Top Gear: Jaguar XF-R vs. BMW M5

Super sedan showdown

By Michael Gauthier
July 22, 2009 4:49 PM
Filed Under: BMW, European, Jaguar

Top Gear has decided to answer the question many of us have been asking; can the new Jaguar XF-R be a legitimate alternative to the BMW M5?

On paper, the comparison looks quite promising. The Jag features a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine which produces 510 hp (380kW) and 625Nm of torque, while the M5 packs a 5.0-liter V10 with 500 hp (373 kW) and 520 Nm of torque. Sounds like a pretty even match up, so let's see what Clarkson has to say about it.

While the XF-R doesn't look like a typical super sedan, Clarkson says "don't be fooled by the plain Jane" exterior because the speed is "simply unbelievable." Despite being surprisingly comfortable, the car handles brilliantly thanks to an electric differential and a suspension that constantly adjusts itself. He sums up by saying the Jag is two cars in one, it's "amazingly comfortable and quiet when you're not in the mood for fun and games, and it's savagely fast when you are."

When the two cars are pitted up against each other on the track, Clarkson says the M5 has better brakes. While he won't suggest the Jag is better than the Beemer, he admits the XF-R "is as good as" the M5. Back in the studio, he contends that the Jag is nearly as good as the M5 on the track, but far better (than the M5) at almost everything else.

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Tags: Top Gear, BMW M5, Jaguar XF-R

Comments

MTC

July 22, 2009 4:59 PM

I can't agree more. but hey, what do I know?

lucifa

July 22, 2009 5:13 PM

Interesting that he goes on and on about how the XF-R's very nearly as good on the track as the M5, and about how the 80Nm torque difference means that, while the M5 is better under brakes, the XF-R can lunge ahead coming out of the corner.. and yet, the XF-R never pulls ahead or closes a gap on a straight, and coming out of the corners it can't get any of that power down to overtake the M5. I'm quite sure that at no point is the XF-R even close to overtaking the M5. I think it comes down to Clarkson hating BMW's and loving Jaguars out of brand loyalty to a British company, which has been worse ever since he had his "falling out" with Tiff. The XF-R is definitely capable, but I think the M5 edges ahead on the performance side of things and, try as he might, Clarkson couldn't get away from that.

effington

July 22, 2009 6:16 PM

i think u take the shown footage far too seriously, top gear have a production team, story boards, desired shots for each car review, what u see is a lot to do with staged shots, not actual race, 1 on 1 footage. and i also thing u take Mr clarkson and what he says a little too seriously, 90% of what he says is satire and i think far too many people forget that! british, or any, brand loyalty is perfectly fine in my opinion, in the same way that every car reviewer has their own personal loyalties towards different manufacturers. i think what u are saying about the whole tiff debacle and now clarkson 'hating BMW's' is complete crap however, at the end of the day i think clarkson or any of the team, on top gear or fifth gear, have their own personal reason for liking different cars; but not external reasons for not!

lucifa

July 23, 2009 1:27 PM

The fact that the production team has desired shots is what originally made me skeptical; surely, if Clarkson's verdict is that the XF-R is almost as good as the M5, the production team would have been aiming to make the two cars appear to be at least somewhat equal in the race? You'd think that, when Clarkson tells of the enormous torque advantage allowing him to pull away out of the corners, the production team would back it up with footage of it doing just that? Just thought it odd that they didn't, and I'm really not convinced.. As for what Clarkson himself is saying, I've got nothing against it -- his articles are good and he's undoubtedly one of the things that makes Top Gear so good -- and I'm fine with brand loyalty. However, Clarkson is excessively one-eyed with regard to BMW, particularly when they're competing with Jaguar; read some of his older works, he admits point blank that he hates BMW.

Personally I'd take the M5; the main advantages of the XF-R over it are the ride quality, the apparent lack of electronics and the gearbox in stop-start traffic. As I'm on the happier side of 50, I don't need the cushioning suspension to be comfortable, and I seem to be one of the extremely few people on this earth who can run the i-Drive system with ease.. it really isn't that hard. Besides, you can change the default settings and the "M" button is always there for instant change to performance mode. I also happen to live in a city where stop-start traffic is almost non-existent; even at the height of peak hour, the traffic is moving, so the gearbox isn't a huge issue. Aside from that there's build quality - which holds up fine in BMW and Jaguar seems to be getting better - and looks. I think the current M5 is one of the very best looking cars currently on sale, definitely topping the Jag. Which leaves performance, and clearly the M5 is better, and likely to be a better drive too. Hands down victory for the M5, in my opinion.

sgwillie

August 28, 2009 1:06 PM

dude your dumb ! I have a xf-r and my brother has the m-5 and the jag is a little faster! not by much, but enough to win!

kurac1

July 22, 2009 5:48 PM

It's closse, but the M5 is just a better machine...The V10 is gorgeus, the transmission and drivetrain are amazing,and all 3 work together brilliantly to make the M5 super fast and agile. The Jag, thogh better looking, simply cannot achieve the level of performance of the M5...Oh and Clarkson is being a homer...

