Buying a New Vehicle: Gas vs Diesel

This post is part of a series of sponsored content.

Have you ever wondered what the difference would be if you were to buy a diesel vehicle versus a regular unleaded vehicle? Many people swear by purchasing diesel because they get better gas mileage, others know that it doesn’t come without a price. So what are the biggest differences between the two? Let’s break it down.

Purchasing a Diesel Vehicle

The biggest things to know when purchasing a diesel vehicle is this:

• Diesel vehicles cost more to manufacture, so you will see that reflected in the MSRP of a vehicle (more often than not).
• They typically get better gas mileage (around 33% better than unleaded vehicles).
• Diesel vehicles usually hold their value better, so when it comes time to sell, you’ll see a better return.
• Because of their high torque generated, these vehicles are great for towing.
• They are known for emitting dirty emissions as diesel is a ‘dirty fuel’. Although there are ways to make it cleaner when burned, these methods can ultimately take a toll on your gas mileage.

Purchasing a Gasoline Vehicle

Here’s what you need to know when considering the purchase of a standard, gasoline vehicle:

• Gas vehicles use more fuel per mile than diesel, so you’re emitting more CO2 in the end.
• About 94% of the vehicles sold in 2012 were gasoline powered, so it’s obvious to say that the majority of the cars on the road are gasoline. The others were 3% electric, and 3% diesel.
• Gasoline vehicles are typically cheaper to purchase than diesel, since they don’t carry those high manufacturing costs like diesel does.
• They’re also known for running quieter and smoother than diesel vehicles.
• On the flip side, they engines on a gasoline vehicle are not built as strong as a diesel engine which could potentially call for more maintenance and possible shorter lifespan.

As you can see, both gasoline and diesel vehicles have their pro’s and con’s, so ultimately it comes down to what you value as a driver! Do you feel strongly about one versus the other? Leave a comment below and weigh in!