Jaguar XF

New diesel version is aiming to continue big cat’s success story.

January 2010

We're huge fans of the Jaguar XF. It was our Car of the Year in 2008, and we enjoyed a lengthy stint in the old 2.7-litre diesel on our long-term fleet. But the car tested here promises to be even better. The new diesel S has a larger 3.0-litre engine, tuned to produce 271bhp – 29bhp up on its rival.

Despite the new engine, there’s little to separate this XF from the one we ran for six months. And the only thing to distinguish it from the entry-level 3.0-litre oil-burner is the subtle S badge on the bootlid. Not that the saloon needed any changes – it was and still is the most attractive car in its class.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Jaguar XF

The Jaguar used to lead the way inside, too, but not any more. After driving the 5-Series, you can’t fail to appreciate its more substantial feel and higher-quality materials.

The XF is still able to grab your attention with its pulsing red starter button, rotary gear selector and leather dashboard – which is much more appealing than the soft-touch plastic of the BMW. They provide the kind of theatre that’s missing from the 5-Series, although the German car has the more premium feel overall.

The Jaguar is very generously equipped, though. Even in entry-level Luxury trim you get touchscreen sat-nav, Bluetooth connectivity and a folding rear bench all as standard.

The XF is longer than the 5 but has a shorter wheelbase, and that means passengers in the back have less space than in the BMW. It’s not cramped; it’s just there is clearly more legroom in the 5-Series. You also get less luggage room, as the Jaguar’s 500-litre boot is beaten by its rival’s 520 litres.

However, if you need more space, you have to pay an extra £340 for folding rear seats in the BMW; they’re standard on the Jag. If the 5-Series leads the way inside, the XF promises to even up the scores under the bonnet. Its 3.0-litre V6 delivers 271bhp and 600Nm of torque. These impressive figures should leave its less powerful rival trailing, but that’s not the case.

Despite the Jag’s advantage on paper, the BMW is faster from a standstill, thanks to its superior traction and smooth-shifting eight-speed gearbox. The latter enables lower intermediate ratios, without sacrificing cruising refinement at higher speeds. The BMW’s 105kg lighter kerbweight and more linear power delivery also helped give it the edge in our in-gear tests.

In entry-level Luxury trim, you get 19-inch alloys on the Jaguar, but our test car was wearing optional 20-inch rims – the same size fitted to higher-spec models. While the XF looks far better on the larger wheels, you pay the price on the road because it doesn’t absorb bumps as effectively as the BMW, especially at low speeds.

The big cat also has to play second fiddle as a sports saloon. Yes, it is engaging to drive and its more powerful engine has more low-down punch than the old 2.7-litre powerplant, but the Jag’s front tyres don’t generate as much grip as the BMW’s, while there’s more body roll in corners and dive under braking. As a result, is doesn’t feel as tightly controlled or agile.

The light steering – a familiar XF weakspot – is also less communicative, although its six-speed gearbox is very smooth in normal driving. The speed of changes is increased when you select the Dynamic mode, and steering wheel-mounted shift paddles come as standard.

If the BMW leads the way dynamically, you might expect the Jaguar to fight back in other areas, but the XF can’t match the low emissions or fuel economy of its rival. On the plus side, Jaguar’s excellent dealer network is one of the best. For company buyers it is the more expensive choice, though – despite an almost identical list price to the BMW.

In detail
Jaguar XF 3.0 Diesel S Luxury
Price: £38,475
Engine: 3.0-litre V6, 271bhp
0-60mph: 6.5 seconds
Claimed economy: 42.0mpg
Claimed CO2: 179g/km

For an alternative review of the latest Jaguar XF visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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10 Comments

All I can say is that I've tried the Jag XF 3.0S and the Merc E350d and neither of them were discernably better or quicker than my four year old Audi 2.7d. In addition the Jag was too small inside and the so called 'theatre' of the pop up gear lever was a joke (funny first time, etc). Both The Merc & Jag made me feel of retirement age so I ordered the new 3 ltr BMW unseen in December - I can't wait till 20 March!

