Compare the2024 Jaguar XFVS 2024 Audi S3

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Jaguar XF have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Audi S3 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the XF’s standard All Surface Progress Control allows you to creep down safely. The S3 doesn’t offer All Surface Progress Control.

The XF has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the S3’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the XF has standard Rear Traffic Warning and Rear Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the S3.

The XF’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The S3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

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

The XF comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The S3’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Jaguar pays for scheduled maintenance on the XF for 5 years and 60,000 miles. Jaguar will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S3.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jaguar vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jaguar above average in initial quality. With 36 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

Regenerative brakes improve the XF’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The S3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The XF has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the S3 (19.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Jaguar XF higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi S3 (5). This means the XF produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the S3 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Jaguar XF, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the S3.

For better traction, the XF has larger standard tires than the S3 (245/40R19 vs. 225/40R18). The XF’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S3 (255/35R20 vs. 235/35R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XF has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the S3. The XF’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the S3.

The XF has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the S3; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the S3 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XF’s wheelbase is 12.9 inches longer than on the S3 (116.5 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XF is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 3.4 inches wider in the rear than on the S3.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the XF a Compact car, while the S3 is rated a Subcompact.

The XF has 9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S3 (95 vs. 86).

The XF has .7 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 2.5 inches more rear legroom and 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the S3.

The XF Sedan has a much larger trunk than the S3 (10.1 vs. 8.3 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the XF offers cargo security. The S3’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the XF uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The S3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the XF is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S3. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional at extra cost in the S3, the XF has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The XF’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The XF’s standard Keyless Entry allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Engine Start/Stop standard on the S3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The XF’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The S3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the XF SE/R-Dynamic to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The S3 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Both the XF and the S3 have standard heated front seats. The XF also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the S3.

On extremely cold winter days, the XF’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The S3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Jaguar XF has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the S3.

The XF is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.