This is probably the BMW 3 Series‘ toughest challenge yet. I’m not sure the 3 Series has ever faced such stiff competition in one test before, as there have never been as many great cars in the segment before. Now, the 3er has to go up against the new Jaguar XE and the even newer Alfa Romeo Giulia, two rear-wheel drive sport sedans with enough performance, dynamics and character to give the famous Bavarian a real fright. So does the 3 Series have what it takes to hang on? Auto Express finds out.
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All three cars in the test were fitted with their most common four-cylinder diesel engines (unexciting, I know) and rear-wheel drive. That means this test was between the BMW 320d, Jaguar XE 2.0d and the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.2D 180. Each car also had their “sport” packages equipped, so M Sport for BMW, R-Sport for Jaguar and Speciale for the Alfa. All three were also equipped with automatic gearboxes, so a ZF-sourced eight-speed auto for all three.
So, with all three cars on about as even a playing field as possible, let’s see how they got on.
In third place is the Alfa Romeo Giulia. It really is a charming car, the Giulia. It looks fantastic, has an interior that’s so different from any of the other competitors in the segment and an Italian-ness about it that makes it incredibly endearing. But, unlike many Alfa sedans of recent years, it’s also a properly good car. It’s quick, economical and very good to drive, with athletics that rival the other two cars. However, it was let down in this test by its firm ride, sub-par technology and the excellence of the other two cars.
Second place is then taken by the BMW 3 Series. The Bavarian favorite edges the Italian newcomer but looses to the smooth Brit. The test results are interesting because, in terms of pure driving dynamics, the 3 Series was said to be the better car. “Unrivaled” being the term used. However, it lost the first place spot thanks to slightly more emissions and being a bit expensive to option. Though, it does remain an excellent overall car.
That leaves the Jaguar XE in first place. It wins the test by being the most exciting, having the most interesting cockpit and by being the cheapest. We do admit, the Jaguar XE is a very enticing car, with its smooth looks and exciting driving dynamics. It does lack the space, interior comfort and technology of the Bimmer, though, as well as trunk space. But if its cheaper cost and good looks can make you forget that, then the XE wins this test.
[Source: Auto Express]
good looks and esthetics are a too personal judgement to draw a conclusion on interiorcomfort space and tchnology are measurable so the Beamer to me is a clear winner,at least for the ergonomics of the interior and lack of fancy bling and green an blue dash lights to me the calming red dash and headup of the beemer are the tools you really need when cruising the autobahn at high speed in midnight conditions..overall the dealer network of the BMW is much better structurized and complete the jag remains a rare car if you get towed awy in France yoy really have a big problen finding a decent workshop for your too exclusive jag….
Rare though the XE might be, as a complete package I feel it falls some way behind it’s European competitors. My money would go on an A4, 3 Series or C Class before the Jag
Agreed the C and A4 are overall better cars compared to the Jag even if they lack some driving character. I’m personally pretty impressed with the C class thanks to its interior since that’s where I spend most of my time with.
As usual, the Jag will always be a niche player as compare to the 3 series which cover larger group/type of driver. Same goes for Alfa which is always lovely.
Compact Sedan Snoozfest
The Alpha has BY FAR better cockpit design. Jag has the worst cabin. If you are looking for technology in the car, you should be buying a Macnook Pro to keep in the cabin. Ride quality is strongly affected by tires, and which tires did each contender have? After driving 3-series for 3 years, I can tell you the ride is super firm thanks for mandatory run-flats, and acceleration jerky and nonlinear with I4. There is no excellence there like it used to be
British car win in a British newspaper test… well, now i’ve heard everything
Tired of gimmicks, bimmers are so loaded with it. German cars in general are loaded full of gimmicks, annoying gimmicks even, its nice for a journalist who test a car for a few days and test out these functions but its annoying to live with. The Alfa is a delight in this regard.