Despite our economic difficulties, sales in the large executive segment are flourishing and the BMW 5-Series has been running away with the segment this year and last. But there a few new contenders set to meet it head-on and the latest is Jaguar’s XF
STYLING
BMW 520D SE Auto* * * *
Jaguar XF 2.2D SE Auto* * * * *
These are both very striking cars in their own right. The shape of the 5-Series is one we are now quite familiar with, as it has sold really well here in Ireland, but the XF has been given a facelift, even though it was already quite a handsome car. The tweaks to the XF are pretty subtle but they are significant enough to make this the prettier car here. The XF’s styling and perhaps its rarity up until now makes it appear like a more expensive car and when it comes to impressing down the golf club or in the company car park, this matters a lot. BMW did play it safe with the styling of the 5-Series but the car looks more aggressive than it has for some time and it too gives the appearance of being more upmarket. Which car is the more handsome is quite subjective but the latest XF gets our vote.
RELIABILITY/QUALITY
BMW 520D SE Auto * * * *
Jaguar XF 2.2D SE Auto * * * *
Given the huge development costs and thousands of hours of testing that has gone into both of these cars, we would imagine that reliability is not going to be an issue within the first three to five years in either car. However they are both hugely technical vehicles, with complicated electrics in both and if things do start to go wrong they can be expensive to put right. Where there won’t be any issues, we suspect, would be from the simply brilliant diesel engines in both cars. The quality of the materials used in both cars impress too, but the cabins are very different. The Jaguar mixes modern and traditional design and there is a better level of equipment than in the BMW at this price-point. Even the “entry-level” SE version has a 7” full-colour touch screen. We particularly like how in the Jaguar various controls and vents are hidden before you start the engine. By pressing the Stop/Start button the car’s air vents open and the centre dial used to select the automatic transmission pops up. It adds a sense of occasion and raises a smile every time. The BMW cabin is really good too though, with a totally modern approach. The chunky steering wheel feels purposeful and we really like the ergonomic gearshift lever. Its iDrive system has been refined to a degree that is easy to use and most controls barely require your eyes to leave the road to use.
DRIVING
BMW 520D SE Auto * * * * *
Jaguar XF 2.2D SE Auto * * * *
We are usually quite mean with our five-stars here in Motors but the 520d SE really is that good to drive. The 5-Series these days isn’t just a useful driver’s car, which it always was, but this time it adds a mixture of refinement that is up there with the 7-Series. Combine with the brilliant 184bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine and you can see why they are leaving showrooms in their droves. But this new Jag is good. Very good in fact. For a start the 190bhp diesel is a belter and despite not being as environmentally clever as its German rival, it offers significantly more torque, which you can feel pulse through your back when you stamp on the right pedal. The XF will favour a more relaxed approach but is still agile. It just doesn’t offer the perfect cocktail of agility and comfort that the BMW does.
ERGONOMICS/PRACTICALITY
BMW 520D SE Auto * * * *
Jaguar XF 2.2D SE Auto * * * *
These are both generously proportioned large executive cars, which will accommodate both the professionally tall and professionally ample-bottomed with great comfort. The luggage space at the back is generous enough to fit not only your golf clubs but your caddy too. The seats in the Jag felt a little better if we were being picky.
ENGINES
BMW 520D SE Auto * * * *
Jaguar XF 2.2D SE Auto * * *
BMW’s 184bhp 2.0-litre is a superb engine and one we wouldn’t really fault, especially given its low running costs. From 0-100km/h with the 8-speed automatic transmission version takes 8.1 seconds and there is a top speed potential of 225km/h.
The XF matches the BMW’s top-speed and is just 0.4 seconds slower to 100km/h, but we would have thought it would have been quite a degree quicker, given its extra torque. It is all largely irrelevant anyway, but these engines are so evenly matched that they are perfect matches. We prefer the sound in the BMW though, which has a meatier tone.
