Should I Buy a Diesel Range Rover?

Immensely popular in Europe, diesel-powered Land Rovers were officially introduced to Canadian buyers in 2016. Their combination of fuel-efficient engines with modern technology and a significant amount of torque proved to be a success and offered a new experience for customers accustomed to gasoline power plants.

After six years on the market, Range Rovers with diesel engines are now integral to our selection of new and used cars. The diesel-equipped Range Rovers can provide unique advantages over gasoline models. However, they are not perfect and can develop some issues if not used or appropriately serviced. The decision of whether or not you should buy a diesel Range Rover and all the pros and cons of having a vehicle with such a power plant is one that requires some important consideration.

Diesel Range Rovers: Everything You Need to Know

For those who are not familiar with diesel engines, starting with the basics can be helpful. Diesel engines use oil (like trucks or heavy machinery) which is cheaper than gasoline. The construction of diesel engines is also the same. However, diesels don’t have spark plugs, deliver their power low in the rev range, and produce impressive torque. With the use of turbochargers, direct injection and other modern components, diesels can match the performance of gas engines but still return excellent fuel economy and smooth driving experience. Such characteristics make them ideal for use in luxury SUVs like Range Rover, especially when paired with a well-known 8-speed ZF automatic.

If you are a customer who has a long daily commute and uses its Range Rover for carrying or towing, and understands the advantages of such a vehicle, the diesel is a perfect choice: it will provide you with an abundance of torque, a smooth ride, great fuel economy, and dependability. It will be able to tow trailers without even feeling the weight and still be a prestigious SUV with a luxury interior and features.

However, if you use it as a roundabout, drive it only on short trips, don’t follow service intervals, and skip oil changes, the diesel engine will have no use and can cause you trouble. Specific technology and environmental concerns have introduced several features to diesel engines, such as DPF filters and EGR valves, which tend to get clogged and limit the engine’s performance when the car is not warmed up properly or used for short drives in an extended period of time.

The Range Rover diesel is happiest when cruising on the highway at steady speeds, allowing you to appreciate how quiet and refined the engine is and its effortless torque. However, the most fantastic thing about it is its fuel economy: equipped with a Td6 3.0-litre diesel V6 engine with 254 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque, it uses just 8 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres!

Buying A Diesel Range Rover: Pros and Cons

The Pros:

The Range Rover diesels have incredibly smooth driving dynamics, quiet engines, and incredible fuel economy. They are perfect for long-distance driving and drivers who want to go off-roading, need a vehicle that can carry or tow trailers, and still be comfortable, stylish and luxurious. The longevity of diesel engines is not a problem if you use them correctly and take good care of the drive train. The same goes for environmental concerns.

The Cons:

Customers who don’t have any previous experience with diesel engines can find driving dynamics strange. Constantly driving the Range Rover diesel on short trips where the car cannot achieve and maintain working temperature can damage the engine and clog the PDF, resulting in reduced performance, failing emissions tests, and increased consumption. Diesel engines can experience problems with starting when the vehicle has sat unused for days and the outside temperature is very low. Also, diesel engines require more specific parts and more frequent oil changes, resulting in more expensive maintenance.

How Long Will a Diesel Range Rover Last?

If properly maintained and used, there is no reason why a Range Rover with a diesel engine shouldn’t last you hundreds of thousands of kilometres. The engine construction is durable, low-revving and efficient, making them perfect long-distance runners. The key to longevity is understanding the specifics of the diesel technology and maintaining the vehicle accordingly. Due to the significant torque number, the diesel Range Rover is a good tow vehicle. Even if you use it for such purposes often, it will not put any stress on the engine or significantly raise the consumption.

Is It Worth Buying a Diesel Range Rover?

In a word, yes. It is practically the ideal engine for a luxury SUV with smooth driving dynamics, a quiet engine, loads of torque, and low running costs. The diesel Range Rover is an especially good choice if you have a large family, often go on a road trip, or have a long daily commute. In such conditions, the advantages of the diesel drive train really shine, keeping your fuel bills low and satisfaction levels high. The Range Rover diesel can also be an excellent Overlanding vehicle combining comfort and luxury with off-road capabilities and the ability to cover almost 1000 kilometres from its 80 litres fuel tank.

Who Makes Diesel Engine in Range Rover?

The small 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesels used in Evoque is Land Rover’s own design, the so-called Ingenium engine series. However, since Range Rover once was owned by Ford, several components used are still provided by this company, and one of them is the Td6 engine. Even though the Td6 engine comes in several different versions and even as a hybrid, the 3.0-litre V6 diesel was constructed as a joint venture between PSA and Ford, but Jaguar manufactures it.