
Yes, Volkswagen still produces diesel cars, but their availability is now almost exclusively limited to European markets. For American consumers, the era of buying a new Volkswagen TDI is essentially over. The company officially discontinued the sale of new diesel passenger cars in the United States following the 2015 "Dieselgate" scandal. The current North American lineup focuses on gasoline, hybrid, and the new ID. family of electric vehicles.
The situation is different overseas. In Europe, diesel engines remain a popular choice for their fuel efficiency on long highway journeys, and Volkswagen offers TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection) versions of many models, including the Golf, Passat, and larger SUVs like the Touareg. However, even in Europe, the push toward electrification is reducing the number of diesel options.
The "Dieselgate" scandal was a major turning point. It involved the use of "defeat device" software that allowed cars to pass emissions tests while emitting far higher levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in real-world driving. The fallout led to massive fines, buyback programs, and a fundamental shift in Volkswagen's global strategy toward electric mobility.
For drivers who specifically want a Volkswagen diesel in the U.S., the primary market is now for certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. These are older, refurbished TDI models that Volkswagen resold after updating their software and hardware to meet emissions standards. While no longer new, they represent the most recent diesel options available stateside.
| Region | Diesel Model Availability | Key Market Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States & Canada | None in new passenger vehicle lineup. | Market focused on gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicles (ID.4, etc.). |
| Europe | Wide availability (e.g., Golf, Passat, Arteon, T-Roc, Touareg TDI). | Still a strong market due to high fuel efficiency on long commutes. |
| Rest of World | Varies by country and emissions regulations. | Some markets may still offer diesel variants of models like the Amarok pickup. |
Looking ahead, Volkswagen's substantial investment in its Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform signals that its future is electric. The company is not developing new generations of diesel engines for passenger cars, meaning the current offerings in Europe will likely be the last.

Nope, you can't walk into a U.S. VW dealer and buy a new diesel car anymore. They pulled them after that big emissions mess. It's all about gas, hybrids, and especially electric cars like the ID.4 now. If you're dead set on a VW diesel, your only real option is to look for a certified pre-owned TDI. They fixed those up to be legal, but they're not new.

As a former TDI owner, it's a real shame. The torque and mileage were fantastic for road trips. But after Dieselgate, VW had to change course. They've completely pivoted their U.S. strategy. The new diesel tech to meet modern standards became too expensive here. So while Europe still gets them, for us, it's a chapter that's closed. The focus is 100% on electrification. My old Jetta TDI is now a relic.

From an environmental and regulatory standpoint, the phase-out in North America was inevitable. Stricter emissions standards made producing clean diesel cars economically unfeasible for the mass market. The scandal accelerated the timeline, forcing VW to leapfrog to an electric future to regain public and regulatory trust. This shift aligns with global trends, even if diesel remains a practical choice for specific use cases in other regions.


