Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2013 Jaguar XF VS 2013 Porsche Panamera Near Scottsdale, 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 Panamera 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 Porsche Panamera has only front height-adjustable seat belts.

The XF has standard whiplash protection, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the whiplash protection system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Panamera doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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 Panamera doesn't offer crash mitigation brakes.

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

The camshafts in the XF’s engine are driven by a hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs. The Panamera 3.6 DOHC V6’s camshafts are driven by a rubber belt that needs periodic replacement. If the Panamera’s cam drive belt breaks the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

As tested in Motor Trend the XFR is faster than the Panamera S:

On the EPA test cycle the XF 3.0 Supercharged AWD gets better fuel mileage than the Panamera S 4 Auto (16 city/25 hwy vs. 16 city/24 hwy).

The XF stops shorter than the Panamera:

The XF’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Panamera’s standard 50 series front tires. The XFR/Supercharged’s 255/35R20 front and 285/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Panamera’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

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 Panamera 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 Panamera, 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 1.3 feet tighter than the Panamera S Hybrid’s (37.7 feet vs. 39 feet). The XF’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Panamera’s (37.7 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The Jaguar XF may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Porsche Panamera.

The design of the Jaguar XF amounts to more than styling. The XF has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the Panamera (.29 to .3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the XF get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Road & Track, the interior of the XFR is quieter than the Panamera Turbo 4:

The XF has standard seating for 5 passengers; the Panamera can only carry 4.

The XF has 5 inches more front shoulder room, 3.4 inches more rear legroom and 4.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Panamera.

If the windows are left down on the XF the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the Panamera can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the XF detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Panamera doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

When the XF is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Panamera’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.