Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 Jaguar XJ VS 2016 Porsche Panamera Near Scottsdale, AZ

The XJ’s optional pre-crash 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.

The XJ 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.

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 Panamera doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The XJ has standard InControl, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Panamera doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the XJ and the Panamera 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 and rear 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 Panamera’s 4 year/50,000 mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 10,000 miles sooner.

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. Porsche doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Panamera.

The XJ has more powerful engines than the Panamera:

As tested in Motor Trend the XJ 5.0 Supercharged is faster than the Panamera GTS:

The XJ stops shorter than the Panamera:

For better traction, the XJR’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Panamera (F:265/35R20 & R:295/30R20 vs. F:255/40R20 & R:295/35R20).

The XJ’s standard 245/45R19 front and 275/40R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Panamera’s standard 50 series front and 45 series rear tires. The XJR’s 265/35R20 front and 295/30R20 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.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XJ has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Panamera.

The XJ 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.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XJ’s wheelbase is longer than on the Panamera:

The design of the Jaguar XJ amounts to more than styling. The XJ has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the Panamera (.29 to .32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the XJ get better fuel mileage.

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

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

The XJ has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 5.7 inches more front shoulder room, 5.8 inches more rear legroom and 4.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Panamera.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the XJ easier. The XJ’s trunk lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the Panamera’s liftover is 30.6 inches.

With its sedan body style and remote trunk release lockout, the XJ offers cargo security. The Panamera’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

If the windows are left down on the XJ 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’t use the remote to operate the windows.

When the XJ is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Panamera’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 Panamera.

The XJ RWD’s optional Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Panamera doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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