New Jaguar XF review

The new Jaguar XF is essentially the replacement for the long serving S-Type, still highly regarded by Jaguar enthusiasts, and the new sports saloon is a significant milestone for the ‘premium’ brand.

In every respect it signals the future of the marque – and yet it remains true to the essence of what has always made great Jaguars the cars they are. Under Ford’s ownership the XF cornerstone was laid down, under TATA’s ownership the XF will help build Jaguar’s future.

The new XF is more than just a strikingly beautiful crafted and sculptured Jaguar, with the new face of Jaguar featuring an elongated horizontal chrome mesh grille. It appeals from a rational perspective to buyers of all ages who expect value for money, even from a luxury brand, and it still retains its Britishness.

The Jaguar XF four-door sport saloon is one of the most visually striking, technically sophisticated and driver-oriented cars that the company has ever produced and hopefully it will define the Jaguar brand. Over a dozen international awards have been won by the Jaguar XF since its show debut last year and UK sales started in March this year, although the order books were full before the first cars hit our roads.

Apart from its stunning sleek, muscular and wide track styling, Jaguar’s trump card for the XF is that most of the equipment you would expect in a luxury car comes as standard, not as with Audi, BMW and Mercedes who have endless lists of extra cost options which in reality are needed. However there is still a huge range of extra cost options that will push even the cheapest XF diesel up to the £40,000 mark.

Apart from is four-door coupe sports styling, Jaguar has adopted a sharp new edge for the interior of the XF. Sophisticated instrumentation with a touch-screen controls - a little small to use but you get used to them, and modern materials as well as real wood finishes and leather upholstery.

On entry to the XF, the start button pulses red like a heartbeat. Start the engine and the cylindrical JaguarDrive gear selector rises into the palm of the hand while rotating vents turn from their flush, 'parked' position to their functional open position.

Pricing and running costs

XF pricing is competitive throughout the range, in spite of the high-level standard feature specifications and extensive use of advanced technologies.

Prices start at £33,900 and continue upwards to £54,900. The mainstay models, the 2.7-litre V6 Diesel Luxury and Premium Luxury versions are priced at £33,900 and £37,500 respectively.

Strong residual values will appeal to those using the XF as a ‘business’ car and the V6 diesel in particular has competitive emissions levels, with the accompanying tax advantages for company car users and fleet buyers. Industry predictions are that XF diesel models will retain over 50 per cent of their value after the usual three-years/36,000 mile period better than the competitor models such as the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6.

Engines and performance

The XF is currently available with a range of four engines all combined with Jaguar's proven six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted 'paddles' for manual gear selection.

The powerplant line up offers the choice of the 2.7-litre V6 twin-turbocharged diesel with 204bhp, 320lb ft of torque from 1,900rpm, 0-60mph in just 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 143 mph. Average combined fuel economy is 37.6mpg with 199g/km of CO2 giving it a Vehicle Excise Duty Band F rating of £210 this year and £260 from next April. This will be the main selling engine in the UK.

Next comes the 3.0-litre V6 petrol unit with 235bhp, 216 lb ft from 4,100rpm, 0-60mph in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 148mph; Average fuel consumption 26.8mpg, 249g/km with a £400 a road tax bill going up to £440.

Following on is the 4.2-litre normally aspirated V8 petrol engine with 300bhp, 303lb ft of torque, 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 155mph. Fuel; economy is 25.3 and CO2 emissions of 264g/km also puts this engine in the top road tax band of £400 and more next year.

Even more power and performance, and running costs, comes in the form of the 4.2-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine which produces 420bhp and 413 lb ft. Performance figures are, 0-60mph in 5.1 seconds, a top speed electronically limited to 155mph, 22.4mpg, with a budget busting 299g/km of CO2 again costing £400 and £440 in 2009/10, unless The Government does a U-turn again.

Specifications and options

Key driving aids on the XF include Electronic Brake Assist, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Anti-lock Braking System, Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control, and Engine Drag Torque Control. And, for the first time in a Jaguar, Understeer Control Logic which decelerates the car and helps to restore grip to the front wheels when required.

The new XF has a wide range of driver assistance features and options including a Blind Spot Monitor, Front and Rear Parking Aids, Rear Camera Parking Aid, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Speed Limiter and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Bluetooth compatibility, iPod/MP3 player interfaces, JaguarVoice, Digital radio and a single or six-disc CD player ensure owners can listen and talk as they choose.

As with previous Jaguar saloons the XF is a weighty and substantial vehicle. Its 2.3 tonnes weight allows it to feel firmly planted on the road ensuring a comfortable and controlled ride with really excellent handling characteristics. For such a large and heavy car the XF still feels agile and nimble on winding roads.

At 4,961mm long, 1,877mm wide and 1,460mm high it is a big executive four-door saloon but inside, other than the large 540 litre boot, there isn’t huge amounts of space. True it can be classed as a five seater but in reality the rear seats are better suited to adult passengers. Due to its coupe styling headroom in the rear is also restricted and although the boot is large the access to it is restrictive. However the rear seats fold to create more space.

Although the 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel engine is quiet, refined and generally gives adequate account of itself but being a heavy car that takes the edge and sharpness off performance and does nothing to help fuel economy, just 30.2mpg during my test drive period.

Image, quality and refinement are the XF’s main features and as long as reliability is not an issue in the long-term then the latest Jaguar has a very positive future.

MILESTONES

Jaguar XF 2.7-litre V6 Diesel Premium Luxury Saloon

Price: £37,500. (£40,000+ as tested)

Engine/transmission: 2.7-litre, V6 turbodiesel, 204bhp, 320lb ft of torque from 1,900rpm, 6-speed automatic

Performance: 143mph, 0-60mph 7.7 seconds 37.6mpg, (30.2mpg actual), CO2 199g/km, VED Band F £210, company car tax liability 30%

Insurance group: 17

For: Classy styling inside and out, sporting high quality image, superb handling, well equipped, refined engine and transmission, strong residual values expected.

Against: Tight rear headroom, heavy weight dulls sports performance

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