The Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv D is the best diesel SUV: 254ps, 550 Nm and a combined 51.4 - 53.3 mpg WLTP from £49,670 in the UK. The Mercedes-Benz GLC 220 d is #2 at 53.3 mpg, and the Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI is #3 with seven seats from £53,280.
Starting price: From £49,670 on-the-road for the 3.3 254ps AWD Exclusive-Line (UK)Fuel economy (WLTP): Combined 51.4 - 53.3 mpg for the 3.3 e-SKYACTIV D 254ps AWD (UK)Power and torque: 254ps and 550 Nm from a 3,283cc six-cylinder diesel with M Hybrid BoostTowing: 2,500 kg braked towing capacity
The Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv D 254ps AWD uses a 3,283cc six-cylinder diesel with M Hybrid Boost, making 254ps and 550 Nm. It returns a combined 51.4 - 53.3 mpg WLTP, tows 2,500 kg braked, and starts from £49,670 on-the-road in the UK.
Go ifUK drivers who want an efficient, torquey six-cylinder diesel SUV
Skip ifYou need seven seats
Why #1 over #2: Its 550 Nm beats the GLC 220 d’s 440 Nm, and its £49,670 start is below the GLC range’s £54,970.
2
Mercedes-Benz GLC 220 d
Photo: Alexander Migl / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictPremium and efficient.
Starting price: From £54,970 OTR for the GLC range of petrol, diesel and electric models (UK)Fuel economy (WLTP): 53.3 mpg combined and 140 g/km CO₂ for the GLC 220 d 4MATIC (UK)Power and torque: 197 hp plus 23 hp from the mild hybrid, with 440 NmTowing: Braked towing capacity 2,500 kg
The Mercedes-Benz GLC 220 d 4MATIC returns 53.3 mpg combined and 140 g/km CO₂ in the UK. It makes 197 hp plus 23 hp from the mild hybrid, with 440 Nm, and the GLC range starts from £54,970 OTR.
Go ifBuyers who want the best published mpg in a premium SUV
Skip ifYou want the most torque
Why #2 over #3: Its 53.3 mpg beats the Kodiaq’s up to 45.6 mpg.
3
Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI
Photo: Alexander-93 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictSeven seats, sensible mpg.
Starting price: From £53,280 OTR for the 2.0 TDI 193 PS DSG 4x4 L&K with seven seats (UK)Fuel economy (WLTP): 43.5 - 45.6 mpg combined for the 2.0 TDI 193 PS DSG 4x4 (UK)Power and torque: 193 PS and 400 Nm, 0-62 mph in 8.0 secondsSeats: The 2.0 TDI 193 PS 4x4 comes with seven seats
The Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 193 PS DSG 4x4 returns 43.5 - 45.6 mpg combined, makes 400 Nm and reaches 62 mph in 8.0 seconds. The L&K with seven seats starts from £53,280 OTR in the UK.
Go ifFamilies who want seven seats and a frugal diesel
Skip ifYou want a premium badge
Why #3 over #4: Its up to 45.6 mpg beats the Range Rover Sport D350’s 39.6 mpg, and it costs less.
4
Range Rover Sport D350
Answrs VerdictLuxury, 700 Nm, 3,500 kg towing.
Starting price: From £77,620 for the Range Rover Sport S, which is a diesel (UK)Fuel economy (WLTP): Combined 39.6 - 36.3 mpg for the D350 (UK)Power and torque: 350 PS and 700 Nm from a 2,998cc six-cylinder mild-hybrid dieselTowing: Maximum towing 3,500 kg
The Range Rover Sport D350 makes 350 PS and 700 Nm from a 2,998cc mild-hybrid diesel and returns a combined 39.6 - 36.3 mpg. It tows 3,500 kg, and the Range Rover Sport S starts from £77,620 in the UK.
Go ifDrivers who want a luxury SUV with strong torque and towing
Skip ifYou want a lower price
Why #4 over #5: Its 700 Nm and 39.6 mpg beat the GLE 350 d’s 650 Nm and 37.7 mpg.
Starting price: From £79,995 OTR for the GLE range (UK)Fuel economy (WLTP): 37.7 mpg combined and 197 g/km CO₂ for the GLE 350 d 4MATIC (UK)Power and torque: 286 hp plus 23 hp from the mild hybrid, with 650 NmTowing: Braked towing capacity 2,700 kg at 12%
The Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 d 4MATIC makes 286 hp plus 23 hp from the mild hybrid, with 650 Nm, and returns 37.7 mpg combined in the UK. Braked towing is 2,700 kg, and the GLE range starts from £79,995 OTR.
Go ifBuyers who want a roomy premium diesel SUV
Skip ifYou tow heavy trailers
Why #5 over #6: Its 37.7 mpg beats the Defender 110 D350’s 33.3 mpg, though the Defender tows 3,500 kg.
6
Land Rover Defender 110 D350
Answrs VerdictRugged, 3,500 kg towing.
Starting price: The Defender 110 starts from £64,315 for the S (UK)Fuel economy (WLTP): Up to 33.3 mpg combined for the 110 D350 (UK)Power and torque: 350 HP and 700 Nm from a mild-hybrid six-cylinder dieselTowing: Maximum towing 3,500 kg
The Land Rover Defender 110 D350 makes 350 HP and 700 Nm and returns up to 33.3 mpg combined. It tows 3,500 kg, and the Defender 110 starts from £64,315 for the S in the UK.
