Jaguar XF vs BMW 5 Series: Sportbrake takes on Touring

The 2021 BMW 5 Series Touring is one of the most complete cars on sale. But can Jaguar's refreshed XF Sportbrake match it for appeal? In this CarGurus UK review, Rebecca Jackson pits a BMW 520d M Sport Touring against the XF D200 R Dynamic S Sportbrake in order to find out, and in doing so proves how good diesel estate cars can be in a market that's becoming flooded with plug-in hybrid SUVs.

This review covers the two cars' practical credentials, as well as looking at performance, handling, ride comfort, efficiency and interior quality. Do you have a favourite?

Read our BMW 5 Series expert review:

Read our Jaguar XF expert review:

#cargurusuk #jaguarxf #bmw5series

[Petrolhead]

I notes the rear seats, in the Jag fold much flatter

[philf]

Had BMW'S and Jaguars over the years and gone back to Jaguar Sportbrake 200bhp D Sport. Very comfortable and economical. BMW' S are everywhere and a bit if a lads or geezers car. Jaguar every time for me .

[binio]

Jag maintains that menacing look through the years which makes it almost timeless. Looking at older BMWs I see great cars but looking at older models of Jaguars I see design that ages so well. I would choose Jag. ;-)

[chrispenn]

I had one of the previous model XF saloons - loved it. The V6 Diesel was one of the best ever engines for a combination of performance and fuel consumption. The rest of the car was pretty good too!

[shantanusingh]

Almost every Jag vs BMW review has the journalist voting for the BMW and the comments section full of Jag fans. It seems auto journalists are just playing it safe and towing the corporate line.

[densalbeach]

Jag every time! I have had six Jags and loved every one of them. Each one was so distinctive and full of character. BMWs a are great cars but all too common on the roads and lacking the style of a Jag. Currently I have an XJ Portfolio, shed loads of power, great road holding for such a big car and very economical plus it always put a big smile on my face when see it on my drive.

[simoncouldry]

That weather! As always a balanced, informative and interesting review! Thanks Rebecca.

[smwatson]

Jag looks better but the BMW is the better overall package. They're everywhere though so if you want to be a bit interesting you've got to get the Jag.

[faheemwyne]

BMW'S are everywhere. As someone who keeps a car (have owned my Saab for 11years now) it's got to be the Jaaag

[RichardLyleEsq]

I'd have the Jag in Portfolio trim. It's more subtle than the M-Sport BMW.

[Vwaff]

I don't think motoring journalists understand the meaning of 'completely flat' when talking about rear folding seats!

[JeffWardMusic]

Got to be the Jag. Looks better and soul beats perfection every time. And who really cares about infotainment when you'll just switch on Apple Car play and level that playing field immediately?

[davidpollard]

Can't afford either but still an interesting review.

[jrs]

Rebecca, another spot on review. But, whether you pay for it in us dollars or english pound sterling, you need a huge container to fit the amount required. they might be plush inside, but you certainly pay for it!

[paulsm]

Sad that three tonne SUVs are taking over from estates

[jamesmccormack]

It's a shame that Jags are often looked over for their German counterparts, they really do feel so good to drive and hug the UK roads so well. I think I am in the minority as I don't find the Idrive system them intuitive or that good really in the BMW's I have driven, maybe it's the specs that the owners have chose or maybe I am just missing something. I do however know I was very very surprised when I first drove a Jag Xe and XF last year at how well the handle and how dynamic yet comfortable they feel. Interior was impressive too. Close call I guess it's personal preference for me it's narrowly the Jag.

[iancarne]

Hooray, the Jag has an analogue speedo that shows the most common UK speed limits (other manufacturers please note). However, I prefer digital speedometers these days which don't show you unrealistic maximum speeds . Why do they do that?
As for BMW's IDrive, we have a new I series and I don't find it that intuitive to use, sometimes having to search through many menus to try and find a particular setting that I want to change. If anyone could tell me how the speed warning setting or the speed limiter that adjusts to the speed limit works, I would be grateful as the handbook is far from clear. Perhaps we don't have the latter feature, but the handbook isn't clear on what features we should have on our model either.
Ok that's enough, I think I'll take the Jag but my preference would be for the model they don't make, an XE estate .

[bensalemmohamedamine]

Am I the only one to prefer the Jaguar's interior? 😬

[GarryMcGovern]

Even though I'm not a fan of Beemers, both cars are absolutely gorgeous when compared to their godawful SUV equivalents. Hopefully one day this stupid SUV trend will end!!!

[ljw]

I reckon car fanatics will favour the Jag (just look at it!) and those who regard cars as just ways of getting from A to B will favour the BMW.