Jaguar XF 2.2D

Making a few compromises...

It all depends how big "a compromise" the bland styling of the usual suspects (Audi, Bmw, Merc) means to a buyer... I'd foregt about the CO2 figures and take the Jag (and I'm not from the UK, so no patriotic preferences :-)

By mko_20vt on 27 June, 2011, 9:35pm

Fab addition

Fab addition to the fold. Nice looks too.

By DeliG on 28 June, 2011, 10:36am

who cares about company car drivers...

..they all drives german bland boxes and dont care about their cars. This is for someone who wants a car, not given one.

By Kingbob12 on 28 June, 2011, 12:36pm

compromises

I think I could put up with those mentioned and it's still by far the best looking in its class. And having spoken to two of our company directors, in Germany, who drive the previous model very reliable too.

By tr_4_triumph on 28 June, 2011, 12:54pm

You motoring journalists should really stick to doing what you do best and that is story telling.

Just when did the BMW 520d and the Audi A6 surpass the XF Jaguar in recent years?

Maybe by Auto Express, but certainly not by rival magazines, and also dont you ever take note of your own JD Power Survey.
and take note what real people think of the cars.

BMW 520d 43rd place, down 12 on the previous year.
Audi A6, 36th place. The Jaguar Xf although we are talking about the 3-0L engine can leave the Germans standing in every quarter

I have recently tried the new 520d, and the ride is anything but comfortable with run flat tyres, you need to pay thousands of poundsextra in gizmos to get anything like a decent ride. Give me the Jaguar anyday, if it drives anything as good as it looks they have got my order.

For gods sake get your head out of the sand.

By wallyman on 28 June, 2011, 5:48pm

To the above comments.

Why all the Anti-German, BMW comments??? Can't we show some appreciation at least. I disagree, good as the Jaguar XF maybe, it isn't in the same league as the German trio Audi A6, BMW 5 Series & Mercedes E-Class. Sorry, but that's reality! and that includes all rivals from Japan, Italy & France! Maybe the upcoming Maserati Baby-Quattroporte might spoil the establishment, we shall see!

By JTravolta77 on 28 June, 2011, 9:48pm

Why the Anti-British, Jaguar comment?

It might help if JTravolta77 understood the British psyche a little better.

For a long time, us car buying Brits had our noses ground into the dirt by the German luxury car makers. To buy British in this sector up to a few years ago meant a world of pain. The few British cars available were unreliable and thrown together and yet they were still expected to entice Brits away from German efficiency. Today the situation is so very different.

Jaguar have taken on the German big three (thanks mainly to Tata's massive investment program) and they are winning, and suddenly its cool to be seen in a Jag again. Take a drive out someday and watch the reaction of other drivers as a BMW, Audi or Merc drives by. Most will not give the German trio a second glance, but when a Jag drives by, just watch those heads turn. It says it all really.

By sgtgrash on 29 June, 2011, 12:41am

So British, Jaguar is the best is it??

Quite frankly I expect more mature and balanced views from AE contributors. Why do we have to assume because it's British that makes the best? our right? Anyway, Jaguar is owned by Tata of India so it isn't in theory 100% British. Since the 1970's the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class have been the benchmark in their segment that's around 40 years! Audi has closed the gap and is now competent and a genuine rival. So Sgtgrash, can we really just patronize BMW and Mercedes that 40 years of being top in the segment doesn't count for anthing? You say Tata's massive investment? But what about VW's massive investment in Audi?? Don't get me wrong I like the class and style of Jaguar, it's Jaguar's best car to date in that segment but let's not get carried away here. I personally don't see any Non-German rival at the moment in this segment good as the German Trio (build quality, design, engineering, engines, dynamics etc....) and that's before you even include Alpina and AMG, Brabus models into the equation!!

By JTravolta77 on 29 June, 2011, 1:20pm

JTravolta77 you are becoming a bit of a troll, change the record!

Have you actually driven an XF, or any recent Jaguar? No would be the answer!

JD Power surveys, prove you wrong. So what 40 yrs of being on top proves what? That's yesterdays news. Leyland was once the world's 4th largest car maker, now long dead!

Frankly the Germans were on top for years because so many people bought them in the 80's they had the funds to develop newer, better, more high tech cars than their rivals. Now with Jaguar getting the investment it needed for years, you can see the benefits already.

The German trio have been given a bloody nose, the next few years they will be clambering against the ropes and being counted out! The rematch will see them knocked out in the first round!

Can anyone else hear the Rocky soundtrack?

By Focus_your_mind on 29 June, 2011, 4:55pm

New XF diesel

I needed an estate and bought an E class, but I still cast loving glances at the XF.

Tried it before I bought another Merc and was impressed. True in the past Brit cars were not that well made, but as a long time Merc owner I recall the hard days in the late 90's rust ABS and fuel sender problems!

By sherbo1959 on 29 June, 2011, 7:03pm

@JTravolta77

I don't know which post you attributed to me JT but it certainly wasn't the one I've written above. I didn't 'badmouth' any of the three German brands competing in this sector. In fact, I praised them for being efficient and nothing I've written is untrue.

