The Jaguar XF has evolved and improved, now offering a smarter package that includes the brand's mild hybrid tech. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

If you think the big three prestigious German brands have the Executive car segment sewn-up, a drive in the improved version of Jaguar's second generation XF may be enough to make you reconsider. Even in the face of tough competition from rivals like the BMW 5 Series, the Mercedes E-Class and the Audi A6, this car still offers quite a compelling range of virtues. But it won't be around for much longer.

Background

This MK2 Jaguar XF, launched back in 2015, proved to be lighter, more efficient and packed with technology, an improvement on its predecessor in every possible respect, aided by its hi-tech aluminium-intensive architecture. But time moves on. Since then, we've seen all-new versions of all this car's key market rivals, yet the XF still soldiers on as a bit of a left-field choice in the full-sized executive segment. Earlier in 2024, it got its final update before production ended in the summer, but it'll stay on sale until the end of the year aiming to offer a more sporting, dynamic choice in the full-sized Executive segment. To put that in competitive context, it's more BMW 5 Series than Audi A6 or Mercedes E-Class, though buyers of all three of these cars might still be tempted by this model's luxurious cabin technology and very affordable pricing. In the last decade, German rivals like these have dominated this market sector as Jaguar re-built its reputation amongst business buyers. And this is still an elegant, progressive display of British engineering and craftsmanship. Is it worth a last look? Let's find out.

Driving Experience

Stay with us here. The XF range still hinges around a 2.0-litre diesel four-cylinder engine and while that doesn't sound too exciting, it's where the sales are. It now comes in a single 204PS D200 state of tune, offered with rear wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and features the brand's MHEV mild hybrid engine tech, which can assist the engine under acceleration. As a result, the rear-driven model gets to 60mph in 7.1s. The conventional petrol options continue much as before, 250 or 300PS versions of Jaguar's usual 2.0-litre Ingenium unit in the P250 (RWD) and P300 (AWD) variants. Both feature the engine technologies including a twin scroll turbocharger and Continuous Variable Valve Lift (CVVL), for a strong combination of refined performance and efficiency. The P250 makes 60mph in 6.5s, which the P300 AWD variant manages the same sprint in 5.8s. All engines are paired with Jaguar's eight-speed automatic gearbox, which can be controlled using the steering wheel shift paddles for added driver engagement. Across the XF range, driving dynamics suit a relaxed but purposeful style. The chassis delivers near perfect 50:50 weight distribution and huge strides have been made to perfect refinement. Ride is another class-leading XF quality. This Jaguar shares its suspension set-up with the smaller XE model, which means struts with double wishbones at the front and an 'integral link' independent set-up at the rear. The steering uses the same electric power-assisted set-up as the Jaguar F-Type and XE, while active dampers are on the options list.

Design and Build

From almost any angle, regardless of your choice between Saloon or Sportbrake body style, you'd know this was a Jaguar. You'd know this was an XF. The look has been evolved in recent years though, most recently with a more aggressive rear diffuser, a more streamlined front end, revised light designs and restyled wheels. The side fender vents feature the iconic Leaper emblem and at the rear, there's a body-coloured upper valance. If your experience of this XF is of earlier models, you'll find changes inside too, with a 'sporty' centre console that sweeps up to a centrally-mounted 11.4-inch curved-glass HD touchscreen for the 'Pivi Pro' infotainment system, which of course has 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring and embedded dual-sim technology with over-the-air updates. The seats have been re-designed in recent years with wider cushioning and a Jaguar Leaper embossed on the headrests. Authentic finishes, including open-pore wood veneers and aluminium, feature in beautifully formed shapes such as the upper door insert and full width 'Piano lid' that is formed across the width of the dashboard. Through the wheel, the driver views a 12.3-inch HD Interactive Driver Display with virtual dials. At 4,962mm long, the XF remains a big car, so there's lots of room in the back. The doors offer an optional soft-close function, and there's plenty of natural light flooding the cabin. If you want more, you can specify a panoramic sunroof. The rear bench also features a practical 40:20:40 split, making it easier to through-load bulky items such as skis. The saloon's rather small 459-litre boot has the option of a power close function which can work with one of those 'gesture control' systems if you approach the car laden down with baggage. Space rises to 1,484-litres with the seats folded. There's a 745-litre boot in the Sportbrake estate, extendable to 1,700-litres with the seats folded.

