If diesel engines are more durable than gasoline engines, then which diesel engine is the most reliable? This is interesting, first of all, to those who travel a lot, for example, people whose activities involve frequent travel. After all, it is known that diesel engines are famous for their reliability and large resource, compared to gasoline ones. Also, such information will be useful to all other car enthusiasts for general development.
Which diesel engine is the most reliable for its class of car, why has the popularity of diesel engines been growing lately, and which power unit should you give preference to when buying a car? The answers to these questions will be revealed in this material.
Why do people love diesels so much?
We will talk about diesel engines in passenger cars, because, as you know, special equipment is always equipped with diesel engines, so comparison will not be possible.
There are always some legends about the huge resource of diesel engines, that they can last up to 1 million kilometers without major repairs. There are no such stories about gasoline engines.
In addition to a large resource, the glory of diesel engines also rests on their reliability. They say that a diesel engine always works stably, starts in any weather and can withstand the most severe operating conditions. While gasoline ones suffer from some vagaries. So it turns out that diesel has two main advantages over gasoline.
The reliability and endurance of diesel engines is determined by their design and operating mode. The design of a diesel engine is somewhat simpler and includes fewer elements that operate after starting than its gasoline counterpart. And during operation, the diesel engine always operates at lower speeds, which results in long wear of parts.
Another huge plus for diesel engines is fuel consumption. If you take two modern motor, diesel and gasoline with identical power in Horse power oh, then diesel fuel consumption will be less, by 30-40%.
It is these main factors that make people choose diesel engines. power units. By the way, in recent years The demand for cars with diesel engines is noticeably increasing, even from premium brands. This is explained by the fact that there is no longer a stereotype that diesel engines are created for pensioners, that is, for calm ride, with a complete lack of sporting character.
Modern diesel engines are now as dynamic as gasoline engines, shining example that BMW company, which created the fastest diesel engine, which has a power of 435 horsepower and accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. This performance indicator would be the envy of many gasoline engines with a completely sporty character.
The most reliable diesel engines in Russia
Of all the diesel cars that are still in use in the Russian Federation, there are several that have gained the reputation of being “indestructible,” even in harsh conditions.
- The most reliable, unpretentious and hardy from Mercedes are motors of the OM602 series. They are in-line 5-cylinder and 10-valve, with a power from 90 to 130 hp.
Thanks to their popularity, they lasted a record long time on the assembly line, from 1985 to 2002. They have a very well thought out design with an emphasis on reliability and durability. Mechanical fuel injection pumps from Bosch also performed very well, which were installed on engines with which there were never any problems.
You can find such engines on passenger cars - W124, W201, on trucks - T1 and Sprinter, on SUVs - Gelentwagen and even on the 210th model (W210). Such models can be seen every day on the streets of your city, which shows their durability, because most cars have mileages well over 500 thousand km, and some have more than 1 million km.
- Well-known diesel power units from BMW are not inferior in quality and reliability to Mercedes. BMW became famous for its in-line 6-cylinder diesel engines, which, unlike the OM602 series from Mercedes, had more power, and, accordingly, improved dynamic characteristics.
Diesels with which the models were equipped BMW of different series had power from 163 to 286 hp, which made them not “boring” at all. Most popular Bavarian motor considered to be the M57, which was released in 1998 and was produced until 2008. It was the 57th series that equipped most of the well-known in Russia diesel BMW, from “one” to “seven”. Its predecessor was the M51, cars with which can still be found in our time, the mileage of which has long passed the 500 thousand km mark.
- Not only German engines have won the reputation of being “unkillable”, there are also options from the Japanese. The best diesel Japanese engine is marked 1HZ. This straight six, volume 4.2 liters. The design is very similar to Mercedes, also 2 valves per cylinder and a mechanical injection pump. This engine was produced from 1990 to 1998 and has a power of 129 hp. It can also be found on our roads. 1HZ representative is Toyota Land Cruiser 80 and 100. The mileage of some copies reached a million kilometers, which speaks of reliability.
Which engine should I buy a car with?
The debate between diesel and gasoline never subsides; there are avid diesel drivers, and there are devoted fans of gasoline engines. To understand which engine is preferable, you need to understand what it offers automobile market and for what purpose the car is purchased.
