Jaguar is on a roll with its upmarket saloons.
is on a roll with its upmarket saloons. The XEjunior exec has already beaten the BMW 3 Seriesand Audi A4this year, while the larger XFshrugged off the challenge of the Audi A6when we tested them head-to-head last month. But those two cars featured 3.0-litre V6 diesels, which aren’t as popular as the more efficient 2.0-litre diesel trio we’ve lined up here.
This is the company car heartland, so if the XF wants to reign in the executive saloon class, it will have to beat its German rivals once more. And we know how strong they are.
The BMW 520d is a tough opponent, thanks to its blend of strong performance, frugality and upmarket looks. Plus, there’s a good amount of space on offer for the family.
Audi’s A6 Ultra maximises what you can get from a full tank, too, and teams this with usability, power and a sharp design. It reigned supreme in our 2015 New Car Awards, taking the Best Executive Car crown, so the Jag’s got a fight on its hands.
But with fresher styling and the British brand’s latest 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel, does it have the firepower to pull off the win?
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Head-to-head
Lights
Lights are a big part of car design, as manufacturers explore new technologies. All three cars here boast smart headlamps and tail-lights so you know exactly what car you’re following in the dark. But clever LED headlights also help improve visibility and safety, so there’s a practical benefit to these design-led developments, too.
Driving modes
All our cars feature adjustable driving modes to tailor throttle response and steering weight for sportier driving or comfortable long-distance cruising. The systems impact on every model’s character, but the biggest differences come in the Jaguar, where Dynamic, Normal and Eco offer a broad change.
Rear access
Exec saloons need to cope with modern family life. The old XF struggled when it came to rear access, but the larger doors on the new car have addressed that issue. The BMWand Audiare just as flexible – the A6’s standard powered tailgate helps a lot.
Verdict
1st place: Jaguar XF
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The XF beat the A6 in our V6 diesels test, and it’s conquered the BMW and Audi here in a battle of the more popular 2.0-litre engines. It’s slightly more expensive, but with all running costs considered, the Jag is a real competitor. Plus, it’s fun to drive and boasts superb agility for a car this size. The XF has really improved its usability, while modern styling completes its evolution.
2nd place: Audi A6
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Our 2015 Best Executive Car has been toppled. The A6 is cheaper than the XF, but it can’t match it for overall appeal. Although quality is good, it feels a generation behind the Jag inside, while the A6’s chassis can’t compete in this company. It’s more efficient on paper, but savings for company car buyers will be offset at the pumps, where the XF beats it.
3rd place: BMW 5 Series
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The 5 Series is still great to drive, yet while it’s just got the edge on the Jaguar for ride and handling, the XF is a more appealing package. Here, practicality, kit and efficiency are more important than performance. The A6 Ultra nearly matches the 520d for performance, and offers more kit at a cheaper price, with lower running costs. So the BMW takes the wooden spoon.
Coming soon
Due: Mid 2016 Price: £35,000 (est.)
Engine: 2.1-litre 4cyl, 180bhp (est.)
Mercedes’ new E-Class, coming next year, promises to be a big improvement, with lots of technology borrowed from the luxurious S-Class. With four-cylinder diesel power and plenty of passenger and luggage space, the E-Class could give the XF a run for its money.
Figures Jaguar XF Prestige 20d 180 Auto Audi A6 2.0 TDI Ultra SE S tronic BMW 520d SE Auto On-the-road price/total as tested £34,550/£46,520 £33,825/£44,525 £33,915/£39,250 Residual value (after 3yrs/30,000) £15,271/44.2% £14,332/42.4% £15,899/46.9% Depreciation £19,279 £19,493 £18,016 Annual tax liability std/higher rate £1,380/£2,760 £1,283/£2,567 £1,287/£2,573 Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) £1,335/£2,225 £1,420/£2,367 £1,683/£2,805 Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost 27/£557/C/£30 31/£591/B/£20 34/£651/B/£20 Servicing costs £525 (5yrs/50k) £1,029 (3yrs)/£18 p/m £525 (5yrs/50k) Length/wheelbase 4,954/2,960mm 4,933/2,912mm 4,907/2,968mm Height/width 1,457/1,880mm 1,455/1,874mm 1,464/1,860mm Engine 4cyl in-line/1,999cc 4cyl in-line/1,968cc 4cyl in-line/1,995cc Peak power 178/4,000 bhp/rpm 187/3,800 bhp/rpm 187/4,000 bhp/rpm Peak torque 430/1,750 Nm/rpm 400/1,750 Nm/rpm 400/1,750 Nm/rpm Transmission 8-spd auto/rwd 7-spd auto/fwd 8-spd auto/rwd Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel 66 litres/repair kit 73 litres/space-saver 70 litres/run-flat Boot capacity (seats up/down) 540/963 litres 530/995 litres 520/N/A litres Kerbweight/payload/towing weight 1,595/655/2,000kg 1,660/580/2,000kg 1,705/610/2,000kg Turning circle/drag coefficient 11.6 metres/N/A 11.9 metres/N/A 12.0 metres/N/A Basic warranty (miles)/recovery 3yrs (unlimited)/3yrs 3yrs (60,000)/3yrs 3yrs (unltd)/3yrs Service intervals/UK dealers 21,000 miles (2yrs)/97 Variable/121 36,000 miles (2yrs)/153 Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. 2nd/3rd 13th/25th 14th/23rd NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars 92/84/80/83/5 (2015) 91/83/41/86/5 (2011) 95/83/78/100/5 (2010) 0-60/30-70mph 9.3/8.6 secs 8.5/7.3 secs 8.4/7.6 secs 30-50mph in 3rd/4th 3.1/3.6secs 2.8/3.9 secs 2.9/3.4 secs 50-70mph in 5th/6th/7th/8th 5.1/6.4/8.2/15.0 secs 6.0/10.1/30.3/N/A secs 4.8/6.2/7.9/14.8 secs Top speed/rpm at 70mph 136mph/1,700rpm 144mph/1,400rpm 145mph/1,700rpm Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 67.4/45.7/10.7m 66.9/44.3/11.9m 67.9/51.2/11.3m Noise levels outside/idle/30/70mph 75/52/63/69dB 76/52/62/68dB 76/52/63/69dB Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range 45.0/9.9/653 miles 42.3/9.3/679 miles 35.7/7.9/550 miles Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 54.3/74.3/65.7mpg 60.1/72.4/67.3mpg 57.6/76.3/68.9mpg Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 11.9/16.3/14.5mpl 13.2/15.9/14.8mpl 12.7/16.8/15.2mpl Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket 168/114g/km/20% 179/109g/km/19% 212/109g/km/19% Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/camera Six/yes/yes/£355 Six/yes/yes/£810* Six/yes/yes/£375 Auto gearbox/stability/cruise control Yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes Climate control/leather/heated seats Yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/£320 Yes/yes/yes Metallic paint/xenons/keyless go £675/yes/£500 £675/yes/£1,180** £675/yes/£695 Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/MP3 Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes