Compare the2024 BMW X3VS 2024 Jaguar E-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 E-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 E-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 E-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 E-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 E-Pace doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the X3 and the E-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.

The BMW X3 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The E-Pace has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

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

There are over 2 times as many BMW dealers as 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 43 points higher than the E-Pace.

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.

The X3 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 136 more horsepower (382 vs. 246) and 100 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 269) than the E-Pace’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Jaguar E-Pace:

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the E-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 E-Pace. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 E-Pace doesn’t offer launch control.

The X3 stops much shorter than the E-Pace:

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the E-Pace (245/50R19 vs. 235/55R19).

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 E-Pace’s standard 55 series tires. The X3’s optional 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the E-Pace’s optional 45 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The E-Pace doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X3 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The E-Pace’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3’s wheelbase is 7.2 inches longer than on the E-Pace (112.8 inches vs. 105.6 inches).

The X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49% to 51%) than the E-Pace’s (58.7% to 41.3%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

The X3 M40i xDrive handles at .88 G’s, while the E-Pace SE pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M40i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the E-Pace SE (25.9 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

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 E-Pace doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the X3 M40i xDrive is quieter than the E-Pace SE (40 vs. 44 dB).

The X3 has 2.3 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 2.1 inches more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the E-Pace.

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

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the E-Pace with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 22.4 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the E-Pace with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 49.5 cubic feet).

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

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The E-Pace doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the E-Pace’s (4400 vs. 3968 pounds).

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the E-Pace. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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.

If the windows are left open on the X3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote or with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the E-Pace can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X3 offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The E-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 E-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 E-Pace doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the X3 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The E-Pace doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 E-Pace doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jaguar E-Pace isn't recommended.

The BMW X3 outsold the Jaguar E-Pace by almost 136 to one during 2023.