Though they cost a little more (probably 25% more) to maintain and diesel prices are typically 1p or 2p more per litre in the UK than equivalent unleaded petrol the higher mileage driver in the UK will now tend to choose diesel. It is easy to be swayed by the better fuel consumption even though prices of diesel cars tend to be higher than petrol equivalents, but that should not be the only criterion.

Modern low-polluting diesels (EEC IV or better) are almost always turbocharged and this leads to the availability of huge amounts of torque, typically from 1800 rpm upwards. This, allied to high gearing, makes the cars very relaxing to drive and ideally suited to high speed cruising. But beware, in some engines the turbo can cut in abruptly leading to all or nothing power delivery. Diesels still tend to be noisy at tickover and when cold but their low-revving characteristics and high gearing make them quiet in the cruise. Best of the bunch seems to be the Honda 2.2 CDTi, there are more powerful engines (at least on paper) but this one is uniquely quiet and smooth and does not have the "stepped" power delivery that blights some engines.

Personally I have a diesel because I travel 25000 miles a year (and because I was smitten by the Honda) but if I was an 8000 mile a year man then nothing would sway me from a high-performance petrol.

Learn more about this author, Martyn Allez.
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