2009 Jaguar XF Review | Buyer Guide
Jaguar Hits A Home Run
The new Jaguar XF might be just the vehicle to jump start Jaguar sales. It is an attractive car that has garnered almost universal praise from the automotive press. In fact, two prominent publications gave it special honors. Automobile magazine named it one of its “All-Stars,” and Car and Driver placed it on its “10 Best Cars” list.
The XF, which replaces the midsize S-Type, is different from other Jaguars, especially in its styling. Jaguar replaced the “neo-retro” look of the S-Type with a thoroughly modern design. The XF features a coupe-like silhouette, with a sloping windshield and a nearly fastback roof. Sharp creases, and a power bulge in the hood give it a strong presence. This car turns heads.
The interior is an even bigger departure from the past. Gone is English drawing room style, with the heavy reliance on wood trim. The first thing I noticed when I got in the XF was the clean, unadorned dash. The center section was finished in brushed silver, rather than walnut. Also noteworthy was the absence of a traditional gear selector on the console.
When I pressed the start button to fire up the engine, a couple of unusual things happened—the covers for the four air vents rolled back into the dash, and a dial rose up from the console. This is your gear selector—twist it to the right, and you are ready to roll. This is definitely not your father’s Jag.
The XF has seating for five, and the perforated leather seats are very supportive, but those in the backseat will be comfortable only if they are short of stature. Head and legroom are rather restricted. However, the cargo area in the trunk is generous for a sport sedan at 17.6 cu.-ft.
Under the hood, Jaguar gives buyers a choice of two engines—a naturally aspirated, 4.2-liter, V-8 that delivers 300 hp, and a supercharged version that pumps out 420. Teamed with the V-8s is a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode and paddle shifters. My test car had the supercharger, and it was very quick, delivering a subtle growl when pressed hard. It was capable of reaching sixty miles per hour in just 5.1 seconds.
The driving dynamics nicely complement the power train. This is a car that an enthusiast will enjoy. The steering is taut, and conveys a good feel of the road. The handling is surefooted. The XF shows terrific poise negotiating switchbacks on a country road. The brakes are strong, and easy to modulate. Yet, with all of this handling prowess, the XF still treats its passengers to a comfortable ride—slightly firm, but comfortable.
Jaguar offers the XF in three levels of trim, Luxury, Premium and Supercharged. The luxury model, which starts at $49,995, is nicely appointed with features like, power seats with memory, parking sensors and a power moonroof. The Premium ($55,995) adds things like a navigation system, Smart Key remote entry and heated front seats. The Supercharged, at $64,475, gets everything but the kitchen sink. Among the goodies are 20-inch wheels, a Bowers and Wilkins sound system and Blind Spot Monitor. This latter system flashes an icon on your outside mirrors when cars approach from behind on either flank—a clever safety device.
Jaguar has faced some hard times in recent years, but the Jaguar name still has magic, and the new XF is the kind of a car that could change the fortunes of this brand.
Snapshot Review
Strong, Contemporary Styling
Innovative Interior
Excellent Power
Superior Handling
