Best deals on hybrid, electric, fuel-efficient cars for February 2018

2018 Hyundai ElantraWith gasoline cheap and buyers continuing to shun passenger cars for crossovers and trucks, there are bargains to be had in fuel-efficient and electrified vehicles. This month's deals, courtesy of CarsDirect, includes cheap leases, low financing rates, and money off sticker prices. They cover a variety of vehicle types, with hybrids among the...

Kia Sorento Diesel crossover utility vehicle confirmed by company

2019 Kia SorentoWith Volkswagen having left a gaping void in the North American market for diesel vehicles, other automakers are taking a chance at exploiting the fuel for their own market-share gains. The latest entrant is Kia, which—for the first time in its 24-year U.S. history—will have a compression-ignition engine on dealership floors. Kia's...

As expected, 2018 Ford F-150 gets V-6 diesel engine option

2018 Ford F-150 Power StrokeFord's best-selling full-size pickup truck will be powered by a diesel engine for the first time in its 70-year history. Monday morning, Ford revealed details of the new diesel-powered 2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke, which it claims will achieve an EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating of 30 mpg highway when it goes on sale this spring. Under its hood...

Those fuel-efficient diesels? Actually worse on lifetime CO2, study says

Mercedes BlueEfficiency four-cylinder dieselDiesel-powered cars have enjoyed a comfortable market share in Europe for decades, but their decline in popularity continues following numerous diesel-emission cheating scandals and regulatory crackdowns. As if diesel cars hadn't already had enough negative press, a new study says "fuel-efficient" diesel vehicles actually produce more lifetime...

For 2018, only 12 diesel vehicles offered in U.S. (guess who has most)

2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel, first drive, Teaneck, NJ, Aug 2017With the permanent end of diesel sales in the U.S. by three VW Group brands—Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche—the number of diesel passenger cars and light trucks has plummeted. In fact, for the 2018 model year thus far, there are only 11. One of the two companies offering the largest number of them may come as a surprise, too. That number...

For 2018, only 12 diesel vehicles offered in U.S. (guess who has most)

2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel, first drive, Teaneck, NJ, Aug 2017With the permanent end of diesel sales in the U.S. by three VW Group brands—Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche—the number of diesel passenger cars and light trucks has plummeted. In fact, for the 2018 model year thus far, there are only 11. One of the two companies offering the largest number of them may come as a surprise, too. That number...

Used diesel demand drops in Germany over fear of software upgrades

Volkswagen TDI diesel vehicles owned by Phil Grate and family, Seattle, WashingtonDiesel-powered cars, long a staple on European roads, are starting to lose favor as million of dollars of inventory begins to pile up in used diesel models. The inventory, largely recent models certified under the superseded Euro-5 emission standards, has boomed recently over the possibility the cars will not meet future emission limits to be...

Reports of diesel’s death are greatly exaggerated

Diesel fuel pumpThe fallout from the Volkswagen diesel scandal has cost the fuel plenty of not-so-great headlines, but the idea that diesel will soon die off entirely for passenger vehicles simply isn't true. A report in The Car Connection compiled the proof to show diesel is far from its deathbed. There remain more diesel vehicles on sale today than there have...