Jaguar XF

In a segment dominated by German rivals, the XF continues to make a compelling case for those seeking understated elegance paired with engaging dynamics. This British executive saloon offers a unique blend of poise, performance and modern luxury that sets it apart in all the right ways. From behind the wheel, the XF impresses me with its composure and balance. It handles confidently even when pushed hard into corners, with body control that remains tight and composed without ever compromising ride comfort. The steering is precise and the chassis inspires confidence, making it more than just a luxury cruiser. In Dynamic Mode, the XF becomes genuinely spirited, delivering brisk acceleration and responsive handling that adds excitement to my daily drive. Switching to Comfort Mode, the XF shifts into a more relaxed and luxurious persona. Road imperfections are effortlessly ironed out and cabin insulation keeps the outside world at bay. It is a quiet and composed ride that makes my long journeys feel shorter and city traffic far more tolerable. One of XF's most enduring strengths is its effortlessly handsome design. With clean lines, a confident stance and that signature Jaguar front grille, the XF exudes presence whether it is pulling up to the carpark lot or cruising down the expressway. I caught myself turning back many a times for another glance at it after parking it. The latest Pivi Pro infotainment system is another highlight. Fast, fluid and user-friendly, the touchscreen offers crisp graphics and intuitive menus. Connectivity is seamless and the interface complements the XF's minimalist yet sophisticated interior design. While performance and luxury are where the XF shines, the 8-speed automatic transmission does exhibit a slight hesitation at lower speeds, particularly in stop-start traffic. It is a minor quibble but one that's noticeable in an otherwise smooth and well-tuned powertrain. I believe with the ZF transmission adapting to my driving profile in time to come, this should be ironed sooner rather than later. The 2023 Jaguar XF may not shout the loudest in the segment but it speaks to drivers who value refined performance, contemporary craftsmanship and a sense of individuality. It remains a compelling alternative for those who want their executive saloon to feel a little more special, be it on the move or at a standstill.... Read More

Test drove the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E Class and Audi A6 for comparison. Wasn't difficult to land on the revised Jaguar XF. Best steering of the lot - great on center stability and precise, even if it's not the last word on feel (most feel out of the models tested here). 250bhp outruns the base models of the others - but the 8 speed ZF is optimised for smooth shifts rather than hard sporty ones. Cornering is where this luxury executive saloon shines - grips and handles like it's on rails allowing me to surprise my fair share of WRXs and STIs who tried tailgating me only to see my taillights on the bends unable to keep up. At the same time, shift it into Comfort mode and this becomes a nice relaxed cruiser on your way home from work - the active noise canceling system making the cabin hushed quiet and the compliant suspension soaking up the bumps with ease. NVH is excellent. The interior of the XF was its weakest point pre 2021 facelift. With that facelift, it's become a really nice place to be in. Almost Bentley like with no hard plastics. Open pore wood and leather everywhere. Many of the same design cues, layout and material as the much more expensive latest Range Rover that just arrived on our shores. This will be a keeper especially as Jaguar plans to phase out all ICE models and the XF will likely be discontinued by 2025. Reliability flawless so far (since January 2022). Judging from my previous Jag XE which I owned for five years (no out of pocket expenses except for new tires), I would keep it for a long time.... Read More