Edited by user on July 22, 2009 at 5:50 PM

chris25

July 22, 2009 6:08 PM

Clarkson is only a british lover & nothing else. He even likes the Aston martin vanquish when its too short to fit himself. The M5 is lot better than this Jag XFR

mmr66

July 22, 2009 6:46 PM

you are 100000% right chris25 .

N20_Purge

July 22, 2009 6:57 PM

The 'Jaaaag' Is miles better than the M5. After all, after all these years of being on sale, it is quite dated.

scratchy996

July 22, 2009 7:32 PM

why is the jag miles better ?

vovaUA

July 22, 2009 6:59 PM

Lets not forget its an old M5 in 2 years new one will be even better and faster with TURBOCHARGED torque.

elhou90

July 22, 2009 8:10 PM

I definetly prefer the M5 , and wait for the new one , it'll be a real missile ! , bring it out BMW

dnmacf

July 22, 2009 9:25 PM

@badis - indeed the Jag is not a sports car like the M5. it is however the best sports saloon on the road. the M5 is far to complicated and control by computers. on the road the Jag is a faster tool and can carry 5 in comfort and style.

N20_Purge

July 22, 2009 10:17 PM

You guys do know neither are sports cars. Since when is a sports car a 4 door saloon?

scratchy996

July 23, 2009 2:15 AM

dnmacf , you think the jag doesn't have traction control, ESP, ABS and such ? and who do you think controls the jag's fancy suspension ? magic fairies ?

the M5 is faster on the track and on the road, the Jag has the potential, but the gearbox is holding it back.

Edited by user on July 23, 2009 at 2:32 AM

schnell

July 22, 2009 10:44 PM

not surprised the BMW is better, but would expect that with the newer tech, the jag would be better. It'll be interesting to see how much the twin turbo V8 2010 M5 raises the bar

kinan_sleiman2006

July 22, 2009 11:06 PM

The m5 is better..top gear hates German"s car!!!!!

GuyOh

July 23, 2009 12:02 AM

this article failed to mention with stig driving them around the track, the BMW M5 had the better track time

pismeov

July 23, 2009 1:58 AM

actually, as i remember from his m5 review, jeremy hates the 5-series for all its dorkiness, but loves the m5 for all its sportiness.

Edited by user on July 23, 2009 at 1:58 AM

scratchy996

July 23, 2009 2:36 AM

remember the episode where Clarkson took a 14 year old boy to change the settings on that WRX ? he hates computers.. except when they are on a Ferrari , Scuderia with computers = good :)

bcuth

July 23, 2009 1:16 AM

does everyone forget that the M5 is an old model? Wait until the new one comes with 555 hp and 500 tq

pismeov

July 23, 2009 2:04 AM

this is a moot point. the m5 is the CURRENT model. yes, we know there is a new one underway, but no one can get their hands on that new one to test it. so there's no sense in bringing it up. top gear is comparing two cars that are available NOW. the fact that the m5 has been around longer is irrelevant as it is still currently in production and is currently the only new m5 one can buy at the dealership.

i might as well say... "well.. wait for the new xf-r or whatever the hell they replace the current xf-r with with a gazillion hp." it's a useless statement that has no merit.

Edited by user on July 23, 2009 at 2:06 AM

pismeov

July 23, 2009 1:56 AM

so what it is is... you have a wonderful all around car that is within inches of matching another car that is far more singularly sport-minded. and to top it all of, this brilliant all-arounder costs less.

being that this is still the mid-size luxury sports sedan segment, bravo jaguar. since the usual drive to work won't be in a test track, the jag is the better car to live with.

Edited by user on July 23, 2009 at 1:59 AM

scratchy996

July 23, 2009 2:40 AM

actually no. the M5 has 400 hp in normal mode and softer suspensions, it's easier to live with it in normal traffic. only when you push the M button, the engine gets 500 hp and the suspensions stiffen.

scratchy996

July 23, 2009 2:51 AM

if i were to choose between the two , i would choose a 1995 Jag XJR, when they still looked British. i don't like the current Jags, they look too generic.

pismeov

July 23, 2009 5:05 AM

there's more to comfort than how soft the ride is. and in the m5's case, jeremy already stated in his m5 review that it doesn't even ride that softly even in 400hp mode. if you don't get a manual, you get a jerky smg tranny. in stop and go traffic, this could be a pain. if you do get a manual, this also becomes a pain in stop and go traffic--unless you love shifting THAT much. and as jeremy found, the xfr is the more comfortable car. and since no one else here has compared the two cars first-hand, i don't see how anyone can disagree with any facts.

scratchy996

July 23, 2009 1:20 PM

Clarkson has known back problems , he complains about the ride in almost every car. also SMG jerky ? and a manual being a pain , where are you from , USA ?

if you're 82 or got back problems, take the jag , if you want to drive , take the M5. but for the people who buy a 500+ hp car , the driving is more important, so the M5 is the better car.

