BMW 5 Series Touring vs Jaguar XF Sportbrake
Both of these luxurious new estates are sporty, practical and fitted with four-wheel drive. And both cost about £42,000. But which is better?...

Behind the wheel
Driving position, visibility, build quality
You’ll be able to get comfortable fairly easily in the driver’s seat of either car, thanks to a wide range of adjustment for both the steering wheels and seats. Electric seat height adjustment is standard on both, but fully electric seats cost extra, as does adjustable lumbar support. The latter is an option well worth considering for long-distance comfort.
Visibility is excellent, helped in the dark by some impressive standard headlights. The XF has xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights, while the 5 Series has sharper full LED units. Upgrading the XF to LED headlights (that also turn with the steering wheel and provide automatic high-beam assist) costs £1275. Adding turning headlights and high-beam assist to the 5 Series costs £1295.

Unfortunately, neither car gets a reversing camera as standard, but self-parking systems with 360deg cameras are available for £1095 in the 5 Series and £1690 in the XF.
The 5 Series is in a different league to the XF in terms of interior quality. The finish on its dashboard is plusher and more upmarket, and the way the dials and buttons operate makes the 5 Series feel like a Swiss timepiece to the XF’s 1980s Casio watch.
< Previous | Next: Infotainment systems >
Page 2 of 6

Best estate cars 2023
The best estate cars are spacious, great to drive and packed with tech. Here are the models we recommend – and the ones to steer clear of