As mentioned above, diesel engines can be as dynamic as sports gasoline engines. But this only applies to top models famous brands. Diesel cars, which are sold in car showrooms and available to the public, cannot boast of high dynamic characteristics. Gasoline engines will be faster. Therefore, for people who love active and fast driving, gasoline units are better suited.
Diesel is ideal for people who need to drive a lot on country roads, this is where its main advantage manifests itself in the form low consumption fuel. Modern diesel engines can show highway consumption within 4 liters per hundred.
Also, diesel is preferable in case of calm and measured driving, because its maximum torque occurs much earlier, almost from idle and has a larger range, while with gasoline it starts from 2.5-3 thousand revolutions. It will take time to answer the question of which diesel engine is the most reliable among those offered on the modern automobile market. After all, the design of motors has changed significantly, and perhaps they have become even more reliable.
Everyone knows that once upon a time, in the distant 80s and 90s, there were “million-dollar” engines that served faithfully for hundreds of thousands of kilometers. So, as a matter of fact, it is - we compiled their rating not so long ago. But there are worthy successors to the work of the “millionaires” today.
For some reason, it is believed that modern cars are disposable. I drove it for three years, sold it and went for a new one. But this is at least an exaggeration and generalization. Indeed, there is failed engines, but this is only part of the market. People own cars for 5-7 or even 10 years and, scary to say, buy them used! This means that reliable motors exist. Question: how to find them?
Which car and with which engine to buy, so that it not only does not break down during the warranty, but also is not subject to recall campaigns, does not require expensive consumables and special service equipment. I ran happily ever after, although at a slower pace, consuming a little more fuel than my more progressive brothers.
Renault 1.6 16v K4M
IN different classes machines have their own leaders, and, of course, more complex and expensive cars are poorly suited for harsh operating conditions, but they also have their leaders and lagging behind in terms of the required amount of maintenance and the likelihood of failure.
Small class
Let's start with class B+, fortunately this size is one of the most common in Russia. The segment is rapidly developing, and there are a wide variety of cars in it: our Kalina-Grants, and foreign cars for every taste and budget. Almost all cars are extremely practical and are not burdened with special innovations. But this is only in Russia; abroad, such cars are often equipped with more advanced engines. Fortunately, there are few “imported” cars; most of the cars in this segment have long taken root on Russian soil and are produced here or supplied in special Russian configurations.
The undisputed leader is the K7M engine from Renault. The recipe for reliability is simple: a displacement of 1.6 liters and only eight valves, no complications. Timing belt drive, no hydraulic compensators, simple cast iron block, simple ignition module, no “newfangled” things at all. Such engines are installed on the “folk” Logan and Sandero and do not cause much trouble. There is simply nothing to break, and the workmanship is excellent.
Second and third places, perhaps, should be given to the VAZ-21116 and Renault K4M engines. The first engine is also 1.6 and eight-valve, simple and reliable. But at times the build quality and wiring quality let us down, and cars with manual transmissions are not the most reliable, because the gearbox is not designed for increased driving conditions.
The sixteen-valve K4M engine from Renault is just a little more complicated and a little more expensive. Not so easily tolerated high loads. But they install it not only on Logan, but also on Duster, Megane, Kangoo, Fluence and other cars.
Middle class
One of the leaders in reliability in the C-class already exists - this is the mentioned K4M from Renault. But the cars are somewhat heavier, cars with are more common, and therefore the power requirements are slightly higher. 1.6 engines will obviously have a shorter lifespan than engines with a displacement of 1.8 and 2 liters, which means it is worth separating 1.6 engines into a separate group for those who do not need to drive fast.
Probably the simplest, cheapest resource engine for cars in the C-class can be called the very respectable Z18XER. The design is the most conservative, except that phase shifters and an adjustable thermostat are installed. Timing belt drive, simple injection system and a good margin of reliability. A power of 140 horsepower is enough for comfortable movement of such difficult cars as the J and Chevrolet Cruse, as well as a minivan.
In the photo: engine from Opel Astra J
Second place in reliability can be given to the series of engines from Hyundai/Kia/Mitsubushi G4KD/4B11. These two-liter engines are the heirs of the famous Mitsubishi 4G63, including in terms of reliability. Not without a system for adjusting the timing phases, and in its drive - quite reliable chain. Simple system nutrition and good quality assembly, but the timing chain drive is more complex and expensive, and the motor itself is noticeably more technologically advanced, so only second place. The engine power is noticeably higher, however, all 150-165 hp. This is more than enough for any C-class car with any load, on the highway and in the city, with automatic transmission and manual transmission. Such engines were installed on a huge number of cars, including the Hyundai i30, Kia Cerato Ceed, Mitsubishi Lancer and other cars and crossovers of a higher class: Mitsubishi ASX,Outlander, Hyundai Sonata, Elantra, ix35 and Kia Optima.