By paul0909 on 2 February, 2010, 3:39pm

Hahahahah, thats so funny , my 2.2 xtype is quicker than a 2.7 slowmobile Audi (fact), so your talking rubbish and as we all know only cocks drive BMW's. It is fact that BMW could put a shed on 4 wheels and they would sell in there 100's of thousands, they are bland, overrated and over priced at least the Jag has a sense of style and class that BMW totally lacks.

By A1Jaguar on 3 February, 2010, 6:54pm

German rip offs look at the cost of extras

Give me the style and generous package Jaguar supplies Iam a convert fed up trying to budget from those endless optional extras !

Why can't people see a great car which is better value the Jaguar xf in any guise please!

By Derek513 on 5 February, 2010, 9:25pm

Ordering a Car before trying

Recipe for a big costly mistake!
I only did that once with and Audi A6 some years ago and would never do that again. I hope your BMW works out for you as I have yet to find one I would say I found comfortable! BMW is trading on a name it's marketing has created over the years and the more recent models do not live up to. Audi has really outsold them on "Germanish" recently so all of the usual c*cks are driving Audi's now enjoying their daytime running lights!
I have owned BM Audi Lexus and MB and I have mostly had the top spec of these models - AMG E55 was my personal favourite. But as fuel consumption has now become a major factor I look for a performance diesel and currently I haven't found anything to beat the Jag's. It makes the Audi MB and BM engines sound like tractors!
Also the styling on the latest BM and MB is downright awful! The E class being probably the worst of the bunch.
I've ordered a new XFS Portfolio due in a week, can't wait!

By GlynC on 7 February, 2010, 11:12am

so, A1jaguar, obviously the 'style and class' which your ford mondeo, sorry, jag x type, exudes hasn't rubbed off on you at all then?? thought not.
i too have been left underwhelmed by the xf. i was really expecting something amazing but i found it utterly disappointing. The perfromance was indeed lacklustre and the interior not as great as everyone had been saying. unfortunately, beemers and audis remain better overall owning propositions. and just for the record, i too have an A6 2.7tdi, and it was indeed as quick as the 3.0d jag. sorry.

By elsol on 9 February, 2010, 3:37pm

elsol, you were doing so well with your come back until you mentioned you drive an A6 2.7tdi pffffff hahahaha that has to be the most boring/bland car on the road today and , it has to be a winner of the shed on wheels award, I would guess from your enexperienced reply that you have never owned a Jaguar otherwise you would have far better things to say about a great British product, anyhow, you stick with your lemings barge ,sorry ,'A6 2.7tdi' i'm sure it suits your personality down to the ground , the rather luuush xf 3.0d portfolio in black arrives in March and I can't wait

By A1Jaguar on 10 February, 2010, 7:35pm

Not in my case...

The Facts

• Used XF (previously owned by Jaguar, Brown’s Lane, Coventry)
Purchased in March 2009 from Grange Jaguar in Croydon.

• Condition of sale – Full Service – was lied to by salesman
and this was not done, (discovered later).

• I had intermittent engine management problems, including DSC light
and uncontrolled acceleration, causing me to contact Jaguar Assistance.
I was told on both occasions that "it is a software fault"
and "would be rectified at the next service".

• The car has nearly killed myself and my partner on at least 3 occasions.

- The first was on the M42 when the DSC light came on
and the car revs would increase in relation to pressure on
the accelerator but the speed remained constant or slowed,
bearing no resemblance to the pressure on the accelerator.
I was overtaking at the time and had insufficient acceleration
to complete the manoeuvre and had to attempt to get off the motorway.

- I was later advised by Jaguar Assistance to "re-boot" the car,
by switching it off and on again to "reset it" and then
proceed but "avoid using cruise control". At no time
was I advised that it was necessary to take the car to my dealer.

– At 39,000 miles, Catastrophic Failure - On December 31st,
travelling on the A2, heading onto the M25. At the junction
the car started to speed up without my accelerating. I tried
to slow it down, but as I did so the car "blew up", with black
smoke belching from the car, and a loud bang. The car started to
shut down and the steering lock came on, despite the fact
that I was heading onto the M25 at approx 60mph.

• The car was recovered by Grange Jaguar Brentwood
and was with them for approx 6 weeks.

• My dealer (Grange Croydon) would not enter into a dialogue
with me nor respond to my correspondence.
(Letter sent Jan 19th by email to: MD of Jaguar Cars,
my dealer, Grange Jaguar, Brentwood & MD of Swindon Motorparks).

