The Jaguar XF offers impressive performance, head-turning design and a luxurious level of refinement. It’s pitted against the 2012 BMW 5 Series, which has been a leader in this class of automobiles. The XF shines in this comparison, and many others have taken note as well.

 

Let’s start with a dimensional comparison: While the XF is approximately two inches longer than the BMW 5 Series, it somehow manages not only greater cargo volume, but better agility, as well. The BMW 5 Series provides a turning radius of 19.6 feet in both the 535i and 528i models. The XF offers a smaller turning radius, at 18.8 feet, which makes the XF much more maneuverable in tight situations.

 

Meanwhile, the XF offers significantly more cargo volume, at 17.7 cubic feet, than the BMW’s 14 cubic feet. To put that 3.7 cubic foot difference into some kind of meaningful context, that’s about the capacity of a 27-inch wall oven. It’s also the difference between getting another carry-on suitcase in the trunk and leaving it on the lap of your backseat passenger.

 

You don’t buy either one of these vehicles because you want to be lagging behind as you enter the highway. Performance is a must. The BMW 5 Series offers many different performance variants, but you’ll spend five figures more to reach the level of performance the XF offers in its entry trim level. The XF starts off with a standard V8 engine offering 385 hp at 6,500 rpm and 380 lb.ft. of torque at just 3,500 rpm. In glaring contrast, the BMW 535i, which is most closely matched to the level of equipment the XF offers, provides just 300 hp and 300 lb.ft. of torque. The entry-level 5 Series, the 528i, only provides 240 hp and 260 lb.ft. of torque. The performance difference is obvious: the XF reaches 60 miles per hour in 5.2 seconds. The 535i gets there a full two seconds later. In the quarter-mile, that two-second difference remains.

 

When Autocar tested the XF versus the 5 Series, it was the XF engine that grabbed their attention. “The engine is so sweet and sonorous in its upper reaches, and the gearbox so eager to keep it there when you're pressing on, that holding the motor in the 4,500-6,000 rpm band (where it works best) isn't just easy, it's natural. The BMW engine…[is] never as easy on the ear or quite so free-spinning at the top end.”

 

When the Boston Globe tested both cars, they felt it was the agility and handling that gave the XF the edge: “The steering and suspension have an innate connection with the tarmac, while grip and ride comfort are sublime in every situation. Where BMW relies on driver-adjustable dampers and steering to do that, Jaguar tunes their springs the old-fashioned way. As such, the XF feels more natural and agile than the [BMW].”

 

While you might not be looking for a bargain-priced car in this segment, the XF provides a significant price advantage when comparably equipped. In order to equip a BMW 535i with the satellite radio, heated front seats and navigation system that come standard in every XF, you’ll spend an additional $2,750 over the price of an XF. If you want the power of a V8, the price tag of the BMW 550i is nearly $10,000 more.

 

The Jaguar XF is a performance winner, and its spacious, luxurious cabin provides a demonstrable advantage over the BMW in many of its available trim variants. It is a vehicle that rewards its owner, even at its most attainable levels. Visit with us today to learn more about how the Jaguar XF is taking on the best BMW has to offer.