The Renault-Nissan MR20DE/M4R engine may well claim third place. This two-liter gasoline engine has been produced for quite a long time, since 2005, and in design it also goes back to “ glorious ancestors” F-series from the 80s. The key to success lies in the conservatism of the design and a moderate degree of forcing. Compared to the leaders, it has a less reliable cylinder head, sometimes the chain still stretches, but still it allows you to exchange all three hundred thousand kilometers with careful operation, and the price of spare parts is not off the charts.
Junior business class
In the D+ segment, two-liter engines from among the C-class reliability leaders are also popular, and here they look good, because the weight of the cars does not differ so much. But complex and “prestigious” high-power motors are more popular.
Motor 2AR-FE with a power of 165-180 hp. and a working volume of 2.5 l is installed on one of the bestsellers in the D+ segment, on Toyota Camry, and without a doubt is the most common and reliable motor in its class. They are installed on both RAV4 crossovers and Alphard minivans. The engine is quite simple, but the key to success is the quality of performance and frequent maintenance of Toyota cars.
In the photo: engine from Toyota Camry
Second place deservedly goes to G4KE/4B12 motors Hyundai company/Kia/Mitsubishi. These engines have a displacement of 2.4 liters and a power of 176-180 hp. installed on Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, many others passenger models and galaxy Mitsubishi crossovers Outlander/Peugeot 4008/Citroen C-Crosser. The design is close to the G4KD/4B11 engines, and in the same way they are the heirs of the reliable Mitsubisi engines. The design is without any special frills in the form of direct injection, timing chain drive plus phase shifters. Good reserve of power and resource, not too much expensive spare parts- this is the key to success.
But there will be no third place. Turbo engines on European cars noticeably more difficult to operate and potentially more vulnerable. Relatively reliable turbodiesels still require more High Quality service. And third place goes to fairly simple units, for example, the already mentioned Z18XER on Opel Insignia or Duratec Ti-VCT on Ford Mondeo, and if their power is enough for you and you drive quietly, then they will turn out to be the most inexpensive to operate.
Senior business class
Prestigious E-class sedans are not low-cost cars, and the engines in this class are complex and powerful. And often they cannot boast of particular reliability. But among them there are leaders and units with high reliability.
Once again the leaders are Toyota, or rather Lexus, but you know that the company is essentially one? Motors 3.5 series 2GR-FE and 2GR-FSE are installed on Lexus models ES and GS and luxury Lexus SUVs RX. Despite the high power and low weight, this is a very successful gasoline engine; in the version without direct injection, it is considered one of the most trouble-free in its class.
Second place is deservedly taken by Volvo with its in-line six B6304T2 with a volume of 3 liters. The first turbo engine in our rating turns out to be even easier and cheaper to operate than diesel engines. Largely due to the venerable age of the design with a good margin of safety and relatively low prices for service.
Almost all modern gasoline engines have a very complex design, thanks to which the engineers who worked on them manage to achieve excellent environmental and power performance. But if many power units despite this are without special problems can withstand a mileage of 200-250 thousand kilometers, then individual copies begin to be presented unpleasant surprises much earlier. So which modern gasoline engines deserve to be called the worst today in terms of reliability?
Engines 2.0 JTS and 2.2 JTS Alfa Romeo
Without a doubt, this list includes 2.0 JTS and 2.2 JTS engines installed on Alfa Romeo cars. These power units can be found under the hood of models 156, 159, GT and Brera. Both engines have one common problem– carbon deposits on the intake valves. In the case of a smaller power unit, it can even lead to damage to the valves. And the 2.2 JTS is characterized by accelerated wear camshafts. In addition, both power units are prone to excessive oil consumption. Periodic failures in the operation of control electronics are also not uncommon.
