Why buy the Jaguar XF?
The Jaguar XF is a stylish premium car available as a traditional four-door saloon or a spacious estate called the XF Sportbrake. As well as being great to drive, the XF feels more luxurious than many of its rivals, while a range of petrol and diesel engines offers a terrific blend of performance and fuel economy.
Jaguar XF range and updates
We’re focusing here on the second-generation Jaguar XF, introduced in 2015 to replace the first-generation Jaguar XF introduced in 2008.
There are a lot of trim levels to choose from if you’re considering a second-generation Jaguar XF. An early car is likely to come in one of five trims, three of which (Pure, Prestige and Portfolio) could be classed as luxury and the other two (R-Sport and S) as sporty. All are well-equipped.
The XF was given a small update in 2019, which added the well-equipped Chequered Flag edition. Two years later, the XF got a more extensive update, including minor changes to the exterior design, a substantially upgraded interior with an all-new dashboard, new tech and the option of a mild-hybrid diesel engine. A simplified trim line-up of the entry-level R-Dynamic S, R-Dynamic SE, R-Dynamic HSE and R-Dynamic Black was also introduced.
Jaguar XF tech and features
Every Jaguar XF of this era comes with a touchscreen infotainment system in the centre of the dashboard. Early models have an 8-inch screen (Jaguar calls it InControl Touch) with sat nav, FM radio, Bluetooth connectivity and controls for the climate control.
Look for XFs with the optional InTouch Pro upgrade, which has a 10.2-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel instead of standard dials, an extra USB port and an upgraded sound system.
The entire infotainment system and dashboard was upgraded in 2021 when Jaguar revamped the interior. This means later XF cars come with a larger 11.4-inch display with improved graphics and an options menu that’s much easier to use. The system also got a new name – Pivi Pro – and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. This alone could be a reason to buy a post-2021 Jaguar XF.
Jaguar XF running costs and value
Given its size and performance, the Jaguar XF is cost-effective to own, with the diesel-powered models giving you particularly good fuel efficiency.
The official mpg figure you got with early cars was based on old and less-accurate way of testing. In the newer, more accurate WLTP tests, a 2.0-litre diesel engine with mild-hybrid assistance could give 56.5mpg, according to official figures – excellent for a car of this size. The 2.0-litre petrol engines give between 30mpg and 35mpg, but in all cases, choosing an automatic gearbox or four-wheel drive (where available) will reduce the car’s fuel economy.
Jaguar XF vs rivals
The key rivals for the Jaguar XF are the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Like the XF, these cars are available as a saloon or estate. Compared with these, the Jaguar doesn’t offer quite as much choice in engine or trims but it’s very competitive in most other areas and it’s especially good value for money.