I'd like a new diesel car for 2026 delivery...

I have a 2.0-litre diesel Mondeo. It's a nice motor with no problems, but I need to change it soon. I will order in September this year for January 2026. Can you list five options for me? Similar size car with a diesel engine, please.

Fergal Reidy (Celbridge, Co. Kildare)

Aug 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

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Expert answer

Hi Fergal,

That's actually becoming a bit of a challenge as regular cars such as the Mondeo have fallen out of favour with buyers, so the carmakers are slowly doing away with them. At the same time, demand for diesel engines is waning. Nonetheless, here are a few possibilities:

- Audi A5 'Saloon' (it's actually a five-door hatch)
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class saloon
- Skoda Superb (another hatchback and the closest match to the Mondeo today)

That's pretty much it. A leftfield alternative could be the Peugeot 508 SW, which is the estate model. It can be had with a diesel engine still, but the five-door 508 fastback cannot. We reckon it looks stunning.

How do these strike you?

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor