The pace is hot at the top of the executive saloon sector. BMW knows it, which is why it’s gone to town with the development of its all-new, seventh-generation 5 Series.
A glut of new premium saloons arrived last year, including the Mercedes E-Class, which hit the market with a range of advanced technology, autonomous driver aids, more space than ever and a slick cabin. It’s our current executive champion, and the car BMW will have to beat.
However, the 5 Series has traditionally offered a dynamic edge over its rivals, too, so while it will face some stiff competition from the E-Class on everyday issues such as versatility, safety and tech, if it wants to reign as the best-handling saloon in the sector, it will have to outpace the agile Jaguar XF.
Here we test the three cars at the centre of the class, all in efficient 2.0-litre diesel form and sportier trim levels, to determine which is the greatest all-rounder in what will undoubtedly be one of the hardest fought and most important road tests of 2017.
BMW 5 Series
| Model: | BMW 520d xDrive M Sport |
| Price: | £41,025 |
| Engine: | 2.0-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 187bhp |
| 0-60mph: | 7.4 seconds |
| Test economy: | 52.9mpg/11.6mpl |
| CO2: | 124g/km |
| Annual road tax: | £110 |
The executive saloon sector is fiercely competitive, with cars such as the Volvo S90 and Mercedes E-Class changing the game recently. It’s the latter car this new 5 Series will have to beat. BMW now offers it with four-wheel drive for the first time on right-hand-drive models, and here we test the £41,025 520d xDrive M Sport.
Testers’ notes: “The £2,000 xDrive system adds security in slippery conditions, but the two-wheel-drive version is more efficient, matching its rivals’ Benefit in Kind rates of 22 per cent.”
Mercedes E-Class
| Model: | Mercedes E 220 d AMG Line |
| Price: | £39,170 |
| Engine: | 2.0-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 191bhp |
| 0-60mph: | 7.3 seconds |
| Test economy: | 50.0mpg/11.0mpl |
| CO2: | 112g/km |
| Annual road tax: | £30 |
The Mercedes E-Class is our current class favourite, thanks to its blend of upmarket appeal and wallet-friendly running costs. It comes in just two trim levels and features a nine-speed auto gearbox. Here, we test the sporty AMG Line version in popular E 220 d guise, which costs £39,170.
Testers’ notes: “There are lots of personalisation options, including alloy wheels, paint finishes and trim – although the £645 black and pinstripe panels on our car won’t be to all tastes.”
Jaguar XF
| Model: | Jaguar XF R-Sport 2.0d 180 auto |
| Price: | £36,850 |
| Engine: | 2.0-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 178bhp |
| 0-60mph: | 9.3 seconds |
| Test economy: | 47.1mpg/10.4mpl |
| CO2: | 114g/km |
| Annual road tax: | £30 |
For a brief period, Jaguar’s XF reigned supreme at the top of the executive saloon sector. Then the E-Class came along and knocked it off its perch last year. So can it still hold its own, or have Jaguar’s rivals moved the game on and out of the XF’s reach? To find out, we test the £36,850 R-Sport 2.0d auto, although our pictures show a Portfolio model.
Testers’ notes: “While adaptive cruise with queue assist is available for £1,430, you still have to steer to stay in your lane. Both the BMW and Mercedes offer more advanced systems.”
Verdict
First place: BMW 5 Series
It’s five stars for the 5 Series. BMW’s new exec saloon is comfortably the sharpest
car to drive, the most comfortable, and matches its rivals for practicality. While it’s more expensive with xDrive 4WD, it was still the most efficient choice; a rear-driven 520d is competitively priced and will be even more cost-effective. Strong residuals round off a convincing win for one of the most complete cars on sale.
Second place: Mercedes E-Class
The E-Class is still a great saloon car with an impressive level of tech available. However, its ride is choppier, while expensive options mean you’ll pay more to match the 5 Series’ kit. It’s efficient, spacious and offers good performance, but this isn’t enough to offset the Mercedes’ poorer residuals, high servicing costs and dynamic shortfall compared with the BMW.
Third place: Jaguar XF
In this company, the XF feels a generation behind the curve. There’s no denying it has a strong engine and an agile chassis, but it isn’t as comfortable or as refined as its German rivals. There isn’t as much tech, either, and despite having a big boot it feels more cramped inside. Still, the XF is attractively priced for cash buyers, even though it depreciates at a similar rate to the Mercedes.
Also consider...
