Now that the new BMW 5 Series has made its debut and is being dispersed among customers across the globe, it’s naturally going to be compared with its rivals from Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Audi. In this recent comparison test by Auto Express, we see what happens when the new 5er takes on the two former competitors.

All of the cars in this test use four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engines, as they’re going to be the most popular powertrains in the UK. So the BMW 5 Series gets a 2.0 liter turbo-diesel that makes 187 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, helping it to get from 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds. In this case, the BMW 520d is the only car to have all-wheel drive, which helps its acceleration. But it’s still not the fastest, as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class makes 191 hp and 295 hp from its 2.0 liter turbo-diesel, which gets it from 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds. So the Benz is a tick faster. But both Germans are considerably faster than the Jaguar XF, which gets from 0-60 mph in 9.3 seconds thanks to its 178 hp 2.0 liter turbo-diesel.

In terms of how AE ranked the three cars, the Jaguar came dead last, which is surprising because it’s also a great car to drive. The Jag’s chassis is dynamic and exciting and its looks are seductive. However, it was too compromised everywhere else, including performance, fuel economy, ride comfort and technology. While the Jag is a good car, its flaws are too great to overcome any of the two Germans in the test.

Second place went to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The Benz is a great overall car, with good looks, a fantastic interior, a ton of technology and a comfortable ride. However, its suspension was too choppy and lacked composure while it also lacked in terms of handling. It’s a great car people who just want some calm and quiet to mooch about in but it isn’t as good as the lead German in the test.

The BMW 5 Series took first place rather comfortably. It’s not only the best car in the test to drive but it’s also the most comfortable. It’s suspension is the perfect blend of comfort and agility, without being too soft or too harsh. It also packs a fantastic cabin and the best tech of the bunch by far. While many people will gawk at the pretty interior of the Benz, it’s the 5 Series that actually packs the more quality cabin. Overall, the BMW 5 Series is the best car in the segment by quite a long shot.

[Source: Auto Express]