It's time for the latest BMW 5-Series to take on its German peers! The newcomer notched up a maiden victory against the Jaguar XF on the sun-kissed streets of Portugal’s Atlantic coast in Issue 1,100, but how will it fare against its domestic rivals on the UK’s rainswept roads? To find out, we’ve lined up the cream of the executive saloons.
Facing the BMW 530d SE are the Mercedes E350 CDI and Audi A6 3.0 TDI. All have smooth six-cylinder engines and premium badges. They also come with a vast array of hi-tech options, but which is the best all-rounder in Britain? With a price of £38,670, the 530d is more expensive than its rivals – and our test car does without BMW’s trick Adaptive Drive chassis technology, which helped to make the launch model such a hit.
All three promise the kind of pace, comfort, luxury and economy which customers demand from cars at this end of the market, so it’s sure to be a close battle. Join us as we find out which model deserves top billing...
We knew the BMW was a class act, but it had to beat the segment’s biggest sellers before it could confirm its place as our class favourite. In the event, it scored a comfortable victory. The 5-Series isn’t revolutionary, yet it looks modern while its cabin provides a winning blend of functionality and style. And even without the firm’s clever Adaptive Drive chassis tweaks, the 530d delivers driver enjoyment and comfort in equal measure. Yes, our SE model costs more than its rivals here, but the smooth 3.0-litre straight-six provides the cleanest and strongest performance, so it’s worth the premium. Picking a runner-up was tougher than choosing a winner. The Audi is more expensive than the Mercedes, but comes better equipped. And while the A6 is beginning to show its age, there’s no faulting either its build quality or image.
In contrast, the E-Class rides better and its engine is more accomplished. While its cabin lacks the BMW’s style, it’s more spacious than the Audi andfaultlessly built – so the Merc pips the A6 to second spot.
For an alternative review of the latest BMW 5 Series Saloon visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk
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Give me a Jaguar XF anytime.
I agree with penultimateblack - I want a car with character, not a sterile, unemotional box on wheels. I live in Germany, and constantly have to put up with Germans laughing at our lack of a car industry, while they solely buy boring black and grey German cars claiming "zey are ze best". So buy British and be proud - and you get a great car as well. So what that Jag is owned by Tata. VW-Porsche went begging to Qatar and VW for years has been propped up by the state of Lower Saxony. I'll be ordering my XF soon - and will enjoy driving around boring BMW-country in it.
Where's the XF in this test? Seems I'm not alone. Considering it is the ONLY serious non-German contender then this is a faux pas on behalf of Auto Express.
The cars tested are all good - a safe choice, but ultimately they are all uninspiring. They all look and feel exactly as you'd expect them to. The XF turns heads and as with all Jaguars it demands respect, and moves the driver to a different level - not necessarily higher, just different. It tells the world you don't follow the crowd, that you can make up your own mind about things.
Come on AE - don't just assume that everyone is blinded by the publicity the Germans put out all the time.
I so enjoy a balanced reasoned argument.....?
But I am so pleased to see that yet again, the reviewer has not allowed that to get in the way of the all too obvious bias towards anything coming out of Bavaria!
So where oh where is the XF? Oh yes I forgot - proven since its launch as the class leader! As Chizzy57 says the Jaguar means you have arrived... you just don't feel the need to shout about it as the car says it all.
Coming back to the point a test who's value as a subjective tool is diminished because the Jaguar XF is safely parked where it won't embarrass its German rivals.
The bottom line is they are DULL, just like the larger siblings that the XJ has firmly in its sights.
Come on Jaguar!
I prefer the XF for its looks and beautiful interior which none of these tested cars have. The BMW and Audi are one of the worst places to be in as they are so dull with black plastic everywhere. The XF is sheer class.
Namely, new Saab 9-5: No longer the usual suspects. Thank God we'll now have a proper choice -- beyond the 'Triumvirate'! Frankly, all the Germans look gaudy (and yet manage to be dull too) by comparison. Afraid the last-minute, compromised headlight treatment of the XF don't do it for me either...
