Compare the2023 BMW X3VS 2023 Jaguar F-Pace

The X3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The F-Pace doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW X3 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 F-Pace doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X3 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The F-Pace doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X3 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The F-Pace 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X3 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The F-Pace doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Compared to metal, the X3’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Jaguar F-Pace has a metal gas tank.

Both the X3 and the F-Pace 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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 X3 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The F-Pace has not been tested, yet.

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the F-Pace’s (12 vs. 6 years).

There are over 84 percent more BMW dealers than there are Jaguar dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X3’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X3’s reliability 30 points higher than the F-Pace.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X3 first among compact premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The F-Pace isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Jaguar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 45 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jaguar is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Jaguar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jaguar is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the F-Pace:

The X3 has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the F-Pace. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X3 higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Jaguar F-Pace (3 to 7). This means the X3 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the F-Pace every 15,000 miles.

The X3 M40i’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The F-Pace doesn’t offer launch control.

The X3 stops shorter than the F-Pace:

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the F-Pace’s standard 55 series tires.

The X3 M40i xDrive handles at .88 G’s, while the F-Pace pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M40i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the F-Pace (25.9 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 26.8 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The X3 is 6.9 inches narrower on average than the F-Pace, making the X3 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The front grille of the X3 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The F-Pace doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the X3 M40i xDrive is quieter than the F-Pace SVR:

The X3 has 5.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the F-Pace (101.4 vs. 96).

The X3 has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more rear headroom and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the F-Pace.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3’s rear seats recline. The F-Pace’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the X3 is .7 inches lower than the F-Pace (18.5” vs. 19.2”). The X3’s rear step up height is 1.3 inches lower than the F-Pace’s (18.5” vs. 19.8”).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X3 easier. The X3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the F-Pace’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The X3’s cargo area is larger than the F-Pace’s in almost every dimension:

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

The X3’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The F-Pace’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X3 offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The F-Pace doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X3 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X3 has standard extendable sun visors. The F-Pace doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The F-Pace doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The F-Pace SVR’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The X3 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The F-Pace doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the X3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X3 will cost $2220 less than the F-Pace over a five-year period.

The X3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X3 will retain 49.78% to 50.55% of its original price after five years, while the F-Pace only retains 45% to 47.08%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X3 will be $9439 to $31463 less than for the Jaguar F-Pace.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X3 outsold the Jaguar F-Pace by over 11 to one during 2022.