs S Td6
Land Rover Discovery S Si6 |
Land Rover Discovery S Td6 |
|
| Price | R1 074 190 | R1 027 406 |
| Fuel Economy | 11.5L/100km | 7.8L/100km |
| Range | 774 km | 1 090 km |
| Power and Torque | 250 kW / 450 Nm | 190 kW / 600 Nm |
| 0-100kph | 7.2s | 7.0s |
| Maintenance plan | 100 000 km | 100 000 km |
| Service interval | Determined by OBC | Determined by OBC |
| Fuel Cost | R177 540 | R114 639 |
| Cost to run | R1 251 730 | R1 142 045 |
|
|
R109 685 cheaper to run |
Land Rover Discovery Si6 HSE (2017) Review
Land Rover Discovery (2017) Video Review
Searching for a used Discovery?
Mercedes-Benz C200 turbopetrol vs C220d turbodiesel
Mercedes-Benz C200 auto |
Mercedes-Benz C220d auto |
|
| Price | R616 536 | R651 759 |
| Fuel Economy | 6.3L/100km | 4.8L/100km |
| Range | 1 048 km | 1 375 km |
| Power and Torque | 135 kW 280 Nm | 143 kW 400 Nm |
| 0-100kph | 7.7s | 6.9s |
| Maintenance plan | 100 000 km | 100 000 km |
| Service interval | OBC | OBC |
| Fuel Cost | R97 236 | R67 392 |
| Cost to run | R713 772 | R719 151 |
R5 379 cheaper to run |
Also read: Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2018) Launch Review
Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2018) Specs & Price
Want to buy a Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Search for a new or used Mercedes-Benz C-Class on Cars.co.za
Nissan X-Trail 2.0 petrol vs 1.6 turbodiesel
Nissan X-Trail 2.0 Visia |
Nissan X-Trail 1.6dCi Visia |
|
| Price | R381 000 | R405 500 |
| Fuel Economy | 8.3L/100km | 5.1L/100km |
| Range | 723 km | 1 177 km |
| Power and Torque | 106 kW 200 Nm | 96 kW 320 Nm |
| 0-100kph | 11.1s | 10.5s |
| Service plan | 90 000 km | 90 000 km |
| Service interval | 15 000 km | 15 000 km |
| Fuel Cost | R115 319 | R64 415 |
| Cost to run | R496 419 | R469 915 |
R26 504 cheaper to run |
Also read: Nissan X-Trail 1.6dCi 4×4 Tekna (2018) Review
Nissan X-Trail (2017) Specs & Price
Interested in buying a Nissan X-Trail?
Find a new or used Nissan X-Trail on Cars.co.za
Toyota Hilux 2.7 petrol vs 2.4 turbodiesel
Toyota Hilux double cab 2.7 SRX |
Toyota Hilux double cab 2.4GD6 SRX |
|
| Price | R407 100 | R442 700 |
| Fuel Economy | 10.7L/100km | 7.1L/100km |
| Range | 748 km | 1 127 km |
| Power and Torque | 122 kW 245 Nm | 110 kW 400 Nm |
| 0-100kph | 12.1s | 13.2s |
| Service plan | 90 000 km | 90 000 km |
| Service interval | 10 000 km | 10 000 km |
| Fuel Cost | R148 620 | R89 697 |
| Cost to run | R555 720 | R532 397 |
|
|
R23 323 cheaper to run |
Also read: 2016 Toyota Hilux vs Ford Ranger – Offroad & Review
New Hilux vs Old Hilux – An Expert’s Opinion on What’s Changed
Drag Race: Hilux vs Ranger vs Amarok vs KB
Toyota Hilux Dakar (2018) Video Review
Want a Toyota Hilux?
Find a new or used Toyota Hilux here!
Toyota Fortuner 2.7 auto vs 2.4GD-6 auto
Toyota Fortuner 2.7 auto |
Toyota Fortuner 2.4GD-6 auto |
|
| Price | R459 000 | R496 000 |
| Fuel Economy | 10.5L/100km | 7.9L/100km |
| Range | 762 km | 1 013 km |
| Power and Torque | 122 kW 245 Nm | 110 kW 400 Nm |
| 0-100kph | 12.4s | 12.7s |
| Service plan | 90 000 km | 90 000 km |
| Service interval | 15 000 km | 15 000 km |
| Fuel Cost | R145 890 | R99 791 |
| Cost to run | R604 890 | R595 791 |
|
|
R9 099 cheaper to run |
Extended Test: Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 4×4 Automatic [with Video]
Toyota Fortuner (2016) First Drive
Toyota Fortuner 2.4GD-6 (2016) Review
Toyota Fortuner vs Ford Everest (2016) Comparative Review [Video]
Searching for a used Fortuner?
Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4TSI vs 2.0TDI
Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4TSI Comfortline |
Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0TDI Comfortline |
|
| Price | R447 900 | R489 900 |
| Fuel Economy | 6.1L/100km | 5.2L/100km |
| Range | 951 km | 1 115 km |
| Power and Torque | 92 kW 200 Nm | 81 kW 250 Nm |
| 0-100kph | 12.4s | 12.7s |
| Service plan | 90 000 km | 90 000 km |
| Service interval | 15 000 km | 15 000 km |
| Fuel Cost | R84 750 | R65 730 |
| Cost to run | R532 650 | R555 630 |
R22 980 cheaper to run |
|
Conclusion*
The result here is generally in favour of petrol-powered cars. The higher cost of the diesel models is hardly ever recouped by the fuel savings made over the duration of the vehicle's service plan. That being said, the longer the service plan offered the more the results swing in favour of the diesels. If you do a lot of mileage, something like a Mazda diesel that has an unlimited mileage service plan for 3 years could well be worth considering.
* Note that this exercise excluded resale values.
