We don't know that 2013 will be seen as the tipping point for the acceptance of diesel-fueled passenger vehicles in the United States.
But we're sure of one thing: that tipping point is now closer than ever before.
While the list of diesel vehicles currently available in the United States market has only grown by one (the Porsche Cayenne Diesel) from last year, the field should be even richer by this time next year.
We're eager to drive the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze diesel, as well as the Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel, the stylish Mazda6 diesel, and even the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, which the brand claims is the first light-duty diesel pickup.
While those cars didn’t make the cut for The Diesel Driver’s 2013 Diesel Car of the Year award--they're all 2014 models--eight automobiles and six sport utilities or crossovers did, including last year’s winner, the BMW X5 xDrive35d.
Automobiles nominated in 2013 include:
- Audi A3 TDI
- Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec
- Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec
- Volkswagen Beetle TDI
- Volkswagen Golf TDI
- Volkswagen Jetta TDI
- Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI
- Volkswagen Passat TDI
The list of eligible SUVs and crossovers extends to:
- Audi Q7 TDI
- BMW X5 xDrive35d
- Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec
- Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec
- Porsche Cayenne Diesel
- Volkswagen Touareg TDI
Vote for the Diesel Car of the Year
Voting runs through midnight on Friday, March 15, so head on over to The Diesel Driver’s voting page to cast your ballot now.
The winner will be announced at the New York Auto Show, and we'll bring you the news as part of our comprehensive New York Auto Show coverage.
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