BMW M3 vs Jaguar XJ
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 23 Sep 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Jaguar XJ: we're still completing price, seat count, drive type, warranty and ground clearance, plus 1 other.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$163,700RRP
- no option data for this car
No price
- no price to build from against the BMW M3
3 added options
- Adaptive Cruise Control: no price printed
- Blind Spot Monitor: no price printed
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring: no price printed
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
BMW M3
- REC-000132 · published 10 Jun 2021Due to a manufacturing fault in the hydraulic unit brake booster, panic braking could cause loss of brake power assistance and the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) without prior warning.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2020
Jaguar XJ
- REC-005294 · published 22 Jan 2018The virtual display instrument cluster goes blank intermittently.Year range on the notice: MY16-18 Jaguar XE, XF, XJ and F-Pace
- REC-000676 · published 19 Jul 2017If the vehicle is in a frontal collision severe enough to deploy the front airbags, the airbags may deploy with too much force, due to the possibility of over set parameters.Year range on the notice: 2009 - 2011
- REC-003724 · published 7 Jul 2016The driver airbag performance is outside of the required specification for time to inflate due to a malformed canister.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- 3 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The BMW M3 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, ventilated seats, Harman Kardon audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Jaguar XJ. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The BMW M3 uses a Petrol producing 353kW and 550Nm of torque, sent through a manual to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.2 seconds.
The Jaguar XJ responds with a 3.0 Litre V6 250kW Supercharged Petrol making 250kW and 450Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic. It gets to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds.
The BMW M3 has the clear power advantage at 353kW vs 250kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW M3 is 1.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW M3 measures 4,801mm long on a 2,857mm wheelbase, 451mm shorter than the Jaguar XJ at 5,252mm (3,157mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Jaguar XJ generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 480L in the BMW M3 and 520L in the Jaguar XJ, giving the Jaguar XJ a 40L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 12.3m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.3m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,879/year for the BMW M3 and $2,736/year for the Jaguar XJ. That is a $143 annual difference in favour of the Jaguar XJ.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW M3 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Jaguar XJ if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Jaguar's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BMW M3: Top CarSorted Score, 60 vs 46
The BMW M3 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (60 vs 46), taking 2 of 3 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: reliability (BMW M3 ahead by 28), safety (BMW M3 ahead by 20), performance (BMW M3 ahead by 18). The Jaguar XJ will save you roughly $143 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Jaguar XJ has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW M3 and Jaguar XJ?
The BMW M3 is the cheapest at $163,700 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Jaguar XJ uses the least fuel at 9.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of BMW M3 and Jaguar XJ carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Jaguar XJ has the largest boot at 520L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW M3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW M3 makes the most power at 353kW. The BMW M3 is quickest to 100km/h in 4.2s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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