ZZ series (1.4 – 1.8 liters) from Toyota
Excessive oil consumption also affects ZZ series engines (1.4 - 1.8 liters) from Toyota, which were born in 2000 and were installed, for example, on Corolla models Verso and Avensis. Due to a design miscalculation, not all parts of the ZZ family engines receive the required amount of lubricant, which often ends up very rapid wear piston rings. Fortunately, the Japanese nevertheless tried to solve this problem and used an additional oil channel in the modified engines.
Petrol engine 1.6 THP Peugeot and Citroen
It didn't turn out too well Gas engine 1.6 THP, which the French from Peugeot and Citroen designed together with specialists from German BMW. Initially, this power unit was installed on BMW first series, Mini Cooper S and almost all modern models PSA concern, has earned a lot of flattering reviews. However, it later became clear that this engine prone to premature wear of camshaft bearings, which can also accelerate even more during long-term driving with reduced level motor oil. Add to this the malfunction of the electronics and valve timing system. But that's not all. Quite often, damage to the turbocharger rotor occurs in 1.6 THP engines. And the worst thing is that all this happens with very little mileage. Against this background, problems with the stretching timing chain no longer seem so significant.
Engines of the TSI family (1.2 and 1.4 liters) Volkswagen
The chain also stretches in engines of the TSI family (1.2 and 1.4 liters) from Volkswagen. And if you don’t rush to replace it, then it’s quite possible to end up with a major overhaul of the engine. In addition, in TSI engines Due to a defective valve, problems with the turbine are quite often observed. And on some cars, cases of pistons burning out were even recorded. Volkswagen, however, responded very quickly to the problems that arose and already in 2012 introduced new version motor (EA211 series). In it to replace chain drive The timing belt came with a much less problematic belt.
Three-cylinder petrol engine 1.0 R3 Opel
Well, the most unfortunate this moment can be recognized three-cylinder petrol engine 1.0 R3 from Opel, which was installed on Opel models Corsa C and Agila. Not only is this power unit characterized by rather rough operation and low power, but also in terms of reliability it is one of the worst. Failed ignition coils and engine control unit, oil and coolant leaks are not all that owners of cars with this power unit under the hood have to contend with. For some of them, it all ended with twisted bearings and a broken timing chain. A definite disadvantage of the 1.0 R engine is that it was installed exclusively on affordable small cars. As a result, now the cost of overhauling such a power unit may well exceed the cost of the car itself. Something to think about!
In accordance with constant new work to increase technical characteristics engines, reducing emissions harmful substances into the atmosphere, new power units may turn out to be successful, that is, have great resource(from 300,000 to a million), and may turn out to be worse than the previous ones, often breaking down for no reason. Today we will look at the brands and designations of which engines are the most reliable among gasoline and diesel engines.
Gasoline and diesel engines with long service life
Today, almost every car brand has several series and modifications of internal combustion engines. Let's look at the engines of the most popular cars. The most common units in the CIS countries are those that run on gasoline.
The best four-cylinder gasoline engines:
No. 1. Toyota 3s-fe.
The 3s-fe engine is very reliable and easy to operate. Its working volume is 2.0 liters. Has 16 valves, power supply system with distributed injection. Power from 130 to 140 hp. The timing drive is a belt. They started producing 3S-FE in the late 1980s. Its modifications are both naturally aspirated and turbocharged. Due to the reliability of all 3s fe models, the engine was produced until 2000. Such well-known automobile devices were equipped with these engines: Toyota Camry 1987-1991, Toyota Celica T200, Toyota Avensis 1997-2000, Toyota Rav4 1994-2000.
Without capital engine repair, at timely replacement filters, engine oil and the use of high-quality gasoline, the 3S-FE resource reaches 600,000 km.
No. 2. Mitsubishi
The Mitsubishi 4g63 engine has a displacement of 2.0 liters. It started coming out, like the Toyota 3s, in the 80s. Modifications before 1987 had one camshaft and 3 valves per cylinder. After 1987, models came with two timing camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder. 
Equipped with such engines Lancer models Evolution IX (Lancer Evolution IX) until 2006.
4g63 has both naturally aspirated and turbocharged options. The more complex the design and the presence of additional components, the less reliable the engine. There are modifications with complex equipment: fuel supply circuit, the ability to change the gas distribution.
And atmospheric deformed ones (with reduced power) have a service life of about 1 million km; they are called million-plus engines.
Korean car manufacturers Kia and Hyundai and car factories in China have a license to produce 4G63 engines. Quality and resource must also depend on whether it was assembled at a factory in Japan, Korea or China.
