US vs UK (Part two) Entry-level engines

We take a look at entry-level engines that's offered in UK vs US to see who gets the better engine choices.



Mercedes E-class
E200D SE (UK) 2-liter (turbo-diesel) 150hp ($44,019)
E300 (US) 2-liter turbo 241hp ($52,150)

We would gladly choose the 2-liter turbo-diesel offered in Europe with an AMG package. You get everything you love about the E-class with the running costs and the range of a small hatchback. It kind of sucks when you think about it, we associate luxury with engine size. If it doesn't get from zero to sixty quicker than a VW Golf then it's clearly not luxurious! (Sigh!)



Audi A6
SE Executive (UK) 2-liter (turbo-diesel) 187hp ($42,334)
Premium (US) 2-liter turbo 252hp ($47,600)

We really do miss the TDI engine options that we used to get here, but due to the emissions scandal we won't be seeing them anymore here. This is also quite interesting that both the A6 in UK and here are evenly kitted but the engine is what makes ours more expensive at $5,266. How many of you would pick the diesel over the gasoline engine? We certainly would.



BMW 5-series
520d SE (UK) 2-liter (turbo-diesel) 188hp ($46,695)
530i (US) 2-liter turbo 248hp ($51,400)

The previous generation of the 5-series used to come with a silky smooth 3-liter turbo-diesel which we loved. Sadly, it hasn't made it in the newest generation yet. The 3-series diesel has the same engine but with 8hp less and we love it despite the diesel clatter at idle. It would be nice to see this engine offered here in the US as luxury shouldn't be all about size and horsepower figures.



Lexus GS
GS 300h Executive Edition (UK) 2.5-liter 181hp ($46,192)
GS Turbo (US) 2-liter turbo 241hp ($46,310)

We aren't huge fans of hybrids and well to be frank, the hybrid offered in the UK version of the GS can stay there. It took us by surprise that Lexus even offered a turbo four-cylinder in the first place. The GS hybrid makes more sense as a company car buy and for anyone who drives tons of miles in the city and some on the highway. You'll have to do tons of driving to make up for what you paid for it in the hybrid premium. The turbo is way better, trust us on this one!



Volvo S90
Momentum D4 Automatic (UK) 2-liter (turbo-diesel) 187hp ($43,395)
T5 FWD (US) 2-liter turbo 250hp ($48,100)

We have yet to see a diesel Volvo sold here. It would be an interesting alternative to the T5 and the fact that it has nearly 300lb-ft torque means that it has tons of low-end torque. You can't really complain about the torque figures especially considering that most who will buy the S90 won't drive it like hooligans anyway. Low running costs and sexy Swede styling. Volvo would have a real winner on its hands.



Jaguar XF
Prestige (UK) 2-liter (turbo-diesel) 163hp ($41,635)
XF 25t (US) 2-liter turbo 247hp ($47,775)

We do get a 2-liter turbo-diesel here with 180hp but it is almost $6k more expensive than this entry-level diesel offered in the UK. Manual gearboxes aren't as common as they used to be in the US and it is a little sad too because we would be getting so many efficient and intelligent engines here. We do have a weird perception on luxury and well horsepower isn't everything. This XF is clear proof.