CAR WARS! Jaguar's New Kid On The Block May Just Have Unseated The BMW 3-Series As A Benchmark

It feels weird to even think that anything aside from the BMW 3-Series would be considered the entry-level luxury benchmark. For decades, the 3-Series has conquered this area better than anyone else.

Sure there were several coups along the way, but if we're painting broad strokes, the 3'er has defined what sport sedans should be.

So now that the British have something to bring to the table, how does it fair out? Surprisingly well, actually.

Although Jonny Lieberman seems to like the XE's interior and its styling, we're not so sure that's the vehicle's strong suit. However, the supercharged six-cylinder motor and exhaust note is another story.

Having said that, I'll let you check out the clip below and see the end result for yourself.

On this episode of Head 2 Head presented by Tire Rack, Jonny Lieberman heads off to Spain’s Basque Country to enjoy the local wines and pintxos, the latter being the Basque take on tapas. He also embarks to find out if the latest challenger to the BMW 3 Series can dethrone the king of the sport sedan segment. Jaguar’s swing at the 335i is called the XE S. It’s all new, made from mostly aluminum, and powered by the same 340 horsepower supercharged V-6 found in the F-Type. Jaguar tried and failed at taking on the 3 Series with the ill-fated X-Type a generation ago. Did they get it right this time? Or will the German sport sedan supremacy continue on full speed ahead? Watch and find out!

valhallakey - 6/27/2015 3:58:03 AM

0 Boost

Enjoyed the video. I have been a huge BMW fan since my first one (1802) in the early 80s through M3s, M5s and even my current 318d, but it seems to me that BMW really does not try to follow their creed as religiously as they used to and are consciously letting others develop the "Ultimate Driving Machines" while they pursue gradually becoming Toyota. Glad to Jaguar doing well in this H2H in every single are that matters in a sports sedan. In fact the JLR portfolio is developing into one of the best out there, including a nice sports car with the F type, nice sports sedan as I just saw in the video above, great line up of SUVs (esp once they revive the Defender). Go British!

MDarringer - 6/27/2015 9:38:24 AM

-1 Boost

I enjoyed the video as well for how it portrayed a clueless wannabe hipster. His affected pronunciation of "JagYOUar" and "zed eff" trying to appear continental was hilarious. He's a good actor as well. To be able to praise--with a straight face--the magnificence of Callum's styling on this car is worthy of an Oscar. It's Camry bland you dipstick. He adored the engine--called it a gas guzzler--but brushed that aside.

I'm not saying that the XE can't be a good car, but it's lagging like hell to the US market which is a huge fail to Jaguar for not planning the launch better. Moreover, the jury will be out for some time as it decides whether Jaguar has purged itself of its reliability/durability issue.

I say bring it on, but just remember that EVERY challenger to the 3 Series is ALWAYS lauded for finally doing the 3 Series one better.

The video was a nice diversion, but not even remotely an objective comparison.

Agent00R - 6/27/2015 10:24:31 AM

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I am with you on this, Matt.

Will be interesting to get behind the wheel and experience it but from what I saw at NYIAS, the interior was, as our British friends would say, rubbish.

MDarringer - 6/27/2015 10:38:19 AM

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I am glad not to have any involvement with Jaguar anymore. Their entire product line is questionable. The XJ is 100% noncompetitive. The XF failed to even dent the market. The Genesis was far more successful. The F Type costs DOUBLE what it should. The F Type should have started at $40K and sold by the truckload to ignite a mass fervor for Jaguar, but instead it was placed and a sports car that sells by the trickle. The XE may be wonderful, but stylistically it just isn't special. The F Pace will be the volume seller which is its own badge-engineered irony.

iamdabest1 - 6/28/2015 12:36:22 AM

-1 Boost

id still take a 3 over the xe. something about this jag just doesnt do it for me. as far the F type goes, id take that over a 6 series. everything else, i think bmw is better than jag.

rumnyc - 6/29/2015 5:00:13 AM

-2 Boost

looks interesting enough for me to test drive. I would probably still take a 435i GranCoupe over either...