Diesel still has a place in the European market for high-mileage drivers and heavier vehicles, where its efficiency on long motorway runs and its low-end torque remain hard to match. The segment is contracting fast, though — diesel fell to around 9% of new EU registrations in 2025, down from more than half the market a decade earlier. Our reviewers have driven over 30 diesel models, including saloons, estates, and large SUVs, testing real-world consumption, cruising refinement, and towing capability.