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Jaguar XF vs rivals

Latest executive saloons blend fashionable looks and cutting-edge technology. But is Jaguar’s revised XF the best of the breed?

Jaguar XF vs rivals

Photos: Otis Clay August 2011

Cutting-edge technology and fashion are the order of the day in the executive class. That’s why Jaguar has high hopes for its latest XF saloon.

To boost the appeal of its biggest seller, the firm has finally added an entry-level diesel to the line-up. This promises lower emissions and better economy, and the result is the cleanest car Jaguar has ever produced. A minor makeover and improved interior also aim to put the XF back on top.

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

 

Three rivals lie in wait... all from Germany. Until now, company buyers have been won over by first the BMW 520d and then Audi’s new A6 – named Best Executive Car at the Auto Express New Car Awards earlier this month.

With smaller 2.0-litre diesels and manual boxes, both are cleaner and cheaper than the Jag. So is the final car in our test: the Mercedes E220 CDI. Is the latest XF good enough to overcome this?

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

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7 Comments

don't really care about the german cars. Jag has bags of style and character and it'll do me just fine.

By corsamani on 25 August, 2011, 8:41am

Decisions Decisions...really hard to choose.

These four Executive Cars are really superb, each in their own way. I think the Audi is great all-rounder, has the edge over the others for build quality and design flair, the BMW is rightly 2nd, the Jaguar is really classy and a sign of good taste, the front end now looks much better resolved. The Merc is like a German Amsterdam Taxi! ever the dependable workhorse! Still a great car.

By JTravolta77 on 25 August, 2011, 10:00pm

What a laugh

Why dont you rename the auto Express

(DEUTSCHLAND EXPRESS) Nothing according to you journalists is any good unless it comes from Germany.

No matter who tests these cars in other Mags, or surveys carried out by customers seems to come to the same conclusion that you att this mag,always do without fail.

Refering to see if the new 2-0 can put the XF back on top.

I have recently tested the new BMW 520d, the Mercedes E 250, and the XF beats them for ride, interior finish and style .

Oh and incidentally price too, when you add all the bits needed to make a comparative specification from the German makes.

By wallyman on 26 August, 2011, 2:53pm

I hate the word executive..

putting aside my anti german built nature...They are all great cars... I would still go for the Jag XF

By liverpool on 26 August, 2011, 9:08pm

It could run on AA batteries for all I care.......

......saw one at Sparkford yesterday and it's just simply stunning!!!

"I want" doesn't get, but I WANT ONE!!!!

By BigMartyn on 30 August, 2011, 1:11pm

Why just German rivals

I honestly think AE has missed a trick here because I think the Skoda Superb should have been thrown in to the mix.

At a top of the range price of £26k you could probably add tick ALL the options and still undercut the other 4. Ok it's FWD rather than RWD /4WD but for executive space, creature comforts and frugal diesel engine then you really could have had a 'leftfield' car that some potential customers may not consider

By jamesmfw on 30 August, 2011, 3:12pm

It always seems the ugly twins win every comparo . Inside / outside they invoke vomit spasms and the twins are the leaders in after warranty excessive maintenance costs yet all mags keep harping on them as vunderbar. They keep putting in smaller & smaller engines that will wear and break sooner and woe to the poor uninitiated that must own one but could not afford a new one

By blinkster on 8 September, 2011, 11:48pm

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BMW 520d SE front cornering

2nd BMW 520d SE

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Jaguar XF 2.2 Diesel SE auto front cornering

3rd Jaguar XF 2.2 Diesel SE auto

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Mercedes E220 CDI SE front cornering

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Is the oldest car in its class still a contender?
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Facts and Figures

Verdict

All modern road tests are fiercely contested, but this is one of the toughest we’ve had to call. Three of these cars can justifiably lay claim to the title of best executive model. Yet we could pick only one.

The car left behind in the battle for top spot was the Mercedes. Not only does it look and feel dated, it’s off the pace dynamically. On this evidence, the E-Class needs some work to compete at the sharp end of the sector.

The entry-level Jaguar XF has been a long time coming, and the latest revisions ensure it’s in rude health. Unfortunately, the auto-only specification makes it more expensive and polluting than its rivals, and that proved critical in deciding the outcome.

Choosing between the BMW and Audi is no easy task. Both are highly efficient and desirable. The 520d is the enthusiast’s choice as it drives superbly, but the Audi is better equipped and promises dazzling interior quality.

For most buyers, the A6 makes more sense more of the time – and that’s why, by the smallest of margins, it wins this test. But we could forgive anyone who wanted the character of the latest Jaguar.
 
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