• Jaguar Brand Manager at Croydon called me an “irresponsible
car owner” as there was no oil in the car, trying
to get out of their responsibilities under
the Jaguar warranty. This was factually incorrect.

• During this time, no-one at Grange Jaguar in Croydon,
their owners – Swindon MotorParks, nor at Jaguar HQ
would talk to me about the problems.

• February 6th – I visited the showrooms of Grange Jaguar in
Croydon and handed out copies of my letter to prospective
Jaguar Customers. Suddenly – someone is willing to talk to me!

• Contact with representative of MD of Jaguar Cars resulted
in my being told by that they had “no responsibility to me”
as my relationship was with my dealer.
Nor would they assist in the resolution of my problems.

• Engine was replaced under warranty, but despite my requests,
in writing, I was not told what had gone wrong with the vehicle,
as no-one seemed certain, nor was I assured that
the engine management issues had been resolved.

• The car was returned to me 12th February 2010.

• February 14th 2010 - On my second journey in the car
since its return to me – The DSC light came on and restricted
performance occurred. I reset the car. On the same journey,
this happened again, but this time whilst undertaking a
3 point turn. The car would not move and I had to push the
accelerator to make it move and it lurched forward and hit a taxi.

• February 15th 2010 – The car is returned to Grange Jaguar in Brentwood.

• February to March 2010 – Jaguar now became involved and
investigate the fault codes and session files.
(Why was this not done initially? Why did Jaguar ignore
their responsibilities to me when this was first reported?)

• Virtually ignored by all parties and not
informed of progress or what was being done.

• March 2010 – Told by Jaguar that: “the vehicle was
not dangerous at time of purchase, as the vehicle had
done 15,000 miles before the engine concern was
experienced at the end of December 2009. This clearly
highlights that the vehicle has accrued fair usage”. This
was not true as the engine management problems had been
reported via Jaguar assist prior to this!
(Jaguar is now very keen to change the facts for their own ends).

• March 26th – Jaguar insisted that I had the car back,
even though I believe that it is still dangerous
to drive. I accepted it back under duress. Still no contact
from Swindon Motor Park (Despite 6 calls and emails to MD).

• Told twice that my issues and request for a dialogue about
a refund or replacement vehicle have been referred to the
Customer Service Director at Swindon Motor Park
(Cambrian Autos), who has never bothered to speak to me!

• So... Here I am with a car that I paid £30,000 for,
which has caused 1 accident. I am not happy and
Jaguar and Grange do not give a damn.

• Ironically – the car still had a fault light on, when it
was returned to me, so this saga is not finished, not by a long way.

• My desire is to enter into a reasoned and rational dialogue
about a refund or a replacement with Jaguar, my dealer
and their owners, but to date after 3 months,
this request has been totally ignored.

check www.jaguarxfgrange.com

By unhappy_xf_owner on 7 April, 2010, 6:24am

I want an XF next, in about 4 years!
Nice one A1Jaguar, I have an X-Type too and wouldn't dare swap it for a German rival. They're good cars just have no character or style and are mainly driven by cocks.
XF_Owner, I hope you get your motor sorted buddy,

By Kingbob12 on 21 July, 2010, 12:02am

@ unhappy_xf_owner

Whats the chances of getting 2 bad engines on the trot? I remember Clarkson top gear having a problem with restricted Engine performance when he changed into 2nd gear by mistake at 100MPH in a Jag.. The car went into get you home safely mode to protect the engine!
Is crazy that a engine should increase revs not speed on a newish car...I bet you have a Auto and just maybe you have a problem with your talk converter and or gear box not engine! or you accidentally knock the gears down causing the engine management system to go into safety mode ....SORRY FOR YOUR BAD LUCK though!

A VERY HAPPY JAG OWNER WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL!

By liverpool on 8 June, 2011, 12:04am

out of 100 cars... XF is 56/100 on reliability ..Japan top

bmw 3 series 66/100

XF 1st /100 usable performance
XF 1/100 braking
XF 1/100 ease of driving....

XF beats it's german competion on every one also build quality

By liverpool on 17 July, 2011, 2:19pm

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