top gear aust did a race with 2 vw golfs petrol v diesel both 120kw. petrol 200nm diesel 300nm of torque
diesel kicked its ass. audi and peugot cleaned up at lemans this year with diesels

i have a rodeo dual cab 4wd ute 2001
gets 8.3l/100k's
4jb1-t motor (2.8 iron head 2 valve/cyl no electronics)
the only thing i dont like about modern diesels in 4wd vehicles is their complexity
current landcruiser starter motor is engine out job, sits in the valley
really good when your 1000k's out in the desert
at least mine i can disable the fuel shut off solenoid, push start it, and drive it with no battery or alternator