In low-speed stop-and-go driving, however, even modern-day diesel engines are no revelation in efficiency, sipping away at their fuel at a less frugal rate. It's where we鈥檝e noticed, for instance, that a Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid will surge ahead of a Jetta TDI in real-world fuel-efficiency, for example, even if the TDI is better in most real-world highway and combined conditions. And that鈥檚 where engine stop-start technology chimes in as an odd鈥攂ut surprisingly effective鈥 攃ompanion for diesels. We haven鈥檛, up until this year, seen start-top with a diesel engine in the U.S. The Mercedes-Benz GLK250 Bluetec, which was introduced earlier this year with the same engine as the E250, doesn鈥檛 have the feature yet; but officials confirmed that it soon will. While stopping and starting diesel engines repeatedly might seem counterintuitive to longtime diesel fans at first thought, it makes sense now. True enough, in our recent drive of the E250, we noticed a surprisingly isolated vibration as the purring of the diesel four stopped and started at a stoplight.

The technology is already entering its second model year for some of BMW鈥檚 lineup鈥攁nd its third for the 3-Series, which made its debut with the current-generation model. And while it鈥檚 saved fuel, BMW owners in particular haven鈥檛 been entirely in love with it. A number of new vehicles are offering the technology at this point (it鈥檚 standard on the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu); yet at the same time, several automakers, including Mazda and Kia have backed off on earlier plans to install it. At issue, primarily, is these systems' negligible difference in official EPA ratings鈥攂ecause of the rather unrealistic driving loop that鈥檚 used to calculate these numbers. And in a price-crunched market, product planners often end up choosing features that might be universally well-received, like heated seats or backup cameras, over the less straightforward benefits of stop-start. Kia, for instance, has officially said several times that it would make its ISG stop-start system widely available in the U.S. EPA-rating issues has 鈥減ut the feature back on the table,鈥?as Orth Hedrick, product planning director for Kia Motors America, put it recently. Do you think that engine stop-start is a good idea for diesels? Will it make them more or less attractive against hybrid models? Tell us in your comments below.

Now, can I draw a line from the general behaviour of those companies to the crazy, inexplicable spike in diesel prices? Well, take a second look at that list. Look, even at the current prices, for highway cruising you can't beat diesel and the little four-banger in the GLK is superb. It's quiet, comfortable, capable and I like the squared-off rugged looks of the thing. But I do agree that the diesel would be the primary reason to buy it. Now let's take a look at the Infiniti QX50. I haven't driven the one with an X in it, but I have driven the Q50 sedan and I love it. The QX50 looks great, as well. Infiniti is building some fine vehicles these days and, although it might not have as much snob appeal as the German brands, in most cases Infiniti gives you more value for the money. Cato: Ah, value. Glad you mentioned it.

Infiniti has been careful about doling out sales sweeteners. Minimal discounting means Infiniti resale values are best in the business. The old EX owned its class for resale value, with BMW's X3 at No. 2. Mercedes? The brand isn't among the top five. But I don't lease, I buy and what matters to me is what it costs me to drive it off the lot. In that regard, the Hyundai Santa Fe says value to me. It's gotta be at least 10 grand cheaper than the Mercedes on this list. It comes in two versions - long and extra long - and is loaded with premium features and great quality. It's as well built as anything on list. That four-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbo cranks out 265 hp. Cato: Cary, if you want the range, torque and fuel-efficiency of a good diesel, then it's the GLK BlueTEC. The package is first rate. I can't promise diesel pump prices will find a rational, explainable place, but I can say this is a good rig. The Santa Fe is solid, but if Vaughan likes it so much, I disagree on principle. So it's the Infiniti, Cary. A little on the small side, but of the three, you'll enjoy driving it the most.

The standard 148-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder returns 28 mpg, while the XV Crosstrek Hybrid generates 12 extra horsepower and gets 31 mpg. That rating makes it most fuel-efficient SUV in America. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is loaded with features and has seating for 8 people. It might not have a luxury nameplate, but the Highlander Hybrid is definitely an upscale crossover SUV. It comes fully equipped in Limited trim, and has a starting price nearly identical to the Lexus RX 450h. The difference is that the Highlander can seat up to 8 passengers in 3 rows of seats while getting 28 mpg. You鈥檇 better really need that third-row seat, though, because when it is folded the Highlander Hybrid isn鈥檛 terribly more accommodating than the Lexus, making it a much tougher sell. Did you find this article helpful? If so, please share it using the "Join the Conversation" buttons below, and thank you for visiting Daily News Autos.