It’s that time of year again, and the results are in. Diesel&EcoCar magazine has revealed its eagerly awaited Diesel Top 50 for 2025, published in the October issue, on sale now. Following the spring unveiling of our Electrified Top 50, it’s now diesel’s moment to shine, and shine it does, with 50 of the best diesel-powered cars currently on sale in the UK, each rigorously tested and assessed over the past 12 months.

This year, taking the top spot and crowned Diesel Car of the Year 2025 is the exceptional Mazda CX-80. It wowed our testers with its supremely smooth six-cylinder 3.3-litre diesel engine, bolstered by mild hybrid assistance, delivering a blend of long-distance comfort, refinement, and generous interior space. It’s a car that hits all the right notes. In addition to its overall win, it also picks up the title of Best Diesel Seven-Seat SUV 2025.

Speaking about this year’s results, Ian Robertson, Editor of Diesel&EcoCar magazine, said: “It’s been another captivating year for the motor industry, and our team has thoroughly assessed every diesel model still on sale in the UK. The Diesel Top 50 is the culmination of that effort, a no-nonsense ranking that recognises the best diesel vehicles on sale in the UK today. There’s no gimmicks, no favouritism, just straight-talking expertise.”

Snapping at the Mazda’s heels in second place is the Skoda Superb, which earns not one but two titles – Best Diesel Large Car and Best Diesel Large Estate Car. Its combination of space, grace and value for money is hard to ignore. Taking third place is the brilliant Volkswagen Golf, which claims the title of Best Diesel Medium Car 2025, while in fourth is the Skoda Octavia, praised for its outstanding versatility and crowned Best Diesel Medium Estate Car. Rounding out the top five is the accomplished Range Rover Sport, which not only takes home the award for Best Executive Diesel Luxury SUV, but is also named Best British-Built Diesel.

Just behind the front-runners, the Volkswagen Tiguan earns praise for being the Best Diesel Medium SUV, while Mazda enjoys a double victory, with the CX-60 picking up the award for Best Diesel Large SUV and placing seventh overall. At the upper end of the market, the Range Rover asserts its dominance as the Best Diesel Super Luxury SUV 2025, while the rugged Isuzu D-Max is named Best Diesel Double Cab Pick-Up 2025.

Mercedes-Benz has had a particularly strong showing this year, sweeping up multiple awards across the board. The E-Class is named Best Diesel Luxury Car, while the C-Class takes home Best Diesel Executive Car. The B-Class earns the title of Best Diesel MPV, and the prestigious S-Class is our choice for Best Diesel Limousine 2025. Completing the brand’s impressive haul, the stylish new CLE claims the title of Best Diesel Coupé.

Elsewhere, the Toyota Land Cruiser is recognised for offering the Best Aftercare Package, in recognition of its legendary dependability, top-notch warranty and ownership experience. The Citroën Berlingo is declared the Most Affordable Diesel of 2025, while the Volkswagen Multivan takes the title of Best Diesel MPV with More Than Five Seats.

The full Diesel Top 50 is available exclusively in the October 2025 issue of Diesel&EcoCar magazine – in shops now and also available digitally.

To those who say diesel is dead, we beg to differ, and this year’s Top 50 shows that diesel power can still cut it in an everchanging world.

The full list of winners for the 2025 Diesel Top 50 are listed here: