Revised Jaguar XF vs german rivals (A6, 5-series, E-class)

Latest executive saloons blend fashionable looks and cutting-edge technology. But is Jaguar’s revised XF the best of the breed?

Read more: Jaguar XF vs rivals | Car group test | Auto Express



1. Audi A6 2.0 TDI SE


The Audi A6 arrives in this test with a swagger. A few weeks ago, we named it Best Executive Car at our New Car Awards, so it’s odds-on favourite.

Revisions to the BMW and Jaguar threaten to undermine the model’s superiority, though – so does it have what it takes to retain top spot? On the outside it’s no match for the sleek XF. The familiar Audi look serves it well, but our dark metallic test car is as unobtrusive as the Jaguar is eye-catching.

The A6 is all about understated class, though, and nowhere is this more obvious than inside. Climb aboard, and you could mistake the surroundings for a luxury model. The simplicity of its controls, quality of its materials and standard of fit and finish mark the Audi out as special – even in this company.

Better still, it’s incredibly spacious and well appointed. It’s the only car here to get sat-nav as standard across the range, and the high-quality display glides out from the dash in the same way as in the company’s more expensive models. The range of seat and wheel adjustment is also worth noting; few cars provide such broad scope for movement.

Start the ignition, and the MMI control system springs into life. It makes the Jag’s touchscreen feel slow-witted, and is easier to use than the latest BMW iDrive and Mercedes COMAND set-ups.

Under the bonnet is a 175bhp four-cylinder diesel. It produces 380Nm of torque – the same as the BMW – and combines with a light six-speed manual shift to provide lively pace. The Audi weighs only 1,575kg; that’s 140kg less than the 520d. Look at our performance figures, and you’ll wonder where this advantage has gone, as the A6 covered 0-60mph seven-tenths more slowly, in 8.8 seconds. Only the Mercedes took longer.

Cast your eye through our data bank, and the benefits of this lighter construction are clear. The front-drive layout is to blame for the Audi’s tardiness off the line, as it was quicker than the 5 Series and E-Class in-gear. It raced from 50-70mph in sixth in 8.8 seconds – two seconds up on the BMW.

Plus, the latest A6 is the most dynamically accomplished yet. Turn into a fast bend, and the front tyres generate huge grip, inspiring real confidence. Lift off the throttle mid-bend, and the nose neatly tightens its line.

Its inert steering still doesn’t provide the BMW’s engagement, but the Audi is swift and enjoyable to drive. Its chassis also strikes the best balance between comfort and composure in this line-up.

Whether you’re in town or on a twisty B-road, the suspension copes with rough surfaces more effectively than its competitors, and our test model also returned an impressive 39.3mpg. So you wouldn’t bet against an Audi win.


2. BMW 520d


Staying ahead of your executive rivals for nearly 40 years would be a hard task for even the toughest businessmen. But in the competitive world of premium saloons, that’s exactly what the 5 Series has been doing.

Since its launch in 1972, the BMW has been a near-constant presence at the front of the class. It lost its crown to the Audi A6 earlier this year, but the margin of victory was narrow – so the 5 Series has a point to prove. While our testers agreed the Jaguar leads the way for style, we couldn’t separate the smart BMW from the more subdued Audi for kerb appeal.

The car in our pictures is the more expensive M Sport variant, which has an aggressive bodykit and larger 18-inch alloys than the lesser SE version tested, and we prefer the less showy look of the cheaper model. Inside, the design borrows heavily from the 7 Series limo, and feels truly luxurious. The sweeping dash, large central screen and first-rate switchgear combine with superb material quality, so the cabin is hard to fault. The driving position is perfect and the ergonomically sound layout puts you right at the centre of the action.

Not that passengers are ignored, as there’s plenty of space in the back. Plus, while the 540-litre boot is the smallest in this test, it trails the class leaders by only 20 litres.

Under the bonnet, the silky-smooth 2.0-litre diesel engine delivers 380Nm of torque, which puts it on a par with the Audi. The Jaguar is the only car to trump the 520d’s 181bhp power output – so predictably, at the test track, the XF beat the BMW’s 8.1-second 0-60mph sprint time. But in the higher gears, the German car’s longer ratios are clearly aimed at optimising economy rather than outright pace, so it trails its rivals against the clock.

Mind you, it never feels outpaced and the rewards are obvious, with the lowest CO2 output here, at only 125g/km.

Critically, these green credentials don’t come at the expense of driver appeal. The communicative steering and precise chassis are accompanied by impressive agility. Its rear-wheel-drive configuration and talented underpinnings make the BMW the most enjoyable car to drive in this test.

The trade-off for this is the firm ride at low speeds, although SE models are less compromised here as they have smaller wheels and more forgiving suspension than M Sport versions.

Our test car didn’t feature BMW’s very latest eco tweaks, so owners should be able to improve on the impressive 37.4mpg we returned on test. And although buyers pay extra for sat-nav – it’s standard on the Audi – you do get heated front seats. So there really is amazingly little between the 5 Series and A6.