No. 3. Honda D series.
The D line of Honda power units includes more than 10 modifications. Their working volumes are from 1.2 to 1.7 liters. ICE power does not exceed 130 hp. Maximum speed crankshaft - 7000 rpm. 
The years of production of Honda D-engines were from 1984 to 2005. The D15, D16 internal combustion engines are considered the most reliable of this series.
The following passenger cars were equipped with D engine models: Honda Civic, Honda CR-V, Honda Accord and others.
Although the volume of these engines was no more than 1.7 liters and drivers had to constantly press on the gas to maintain power, these units had a service life of more than 500,000 km without major repairs.
No. 4. Series 20NE Opel.
The x20se is considered the most reliable of this Opel line of engines. This engine is even called indestructible, because the car was already very worn out, and the engine itself continued to work properly. 
Model power ranges from 115 to 130 hp. Working volume 2.0 liters. The design has 8 valves per cylinder. Timing drive - belt. The fuel supply system is simple distributed injection.
According to reviews from various Internet resources, this engine is not very sensitive to the quality of engine oil and gasoline, like most new engines. But, nevertheless, in order for the engine to run for at least 500,000 km, fill in high-quality gasoline and oil.
Years of production of 20NE Opel: 1987-1999. The following vehicles were equipped with them:
- Opel Kadett (Opel Cadet).
- Opel Astra (Opel Astra).
- Opel Vectra (Opel Vectra).
- Opel Omega (Opel Omega).
- Opel Calibra (Opel Calibra).
- Oldsmobile (Oldsmobile) (owned by General Motors, latest issue– 2004).
- Buick (General Motors, called Buick, Buick).
- Holden (Holden) (was an independent car manufacturer, now owned by General Motors).
16 valve modifications 20NE are installed on Chevrolet (Chevrolet) in divisions in South Korea.
8 valve 20NE has a high resource. At good care for internal combustion engines, there will be no need for major repairs up to 1 million km.
The 16 valve has a service life of about 400,000 km. To be repaired. Simple in design. Fits Russian gasoline AI-92, AI-95.
Six-cylinder engines in terms of reliability
There are more million-dollar engines among 6-cylinder engines than among 4-cylinder engines. These include:
No. 1. and 2jz-ge Toyota Motors.
The volumes of these engines are 2.5 and 3.0 liters. The models of these internal combustion engines are among the most durable and reliable. Years of production: from 1990 to 2007. 
The 1jz-gte and 2jz-gte engines were equipped with turbines. These naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines were actively installed on Toyota Supra, Mark 2, Crown, and Lexus exported to the USA. Atmospheric modifications 1jz-GE, 2jz-GE are million-strong.
No. 2. M30 BMW.
BMW created the first M30 engine in 1968. All subsequent modified engines of this brand were produced until 1994. The working volume of the atmospheric model was from 2.5 to 3.4 liters. Engine power from 150 to 220 hp. 
The turbocharged engine was designated M102B34. Its power was 250 hp. The cylinder block material is cast iron. Timing drive - chain. There are 12 valves. The material of the cylinder head (cylinder head) is aluminum. Sports modifications of the M88 engines already had 24 valves in their design.
The BMW 5 and 7 Series models, popular in Russia and the CIS countries, were equipped with the following engines – M30. Then they were equipped with the BMW 6 Series. The M30 engine was used for up to 1 million km, especially on light BMW versions 5 with M30 3.4 liters.
No. 3. M50 BMW.
The working volumes of such engines ranged from 2.0 to 2.5 liters. Power – from 150 to 192 horsepower. All 6 cylinders were located in one row. 
The simplicity of the device remained the same: cast iron block, aluminum head, timing drive – chain, 4 valves for each cylinder.
After the modernization of this unit, namely, the addition of the VANOS timing control system, the rating of these engines began to fall. The engine was no longer reliable and repair-free as before.
If the M50 engine does not have a VANOS phase distribution system, then its service life is about 500,000 kilometers.
If the M50 engine is equipped with VANOS, then some owners had to do major renovation after 250,000 km.
The next model was M52 with a nicosil block. But its reliability is less. This type of engine breaks down more often. Nikasil material is nickel + silicon.
V-shaped most reliable gasoline engines
These powerful motors installed on Cars, SUVs and sports cars. Among them there are also reliable ones and those that often break down. List of reliable gasoline engines:
No. 1. M60 BMW.