GermanCarsRule

July 23, 2009 2:11 AM

The JAG su****

ericthedog

July 23, 2009 2:23 AM

german cars suck , so many people on here have thier head firmly up fritz's arse .

scratchy996

July 23, 2009 2:52 AM

everyone has a favourite arse.

miika

July 23, 2009 5:05 AM

All cars suck. But at least the Jag had nice blue paint!

MTC

July 23, 2009 6:52 AM

Everyone seems to forgot where most people uses these cars - on the road. The Jag is far more comfortable than the M5 for everyday usage.

quilla_b

July 23, 2009 6:56 AM

I think its no debate which is a better track/performance car- the BMW M5. But I do believe that for a normal chap like me, who doesn't run laps on my spare time, I'd take the Jaguar XFR simply because it is a great machine and definitely classier than the M5. It may not have the best lap time but it surely beats the M5 in style and beauty. Again, this is my opinion. I just hope that reliability is not an issue anymore with Jags.

whitecar

July 23, 2009 8:37 AM

Just remember that the BMW M5 is about 4-5 years old and it is still slightly faster than the jag. The new 2011 BMW M5 will eat the jag alive.

whitecar

July 23, 2009 8:39 AM

It is also interesting that some people in this forum talk about comfort and useability but in fact most people who drive either of these cars are petrolhead who want speed and performance

Thunderkiss

July 23, 2009 10:19 AM

Jaguar is British so its automaticaly better!

genie

July 23, 2009 10:31 AM

On the track the M5 is better, but I'd take the Jag anyday over the Beemer. For the everyday world, the Jag comes up trumps. With the added bonus that people won't think you're a complete w@nker when they see you driving the XF-R. The same can't be said for the Beemer.

scratchy996

July 23, 2009 1:25 PM

because what other people think is more important than driving dynamics , right ?

genie

July 24, 2009 4:26 AM

No, everyday drive-ability and liveability is more important. But don't pretend that you don't care what other people think, otherwise you'd walk around all day in your PJ's.

Get_real

July 23, 2009 2:02 PM

why all the long comments? It's only Clarkson testing a car and giving his opinion. As if he is the mesure of things related to cars... I have a soft spot for the M5's engine. especially because it will dissapear to be changed by another turbo engine... I like the Jag's looks more but generally BMW fits better to hat I expect from a sedan.

resa_071

July 23, 2009 3:40 PM

@ EVERYONE

Jag is not British car, so you can just speak about mister Clarkson's Indian loyalty.

GermanCarsRule

July 23, 2009 6:32 PM

Axis Cars are the better choice :=) *lol*

ccrispy

July 23, 2009 7:36 PM

I am confused I drive an 2007 M5 and my car doesnt have as much torque as mentioned in this article...

schnell

July 23, 2009 9:22 PM

6speed manual or automated manual VS. automatic is all i need to know in order to pick the best SPORT sedan

e36mmm

July 24, 2009 9:00 AM

i totally understand the debate as xfr is close to the m5 in terms of performance in sports saloons. however m5 is an m5. in 2000 it was the worlds quickest saloon and it still is. yes the jaguar is nice and fast. if comfort is number one priority in these cars, why even bother getting the xfr instead of the xf or the M5? these cars are built for performance. one is called M the other is XF R. the choice is simple, M5. you need to be a deep jag enthusiast to pick the xfr over the m5. This jag is damn good in my opinion but still fails in terms of performance compared to the m5, however it does look better. any manufacturer who wants to beat the m5 in sports saloon division will have to come up with cars like the panamera turbo or the lamborghini estoque and those cars are not even in production yet and bmw will make things even harder in 2010.

satera

July 28, 2009 3:53 PM

simply the M5 is the better , is the high performance cars ever made in this class with the new AUDI RS6 ... the END

Edited by user on July 28, 2009 at 3:54 PM

X6M

July 29, 2009 2:38 AM

Expected this. Not surprised.

Edited by user on July 29, 2009 at 4:13 PM

ubercool

July 31, 2009 11:38 AM

Jag XFR is the ultimate performance sedan, it's 99.9% better than the BMW M5, M5 maybe a few tenths of a second faster on a track, but Jag have built the finest luxury car in the world. Jag have plenty more up their sleeves aswell, an XFR-S in the near future will have stiffer suspension and even more power!!!!!!!!!

Edited by user on July 31, 2009 at 11:39 AM

Captain Scarlett

August 5, 2009 2:47 AM

I can't believe how excited commentators get over a few flashing blue lights and revolving air vents. Simple things pleases simple minds. The interior is still hideously plasticly. wood and leather has given way to cheap plastics.

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