Jaguar XF Review 2024

Jaguar XF At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
Flying the flag for Britain in the premium saloon class, the Jaguar XF drives superbly, but sorely misses a full hybrid model in its line-up.

+Great blend of ride quality and enjoyable handling. Comfortable and refined. Well-equipped as standard. Fleet-friendly diesel engine.

-Some of the best equipment is optional and expensive. Some materials aren’t quite up to standards of an Audi A6. Firm ride of Sport model.

New prices start from £33,975
Insurance Groups are between 28–39
On average it achieves 89% of the official MPG figure

The Jaguar XF is showing its age in a number of ways, but its looks and driving prowess are not among them. A simple range of one diesel and two petrol engines works well, with the diesel a fine choice for company drivers. Where the Jaguar XF now feels old is with its cabin design and the quality of some materials compared to the BMW 5 Series, the superbly built Audi A6 and the stylish Mercedes E-Class. Read on for our full Jaguar XF review.

Jaguar owes much of its current success to the original 2008 Jaguar XF, so there’s a heavy burden on the shoulders of this model. Fortunately, it delivers on all fronts where Jag customers are likely to be fussy.

It’s excellent to drive, luxuriously appointed and packed with up-to-date technology. For someone seeking an alternative to the usual German executive saloons or a Volvo S90, the Jaguar XF is perfect.

It is available with a choice of engines – a diesel and a petrol, with the latter in two states of tune. For the most part, the model is perfectly fine with the basic 2.0-litre 204PS diesel, which offers good economy. It comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard, as is now the case with all Jaguar XFs.

Your other choices are the 2.0-litre turbo petrol in 250 and 300PS forms, the latter with all-wheel drive in place of the other models’ rear-drive.

The Jaguar XF has a well finished cabin and it comes with plenty of feelgood factor, although if you dig a bit deeper some of the quality is not as good as on its German competitors nowadays.

Starting the ignition causes the vents to rotate open and the automatic gear selector to rise up, while the start button pulses like a heartbeat. These touches are completely unnecessary in the grand scheme of things, but they give the car real character.

There’s space in the back for adult passengers to get comfortable, with ample knee room and enough headroom for all but the tallest occupants. There are also creature comforts like heated seats and ventilation. Boot space is 540 litres but, like all saloon cars, the Jaguar XF is less practical than a hatchback or estate thanks to a narrow opening.

The Jaguar XF blends excellent ride quality with lithe, enjoyable handling, even on badly potholed roads. The steering is nicely weighted and immediate while the suspension keeps body roll in check. On the motorway the car is relaxed, refined, comfortable and quiet, plus it has standard-fit cruise control.

The Jaguar XF is a very good alternative to the cars like the Mercedes E-Class, Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series. It’s as well made as the competition, plus it offers excellent ride quality and enjoyable handling. Moreover, it’s charismatic and characterful in a way that rivals simply aren’t. Whether that is reason enough to choose one is up to you.

Looking for a second opinon? Check out heycar’s Jaguar XF review.

Ask Honest John

Is it worth using Lanoguard on my 2018 Jaguar?

"Is it worth using Lanoguard on my 2018 Jaguar XF? It has covered only 21000 miles and lives on the drive."
If you plan to keep your car long-term then anything you can do to protect it from the elements is a good idea. Rust is less of an issue on modern cars, but they are still exposed to grime and road salt, so additional protection can help the longevity of the structure and components.
Answered by David Ross

Does the Jaguar XF have a Ford engine?

"Is the Jaguar XF R-Sport (2016) a Ford or Jaguar engine?"
The 2015-on Jaguar XF had engines both from Ford and Jaguar, depending on the capacity. The 2.0-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel engines are both Jaguar Ingenium units, while the 3.0-litre petrol and diesel units were designed by Ford. R-Sport models were mostly specified with 2.0-litre engines but were available with 3.0-litre units.
Answered by David Ross

Should I buy a Jaguar XF or a Skoda Superb as a private hire vehicle?

"I am struggling to decide which car to purchase for use as a private hire taxi: a 2016 Jaguar XF 2.0 Portfolio or a Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI CR SE L Executive DSG. I will be averaging 100-plus miles per day, and would be grateful for any suggestions/advise on which would be the better vehicle to purchase."
Jaguar as a brand performs less strongly in our Satisfaction Index (which takes views on reliability from owners) than Skoda. While you might buy an XF and find it faultless, the risk of problems is likely to be greater than on the Superb, as is the cost of replacement parts and servicing. If cost of ownership and dependability is important then the Skoda would be our choice.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

Jaguar XF - should I buy a 2012 or a 2016 model?

"I’m looking to change cars and have decided upon the Jaguar XF 2.0 diesel. Am I better buying a slightly older model (2012 with 40,000 miles on the clock) or a newer 2016 model with 75,000 miles on the clock? The 2016 comes with lane change control which I think is a good option to have. I plan to do 8,000 miles a year and replace it after three years. I would be having it serviced at the main dealer. What are your thoughts?"
I'd be tempted to go for the newer model with the later tech and get a Jaguar warranty – it'll stipulate that the car needs to be serviced by Jaguar which won't be an issue for you. The 2012 model will be subject to low-emissions charges like the London ULEZ. We have reviews of both versions: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/jaguar/xf-2008/ https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/jaguar/xf-2015/
Answered by Russell Campbell
More Questions

What does a Jaguar XF cost?