3. Jaguar XF 2.2 Diesel


British giant Jaguar is surfing a wave of profits at the moment – and it’s all thanks to the success of models like the XF. When it debuted in 2008, the sleek saloon was crowned our Car of the Year. But time doesn’t stand still in the executive sector.

The four-door has slipped down the class pecking order lately, as a succession of cleaner and more affordable rivals has seized its crown. That’s where the new 2.2-litre diesel model comes in. It aims to compete with entry-level German contenders by providing lower emissions and more attractive pricing than ever.

The XF has never been beaten for kerb appeal, and the latest revisions ensure it’s still the class of the field. The new-look nose features smart headlamps and a reworked grille. It takes its cues from the XJ luxury saloon and, judging by the reaction of passers-by to our test car, is an unqualified success. A string of LED daytime running lamps arcs around the lower edge of the headlights to draw lots of attention to the car. At the back, the diesel is marked out by subtly revised tail-lamp clusters and a single exhaust pipe.

The cosmetic changes run more than skin deep, as the cabin has had a makeover, too. Switches on the centre console, previously finished in hard plastic, are now rubberised, and the glovebox opens at the press of a button, rather than the swipe of a finger over an unreliable touchpoint. These are welcome upgrades, while the usual mix of leather, wood and metal gives the XF an unmistakable Jaguar quality.

Despite all this, the old flaws remain. The car isn’t as spacious as its rivals and its central control system – which relies on a fiddly touchscreen – is neither as user-friendly nor as attractive as those in the other models. The pair of dials ahead of the driver are also small, and the dated digital read-out between them isn’t as versatile or informative as those you’ll find in its competitors.

Can the revised Jaguar make up for these weaknesses on the road? With the promise of a new diesel and automatic gearbox, the signs are encouraging.

Buyers have to pay a premium for this technology, though, as the British car is unique in this line-up in offering no manual option. As a result, the SE model costs £805 more than its closest competitor.

Automatic gearboxes usually come with further compromises in terms of efficiency, but the Jag’s eight-speed ZF unit is designed to be just as green as a manual. And it even features stop-start. On the move, the system works well, shifting quickly and smoothly between ratios.

The four-cylinder diesel isn’t as smooth as its smaller-capacity rivals, but it serves up 187bhp and 450Nm of torque, making it the most potent engine on show.

Against the clock, the XF impressed. It sprinted from 0-60mph in 7.9 seconds – which means it’s the fastest model on test. Lively in-gear responses also make the Jaguar a swift companion, but when you take control of the box using the steering wheel-mounted paddles, it’s all too easy to lose track of which ratio is selected.

Likewise, the auto box can hesitate to shift down when you give the throttle a heavy prod as it works out just how many gears it needs to kick down. On other occasions, it can drop a ratio when all you really wanted to do is use the torque reserves of the engine to pull you along.

Comfort is top notch, thanks to the standard 17-inch alloys. It’s tempting to specify a set of more attractive, larger rims, but we think the cosmetic rewards demand too high a price – as the ride comfort deteriorates on coarse surfaces.

On twisty roads, the Jaguar is sure to put a smile on your face, but it’s not the most polished performer. The softer suspension permits too much body roll in corners, and the steering is too light to inspire real confidence. While it’s great around town at low speeds, it takes some getting used to when you up the pace.

For many company car drivers, the most crucial measure will be at the tailpipe – and this is where the XF falls short. It puts out 20g/km less CO2 than the 3.0-litre V6 diesel model, at 149g/km, but lags way behind its manual opponents, and is the most expensive choice for business users. Worst-on-test economy figures of 32.1mpg also suggest the writing is on the wall for the charismatic Brit.

4. Mercedes E220 CDI


Famed for being solid and dependable, the E-Class has, like the 5 Series, been battling for executive saloon honours for decades.

But in recent years, the Mercedes has seen relative newcomers such as the A6 invade its territory as the most comfortable and high-quality offering in the sector. To make matters worse, the current version is now the oldest model in this test. And in the image-driven world of premium saloons, that puts it on the back foot.

The Mercedes was never the sharpest-looking choice, but it appears dated next to the sleek Jaguar, neat Audi and distinctive BMW. Inside, it’s a similar story. The cabin is solidly put together and logically laid out, but the design has neither the character of the XF nor the material quality of the 5 Series or A6. The angular dash has too many dull plastics and the steering wheel is too big.

All is not lost, though. The COMAND control system is intuitive to use and SE models come with heated seats and rear parking sensors as standard.

Under the bonnet, the E220 CDI features a 2.1-litre diesel. It’s gruff at idle compared to the other cars here, but smoothes out to boost cruising refinement. The 168bhp unit has the least power, but offers 400Nm of torque.

