Jaguar is on a roll with its upmarket saloons. The XE junior exec has already beaten the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 this year, while the larger XF shrugged off the challenge of the Audi A6 when 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.
• Best executive cars to buy right now
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?
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 BMW and Audi are just as flexible – the A6’s standard powered tailgate helps a lot.
Verdict
1st place: Jaguar XF
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
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
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
Mercedes E-Class
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 |