2017 Jaguar XF S | Review
Nobody really buys large petrol saloons anymore; here's a very good reason why they should
That was the main reason for testing this particular XF actually; not the way that it looks, but for the fact that cars of its ilk aren't exactly trendy with the buying public. More's the pity, really, because big saloons with big(ish) petrol engines have - and hopefully always will have - considerable appeal. Where once there were cars like BMW 545is, 4.2-litre Audi A6s and E500 Mercedes beneath their sporty flagships, now the focus seems to be on 'junior' performance models - see M Performance, the '43 AMG models and so on.
This Jaguar proves that a traditional, more relaxed approach to a big saloon is still of worth. 'Traditional' has unfortunate connotations in 2017, but it sums up all that is good (and some that is bad) about the XF. From the way it looks to the way it drives and the way people respond to it, there's something endearingly classic with this Jaguar. Perhaps that's not entirely on message for Jag right now though, as mentioned, just being a very good, relatively simple, fast, luxurious saloon is nothing to be ashamed of.
It makes 380hp from a supercharged V6; not a huge amount, nothing outrageous, simply an engine that has all the performance (plus a little bit more) that you'll ever need. It makes a good noise, it's responsive and it works (mostly) very well with the eight-speed auto.
And it remains a lovely, lovely car to drive in a refreshingly uncomplicated way. It has driving modes, naturally, because driving modes are apparently now as essential as wheels, but there's no need to venture beyond the normal one. There's comfort, flow and poise to the Jaguar's dynamics, traits that are as relevant now that as they always have been, the car's balance between suppleness and support absolutely spot on. It's precise without being nervy and refined without ever being aloof, a great contribution of attributes that perfectly matches its remit. If you could drive blindfolded - not recommended, of course - you would say it's a Jag. It just drives how you would want a large Jaguar to drive, and that's meant entirely as a compliment.
Make use of that 380hp and the XF is more than willing to accommodate, grip good and composure very nice. As an 'S' rather than a full-blown performance model it's not a car for right on the limit but, again, it feels perfectly judged for its role. Tinker with those modes away from normal and you'll find subtle adjustments to throttle response and steering weight, though they really do feel more superfluous here than they do anywhere else.
The XF cruises nicely, mooches around town nicely and scampers down a B-road nicely. It's simply - in case you hadn't guessed - a very nice car to drive, regardless of situation, and still perhaps the best in its class for that.
The problem? As an executive car, not simply as a driver's car, the XF has pitfalls. When competing against cars as complete as the new BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class you must bring your A game, and there are areas where the XF falls down. The displays don't have the clarity they do in the German cars, the technology we now expect in large saloons - lane departure, emergency braking, that sort of thing - works more erratically and the interior simply isn't as good as those cars. Their technology is not only better from a usability perspective, it's incorporated into more stylish surroundings. And when you're not admiring what a dream your Jaguar is to drive, these issues start to matter.
Thing is Jaguar does seem to be making swifter progress these days, so there is hope that the next facelift will bring another jump forward. And a better touchscreen. However there are still fiddly buttons, a couple of iffy plastics and ambience not entirely befitting of a car that, in this spec, is £65,000. It's good, though it should probably be better.
The XF remains a deeply likeable car, particularly in this configuration, and broadly competitive in a challenging sector. While powerful, fairly thirsty petrol engines aren't hugely in demand at present, one drive in this XF will remind you what a joy they are. And while a BMW 540i may do similarly, it's only available as an xDrive model; same with the Mercedes E400. Sometimes cars do need to change, but sometimes they don't; while it may sound like damning with faint praise, that the Jaguar feels a more traditionally luxurious offering is perhaps the strongest asset it has. Now when's that V8 coming?
SPECIFICATION | 2017 JAGUAR XF S
Engine: 2,995cc, V6 supercharged
Transmission: 8-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 380@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 332@4,500rpm
0-62mph: 5.3sec
Top speed: 155mph
Weight: 1,710kg
MPG: 34 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 198g/km
Price: £51,100 (As tested £65,125 comprised of £705 for Caesium Blue paint, £395 for Privacy glass, £1,275 for LED headlights with DTR lights, £990 for sliding panoramic roof, £1,255 for 20-inch 5 split-spoke with diamond turned finish wheels, £2,140 for Navigation Pro pack with Meridian sound system, £505 for soft door close, £320 for illuminated metal tread plates with Jaguar script, £540 for secure tracker, £890 for Digital TV, £615 for 10.2-inch Dual View touchscreen, £525 for Blind spot monitor and reverse traffic monitor, £1690 for advanced parking assist pack with surround camera, £540 for cold climate pack, £1,270 for Head-up display pack and £665 for power gestured boot lid)
It does phone mirroring, has apps etc, clear and precise sat-nav which works quickly, over-the-air updates via WiFi at home, mobile data through either its own SIM or bluetooth, all the bells and whistles that you could really need.
The graphics might not get continually washed through multi-£m redesigns, but it does work well and look good.
t about the infotainment stuff so long as I can pair with bluetooth, the actual audio quality is excellent, and I can play from USB/iPhone through a cable to it charges at the same time. As such the somewhat noncompetitive toys don't bother me very much at all. What kills it for me is the disappointing design and even more disappointing quality of the interior, and what makes this worse is that this has always been a Jaguar strength. Even the interior colour choices are horrible, it's either black or really wky two tone seats. I'm currently liking the Volvo S90/V90 but they don't drive nearly as well and the engines options are hopeless. I want the interior from the Volvo with the chassis and powertrain of the Jaguar!
t about the infotainment stuff so long as I can pair with bluetooth, the actual audio quality is excellent, and I can play from USB/iPhone through a cable to it charges at the same time. As such the somewhat noncompetitive toys don't bother me very much at all. What kills it for me is the disappointing design and even more disappointing quality of the interior, and what makes this worse is that this has always been a Jaguar strength. Even the interior colour choices are horrible, it's either black or really wky two tone seats. I'm currently liking the Volvo S90/V90 but they don't drive nearly as well and the engines options are hopeless. I want the interior from the Volvo with the chassis and powertrain of the Jaguar!
It's the one thing that's putting me off upgrading to the 'new' XF in a couple of years.
What amazes me is this: "It makes 380hp from a supercharged V6; not a huge amount" - Since when are we saying that under 400HP is not enough power? Surely the driving experience is more important than the bragging rights about how much power you have.
I can't see any reason for owning this over the XE, apart wanting a bigger looking car. Dynamically the XE is a far better car, not that far off in terms of interior space,with the same engine and 200kg less it's not hard to guess which is quicker, more efficient....that's before you get to the 18k price difference.
The V8 has appeal as I don't think you will see that in the XE but other wise it's a no brainer for me.
Personally, I do not care but I can see why someone might, when asking a £65k (or whatever it would be per month) question you want a nice feeling answer.
Case in point: My dad has just gone from a 15 plate AMG premium plus C class wagon to a 17 plate HSE Lux Disco sport. On paper, one was £40k with all options, the other was a fiver short of £50k, again, on paper. The difference in material quality, is quite surprising. The economies of scale in the little details is where they win. They can use the same Burmester laser cut metal speaker grilles in their S class as they do in the C class and the person in the C feels that quality. JLR don't have that level of finish. The speaker grilles in on the top end Meridian audio upgrade in the Disco are hard and cheap "feeling" black plastic. The same goes for the metal, solid "feeling" window switches in the Merc, in place of the cheap "feeling" plastic on plastic ones in the LR.
It's all part of the "soft plastics" brigade of "ooh isn't that nice". Most of us don't give a toss. Some people do and for those people, the JLR stuff isn't good enough.
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