Diesel engines have long been seen in the U.S. as the grimy powertrains of heavy-duty trucks and agricultural machinery – torquey, unrefined, and purely utilitarian. But elsewhere, particularly in Europe, automakers have spent decades using diesels to deliver a sporty driving experience combined with long-range efficiency in unassuming sedans, wagons, and SUVs. These true sleepers can often embarrass flashier machines at street-legal speeds, where strong low- and mid-range torque is king – making them well worth a look for performance fans in need of some practicality, too.