The natural competitor from BMW for the XF mentioned above would be the 520D. It's not exactly a looker and is certainly no Alpina in its basic form, is it? Ok, you can go to Alpina and ask them to jazz it up a bit, but how much extra is that going to cost you? The base XF doesn't need a bodykit to look good, Jaguar designed it to be stylish from the outset. BMW need Alpina to inject a bit of style into the equation and empty your wallet for the privilege. The same can be said for Mercedes. Do you expect to buy an AMG for XF money?

My post is a celebration of the fact that Jaguar are stealing sales hand over fist from the Deutch big three and that Jag are now competing on a level playing field. With massive investment behind them they are producing excellent and stylish vehicles in the UK which are generally better than their rivals. So what's wrong with that pray tell?

As for your mis-timed swipe at TATA, who do you think supplies BMW, Mercedes and Audi with the majority of their steel and alloys? Go look it up...

By sgtgrash on 30 June, 2011, 1:26am

Putting the record straight...

The BMW 5 series, Mercedes E Class and Audi A6 are all competent cars. They drive well, are generally well put together and as JT mentioned above, have 40 years of heritage to draw upon. The difference now is that the XF is built, drives and handles as well (even better in some instances) than its competitors from the German trio of manufacturers. Add the Jaguar's sense of occasion into the equation and the choice is defined. Would I buy a 5 series, E Class or A6 over an XF? Would I heck as like...

By sgtgrash on 30 June, 2011, 1:48am

Focus_your_mind you are becoming pathetic and childish, learn to appreciate and admire!

JD Power Surveys?? So what?? That doesn't mean anything and is not accurate in any way because it's only a poll of a very tiny percentage of the motoring population! Yes, but the Germans are still top the best in this segment. It's no good pretending theyre not because they ARE! Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Lexus need to up their game! because the German Trio are in a league of their own at the moment! Don't think I'm biased towards German cars because I'm not, I'm a big fan of the other makes I've mentioned (except Lexus).

By JTravolta77 on 30 June, 2011, 2:10am

@sgtgrash

Mmmm.... I'm still not convinced enough about the Jaguar XF. Yes in isolation it's a good car car with classy styling and image but when you start comparing it to the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series & Merceds E-Class you start to notice the difference e.g precision build quality, engine range, performance fiqures, economy fiqures etc...Under close scruntiny the Jaguar can't compete still. As an individual alternative choice, those tired of German offerings the Jaguar makes a strong case for it's self though.

By JTravolta77 on 30 June, 2011, 2:47am

Do not even think about buying an XF until you read this....

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23946101-driver-sues-after-jaguar-sped-up-on-its-own.do

By bhoneycombe on 30 June, 2011, 10:08am

You have mail JT :)

Obviously I'm writing from my own perspective here, but I find most of the vehicles built by the the big three in Germany a bit bland, with the possible exception of the new BMW 1M coupe which is bloody genius in my book. It's simple, elegant, fun and probably the best car BMW have ever built because of those attributes. It is a modern day 2002ti, and more power to its elbow. Shame they are only bringing 450 to the UK :(

It's also nice to see Mercedes moving into a different design area. Somehow the new Merc design philosophy has shrugged off their somewhat snooty image of the past few years and the new range has morphed into sophisticated hooligan-mobiles. Maybe not to everyones taste, but at least it demonstrates a bit of individual design flair.

That brings me to Audi. The company has a terrible image problem in the UK and I really don't think Audi are aware of it. I owned an A4 for a little while (not the current one I hasten to add), and yes it was well built, it didn't break down, it drove ok and nothing fell off. But do you know what? I wished it would occasionally because it would prove the car was, for want of a better phrase, made by humans. It was totally soulless and anonymous in my eyes which is why I didn't own it for very long.

I currently run an 8mth old Renault Grand Scenic 1.5dti (out of necessity) and it is way more fun to own and drive than my old A4. It hasn't broken down or begun to disassemble itself either, but it has character. It isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination and I wanted to hate it so very much because of the stigma attached to owning a people carrier these days, but I can't because I really like the smile it puts on my face when it performs so out of the box for a people carrier. It has a gutsy little engine that never ceases to amaze me with its overtaking abilities. It costs peanuts to run and goes around corners in a manner quite unbefitting for a car of its class. It would literally run rings around a previously owned Zafira. The only downside is that it has 7 seats, which means I get to be the nominated tee-total driver for my mates on pub trips a bit more often than I'd like lol

By sgtgrash on 1 July, 2011, 2:14am

I wish Audi's wouldn't break down

I have an A4 (infact I have had 4 Audis now) and I really wish it wouldnt breakdown! Its an early new shape A4 and that is probably the problem as there are lots of niggles that havent been sorted. I guess I am just one of Audi's test pilots! That said its a really good car and whilst the image of Audi has changed, I am still not really a BMW, Jag or Merc person.

Audi UK's problem is that now they sponsor the wife cheating football club and drive socialites around in A8s, they think they are an equal to BMW and have to offer very little in the way of customer service and loyality.

They used to offer camping at LeMans for a few hundred quid to the owners but now its £1400 per person. Well the only people who can afford that are bankers and footballers and I guess they invite the footballers for free

Its all very wrong and a perfect opportunity for the likes of Jaguar to get their act together properly. Lets hope they dont reclad a mondeo again for the new X type.

By JakeBtn on 1 July, 2011, 6:56am