Namely, new Saab 9-5: No longer the usual suspects. Thank God we'll now have a proper choice -- beyond the 'Triumvirate'! Frankly, all the Germans look gaudy (and yet manage to be dull too) by comparison. Afraid the last-minute, compromised headlight treatment of the XF don't do it for me either...
I'd buy the XF if there were an estate version. As it is, it'll have to be the Skoda Superb unless the new Saab 9-5 looks to be a whole lot more reliable than my last one.
Which has the best engine : XF
Which has the best interior: XF
Which is the best to drive: XF
Which has the best styling: XF
Nuff said really, I wonder how much Bild in Germany paid they're sister company AEX to keep the XF off the test list....whimps ....................DaveH, hold on to your cash for a mo longer as there will be an XF estate =)
I know the A6 was just re-styled , but in the test its, clearly understated- And about the e class , yes it looks nice bu the new 5 series is not really a looker, it could have been much better designed ! At least 5 series are really good.
The Jaguar XF wasn't in the test for a good reason. As we state in the first line of the introduction, the new 530d beat the Jag in previous test - this was the first opportunity we had to test it against its established German rivals.
Let me assure everyone that Auto Express road test verdicts are completely independent - the Jaguar XF is a former AE Car of the Year and was our class leader until the 5-Series arrived.
Ross Pinnock, road test editor
See: www.autoexpress.co.uk/carrevie...
I was beginning to wonder whether the first couple of lines of this road test were visible only to me because it sounds as though many readers either skipped it or seem to be missing the XF.
Well thanks Ross for pointing out that the Jag was beaten by the Beemer several weeks ago and as good as the Jag is (test drove the twin-turbo last December), I don't believe it would have made much difference to the overall verdict in this test.
The Jag is still unbeaten for it's ride/handling balance (in Surrey that is) and is the only clear area it would have excelled over the Germans. At the end of the day at this end of the market they are all so competent, it really does come down to personal taste.
And mine would be the Beemer!
Come on British..You know that the 5series is the new leader for executive cars..Your xf is in the second place..then mercedes and last audi..You hate Germans because they always kick your asses,but BMW is the best..With my regards..
German cars! Buy style with extras thrown in for good measure (now I wonder which car I am writing about ). Thats it the XF!
@A1Jaguar:
I wonder how much Bild in Germany paid they're sister company AEX to keep the XF off the test list....
Absolutely correct, regardless of what Ross Pinnock, road test editor, states. He may have a point as regards this particular test but it is absolutely typical of AutoExpress, which apparantly has a German parent company.
If I were to ask people: do you think the Germans are unbiased, and do you think the Germans do not cheat, I wonder what the answer would be. I know what mine is.
However, it saddens me that of those that can afford executive cars like these, so many Brits are happy to buy German despite the fact that the Jag has far more character and is a better drive. Either way there's only a cigarette paper between them anyway.
As one respondent put it, you wouldn't find that in Germany. You see they are patriotic over there and back their country, its engineers and manufacturers with their wallets and would not even consider buying a Jag as it would be frowned upon.
Oh, and they're also very biased and habitual cheats.
Sorry Ross but suck it up.
Oh yes, and in What Car's full comparison test the Jaguar XF beat the new BMW 5-series and new Mercedes E-class, so readers ought to try different reviews to get a rounded viewpoint.
They're all fine exec cars, but it's the Jag that has the class and spirit to lift itself out of the morass of efficient Teutonic blandness.
People wake up. Jaguar is no longer British. It's bloody Asian. It's owned by an Indian. A country you guys used to own.
People wake up. Jaguar is no longer British. It's bloody Asian. It's owned by an Indian. A country you guys used to own.
People wake up. Jaguar is no longer British. It's bloody Asian. It's owned by an Indian. A country you guys used to own.
People wake up. Jaguar is no longer British. It's bloody Asian. It's owned by an Indian. A country you guys used to own.