Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 Jaguar XJ VS 2016 Mercedes E-Class Near Scottsdale, AZ

To help make backing safer, the XJ’s cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the XJ and the E-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, front parking sensors, available collision warning systems and around view monitors.

The XJ comes with a full 5-year/60,000 mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24 hour roadside assistance. The E-Class Sedan’s 4-year/50,000 mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 10,000 miles sooner.

The XJ’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the E-Class Sedan’s (6/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

Jaguar pays for scheduled maintenance on the XJ for 5 years and 60,000 miles. Jaguar will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the E-Class Sedan.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jaguar vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jaguar third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 14th.

The XJ has more powerful engines than the E-Class Sedan:

As tested in Car and Driver the Jaguar XJ S.C. V6 is faster than the E350 Sedan 3.5 DOHC V6:

For better stopping power the XJ’s brake rotors are larger than those on the E-Class Sedan:

The XJ stops much shorter than the E-Class Sedan:

For better traction, the XJR’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the E-Class Sedan (F:265/35R20 & R:295/30R20 vs. 255/35R19).

The XJ’s standard 275/40R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the E-Class Sedan’s standard 45 series tires. The XJR’s 295/30R20 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the E-Class Sedan’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XJ has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the E-Class Sedan. The XJ’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the E-Class Sedan.

The rear suspension of the XJ uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the E-Class Sedan, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The XJ has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The E-Class Sedan’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The XJ has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XJ’s wheelbase is 6.2 inches longer than on the E-Class Sedan (119.4 inches vs. 113.2 inches). The XJL’s wheelbase is 11.1 inches longer than on the E-Class Sedan (124.3 inches vs. 113.2 inches).

The XJ Supercharged handles at .87 G’s, while the E350 Sedan pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XJL Supercharged executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the E250 BlueTEC Sedan 4MATIC (26 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 27.1 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the XJL Supercharged is quieter than the E350 Sedan:

The XJ has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom and 3.2 inches more rear legroom than the E-Class Sedan.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the XJ L’s available rear seats recline. The E-Class Sedan’s rear seats don’t recline.

The XJ has a much larger trunk than the E-Class Sedan (15.2 vs. 12.9 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the XJ’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The E-Class Sedan’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The XJ has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XJ offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The XJ has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the E-Class Sedan. The XJ also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the E-Class Sedan.

Standard air conditioned seats in front and rear seats keep the XJ’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in Summer. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer air conditioned seats in the rear.

The XJ has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold Winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the E-Class Sedan.

The XJ was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2011. The E Class has never been an “All Star.”