Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sister and I both drive suburbans - hers is diesel and mine is not. She can go like 700 miles on one tank, while my range is 350ish. I wish I had known that - not getting gas as frequently would be more than worth it to me. She says that not every station has diesel though, so on road trips where she isn’t as familiar with the stations, she has to be conservative.

I’ve had several diesels, and I love the range. I could drive my old Mercedes Diesel sedan to South Carolina on one tank. I never had a problem finding fuel. You can always stop at a truck stop. I’ve had to go around back and fill up with the 18-wheelers before, but then you get a free shower, so it’s all good.

+1. I have a Mercedes ML 350 which is ultra-low emission (Bluetec). Love the big tank.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband is Australian and he swears by diesel. Thinks we Americans are crazy for only using gas.

diesel is much worse for public health-- might not matter much in low population density areas (like much of Australia) but it's a huge problem for high density areas. It's why London sometimes has worse air quality than Beijing or Delhi.

Those are the old diesel vehicles, not the ones they have made in the last decade or so. The older diesel cars and trucks are the big polluters.

Anonymous wrote:My sister and I both drive suburbans - hers is diesel and mine is not. She can go like 700 miles on one tank, while my range is 350ish. I wish I had known that - not getting gas as frequently would be more than worth it to me. She says that not every station has diesel though, so on road trips where she isn’t as familiar with the stations, she has to be conservative.

I’ve had several diesels, and I love the range. I could drive my old Mercedes Diesel sedan to South Carolina on one tank. I never had a problem finding fuel. You can always stop at a truck stop. I’ve had to go around back and fill up with the 18-wheelers before, but then you get a free shower, so it’s all good.

My sister and I both drive suburbans - hers is diesel and mine is not. She can go like 700 miles on one tank, while my range is 350ish. I wish I had known that - not getting gas as frequently would be more than worth it to me. She says that not every station has diesel though, so on road trips where she isn’t as familiar with the stations, she has to be conservative.

We’ve had several diesel SUVs and they have been great. No issues finding fuel, the mileage is great, and the engines last longer. The “blue” fluid is sold everywhere and not an big deal (early in, you had to go to the dealer, but now you just add it, like oil).

I’d go electric.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Towing anything? Extra torque from the diesel will help with that.

But unless you drive a LOT of miles a year, it’s going to be hard to reach the payback-point where the added gas mileage surpasses the added cost of the diesel engine option upgrade and the higher cost of diesel fuel + DEF.

Diesel engine is optional?

Somehow Americans don't like diesel. In Eurpoe, almost 1/2 cars are diesel (in Asia too). Personal preferrence OP but i don't see why not.

Diesel is more common in Europe because of taxes. Diesel fuel is taxed less than gasoline, and diesel vehicles get better mileage overall, so the tax margin is even greater.

Anonymous wrote:My husband is Australian and he swears by diesel. Thinks we Americans are crazy for only using gas.

diesel is much worse for public health-- might not matter much in low population density areas (like much of Australia) but it's a huge problem for high density areas. It's why London sometimes has worse air quality than Beijing or Delhi.

Are you towing heavy stuff? If not, gas is fine.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Diesel options are actually either same price or in some cases less than gas V8. So it's a function of increased mpg vs. fuel cost ... can do the math to get an estimate there, but wondering if anyone has real-world experience and had any issues e.g., trouble finding a station on a road trip or something like that. Thanks!

Can't be hard to find diesel as all big trucks use it right?

My husband is Australian and he swears by diesel. Thinks we Americans are crazy for only using gas.

OP here. Diesel options are actually either same price or in some cases less than gas V8. So it's a function of increased mpg vs. fuel cost ... can do the math to get an estimate there, but wondering if anyone has real-world experience and had any issues e.g., trouble finding a station on a road trip or something like that. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:Towing anything? Extra torque from the diesel will help with that.

But unless you drive a LOT of miles a year, it’s going to be hard to reach the payback-point where the added gas mileage surpasses the added cost of the diesel engine option upgrade and the higher cost of diesel fuel + DEF.

Diesel engine is optional?

Somehow Americans don't like diesel. In Eurpoe, almost 1/2 cars are diesel (in Asia too). Personal preferrence OP but i don't see why not.

Towing anything? Extra torque from the diesel will help with that.

But unless you drive a LOT of miles a year, it’s going to be hard to reach the payback-point where the added gas mileage surpasses the added cost of the diesel engine option upgrade and the higher cost of diesel fuel + DEF.

Looking at large SUVs (Yukon XL, Suburban, etc.). Primarily a "people mover" for family of 6 for weekend sports and occasional road trip. Likely to keep for next 10+ years.

Some of these have diesel options, which seem to get better mileage. Have never owned a diesel before ... does anyone have experience with one in the area?

What should we be aware of? Fuel availability? Maintenance costs? Etc.

Thanks in advance!