These c.£30k performance coupes have more in common than you’d think. Here’s why – and which makes the best ownership prospect...
Looking for a performance coupe? With its 266bhp 1.6-litre engine and 44.8mpg, Peugeot’s RCZ R is the ideal new buy. But at the same £30k price point you could get behind the wheel of a four-year-old, 500bhp-plus 5.0-litre supercharged V8 Jaguar XKR, adding class and prestige to your motoring. We compare the pros and cons of each choice.
It’s not as bizarre a comparison as you might initially think, even if you consider that the XKR – which was c.£80k when new in 2011 – omits much of the easy cabin technology we’re so used to in 2015. At 25.2mpg, it hasn’t exactly got user-friendly economy, either. But it does boast a superlative handling and ride package, excellent steering and V8 muscle aplenty laid down through the rear tyres
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The RCZ R takes a very different approach, thanks to its lively 1.6 turbo feeding the front wheels via a limited-slip diff. Again, though, its handling and steering are top-notch, and any torque steer is well contained. The cabin feels great, with supportive seats and the latest infotainment set-up. Yet if you’re looking for luxury and class, it can’t compare with the Jaguar’s interior, which is on a different level.
There are the obvious running and ownership benefits to buying fresh from the showroom, of course. A new-car warranty or finance deal gives peace of mind against mechanical or trim failures. The Peugeot is a no-brainer in this department – but the Jaguar has a trick up its sleeve as well, thanks to the two-year warranty provided by the marque’s own approved used scheme. Service history is an important aspect of any potential second-hand buy, and you can get running help and advice from forums and clubs, too.
So it’s the practicalities of ownership that your choice will ultimately come down to. Want an easy-care day-to-day driver? Go for the dashing Peugeot. You can simply concentrate on excitement behind the wheel, and not worry about anything going wrong. Looking for more panache, luxury and muscle? The Jaguar is for you – and that all-important used warranty will provide a reassuring safety net. The choice is yours.
by Sarah Bradley
Peugeot RCZ R
Price now: £32,250
Price when new: £32,250
Engine: 4cyl, 1598cc, turbo, petrol
Power: 266bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque: 243b ft @ 1900-5500rpm
Gearbox: 6spd manual
Kerbweight: 1355kg
0-60mph: 6.1sec
Top speed: 155mph
Economy: 44.8mpg
CO2/tax band: 145g/km/24%
Jaguar XKR (2011)
Price now: £30,750
Price when new: £77,845
Engine: V8, 5000cc, supercharged, petrol
Power: 503bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque: 461b ft @ 2500-5500rpm
Gearbox: 6spd automatic
Kerbweight: 1656kg
0-60mph: 4.6sec
Top speed: 155mph
Economy: 25.2mpg
CO2/tax band: 292g/km/37%