Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2010 Jaguar XK VS 2010 BMW 6 Near Phoenix, AZ

Both the XK and the 6 Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

J.D. Power and Associates’ surveys of the owners of three-year-old cars provide the long-term dependability statistics that show that Jaguar vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jaguar first in reliability. With 44 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 15th.

The XK’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 25 more horsepower (385 vs. 360) and 20 lbs.-ft. more torque (380 vs. 360) than the 650i’s standard 4.8 DOHC V8. The XKR’s standard 5.0 supercharged V8 produces 10 more horsepower (510 vs. 500) and 78 lbs.-ft. more torque (461 vs. 383) than the M6’s standard 5.0 DOHC V10.

For more instantaneous acceleration and better engine flexibility in any gear, the XK’s engines produce their peak torque at lower RPM’s than the 6 Series:

On the EPA test cycle the XK gets better fuel mileage than the 6 Series:

For better stopping power the XKR’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 6 Series:

The XK stops shorter than the 6 Series:

For better traction and acceleration, the XK has larger standard rear tires than the 6 Series (275/35R19 vs. 245/45R18).

The XK’s standard 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 650i’s standard 45 series tires. The XK’s optional 255/35R20 front and 285/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the 650i’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XK has standard 19 inch wheels. Smaller 18 inch wheels are standard on the 650i. The XK’s optional 20 inch wheels are larger than the 19 inch wheels optional on the 650i.

The XK has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 6 Series, it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some models of the 6 Series don’t even offer run-flats.

The XK has a standard continuously variable suspension system. Using sensors on steering angle, speed and other driver inputs, the shocks soften to improve ride, or stiffen when appropriate to aid handling on tricky roads. The 6 Series’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The XKR Coupe handles at .92 G’s, while the M6 Coupe pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Road & Track skidpad test.

The XKR Coupe goes through Road & Track’s slalom 3.6 MPH faster than the 650i Coupe (69.4 vs. 65.8 MPH).

For better maneuverability, the XK’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the 650i’s (35.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The XK’s turning circle is 5.2 feet tighter than the M6’s (35.8 feet vs. 41 feet).

The XK Coupe has 1 inch more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the 6 Series Coupe.

The XK Convertible has 1 inch more front legroom and .1 inches more front shoulder room than the 6 Series Convertible.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the 6 Series, the XK has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The XK’s standard air conditioned front seats cool the driver and front passenger and help take the sting out of hot leather in Summer. The 6 Series doesn’t offer air conditioned front seats.