A Forgotten Luxury Sedan That Still Turns More Heads Than A New BMW

The BMW 5 Series is one of the most respectable family sedans in the business. It’s a no-nonsense approach to a fast, practical, and high-tech vehicle that just seems to tick the boxes of functional logic. German cars have continuously forged a cultural identity through their dedication to mechanical precision, giving their cars a polished yet simplistic flavor. Whilst this is unarguably a recipe for a serious daily commuter, it perhaps lacks a certain sense of boldness or occasion that can be found in other cars. And though it’s all the car you could ever need, sometimes that just isn’t enough for you to fall in love with it.

Whilst Jaguar is now going through an enormous rebranding, there are still some modern, yet value-oriented second-hand options that may just give you the fizz that the BMW doesn’t. Both the BMW 5 Series and Jaguar XF are seemingly similar on the surface in terms of size, genre, and philosophy, but both evoke a unique sense of style that will reach out and capture the hearts of different consumers. BMW dominates this segment of the market, but the Jaguar XF is one of the ultimate forgotten bargains of the 2010s and 2020s.

Jaguar’s Last Ever Sedan Comes With Serious Style

Jaguar

The Jaguar XF was the final chapter in a significant storybook of Jaguar’s history. One that was started by the Mark 2 and the XJ6 throughout the 1960s, and one that would remain within Jaguar’s heart and soul until the final XF was produced in 2024: the classy, luxurious sedan. A long line of cars that could make any owner proud, but one that the whole family could benefit from. Whilst the BMW 5 Series defines its sense of luxury prowess through gadgetry, enormous screens, and giant LED strips, the XF is far more civilized for the traditional gentleman, and embodies the original meaning of the word luxury.

Jaguar

The Jaguar XF doesn’t only try to capture you with its timeless accented leather interior, it’s also the smaller details that are only truly appreciated once you own a car, which the XF excels at. With real, physical switchgear and knurled metal dials, there is a certain tactility and satisfying click that oozes a sense of craftsmanship much more than haptics on a bright touchscreen. Although the BMW is more gizmo-ready and at home in the hands of a tech-geek, the Jaguar XF has features that create a sense of experience the 5 Series doesn’t. With a 400W Meridian soundsystem on the Dynamic SE XF, its ultra-high quality Windsor leather and authentic metal accents, there is a sense of occasion the 5 Series cannot match.

Performance Of The 2024 Jaguar XF Vs. The 2026 BMW 5 Series

Comparing the base models of these two vehicles, the outcome is fairly similar. Both have emissions-friendly 2.0-liter turbo engines, which, whilst quick enough, won’t be selected by those who really crave a driver’s car. That being said, if you prioritize efficiency and adequate performance, both of the base models will do the job. Both of these vehicles also share the same ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, often considered the singular best torque-converter gearbox available. Though the Jaguar is tuned for a smooth and relaxing feel, BMW opts for an efficiency-focused setup, which is tuned for the mild-hybrid system. In standard Jaguar fashion, it feels a little more traditional than the Bimmers setup.

2024 Jaguar XF Vs. 2026 BMW 530i

Whilst both are fairly similar in their performance, the 530i benefits from a hybrid-oriented instantaneous boost. Though this creates a slightly faster car, those people who adore the Jaguar for its more laid-back cruiser style may actually prefer the creamier gearbox and more progressive style of acceleration.

Related

The Best Used BMWs Known For Reliability (Under $20K)

Best used BMWs that prove German cars can be cheap and reliable.

What If You Want A Little More Punch In Your XF?

CarBuzz

The 2020 model year is seen as a bit of a sweet spot for the Jaguar XF: The final year of the gorgeous V6’s usage, whilst still having many creature comforts we are used to in 2026. If you want to use your $30,000 differently from a more modern 2022-2024 Jaguar XF with fewer miles and more tech, you could always go down the route that many people’s hearts will follow. The 3.0-liter supercharged V6 XF-S turns the sensibilities of the Ingenium XF into a true driver’s car – one with serious performance, but more importantly, one with six thundering cylinders paired with a whining supercharger, a recipe that feels so beautifully charismatic in a large, gentleman’s Jaguar.

Supercharged Jaguar XF Vs Hybrid BMW 540i

This is also where the BMW 540i comes into play. Though it trades the Jag’s V-shaped cylinder layout for an inline-six setup and chooses partial electrification over a ludicrous supercharger, it packs a true punch of its own. It has muscular power delivery from its 3.0-liter engine, but also fills in the blanks with its mild hybrid setup, edging out the Jaguar in numerical performance. However, nothing can beat the buttery, raspy V6 in the Jag. No, it’s not as outright quick as the 540i. However, paired with its stunning interior and lightweight aluminum body, it creates a dynamic, classy, and thrilling occasion that the more precise BMW sorely lacks.

Reliability, Prices, And Depreciation

BMW

The 2023 Jaguar XF P300 retailed for around $53,000 when it launched, always undercutting the BMW 5 Series prices at the time to try to gain market share. Even at these competitive prices, the Jag was always the forgotten option. In 2026, you can get the same 2023 Jaguar XF P300 for around $30,000, offering serious value for money and coming in at approximately half the cost of a brand-new 530i.

Jaguar

Once you have purchased the XF, depreciation becomes less of a serious factor. With around 40 percent of the car’s value already lost from the showroom, you can expect relatively slow depreciation moving forward. Its forecast residual value is only 13 percent less in three years than what it is worth now.

The new BMW 530i is also forecast to depreciate 40 percent after the first three years of ownership, rendering its worth around $37,127 by 2028. Unfortunately, the XF does suffer from slightly below average reliability, achieving a score of only 6.8/10 on iSeeCars. Despite enormous upgrades to the timing chain in the first-generation Ingeniums, they still aren’t a particularly robust engine. Things aren’t any better for the Bimmer, with it also scoring a semi-acceptable 6.8/10 on iSeeCars.

The Forgotten Jaguar XF Is A Well-Crafted, Used Bargain

Jaguar

Sitting around $25,000 for a supercharged V6 XF-S from 2020, this is the true driver’s choice from the XF range. It combines the vast majority of safety tech and tech comforts of the 2023/2024 models, alongside the British craftsmanship feel of the interior quality, with that extraordinary engine. If you follow your soul, this is likely the one you’ll end up with, but if you are using your head, you may end up with the $30,000+ 2023 Jaguar XF. This will be the most sensible option for most people, with adequate power in the P300 models and being the closest to mint examples of the XF due to it being only a few years old.

Jaguar

The 2026 BMW 530i is a safe choice, and whilst it requires a large investment, it will serve you well. But it’s sincerely unfortunate that the wonderful Jaguar XF went so under the radar against its German rivals. The lack of success in this segment is one of the strands that led Jaguar to pull the plug on its long line of beautiful sedans, but at least it’s still here for second-hand owners to purchase and cherish.

Sources: Jaguar, BMW, iSeeCars, CarEdge, KBB