Jaguar XF Diesel S Portfolio

I drove this model and the XF diesels and found the economy way down on what was quoted.

By johnbmwx6 on 11 May, 2010, 7:57am

I

Having driven and owned a number of German cars over the years including AMG's etc. I bought an XF’s earlier this year, kitted it out with virtually every “useable” option, including the dynamics pack. All I can say is it doesn't disappoint. The car drives and handles better than any saloon I have driven and is extremely quiet and relaxed when it needs to be. The dynamics pack is well worth the extra cost and driven quickly through an A/B road the car will put a large smile on your face as it defies it’s size. I had an XK for 2 years before this and I would say this handles better and feels even more sure footed.
Most people would be unaware of the need for it to fill up at the black pump! And whilst we are on the subject of diesel the returns on fuel consumption are very dependant on the driver, style and the length of the journey. If you jump into ones of these for a test drive and boot it, don’t expect 42mpg! 272 hp and twin turbo’s working hard will still drink a fair bit of fuel! As a guideon my run to work which is 16 miles part motorway and A/B roads and a final bit of town, the car returns mid to high 30’s, on longer runs I have seen 46mpg. I would say my overall average is around the 38 mark. Not bad for a near 300hp heavy saloon !
Overall it’s a good match for the rival Germans and the final decision comes down to what you prefer. I didn’t like the new MB E class after having two of the previous gen AMG models which I found first class. BMW’s have always given me a bad back and I find the interiors a drab place to spend time. I understand what people saying about driving them, but you have to drive them hard to appreciate that. The XF’s covers all these bases for me and goes further, looks superb, and the drive suits me and my style perfectly. Pleased to see the AutoExpress reviewers are rating them highly too.

By GlynC on 11 May, 2010, 8:37am

Hmm, cant wait for Jaguar to fix those really dumb looking headlights, and speaking of the front, and rear, of the car, Jaguar has clearly still much to learn [from Audi] about panel gaps. The bonnet has a couple of huge gaps where it meets the grille on either side.. Is this car a pre-production model, as the back boot/lights combo are a a big mess of mismatched lines. Terrible. And yet they knock the socks off the competition in other areas. The engine sounds to be a stunner, and the potential mpg amazing.
I heartily disagree with the 'first opinion' in respect to the 'stunning wheels.....' Blind freddy could design a boring as bat poo 5 spoke wheel. The mainstay of any aftermarket wheel shop are incredibly boring 5 spoke wheels.
One question.....what is the just visible 'R' on the chrome strip on the bum? Part of the name?? And of course you cant see the Leaper, leaping left into the hedge rows. Makes no sense at all when they have always had a face of a Jaguar, for the grille, the steering boss, and where else. Callum has such big labels on himself, and that aspect [of the Leaper] is just non-design! Oh well, given the dosh, I think I'd still bite my tongue and buy one........

By barina47 on 11 May, 2010, 9:39am

Best in class

The XF is a really great car. I'm lucky enough to own a model almost exactly the same as the one tested, mine is black.

The dynamic pack is awesome. It isn't a perfect car, but it is pretty damn close. I wouldn't swap it for anything else in the class.

I get about 35 mpg on average, which given how I drive, and the fact it is a 3.0 litre twin turbo pushing out 600 Nms torque that reaches 60 mph in under 6 seconds is, I think, pretty damn good. I can get 50 mpg on a run, but achieving the stated 42 mpg average is a tall order.

As for the 1400 watt Bowers and Wilkins music system, which is standard. Wow!

Also in the real world it is quicker than the new 530D BMW. On paper the cars are supposed to be equal, but in the real world the extra power the XF pushes out is telling. It comfortably pulls away from the 530D on open roads.

For barina47's benefit, the R, is the last letter of the word Jaguar. And in the flesh the car is so much better looking. You certainly would part with your cash :o)

By Steve100 on 20 May, 2010, 10:24pm