Market and Model

As ever, the XF comes in either saloon or Sportbrake guises, the estate needing a premium of around £2,000. Prices start at around £36,000 for a D200 Saloon variant with 204PS. The P250 base petrol model starts at around £40,000. Think in terms of a like-for-like saving over a BMW 3 Series (a smaller car from the next class down) of around £10,000; that's incredible value. The base diesel XF Saloon model comes with an entry 'R-Dynamic S' level of trim, but otherwise, XF customers choose between 'R Dynamic SE Black' or 'R Dynamic HSE Black' options. The top P300 AWD 300PS flagship variant comes in a single '300 Sport' trim level and costs from around £48,000. Key here is the introduction in recent years of a standard 11.4-inch 'Pivi Pro' centre-dash infotainment screen, which incorporates two LTE modems enabling the system to carry out multiple functions at the same time, such as streaming media and downloading SOTA updates, without compromising performance. You also get a 12.3-inch digital instrument binnacle screen which can show full-screen mapping. And another screen can be activated via Jaguar's 'ClearSight' interior rear view mirror which gives the driver an unobstructed view of the road behind. Using a wide angle rear-facing camera, the optional system feeds images to a high-definition screen within the frameless rear view mirror; unhindered by tall rear passengers, poor light or rain on the rear screen. The headlights can now be specified with Pixel LED technology and Adaptive Driving Beam capability so that they alter their range to fit with road conditions and surrounding traffic. You can also now specify a Cabin air ionisation system that improves interior air quality through Nanoe technolgy, which helps remove allergens and unpleasant odours. Safety technology includes 'Forward Traffic Detection' which alerts you at times of reduced visbility when something is crossing your path up-front. And 'Forward Vehicle Guidance' which helps you place the car in low speed parking manoevres.

Cost of Ownership

As before, it helps the XF's cause that it's relatively light weight, thanks to the fact that so much of the structure of the car (75%) is fashioned from aluminium. The important news with this revised model though, is that its core 204PS 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine used with the mainstream D200 diesel variant now features Jaguar's latest next generation Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology for the first time. This uses a Belt-integrated Starter Generator (BiSG) situated in the engine bay to harvest energy usually lost when slowing and braking, which is then stored in a 48V lithium-ion battery located beneath the rear loadspace. It is able to redeploy the stored energy to assist the engine when accelerating away while also delivering a more refined and responsive stop/start system. What about the WLTP-rated results of all this? Well, you're looking at 56.6mpg on the combined cycle and 131g/km of CO2. The petrol variants do without the MHEV tech - and it shows a bit. The P250 RWD version delivers 35.4mpg on the combined cycle and 182g/km of CO2. The P300 AWD manages 33.6mpg and 196g/km. Jaguar says the XF is 'tax-optimised' but the truth is that the P250 and P300 petrols sit in the high 37% tax bracket - way off the equivalent BMW 520i/530e and Mercedes E200/E300e. What else? You get the usual unremarkable three year warranty. And service intervals are set at 21,000miles or every 24 months, whichever comes first and it would be sensible to consider one of Jaguar's Service Plans that cover you for virtually everything in advance. There's a 'Standard Mileage Service Plan' that covers you for five years/50,000 miles. Or a 'High Mileage Service Plan' that covers five years/75,000 miles.

Summary

Light, spacious, good looking and efficient, this car ought to have worried rival German makers more than it ever did. Are there issues? A few. The range of engine variants on offer still isn't as wide as you'll find elsewhere. And it's a pity that the mild hybrid tech was never extended to the Ingenium petrol engines. We wish there'd been a six cylinder powerplant option too. Ultimately though, what's so masterful about the improved interpretation of this second generation XF is how cleverly Jaguar has kept and built upon what was good about the original version of this MK2 model, while being realistic about where that earlier car's weaknesses were. As a result, you now really can have a beautiful Executive class model that offers cutting-edge technology and a dynamic driving experience but which is also built in Britain and sips fuel economically. And have it for vastly less than you'd need for a German rival.