Jaguar XF (2008 – 2015) Review

Jaguar XF (2008 – 2015) At A Glance

4/5

+Wonderful and bespoke feeling interior. Amazingly quiet and refined. More economical 2.2 diesel from 2011. Navigation not fitted as standard on most models.

-2.2 diesel may be economical but lacks performance. Early XFs suffer from reported electrical gremlins.

Insurance Groups are between 33–50
On average it achieves 79% of the official MPG figure

Few cars feel as special as the Jaguar XF. In a market dominated by German makes such as the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, the Jaguar XF is a genuinely different rival that stands out thanks to its sleek styling and wonderfully unique interior. Jaguar moved away from the traditional styling of the S-Type and has instead gone with a sharp yet elegant look, giving the Jaguar XF plenty of road presence, helped by that large gaping grille at the front.

And that appearance is backed up by some superb engines. Jaguar's ethos is focussed towards premium quality and performance as much as comfort, so there are no low powered engines in the range. Instead there are V6 and V8s delivering the kind of pace you'd expect from a Jaguar. But the best engine is the superb 3.0-litre diesel which is supremely refined and incredibly punchy, making for effortless long distance driving.

On the road on 17-inch or 19-inch wheels the Jaguar XF is as cossetting and as comfortable as you'd expect from a Jaguar with a serene feeling on motorways, but it's in corners where the XF is a revelation. It's poised and precise with great body control and a really sporty nature. And inside it's just as good.

The cabin is a superb piece of design with some wonderful details such as the circular gear selector which slowly rises from the centre console when you start the engine. There's also a lovely blue backlight to all the switches which gives the XF cabin a really different appearance at night. Of course, the Jaguar XF isn't cheap, but it does come well equipped as standard and has a charm and class that few cars, even from other premium makes, can match.

Real MPG average for a Jaguar XF (2008 – 2015)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

79%

Real MPG

16–51 mpg

MPGs submitted

1384

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

Cam belt confusion - when should the timing belt be replaced?

"I'm finding it difficult to definitive answers on cam belt changes on both of my cars. Some sources are saying 10 years/100,000 miles for my 2013 Jaguar XF Sportbrake 3.0D. I also own a 2015 Audi Q3 2.0 TFSI. Again, mixed messages six years/60,000 miles. What are your thoughts, please?"
It's important to note that these sources are giving you the suggested belt change intervals. No cam belt is warranted to reach 10 years/100,000 miles. And even if it was, the warranty wouldn't pay for a replacement engine if the water pump or pulley failed (two things that should be replaced at the same time as the cam belt). Most cam belt failures (we hear about) occur after 60,000 miles and/or five years. That's why we suggest getting the belt changed before either of these intervals come into play.
Answered by Dan Powell

Will a V8 petrol be hard to sell?

"If I buy a 2008 Jaguar XF V8 petrol, will it be difficult to sell? "
It won't be difficult to sell but it will cost a lot to keep on the road. If it's a car you have your heart set on then I'd say go for it. But be sure to have plenty of money in reserve for tyres, maintenance and insurance. All three will be relative to a car that's worth £40,000+.
Answered by Dan Powell

What can I do to ensure my seven-year old Jaguar XF continues to run smoothly?

"My 2012 Jaguar XF 2.2 D now has 65000 miles on the clock and I intend keeping it for a few more years yet. Apart from a regular yearly service is there anything I should plan for that will ensure it continues to give outstanding performance?"
It needs a timing belt, tensioner, water pump and aux belt already. It will cost £500 - £1,000 depending on the dealer. Also, a regular change of brake fluid every two years and probably an automatic transmission fluid change (http://www.fedauto.co.uk).
Answered by Honest John

I have just discovered that my used car was sold to me with the DPF removed - who is responsible?

"I bought a used Jaguar XF from a garage a year ago and it has just failed its first MoT since I've owned it. On investigation, it turns out that the Diesel Particulate Filter has been removed at some point and the engine control unit hacked to ignore the missing DPF. The garage I bought the car from is claiming it's not their responsibility as the car passed an MoT before they sold it, however I was of the understanding that it's been illegal to sell a car with the DPF removed since 2014. What are my options? I had to spend £450 at a diesel specialist to determine the filter was removed and now face a bill of thousands to make my car roadworthy again. Surely the garage has a responsibility to repair my (illegal) car? If they had an MoT performed last year and it passed despite a missing DPF then surely that's something they need to take up with the MoT centre, not pass on to me?"
Your understanding is correct and it was illegal for the garage to have sold you the car with the missing emissions equipment, so your right is to have the dealer buy the car back from you at market value or pay for it to be fixed. These are your rights: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights / This is a link to Small Claims: https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money / And this links you to the law on emissions equpment: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modifying-your-vehicles-emissions/modifying-your-vehicles-emissions-the-legal-safety-and-health-implications / to quote, "Under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Regulations 61(7) and 61A(3)) and the Road Traffic Act 1988 (Section 42) it is an offence to use on a road a vehicle which has been modified in such a way that it no longer complies with the air pollutant emissions standards it was designed to meet."
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Jaguar XF (2008 – 2015) cost?