Compare the2023 Audi S3 VS 2022 Jaguar XF

The S3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The XF doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi S3 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Jaguar XF doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Audi S3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XF doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The S3 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The XF doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the S3. But it costs extra on the XF.

Both the S3 and the XF have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the S3 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 101 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XF has not been tested, yet.

The S3’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the XF’s (12 vs. 6 years).

There are over 60 percent more Audi dealers than there are Jaguar dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the S3’s warranty.

The Audi S3’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the XF’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Jaguar With 1 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Audi higher than Jaguar.

The S3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 60 more horsepower (306 vs. 246) and 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 269) than the XF P250’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The S3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 10 more horsepower (306 vs. 296) than the XF P300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the S3 gets better fuel mileage than the XF P300 AWD (23 city/32 hwy vs. 22 city/30 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi S3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The XF requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The S3 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The XF doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The S3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XF’s standard 45 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the S3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XF doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For better maneuverability, the S3’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the XF’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.2 feet).

The S3 is 1 foot, 5.7 inches shorter than the XF, making the S3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The S3 is 6.5 inches narrower than the XF, making the S3 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The S3 has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The XF has no towing capacity.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Jaguar. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 7% lower rating, Jaguar is ranked 10th.

The S3 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The XF doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the S3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the XF.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the S3 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The XF doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield, the S3 has standard extendable sun visors. The XF doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The S3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the S3 will retain 50.76% to 50.94% of its original price after five years, while the XF only retains 32.78% to 33.1%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi S3 will be $6445 to $8547 less than for the Jaguar XF.

The Audi A3/S3/RS 3 outsold the Jaguar XF by over six to one during the 2022 model year.