Audi A6 2.0 TDI S line
Due: 2018 Price: £40,000 (est)
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp
Audi's next-generation A6 will be based on an all-new platform, and promises a step up in space and tech, with more of an individual design. A revised version of the brand’s 2.0 TDI should deliver strong performance.
Facts and figures
| BMW 520d xDrive M Sport | Mercedes E 220d AMG Line | Jaguar XF R-Sport 2.0 d 180 auto | |
| On the road price/total as tested | £41,025/£50,555 | £39,170/£48,525 | £36,850/£36,850 |
| Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) | £20,800/50.7% | £16,436/42.0% | £15,901/43.2% |
| Depreciation | £20,225 | £22,734 | £20,949 |
| Annual tax liability std/higher rate | £1,967/£3,933 | £1,714/£3,428 | £16,19/£3,238 |
| Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) | £1,261/£2,101 | £1,334/£2,223 | £1,416/£2,360 |
| Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost | 31/£890/D/£110 | 31/£873/C/£30 | 28/£789/C/£30 |
| Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service | £399 (3yrs/36,000) | £37pm (3 services/3yrs) | £525 (5yrs/50,000) |
| Length/wheelbase | 4,936/2,975mm | 4,923/2,939mm | 4,954/2,960mm |
| Height/width | 1,479/1,868mm | 1,468/1,852mm | 1,457/1,880mm |
| Engine | 4cyl in-line/1,995cc | 4cyl in-line/1,950cc | 4cyl in-line/1,999cc |
| Peak power/revs | 187/4,000 bhp/rpm | 191/3,800 bhp/rpm | 178/4,000 bhp/rpm |
| Peak torque/revs | 400/1,750 Nm/rpm | 400/1,600 Nm/rpm | 430/1,750 Nm/rpm |
| Transmission | 8-spd auto/4wd | 9-spd auto/rwd | 8-spd auto/rwd |
| Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel | 66 litres/run-flats | 66 litres/run-flats | 66 litres/£185 |
| Boot capacity (seats up/down) | 530 litres/N/A | 540 litres/N/A | 540/963 litres |
| Kerbweight/payload/towing weight | 1,620/705/2,000kg | 1,680/640/2,100kg | 1,595/655/2,000kg |
| Turning circle/drag coefficient | 12.2 metres/0.24Cd | 11.6 metres/0.23Cd | 11.6 metres/0.26Cd |
| Basic warranty (miles)/recovery | 3yrs (unlimited)/3yrs | 3yrs (unlimited)/4yrs | 3yrs (unlimited)/3yrs |
| Service intervals/UK dealers | Variable (2yrs)/192 | 15,500 miles (1yr)/147 | 21,000 miles (2yrs)/84 |
| Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. | 15th/24th | 12th/20th | 6th/13th |
| NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars | N/A | 95/90/77/62/5 | 92/84/80/83/5 |
| 0-60/30-70mph | 7.4/7.4 secs | 7.3/6.7 secs | 9.3/8.6 secs |
| 30-50mph in 3rd/4th | 3.0/3.4 secs | 3.0/4.0 secs | 3.1/3.6 secs |
| 50-70mph in 5th/6th/7th/8th | 5.0/6.3/8.3/15.6 secs | 6.0/7.3/9.6 secs/N/A | 5.1/6.4/8.2/15.0 secs |
| Top speed/rpm at 70mph | 144mph/1,600rpm | 149mph/1,300rpm | 136mph/1,500rpm |
| Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph | 45.5/32.2/8.2m | 49.5/33.0/9.5m | 67.4/45.7/10.7m* |
| Noise outside/idle/30/70mph | 68/52/63/69dB | 71/54/64/71dB | 75/52/63/69dB |
| Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range | 52.9/11.6/768 miles | 50.0/11.0/726 miles | 47.1/10.4/684 miles |
| Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 54.3/64.2/60.1mpg | 65.7/78.5/72.4mpg | 54.3/74.3/65.7mpg |
| Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 11.9/14.1/13.2mpl | 14.5/17.3/15.9mpl | 11.9/16.3/14.5mpl |
| Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket | 143/124g/km/24% | 151/112g/km/22% | 161/114g/km/22% |
| Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/camera | Six/yes/yes/£375 | Seven/yes/yes/yes | Six/yes/yes/£365 |
| Auto box/stability/cruise control/AEB | Yes/yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/yes/yes |
| Climate control/leather/heated seats | Yes/yes/yes | Yes/£1,595/yes | Yes/yes/yes |
| Metallic paint/LED lights/keyless go | £675/yes/ £695 | £645/yes/£2,795** | £690/£1,250/£510 |
| Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth | Yes/yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/yes/yes |