Name: Jaguar XF Review
Item: Jaguar XF
Author: Gumtree.com

In production since 2008, the Jaguar XF is a smart, luxury car for those who want to cut something of a dash on the road. It’s a classic five-seat sports sedan in modern form, combining suave looks with a polished and fun driving experience. Stylistically, there are nods back to Jaguar’s golden age, with coupe-like rear lines and a bulging bonnet under which lurk some of the manufacturer’s most powerful engines. Various updates over the years have brought refinements to the interior, as well as tweaks to the trim line-up that allowed the base models to undercut the likes of the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class on price.

The Jaguar XF model page has all you need to know about specs, prices and models.

What we think about the Jaguar XF

The Jaguar XF is great to drive and great to look at, with the lower-spec models undercutting rivals on price.

Pros

Great handling

Gorgeous styling

Well-equipped

Cons

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Interior build quality doesn’t match some rivals

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Road noise

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Engines aren’t the most economical

The XF took Jaguar’s styling in a new direction. It was the last model developed by Jaguar under Ford ownership, and in 2011, new owners Tata Industries updated the design for a sleeker look. The next update, in 2015, brought an updated range of engines and an eight-speed automatic transmission, before the 2020 iteration brought further refinements both inside and out. Four trim levels are split into two categories: Luxury and Sport.

Driving performance of the Jaguar Xf

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

As a luxury car, you’d expect the XF to deliver a smooth and relaxing drive, and thankfully it doesn’t disappoint. Handling corners is a joy, with the car feeling perfectly controlled as it glides around the bends. The chassis responds sweetly to your direction from the pedal and the steering wheel, resulting in a car that’s as fun to drive on the motorway as on a winding back road. The entry level 201 bhp diesel engine will whisk you from 0 to 60 in a respectable 7.6 seconds, or there are punchier options for those who feel the need for speed.

Safety and reliability of the Jaguar Xf

Our Safety Rating8 / 10

Back in 2015, the Jaguar XF was awarded the full five stars from Euro NCAP, meaning reliability and safety shouldn’t be a problem. It comes with six airbags, and features including an anti-lock braking system, tyre pressure monitoring and lane departure warning. Adding a safety pack brings blind spot monitoring, reverse cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and driver-attention detection to the table as well.

Under the bonnet of the Jaguar Xf

Our Engine Rating7 / 10

Stepping up from the 201 brake horsepower 2.0-litre diesel, the XF offers 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines giving 247 and 296 bhp respectively. Top of the range is the P300, but you won’t really feel the extra power from this until you hit around 5,500 rpm. The slightly sluggish gearbox does make you wonder whether the most powerful engine is worth the extra investment here. Diesel options in the pre-2020 models include 161, 217 and 247 bhp options, but these have been cut to just one in the new models: a 2.0-litre outputting 201. The 2020 facelift introduced mild-hybrid diesels as Jaguar looks towards the electric future.

What you'll find in the Jaguar Xf

Our Design Rating8 / 10

Not every car designer has managed to crack the four-door coupe, but Jaguar’s Ian Callum has found a winning formula. The handsome body kit is augmented with a striking black grille, air intakes, slim headlights and creases along the bonnet to create an exterior that’s eye-catching yet subtly crafted. Successive facelifts have made the front end punchier and increased the size of the air intakes, while enlarging the diffuser and redesigning the bumper at the rear. The Ry-Dynamic spec takes the cool up a notch, with the gloss black showing off the car’s dimensions perfectly from top to tyres.

Comfort and interiors in the Jaguar Xf

Our Comfort Rating8 / 10

Surprisingly, those looks don’t come at the expense of practicality, with plenty of space inside the XF for passengers. The build quality might fall slightly short of some of its premium rivals, but there are smart touches to lift the interior finish, such as the knurled gear selector and the wood veneer arcing across the dashboard. Jaguar reckons the prow-like line around the top of the cabin evokes the feel of an old power boat, and it’s little retro nods such as this that give the XF’s styling such a unique feel.

What features you'll find in the Jaguar Xf

Our Features Rating8 / 10

Accessories like auto lights and wipers come as standard, along with dual-zone air conditioning and electric front seats with memory function. There are also LED headlights, keyless entry and leather trim. The newer models are fitted with a dramatic 11.4-inch curved touchscreen, positioned nicely on the dash and integrated into the design. The display is sharp, and the interface is responsive and intuitive. This kind of technology will be key to Jaguar’s push to shake off its slightly fusty image and stay relevant in the fast-moving motoring scene.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Jaguar Xf

Our Fuel Consumption Rating7 / 10

Fitted with the entry level 2.0-litre diesel engine, the XF delivers a claimed 52.7 mpg, while the best figure for a petrol-powered XF is 32.5 mpg. If you’re keen on an XF but worried about fuel economy, since 2020 there’s been a solution available in the form of the new mild hybrid. Its combination of electric and diesel power delivers a claimed 130.2 mpg and an electric-only range of up to 33 miles.

Running costs of the Jaguar Xf

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

Low-spec versions of the XF undercut their main rivals from the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes. The downside to this is that they don’t tend to hold their value quite as well. Jaguar’s three-year warranty was once competitive, but many manufacturers are now offering five or even seven years. Various versions of the XF fall in insurance groups ranging from 25 to 41, with most in the mid to low 30s, so you definitely pay a little for the style on offer.

Our verdict of the Jaguar Xf

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

The Jaguar XF brings some serious style to the executive saloon class, combining stunning looks with comfort inside and fun behind the wheel.

Jaguar XF Review