Ditched diesels: New cars that have gone petrol only in recent years

In a post-dieselgate world, for the general car-buying population as well as car brand marketing teams, diesel is a little bit of a dirty word.

While it makes sense for light commercial vehicles to be diesel-powered for function, passenger cars have been ditching the oil-burners in favour of small petrol engines and electrified drivetrains.

So, here are five cars that have left their diesel days in the dust for Australia.

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Volkswagen Golf

Thanks to changing emissions standards and a decreasing demand, the last generation Mk7 Golf in a diesel powertrain was left behind for the Aussie market.

Yes, Volkswagen's recent history with diesel is rocky, so it makes sense that the brand is moving away from diesel (in Australia, particularly) for its passenger cars.

The last-generation Mk7 Golf was available with a TDI variant, though by 2018 the company had left the diesel powertrain behind for Australia, with low supply, thanks to changing emissions standards, as well as decreasing demand to blame.

BMW X1

BMW Australia has made the decision to go with only petrol and electricity versions of the X1.

BMW is shifting away from some of its diesel engines, mainly the small 1.5-litre three-cylinder that powered compact cars and some Minis, as well as the stonking quad-turbo six-cylinder that once powered the X5 M50d.

The X1 wasn’t powered by either of these, instead running on BMW’s relatively new 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four. However, with a new generation of X1 having just arrived, BMW Australia has made the decision to go with only petrol and electricity as it looks to the future.

Nissan Patrol

Places like the US and the Middle East, where there’s a preference for petrol-powered V8s, make up the largest demand.

It might seem counterintuitive for a large SUV like the Patrol, rival to the ever-popular Toyota LandCruiser, to ditch its torquey diesel engine. Why, then, would Nissan leave diesel behind when its number-one opponent offers it?

The answer is relatively straightforward, Australia isn’t the biggest target market for Nissan with the Patrol. Instead, places like the US and the Middle East, where there’s a preference for petrol-powered V8s, make up the largest demand.

Mitsubishi Outlander

The Mitsubishi Outlander is available in a petrol engine or as a plug-in hybrid.

The Toyota Kluger, one of Australia’s most popular large SUVs, has for years gotten away with only offering petrol (and now hybrid) versions.

So, with Mitsubishi now well and truly in the electrified space, why complicate the model line-up with an extra powertrain? 

The Mitsubishi Outlander can be had with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, or for those hoping to sip less fuel, a plug-in hybrid is now offered.

Mazda CX-3

Mazda's sales of smaller diesel vehicles have been decreasing.

Mazda dropped the diesel powertrain option for the CX-3 back in 2020, alongside other compact SUV rivals like the Mitsubishi ASX, due to slowing sales.

Despite sales in smaller vehicles decreasing for diesels, Mazda is preparing to introduce diesel versions of its larger CX-60 and CX-90 SUVs for Australia, in the form of a 3.0-litre engine.