Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2012 Jaguar XF VS 2013 BMW M5 Near Phoenix, AZ

The XF’s optional front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The M5 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Jaguar XF are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW M5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The XF offers an optional Intelligent Emergency Brake, which uses forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The M5 doesn't offer crash mitigation brakes.

Both the XF and the M5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The XF comes with a full 5 year/50,000 mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24 hour roadside assistance. The M5’s 4 year/50,000 mile basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

Jaguar pays for scheduled maintenance on the XF for 1 year longer than BMW pays for maintenance for the M5 (5/50,000 vs. 4/50,000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2012 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jaguar vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jaguar second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2011 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Jaguar vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jaguar third in reliability, above the industry average. With 52 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 21st.

The XF stops shorter than the M5:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the XF can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The M5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The XF 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 M5, it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the XF’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the M5’s (37.7 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

The Jaguar XF may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 300 pounds less than the BMW M5.

The design of the Jaguar XF amounts to more than styling. The XF has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the M5 (.33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the XF get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the XFR is quieter than the M5:

The XF has .1 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the M5.

The XF has a much larger trunk than the M5 (17.7 vs. 14 cubic feet).