How to Decide Between Gas or Diesel Cars

Choosing a new car is very exciting, and nothing beats that new car smell. However, deciding which car to buy is more than just finding something you like the look of, choosing a color and placing an order. There are other things to consider, too, like if you want a manual or automatic clutch, what safety and convenience features should be included and, perhaps most importantly, whether it has an engine that runs on gas or diesel. This quick guide sums up each’s pros and cons and might help you decide between gas or diesel cars.

The Pros of a Gas Engine

There are plenty of good reasons to opt for a gas engine in your new car. Overall, the gas engine is slightly less complex than its diesel counterpart, which means it’s usually cheaper to maintain and service. You’ll probably have an easier time finding fuel, which is generally a bit less expensive than diesel fuel too, and they’re less noisy when they’re running, though modern engines have made big strides in changing this.

The Cons of a Gas Engine

While gas might be cheaper to buy than diesel per gallon, diesel is more efficient, and gas engines use more fuel than diesel engines. Gas engines also produce more pollution, with higher carbon dioxide emissions. If you’re buying a manual car, you’ll also find yourself shifting gear more often than with a diesel engine, as gear choice is more important to get optimal power from a gas engine.

The Pros of a Diesel Engine

The first thing most diesel car owners will tell you is that their car uses far less fuel than their gas counterparts, and they’re right. You can expect to use up to 20% less fuel in a diesel engine than a gas one, all while emitting less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, so it’s a good choice if you’re environmentally conscious. If you’re going to be towing a trailer, then you’ll likely want to opt for a diesel engine too, as their low-speed torque and pulling power is much better than a gas engine.

The Cons of a Diesel Engine

While you’ll save money running a diesel engine, you’ll also pay more to service it and to buy it. You’ll probably pay more for tax on a diesel engine car, too, as well as with your insurance premiums. However, if you are a member of the AARP and over 50 years of age, you’ll have access to AARP benefits and discounts, which will help to make the price of one of these vehicles cheaper. On this policy, you can also add optional coverage for towing and labor for emergency roadside assistance.

Diesel engines are slightly noisier than gas engines, so be sure that your car is well insulated from engine noise if you opt for a diesel.

Electric engines and hybrid engines are becoming more commonplace too. They could also be worth considering, but unfortunately, they’re still a niche market largely overshadowed by the enormous range and availability of gas and diesel engine cars. It can be difficult to decide between gas or diesel cars, even knowing the pros and cons of each can still be quite difficult, and understanding your specific requirements from your car will help inform your decision about which engine type will be better for you.