The Bottom Line
What do the Guide Rating stars mean?
The XF is not just a new Jaguar sedan -- it's a new type of Jaguar sedan. Forget the long hood and low roof of the classic XJ -- the XF draws its inspiration from the XK coupe, with uniquely-shaped head- and taillights, a mesh grille to announce its presence, and a 300 horsepower 4.2 liter V8 to hasten its absence. Is the XF a proper Jaguar? And does it necessarily need to be? Read on.
Larger photos: Front - rear - interior - all photos
Pros
- Beautifully trimmed interior
- Innovative and useful electronic features
- Quiet, comfortable ride
- Reasonably roomy (for a Jaguar, that is)
Cons
- Styling doesn't really stand out -- not at first glance, at least
- Not all that invigorating to drive
- Complex stereo/climate controls
Description
- New mid-size Jaguar sedan; replaces the S-Type
- Available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Supercharged models
- Price range: $49,975 - $66,675
- Model tested/price: XF Premium Luxury, $55,975
- EPA fuel economy estimates: 16 MPG city/25 MPG highway/19 MPG combined (Supercharged: 15/23/17)
- Observed fuel economy: 17.6 MPG
Guide Review - 2009 Jaguar XF test drive
There are certain bass-ackwards people who do not want Jaguar to change. I am one of them. To me, a proper Jag is long and low, has a cramped wood-paneled interior, and breaks down every fifty miles or so. So it took me a while to get used to the XF, which looks sort of like an XK coupe expanded to four-door size. It's pretty, but it doesn't make my heart go pitter-pat the way classic Jag sedans do. But I do love the interior, with its variety of high-quality materials and details like the dial-style gear selector that rises out of the center console like a UFO when the car is started.
The XF's attitude towards hard drivin' is like the Victorian attitude towards sex: One does it if one has to, but one doesn't enjoy it. The XF feels good as you start to pick up speed in the curves, then gives up its grip with alarming suddenness -- although by setting the electronic stability control system to "TracDSC" mode, whatever that means, I was able to flick the tail out with an elegant flourish. (That said, I was driving the Premium Luxury model, which is not intended for such hooliganism.) I did like the XF's smooth, comfortable ride, and I thought it was remarkably quiet, especially for a European car. And the XF is chock full of useful driver aids, like the Automatic Speed Limiter function. Turn it on, dial up a set speed -- say, 70 MPH -- and the XF won't go any faster. (Flooring the pedal overrides the system.) It's a handy feature, as the XF's V8 likes to run. As for fuel economy, I averaged 17.6 MPG, though by setting the cruise at 65 MPH, I was able to nurse it up into the low 30s.
Overall, I liked the XF, even if it's too roomy and practical to fit my outdated idea of what a Jag should be. It didn't even break down, not even once. Clearly, those people at Jaguar are losing their touch. -- Aaron Gold
Our test car was provided by Jaguar.
