In-depth reviews

Jaguar XF review

Jaguar's latest XF is desirable and very good to drive, making it a genuine rival to the German alternatives

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Price
£35,640 to £48,000
  • Smart styling
  • Rear legroom
  • Great handling
  • Rivals more refined
  • Some poor materials
  • Disappointing emissions
Find your Jaguar XF
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

Jaguar has borrowed much of what makes the smaller XE such a desirable compact executive car to make the XF saloon comfortable, refined and good to drive.

Lightweight aluminium construction and a range of efficient engines help the XF deliver decent but not brilliant running costs for company car users, while the car benefits from Jaguar's proven handling know-how to deliver a composed and engaging driving experience. 

Sharp styling, a strong range of engines and an engaging chassis mean the XF is well worth considering as an alternative to its German rivals. A facelift in 2020 brought a fresh exterior look, while upgrades to interior trim and on-board tech ensure the XF is ready to do battle with the best executive saloons on the market.

The Jaguar XF that arrived in 2007 was the first car for sale in Jaguar dealers that saw the British company move away from the retro looks of past models to a new, more modern appearance. The first XF saloon, as well as the XF Sportbrake estate and high-performance XFR, was replaced by the XF Mk2 in 2015. It maintained the original car's luxury, but offered a sharper look and greater efficiency.

As with the original car, the XF is for sale as a four-door saloon or XF Sportbrake estate. Jaguar has streamlined its engine lineup to include a 201bhp 2.0-litre diesel with mild-hybrid technology, along with a 2.0-litre petrol unit in two states of tune: the P250 delivering 247bhp via the rear wheels and the P300 with 296bhp and an all-wheel-drive set-up. The oil burner is available as either a rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive version.

Prices for the XF start from around £32,500 for the saloon, with the XF Sportbrake costing around £2,000 extra.

Chief opponents for the XF are the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, although the Volvo S90 majors on comfort, while the Lexus ES has replaced the GS in the Japanese line-up and the Maserati Ghibli is a leftfield choice if you want something sporty. If you're a company car buyer, then perhaps a Tesla Model S could be considered as a rival, too.

Back to the XF and, as with the engine range, Jaguar has decided on a reduced list of available trim levels. The rear-wheel-drive cars feature an entry-level S equipment level, while R-Dynamic S, R-Dynamic SE and R-Dynamic HSE make up the rest of the equipment options.

For an alternative review of the latest Jaguar XF Saloon visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    2.0 D200 S 4dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • Price
    £31,800

Most Economical

  • Name
    2.0 D200 R-Dynamic S 4dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • Price
    £34,880

Fastest

  • Name
    2.0 P300 R-Dynamic S 4dr Auto AWD
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • Price
    £37,380

More on XF

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost
Jaguar XF Sportbrake - front tracking
Road tests
7 Dec 2023

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost

Jaguar's XF Sportbrake may be 8 years old but it just got a whole lot cheaper!
Top 10 best executive cars 2023
Best executive cars - header image
Best cars & vans
24 Aug 2023

Top 10 best executive cars 2023

Executive cars might cost a little more, but the best ones add a real touch of class to your motoring experience…
Best cars for £20,000 or less
Best cars for £20,000 or less - header image
Best cars & vans
20 Mar 2023

Best cars for £20,000 or less

£20k is serious used car money, these are our favourite buys for that kind of budget
Jaguar XF Sportbrake review
Jaguar XF Sportbrake - front
In-depth reviews
17 Sep 2021

Jaguar XF Sportbrake review

The Jaguar XF Sportbrake is a decent match for any rival in this sector, although a lack of plug-in hybrid tech counts against it
Jaguar XE and XF gain R-Dynamic Black models
Jaguar XF R-Dynamic Black and Jaguar XE R-Dynamic Black
News
26 Aug 2021

Jaguar XE and XF gain R-Dynamic Black models

The new sporty R-Dynamic Black trim level heads XE and XF line-ups with black styling features and more standard kit
BMW 5 Series Touring vs Jaguar XF Sportbrake
BMW 5 Series Touring vs Jaguar XF Sportbrake
Car group tests
16 Aug 2021

BMW 5 Series Touring vs Jaguar XF Sportbrake

With SUV popularity increasing, estates like the BMW 5 Series Touring and Jaguar XF Sportbrake have it harder than ever - but which is best?
New Jaguar XF P250 2021 review
Jaguar XF P250 - front
Road tests
30 Apr 2021

New Jaguar XF P250 2021 review

Is the Jaguar XF P250 the last hurrah for a petrol-engined Jag executive car?
New Jaguar XF 2021 review
Jaguar XF facelift - front
Road tests
27 Jan 2021