The timing mechanism is driven by a double-row chain. The cylinders are coated with Nikasil. The internal combustion engine has a large power reserve. 
The service life of the M60 BMW is 500 thousand km. Installed on model BMW brands from 1992 to 1998. Installed on BMW 5 and 7 series.
Nikasil coating is applied to engine cylinders to reduce wear. Nicosil and Alusil are aluminum alloys with silicon and nickel. The goal was to create a cylinder block such that there was no need to liner and apply additional anti-friction layers.
But, as practice and reviews show, before buying a BMW, many people check whether the block in its engine is non-Casil. People don't want to buy with such a motor. Then there were disputes about this material. IN gasoline fuel contains sulfur S. It corrodes the nikasil coating. Then BMW company abandoned such material and created a new Alusil. It is fragile, but it is not afraid of sulfur in the fuel.
No. 2. M62 BMW.
The engine has become more complex in design, and the more complex it is, the shorter the service life. But it is said to travel up to half a million kilometers. 
Conclusion
If you decide to do an engine swap, then before purchasing, find out what material the cylinder block and cylinder head are made of, the characteristics, measure the compression in the cylinders, carefully inspect the engine body and the entire device as a whole.
Video
In this video are the TOP 5 most reliable 2.0 liter engines.
And in this video there are ten of the most unreliable motors that often break down.
List 10 legendary engines millionaires.
List of disposable engines.
Diesel engines for cars are different, and it’s not just the volume and number of cylinders, so let’s try to briefly review modern market and find out which engines are the most reliable.
Who did the ratings give the lead?
Associations with the word “diesel” for a resident of Russia are always clear: the smell of diesel fuel from a passenger bus, black fumes from a passing truck, vintage jeans and watches from the brand of the same name. Nevertheless, for most Europeans, the word, which comes from the name of the German inventor, is synonymous with the reliable, inexpensive and powerful “heart” of a car. In our country, its popularity is not so high, apparently due to weather conditions and knowledge that diesel fuel thickens in the cold.
Reliability ratings, and especially for cars, are a thankless task. There are as many opinions as there are lists in which the compiler simply expresses his view on a particular subject. That is why we would like to draw your attention to the fact that the rating below does not pretend to become an indisputable truth, but is just an attempt to systematize data, knowledge and (partially) the personal point of view of the compiler.
In search of an answer to the question, which diesel engine occupies a leading place in the configuration passenger cars, you can notice that some ratings call the best products from the Mercedes and BMW concerns. However, the situation in the world of the automotive industry today is somewhat different, let’s try to figure it out.
As the ratings of major global car showrooms, the times when passenger car diesel engines were smaller copies of units installed on heavy trucks are gone. Particularly successful in the production of such engines was the well-known Volkswagen concern, who developed the 1.9 TDI engine. Today it ranks first and is considered the most balanced in terms of dynamics and power.
Thanks to the latest engineering solutions, in particular, the updated turbine and increased pressure in the combustion chambers managed not only to achieve unique environmental characteristics, but also to reduce. Moreover, the power remained at the same level (90–120 hp). The newest cars of the Passat series are now equipped with an engine with maximum performance (BlueMotion equipment). Fuel consumption is 3.3 liters per 100 km.
Diesel winners of the car market
The second place is occupied by a modification of the engine with three turbines, owned by German company BMW. This unit was presented for the first time a few years ago. It has 6 cylinders and, having a volume of 3.0 liters, is capable of developing a power of 381 hp. With. Equipped with these engines newest cars 5 and 7 series, as well as heavy crossovers with the X5 and X6 indexes. Its modification is equipped with convertibles having serial number 6. True, it has two turbines, due to which the power is reduced to 313 hp. With.
Not long ago, potential buyers were presented with cars whose engines have four turbines, and with a torque of 800 Nm, the power will be in the range of 390–406 hp. With.
A car with a four-turbine engine
The third place in our rating was taken by the American industrial diesel engine company Cummins, which produced a super-boosted engine commissioned by the famous Dodge. To be fair, it should be noted that overseas manufacturers did not pay too much attention to diesel engines, preferring to develop gasoline ones. However, the recent increasing demand for cars with units that consume diesel fuel has forced them to turn their attention to the production of diesel engines.
