We get a diesel Cruze, but not the 220d?

[Looneybomber]

So Chevy brings an expensive Cruze with 46mpg, only 5mpg better than its gasoline eco counterpart. For a non-hybrid it has the highest fuel economy of any US car I know of, besting most sport bikes out there!
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/201 ... ive-review

So 46mpg is great, but then you hear about the European cars we can't get in the US, like the diesel Cooper, or the new BMW 220d (and the previous 120d and 123d) getting over 50mpg, it makes our fuel efficient cars look like nothing special. 40mpg focus, cruze, fiesta, etc..

As stated at the end of this article,
"BMW says the humongous costs associated with meeting ultra-strict U.S. emissions meant that it wasn’t feasible to certify more than one diesel here, and that lone engine had to work for both the 3-series and the X5 SUV, which, unfortunately, ruled out this four-cylinder. That’s logical, but we still pine for a 40-mpg 3-series"
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/200 ... est-review

The BMW 220d gets around 56mpg US from what I keep seeing. I've seen 64mpg listed, but those are likely imperial gallons. At 56mpg, I would guess there would be a large enough market to sell it in the US?

http://www.thedieseldriver.com/2013/11/ ... es-diesel/

[Rogue One]

Well, there's also the fact that Americans have a need for speed, so we get bigger engines compared to European models. Case in point, Rogue vs Qashqai.

2014 Nissan Rogue
Available Engines: 170-hp 2.5-liter I-4 (regular gas)
Transmission: 2-speed CVT w/OD
Est. MPG: 25–26 city / 32–33 hwy

2014 Nissan Qashqai
Available Engine: 130-hp 1.5-liter (Diesel) Est. MPG: 74.3mpg
Available Engine: 130-hp 1.6-liter (Diesel) Est. MPG: 65.7mpg
Available Engine: 130-hp 1.6-litre turbo (Diesel) Est. MPG: 50.4mpg
Available Engine: 115-hp 1.2-litre turbo (regular gas) Est. MPG: 57.6mpg
Transmission: Six-speed manual; 2-speed CVT

[Kompresshun]

Well, there's also the fact that Americans have a need for speed, so we get bigger engines compared to European models. Case in point, Rogue vs Qashqai.

2014 Nissan Rogue
Transmission: 2-speed CVT w/OD

2014 Nissan Qashqai
Transmission: Six-speed manual; 2-speed CVT

I seriously think I need to move overseas. They get better cars all around over there

If they offered a 6-speed here, I probably would own a Rogue.

[Looneybomber]

"Most buyers will opt for diesel, too, and the continued refining of the 1.5 dCi means its 99g/km and 74.3mpg claimed figures are class leading. Typically, we couldn’t repeat Nissan’s quotation in the real world, but 55.7mpg on a tour and 48.6mpg overall are impressive figures."
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/nissan/qashqai/mpg

I could handle 55mpg. I'd certainly use it as a daily driver! And at 100g/km, how does that not pass US standards?

[MinisterofDOOM]

It's not fuel-consumption standards that are the problem. It's EMISSIONS. As a wonderful counterbalance to the stunningly backward pedestrian safety standards of Europe, the US has ridiculous diesel emissions laws (thanks in large part to Kalifornia and its determined need to meddle in every conceivable aspect of human civilization). But don't worry: when I'm Emperor, 18,000 people will be out of jobs after I shut down the EPA and CARB and redirect funds to somewhere worthwhile. Like paying people to stand around and stare at the ground.

[skydragoness]

It's not fuel-consumption standards that are the problem. It's EMISSIONS. As a wonderful counterbalance to the stunningly backward pedestrian safety standards of Europe, the US has ridiculous diesel emissions laws (thanks in large part to Kalifornia and its determined need to meddle in every conceivable aspect of human civilization). But don't worry: when I'm Emperor, 18,000 people will be out of jobs after I shut down the EPA and CARB and redirect funds to somewhere worthwhile. Like paying people to stand around and stare at the ground.

U.S. emissions laws are also why turbo engines tend to grenade around 100k from running so freaking lean for so long. I found this article which was interesting about GDI engines not being so great after all:
http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blo ... d-engines/

[Jesda]

The Europeans get the slow, neutered versions of everything due to taxes on displacement and high fuel taxes.

I'm satisfied with our offerings.

[float_6969]

Jedsa nailed it. They tax based on displacement in the UK. They also have more lax emission standards, but higher pedestrian safety standards. There is a reason the S13 never saw the SR20DET in Europe...