New Jaguar XF 2021 review

Can changes take the Jaguar XF back to the top of the executive class? We find out…
Used Jaguar XF review
Used car tests
20 Nov 2020

Used Jaguar XF review

A full used buyer’s guide on the Jaguar XF covering the XF Mk2 (2015-date)
New 2020 Jaguar XF facelift adds mild-hybrid tech
News
5 Oct 2020

New 2020 Jaguar XF facelift adds mild-hybrid tech

Mild-hybrid tech and fresh infotainment system introduced to the Jaguar XF saloon and Sportbrake; prices range from £32,585 to £46,610
Jaguar XF range revised, adding new Chequered Flag edition
Jaguar XF Chequered Flag - front action
News
29 Jan 2019

Jaguar XF range revised, adding new Chequered Flag edition

The updated Jaguar XF receives new engines, more technology and a new Chequered Flag edition
Jaguar XF Sportbrake vs BMW 5 Series Touring vs Volvo V90
Jaguar XF Sportbrake vs BMW 5 Series Touring vs Volvo V90 - front
Car group tests
11 Mar 2018

Jaguar XF Sportbrake vs BMW 5 Series Touring vs Volvo V90

The new stylish Jaguar XF Sportbrake loads up against its key exec estate rivals, the BMW 5 Series Touring and Volvo V90
Jaguar XF Sportbrake 3.0 diesel S 2018 review
Jaguar XF Sportbrake 3.0 diesel S - front
Road tests
28 Feb 2018

Jaguar XF Sportbrake 3.0 diesel S 2018 review

The flagship 3.0-litre V6 diesel version of the Jaguar XF Sportbrake estate costs north of £50k. We see if it's worth the money...
Long-term test review: Jaguar XF
Jaguar XF Long-Term Test - header
Long-term tests
20 Sep 2017

Long-term test review: Jaguar XF

Final report: we thrash out the highs and lows of our relationship with the Jaguar XF
New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2017 review
Jaguar XF Sportbrake - front
Road tests
2 Sep 2017

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2017 review

Stylish Jaguar XF Sportbrake estate offers a practical alternative for Jag buyers averse to SUVs
Jaguar XF 25d 2017 review
Jaguar XF 25d - front
Road tests
22 Aug 2017

Jaguar XF 25d 2017 review

We try the Jaguar XF’s 237bhp twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel for the first time to see if it offers anything over the lesser-powered versions
New Jaguar XF Sportbrake: pics, specs and prices
Jaguar XF Sportbrake S - front
News
14 Jun 2017

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake: pics, specs and prices

Jaguar reveals new XF Sportbrake estate to take fight to the BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes E-Class Estate
BMW 5 Series vs Mercedes E-Class vs Jaguar XF
BMW 5 Series vs Mercedes E-Class vs Jaguar XF - group header
Car group tests
13 Feb 2017

BMW 5 Series vs Mercedes E-Class vs Jaguar XF

Can the new Mk7 BMW 5 Series regain the class crown from Mercedes and Jaguar?
Jaguar XF vs Audi A6 vs BMW 5 Series
Jaguar XF vs Audi A6 vs BMW 5 Series - group test front
Car group tests
27 Jul 2016

Jaguar XF vs Audi A6 vs BMW 5 Series

Can Jaguar’s new XF go straight to the top of the exec class? We test the new 2.0-litre diesel against the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series
Executive Car of the Year 2016: Mercedes E-Class
New Car Awards 2016: Executive Car of the Year - Mercedes E-Class
Awards
6 Jul 2016

Executive Car of the Year 2016: Mercedes E-Class

The Mercedes E-Class is the 2016 Auto Express Executive Car of the Year, with the Jaguar XF and Tesla Model S commended
China-only Jaguar XF L unveiled at Beijing Motor Show
Jaguar XF long wheelbase - Beijing Show - front
News
26 Apr 2016

China-only Jaguar XF L unveiled at Beijing Motor Show

Long wheelbase Jaguar XF makes Beijing debut but it won't get a UK release any time soon
Mercedes E-Class vs Jaguar XF vs Audi A6
E-Class group test - header
Car group tests
25 Apr 2016

Mercedes E-Class vs Jaguar XF vs Audi A6

The hi-tech new Mercedes E-Class gets down to business as it takes on Jaguar and Audi rivals in its first test
Jaguar XF 2.0D diesel 2016 review
Jaguar XF 2.0d 2016 - front tracking
Road tests
8 Apr 2016

Jaguar XF 2.0D diesel 2016 review

Jaguar's XF is setting a high standard in the executive saloon class, even in economical 2.0d guise