Comparison tests Jaguar XE vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs BMW 4er Gran Coupe

[SKY]

Verdict
Seldom are giant test verdicts so tough to call. Let’s not pretend this is any kind of walkover for the XE because the opposition is too tough for that. But the BMW, exciting as it is to drive, does fall first, and not merely because of the Gran Coupe’s price disadvantage. Had we thrown in a 3-series it would have suffered from the same debilitating lack of refinement that relegates this 4-series to third place. These are sports saloons, but they’re also meant to be miniature luxury machines and the 4’s uncouth engine and poor road noise suppression doesn’t cut it.

The Jaguar and Mercedes are harder to split – not because they’re so close in character, but because they’re so different. For many buyers, for casual car fans and your company’s accountant, the C-class is unarguably the better car. It oozes class, it’s got the best interior, it’s brilliantly refined and yes, it even handles tidily. For the Jag to win despite its slightly tighter packaging and occasional quality foibles, it’d have to be brilliant to drive and we’d have to really care that it was. Fortunately, it is and we do. If the BMW’s athleticism comes at the expense of luxury, the reverse is true of the Mercedes. It’s a brilliant car, but one lacking a little dynamic sparkle in the face of the XE, a car whose chassis doesn’t make you choose between luxury and performance, and whose other qualities are close enough to the Merc’s for us to accept as penance. It’s tight, but in the battle of the sports saloons, only the Brit really feels like one, and that’s why for us, the Jaguar XE wins.

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/comparison/2015/jaguar-xe-vs-bmw-3-series-vs-mercedes-c-class-triple-test-review-2015/

 

[Human]

I do like the Jag, though let's face one fact here: carmagazine.co.uk

 

[KiwiRob]

I do like the Jag, though let's face one fact here: carmagazine.co.uk

People are trying really hard to not accept that this is a brilliant car and a class leader, it's not just car magazine that has had it winning against 3er and C class.

 

[Human]

Hey you nasty! @KiwiRob No, really my friend I have been reading (and posting) their articles for years now and seldom does a British marque loose a battle.

 

[SKY]

I have so say I trust Car as much as I could. They have said some serious things about the Jag's interior, which enough for me to trust them.

It really seems the XE is just awesome to drive. Every mag seems to love it. Here it beats not the 3er but the 4er. A serious rival here.

They say C-Class interior is the best one, and Jag drives the best. And I do believe then, honestly.

 

[klier]

The article is biased as hell. Not to be taken seriously. That verdict says it all; it's BS only Kiwi wants to believe.

Lack of refinement...... L O L

 

[Human]

People are trying really hard to not accept that this is a brilliant car and a class leader, it's not just car magazine that has had it winning against 3er and C class.

I do believe the Jag is a brilliant car in it's own right and we know Jag/Land Rover are on a roll, but better than a Benz and BMW? I won't go that far. That's biased personified.

 

[KiwiRob]

Hey you nasty! @KiwiRob No, really my friend I have been reading (and posting) their articles for years now and seldom does a British marque loose a battle.

I could point to dozens of tests where Jaguar (or other British car) has lost to non British cars, the last test between XF-R, E63, M5, RS7 about 2 months ago is one that comes to mind straight away.

 

[KiwiRob]

I do believe the Jag is a brilliant car in it's own right and we know Jag/Land Rover are on a roll, but better that a Benz and BMW? I won't go that far. That's biased personified.

And why shouldn't it be better. There's no denying the RRS ands RR are better than there German counterparts, so we know JLR can build world class vehicles, so why can't an XE be better than the 3 & C?

The problem with this forum the many member are so close minded and biased it's hard to take anyones opionions seriously. I don't even own a Jag, I owned mostly German cars for the past 9 years, I like German car's, I'm significantly more opened minded than most people here, except when it comes to modern BMW's they've been mostly crap since the last E90 rolled off the production line.

 

[Human]

I could point to dozens of tests where Jaguar (or other British car) has lost to non British cars, the last test between XF-R, E63, M5, RS7 about 2 months ago is one that comes to mind straight away.

For sure and indeed in this comparison tests, I mean how on earth could a Jag beat that trio!?

But I give up, I surrender, peace please. I haven't seen that many red-crosses since the earth quake in Nepal.

 

[Zafiro]

Come on guys, that Jaguar is newly developed and F30 is getting old now, not even a facelift is going to help. And soon the new A4 is here and killing the competition. Cars are getting old quickly these days. Except for my ST of course...

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

I do like the Jag, though let's face one fact here: carmagazine.co.uk

Motor Trend did a comparison with the XE and the 3 series, and the XE won. Jag has stepped it up.

 

[SKY]

Motor Trend did a comparison with the XE and the 3 series, and the XE won. Jag has stepped it up.

And, if I remember correctly, AMuS said the XE drives better as well.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

As usual, a comparison test thread degenerates into a discussion about whether the magazine is biased or not.

 

[KiwiRob]

As usual, a comparison test thread degenerates into a discussion about whether the magazine is biased or not.

German magazines never are according to most of the anti British magazine set.

 

[SCOTT27]

Why not use the 3er or indeed wait to drive the LCi?
It has the feeling to rush to cement the XE is the best car in the segment even though the competition revival is just on the horizon.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Why not use the 3er or indeed wait to drive the LCi?
It has the feeling to rush to cement the XE is the best car in the segment even though the competition revival is just on the horizon.

"Wait"? So what you're suggesting is that the magazines have to ignore a completely NEW car and organise the content of their magazines around an LCI of a BMW?!!

It's not all about BMW for God's sake.

The test is for the new XE, and they put it up against what is available at the time. It's just tough that it was slightly the wrong time for BMW. That's most likely the reason the BMW UK Press Office could only supply a 4er GC, because the 3er pre-LCI has left the fleet.

No doubt when the 3er LCI is launched in the UK, there will be another group test and the BMW will have its chance.


P.S. I assume in around three years when the new 3 Series is launched, you'll be asking for the magazines to wait until the XE has had its LCI so it's "fair"?

 

[SKY]

Shouldn't the 3er LCI still drive worse than the 4er GC?

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Shouldn't the 3er LCI still drive worse than the 4er GC?

Please. Not "worse". Just not as "dynamically".

 

[donkeykong]

Why not use the 3er or indeed wait to drive the LCi?
It has the feeling to rush to cement the XE is the best car in the segment even though the competition revival is just on the horizon.

Why wait? In your estimation the 4er is already perfect as is.