The model proved to be quite powerful (240–275 hp), but in an attempt to occupy the “diesel” niche in the market, the Americans lied and passed off the Italian concern Fiat as their development. The Maserati Ghibli was equipped with a model of such an engine, but due to the crisis, production was transferred to US industrialists.
This engine was recognized not only as the most environmentally friendly, but also the most innovative: in its production, metals used in the space industry and plasma fuel purification filters were used. The fact that the engine took only third place is due to its narrow focus. It is installed only on sports cars and Dodge Ram pickups. In terms of efficiency, it can give a head start to its competitors: consumption is only 8.5 liters per 100 kilometers.
Who is not far behind the top three?
The Koreans, who burst into the global automobile market 20 years ago, not only managed to take a worthy place in it, but also “move up” in the ranking of Japanese giants. Having come a long way “from electric kettles to mining dump trucks“, they also do not want to miss out on their benefits, which are promised by the increased demand for cars equipped with diesel engines.
As always, Asian manufacturers acted very cunningly: not wanting to overhaul production and compete with Europeans and Americans in the power of units, they managed to create a 1.7 liter engine that can produce 110–136 hp. With. Don’t rush to wrinkle your nose contemptuously! With such rather modest data (compared to products from other manufacturers), the Hyundai diesel engine has such incredible torque that it is not inferior in dynamics gasoline units, having a power of 150–170 hp. With.
I must say that such a unit is equipped Hyundai car i40 supplied on European market. In Korea, diesel engines have somehow not found widespread use (or the wave of “fashion” has not yet reached there), and therefore they are so far installed only on export cars. Recently, the same unit appeared on a crossover with the ix35 index, and now it is equipped with such popular cars, like Grandeur and Sonata. Fuel consumption, however, is higher than that of competitors, but the Koreans are not trying to surprise anyone. Their mission is to deliver reliable workhorses capable of average fuel consumption, in this case 5.5 liters per 100 km.
"Squeezing" sufficient quantity power from cars and having conquered its cell in the market, Japanese concern Toyota now has no point in proving anything to anyone. The concept that manufacturers have devoted all their efforts to is ecology and saving while preserving sufficient power. And they succeeded. When creating an engine for their compact car called Urban Cruiser, they thought about making it not only convenient for residents of megacities to move around the city, but also not having a “calculator” in their heads that calculates fuel costs.
One of the smallest to date diesel units– this is a 1.4 liter engine with a power of only 90 hp. With. This is the fifth place in our ranking. Such parameters, however, do not interfere with the creation of torque, which makes it easy to “pull” four wheel drive vehicle. Diesel fuel consumption, depending on the travel mode, ranges from 4 to 6 liters per 100 km.
So which one is the most reliable?
This question is a little naive, since this parameter depends on many factors, including driving style. But if you choose the best from the above list, then the championship in reliability will be given to the American Cummins with a Dodge engine.
And it’s not about power or fuel consumption per 100 km. Most likely, the materials used in production play a role. The cylinder block is made of high carbon cast iron, capable of withstanding not only high pressure, but also a significant temperature regime. And its pistons are made of a special aluminum alloy, which is used in spacecraft parts. This means that they are able to withstand long work under extreme conditions, and a sharp increase in load when changing speed modes.
The engine is also equipped with a fuel injection system Common Rail, which, despite a rather capricious attitude towards the quality of diesel fuel, not only significantly saves its consumption, but also plays a decisive role in reducing engine noise. It is these engines that are equipped as sports cars, and auto all-terrain. That is, precisely those instances of the automobile industry whose operation takes place in extreme conditions, demanding from the motor not only unsurpassed power, but also impeccable reliability.
If we talk about the rating of cars that are suitable for Russian roads, it is best to pay attention to the samples Japanese made. It won’t necessarily be a Toyota (by the way, not a single Russian car enthusiast has any complaints about its engine).
For our vast expanses, Mazda, Honda, Nissan or the newly revived Datsun will do just fine. The Subaru showed itself to be very good in operation.
The fact is that European cars equipped diesel engine, are very sensitive to our diesel fuel, the quality of cleaning of which leaves much to be desired. As numerous reviews from car owners show, Japanese cars less prone to malfunctions during use diesel fuel, thanks to numerous cleaning devices, electronic devices and built-in preheaters, which prevents diesel fuel from freezing at low temperatures.