RUNNING COSTS (Economy, Road Tax, Depreciation)
BMW 520D SE Auto * * * *
Jaguar XF 2.2D SE Auto * * *
These are not cheap cars to buy and the €45,000 mark is really at the upper end of the market in these recessionary times, but compared to five years ago you are getting a lot of car for your money in both cases. In terms of fuel economy and emissions the BMW has lower emissions, even when fitted with an automatic gearbox and paying just €156 in annual motor tax for a car in this class must seem beautifully absurd to any customer. You can even opt for the Efficient Dynamics version, which has Band A emissions. Jaguar’s diesel isnt quite as clean, with 149g/km, but this is still a remarkable achievement for a large executive car with an 8-speed automatic. Paying €302 per year in motor tax is also unlikely to break the bank of too many spending €45,000 on a car.
EQUIPMENT SAFETY
BMW 520D SE Auto * * *
Jaguar XF 2.2D SE Auto * * * *
We are pleasantly surprised by how much you get “as standard” these days in an executive car. Gone, it would seem, are the days where you had to spend several thousand euro on top of the hefty list price to get an acceptable level of equipment that would make your car re-sellable again. These days, as well as being about €15,000 less than they were five years ago, these cars now come with items such as climate control and leather upholstery included.
The BMW is available as a manual, but we would not recommend opting for this with your own money. Jaguar’s entry point is mighty impressive, with all cars getting leather, xenon lights, 17” alloy wheels, Bluetooth, 7” touchscreen and rear parking sensors as standard. BMW aren’t mean with their spec these days either, with all cars getting alloys, leather and climate control. At this price the Jag gives you a fraction more luxury for your money.
THE VERDICT
BMW 520D SE
This was very close, but despite the best efforts of the Jaguar, which is really, really good, we would still probably plump for the 5-Series because it just feels like a better all-rounder.
But there is so little in it. The Jaguar really impressed us with its equipment and looks, but the BMW is the car we would want to get into every day. Expect the BMW to dominate again this year, but with this car snapping at it heels, along with the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
BMW 520D SE AUTO
Engine:1,995cc 4-cylinder diesel
Power:184bhp, 380Nm torque
Transmission:8-speed auto
0-100km/h:8.1 seconds
Top Speed:225km/h
Fuel Economy:
Urban – 6.4 l/100km (44 mpg)
Extra Urban – 4.5 l/100km (63 mpg)
Combined – 5.2 l/100km (54 mpg)
CO2 (Motor tax):137 g/km (€156 p.a.)
Boot capacity:520 litres
Price:€45,034
JAGUAR XF 2.2D SE AUTO
Engine: 2,179cc 4-cylinder diesel
Power: 190bhp, 450Nm torque
Transmission:8-speed auto
0-100km/h:8.5 seconds
Top Speed:225km/h
Fuel Economy:
Urban – 6.6 l/100km (43 mpg)
Extra Urban – 4.8 l/100km (59 mpg)
Combined – 5.4 l/100km (52 mpg)
CO2 (Motor tax):149 g/km (€302 pa)
Boot capacity: 540 – 963 litres
Price: €44,995
THE RIVALS
Mercedes-Benz E-Class E200 CDi Classic A/T
CC2143
BHP136
Speed212 km/h
0-100km/h10.4 secs
L/100km (mpg)5.4 (52.3)
CO2120 g/km
Motor tax: €104 Price:€44,390
Volvo S60 2.4 D5 SE Lux
CC2400
BHP215
Speed230 km/h
0-100km/h7.6 secs
L/100km (mpg)5.8 (56.5)
CO2154 g/km
Motor tax€302 Price€46,500
Audi A6 2.0 TDi SE Multitronic
CC1242
BHP177
Speed222 km/h
0-100km/h8.2 secs
L/100km(mpg)5.0 (56.5)
CO2132g/km
Motor tax€156 Price:€45,300
Honda Accord 2.2 I-DTEC EX Auto
CC2119
BHP150
Speed207 km/h
0-100km/h10.3 secs
L/100km(mpg)6.2 (45.6)
CO2162g/km
Motor tax€430 Price€42,250