Go ifOff-road and towing buyers who want a true 4x4
Skip ifFuel economy is your priority
Why #6 over #7: Its 33.3 mpg beats the Land Cruiser’s 26.4 mpg, with the same 3,500 kg of towing.
7
Toyota Land Cruiser
Answrs VerdictTough, thirsty, costly.
Starting price: From £80,945 on-the-road for the Invincible 5-seat 2.8 D-4D 48V auto (UK)Fuel economy (WLTP): Combined 25.9 - 26.4 mpg (UK)Power and torque: 202 bhp and 500 Nm from a 2,755cc dieselTowing: Braked towing capacity 3,500 kg
The Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8 D-4D 48V makes 202 bhp and 500 Nm from a 2,755cc diesel and returns a combined 25.9 - 26.4 mpg. It tows 3,500 kg braked, and the Invincible 5-seat costs £80,945 on-the-road.
Go ifBuyers who want a proven, tough diesel 4x4
Skip ifYou want low running costs
Why #7 over #8: Its published WLTP mpg of 26.4 is a UK figure the US trucks below do not list.
8
Chevrolet Tahoe Duramax Diesel
Answrs VerdictLong range, 8,400 lbs towing.
Starting price: From $60,700 for the base LS; the diesel is available on LT and above (US)Diesel engine: Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel with 305 horsepower and 495 lb.-ft. of torqueRange: Up to 624 miles of EPA-estimated maximum highway range per tankTowing: Maximum available towing capacity of 8,400 lbs
The Chevrolet Tahoe offers the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel with 305 horsepower and 495 lb.-ft. of torque on LT and above, with up to 624 miles of highway range per tank. Maximum towing is 8,400 lbs, and the base LS starts from $60,700.
Go ifUS buyers who want a full-size diesel SUV for long trips and trailers
Skip ifYou want a lower starting price than the base LS
Why #8 over #9: Its $60,700 start is below the Yukon’s $70,200, with the same 8,400 lbs of towing.
9
GMC Yukon Duramax Diesel
Answrs VerdictPremium, 8,400 lbs towing.
Starting price: From $70,200 for the Elevation (US)Diesel engine: Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel with 305 hp and 495 lb.-ft. of torqueTowing: Up to 8,400 lbs when properly equipped; capacity varies by engine, drivetrain and configurationAvailability: GMC says the Yukon and Yukon XL are available with the Duramax diesel
The GMC Yukon is available with the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel, rated at 305 hp and 495 lb.-ft. of torque. It tows up to 8,400 lbs when properly equipped and starts from $70,200 for the Elevation.
Go ifUS buyers who want a premium full-size diesel SUV
Skip ifYou want the lowest US price
Why #9 over #10: Its 8,400 lbs of towing beats the Suburban’s 8,200 lbs.
10
2027 Chevrolet Suburban
Answrs VerdictLongest range of all, 728 miles.
Starting price: From $64,500 for the base LS 2WD (US)Diesel engine: Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel with 305 horsepower and 495 lb.-ft. of torqueRange: Up to 728 miles of EPA-estimated maximum highway range per tankTowing: Maximum available towing capacity of 8,200 lbs
The 2027 Chevrolet Suburban offers the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel with 305 horsepower and 495 lb.-ft. of torque, and up to 728 miles of highway range per tank. Maximum towing is 8,200 lbs, and the base LS 2WD starts from $64,500.
Go ifUS buyers who want the longest diesel range and the most space
Skip ifYou want the most towing
How we ranked these
We ranked ten diesel SUVs on official fuel economy, towing capacity and power and torque. Markets covered: the UK (prices in £, WLTP combined mpg) for ranks 1 to 7, and the US (prices in $, EPA range, towing in lbs) for ranks 8 to 10. The US picks have no WLTP figure, so they follow the UK picks and are ordered by towing. Prices are never converted, and the chart compares UK WLTP combined mpg only. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
Which diesel SUV has the best published mpg?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC 220 d returns 53.3 mpg combined on the UK WLTP test, level with the top of the Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv D’s 51.4 - 53.3 mpg.
Can you buy a new diesel SUV in the US?
Yes. Chevrolet offers the 2027 Tahoe and Suburban with the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel, and GMC offers the Yukon with it, rated at 305 horsepower and 495 lb.-ft. of torque.
Which diesel SUV tows the most in the UK?
The Land Rover Defender 110 D350, the Range Rover Sport D350 and the Toyota Land Cruiser each list 3,500 kg of towing capacity.
How far can a diesel Chevrolet Suburban go on a tank?
Chevrolet quotes up to 728 miles of EPA-estimated maximum highway range per tank for the Suburban 2WD with the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel.
Best official WLTP combined fuel economy stated (mpg, UK market) at a glance
Toyota Land Cruiser26.4 mpg
Land Rover Defender 110 D35033.3 mpg
Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 d37.7 mpg
Range Rover Sport D35039.6 mpg
Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI45.6 mpg
Mercedes-Benz GLC 220 d53.3 mpg
Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv D53.3 mpg
Best official WLTP combined fuel economy stated (mpg, UK market), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