At the track, it was the slowest car from 0-60mph, with a time of 9.4 seconds. In-gear pace is more than adequate, though, and the Mercedes is easily able to keep up with rivals in a straight line. Only in corners does a gap emerge, as the handling balance adds to the perception that the car is the old-timer here. It lacks the body control and agility of its rivals and is slow to respond to steering inputs. Up the pace, and there’s also too much kickback through the rim over rutted surfaces.

The set-up is biased towards comfort, and the SE has a supple ride on smooth tarmac. But over broken surfaces, it doesn’t cope as well – so you don’t get the sense of effortless performance and composure you expect.

Add the dull looks and dated cabin, and the E220 CDI misses out on the wow factor needed in this super-competitive class.

It’s not all bad news, as the E-Class remains a practical choice. The boot has a 540-litre capacity – although folding rear seats cost extra – and passenger comfort is on par with the newer cars here.

Plus, buyers can choose from a raft of hi-tech optional kit. Better still, to celebrate 125 years of car building, Mercedes is offering a special Edition 125 SE model. It costs the same as this car, and gets sat-nav and the COMAND multimedia system as standard. Trouble is, it’s too little too late
in the battle for class honours.


Jaguar XF vs rivals | Car group test | Auto Express

Rear view

This is perhaps the first time I can say every (European) car in a class is simply beautiful, inside and out. :icondrool I would be happy with any of them.

Pretty much the order it which I would pick them. Jag is easily the hottest looking, but not a fan of that interior - and for a diesel, not the most efficient one either. The Audi is very impressive. I saw one the other day, the front end is handsome especially with LED headlights. The rear end, not so, with that cleft in the middle. It is also lightest and most efficient.

Results are typical and I didn't bother reading it as I'm sure it's the same ol' story. I will say that Audi seems to be the Reviewers darling this time around, which means that it's obviously the sportiest and most steering-fee/handling oriented choice. However, when up against the rest, it looks rather old and dull IMO.

I like in the first picture, with the E and 5'er side by side, with only their shapes and silhouettes really doing the work, the E shows how much more of a slick and dynamic design it is. The Audi looks downright characterless next to them.

To be fair the Audi isn't even sporting LED headlights. The Jag looks great in those pics,but would probably be my last choice here.

Yeah it seems they're all the bare bones versions. In the States we rarely even see E-Classes so dressed down (without AMG Package).

I agree that the Jag looks great. It would probably be my last choice as well though.

The Jag and E both exudes an 'old world' + 'new world' excellence whilst the 5 series gives the best balance of style, charisma and sportiness. The A6 however looks generically bland.

I feel exactly the opposite. The E looks really old and bland, while the A6 exudes freshness and beauty, together with the Jag.

Only a mother and an Audi fan could say the A6 exudes freshness, being it the very same design we´ve had for 8 years now. Comparing it to the Jag just makes the latter even better looking.

I agree the S-Line one looks very nice, but saying it looks that fresh...I don´t know. To me the worst one is the E. And I´d have a hard time between the bimmer and the Jag.

The A6 is bloated looking and just plain dull and ugly from some angles. Design wise I rate it dead last, even below the XF.

It's simply ugly, just like the new A8 and FL A5.

I seriously can't believe you would pick that A6 over the 5er!!! Really can't Sunny

BMW F10 5-series is the people's choice this generation. I am 100% confident it will sell the most cars in the mid size luxury segment this generation. Not that I care about sales at all, but it's just so obvious that people are flocking back to BMW again after the E60.

Mercedes is lost, Audi is dull, XF is awesome and 5er is perfect

The BMW is the most enjoyable to drive in this test, and that's all there is to it.

And a FWD car shouldn't even be included in this test. The A6 should fight it out with other FWD crap cars.

It's amazing how driving impressions can vary so greatly from mag to mag. Some reviews say the E has marginally better handling and steering than the 5 and others say its pretty much outclassed by the 5. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Germans though. I need to get down to my Audi dealer to check out the A6.

As appealing as the Jag may seem in some instances, I don't trust it's overall quality/reliability (electronic gremlins etc.). And I don't trust British opinions when it comes to Jaguars or any other 'British' vehicle.

I can see why the E might not appeal to most 'blokes' on the board. It's the most 'stately' of the bunch. MB clearly wants the young fellas to buy a CLS.

We won't see eye to eye on the F10 vs A6 styling - for the Jag and E-class I agree 110%:t-cheers:

Smartest comment in this thread so far!!



British are extremely biased towards their products. Not to be taken very serious I would say.

I guess it must just be a Europe thing. Out here, with every E properly fitted with AMG/Sport Packages, it looks and seems regarded as the more dynamic, aggressive, and modern look of the trio (and surely it will continue that over the new A6, as the new A6 looks anything but "new".... Timeless and evolved, yes, but I'd say it looks the least "modern" of the bunch).

The F10 is the one that seems stylistically catered to the more reserved and understated seekers. For example, you see a lot of tricked out W212's around here, driven by younger folk, while I rarely see an F10 with even Tinted windows.