Review: Jaguar XF 2.7D
By Cameron McGavin | drive.com.au | 18 August
Jaguar's S-Type arrived with much fanfare in the late 1990s but never really had the talent to elbow aside its pre-eminent German competition.
The new XF, though, could be a very different story. As the first Jaguar sedan to consign the company's styling nostalgia to the dustbin, it has the potential to pique the interest of a new range of buyers.
That's not all that's changed, with Jaguar claiming an ever bigger jump in performance, dynamics and technology.
What do you get?
The XF's swoopy, dramatic appearance should impress many people. Not only is it the first Jaguar sedan since 1968's definitive XJ to actually look like a product of its time, it makes rivals such as the BMW 5-Series and Benz E-Class seem positively dowdy.
That's akin to grandad ditching the cardigan and loafers for designer jeans and a fluoro hoodie - and pulling off the transformation. Even better, the XF retains the value focus of its predecessor. The base 3.0-litre V6 petrol and 2.7-litre diesel tested here kick off at a competitive $108,350 and get touch-screen satellite navigation, leather, power seats, Bluetooth, CD stacker, keyless start and 18-inch alloys. By class standards, that's a generous serve.
Those happy to spend more, meanwhile, can option toys such as adaptive cruise control, heated/cooled seats, TV and integrated iPod connectivity, or plump for the 4.2 V8 and range-topping SV8 models.
How safe?
With twin front, side and curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, rear parking sensors, the very latest in stability/ traction control sophistication, a pedestrian-protecting active bonnet and loads of other high-tech aids, the XF's safety credentials aren't to be sneezed at.
Yet in missing out on rear side airbags and leaving front parking sensors and tyre-pressure monitors to the options list, it isn't beyond disappointment.
What's inside?
If you think the XF's exterior is a surprise, wait until you see the cabin.
The gentleman's club ambience is gone, replaced by stark, minimalist design and refreshingly modern materials.
Then there's the starting process.
Get in and the start/stop button pulses encouragingly. Press it and the dash vents rotate open from their closed positions, while a chunky metal rotary shift knob rises like a phoenix into your palm.
A bit silly, yes, but as a means of wiping away Jaguar's past and setting a new, high-tech tone it succeeds brilliantly.
Other high-tech features are more functional. The map lights require only a sweep of the hand to turn on and off, while lightly touching a small circle on the wood trim pops the glovebox.
The XF's practical aspects are also impressive, at least up front.
You sit low on comfortable if slightly flat seats, with plentiful seating and steering adjustment, while the touch-screen operating system is much easier to use than rival mouse-style set-ups. Small-item storage, too, is excellent.
There's a price to pay for the slinky coupe-style roofline, though, and it comes in the form of unremarkable headroom for taller back-seat passengers. In light of the bench's pampering qualities and ample leg room, it's a pity.
No such issues with the boot, which has a handy 500-litre capacity that expands to 920 litres with the back seats folded.
Under the bonnet
The 152 kW, 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel is one of the very few carry-over items from the S-Type. But it doesn't sully the way the XF drives.
The Jaguar engine - shared with the Peugeot 407 Coupe - is smaller than rival units and lacks the muscularity of something like BMW's 530d, while turbo lag occasionally rears its ugly head around town.
Thankfully, the smooth six-speed auto is adept enough to minimise any negative effects and has handy paddle shifters on the steering wheel for easy manual shifting.
Otherwise, there's little to complain about.
Straight-line performance is more or less in line with the petrol V6 and it's very relaxed at highway speeds. It's also very quiet and smooth by diesel standards and quite thrifty, too, sipping an average of 8.0 L/100 km on test, or close to the official 7.5 L/100 km claim.
On the road
With a good portion of its underpinnings shared with the sweet-driving XK, the XF should drive well, and it doesn't disappoint. It's impressively agile for a big, heavy sedan and entertaining, too, with precise, responsive steering, loads of grip and admirably poised rear-wheel balance.
It's no less adept with the wick turned down. The ride isn't quite as luxurious as you'd expect of a Jaguar but if lumps and bumps are sensed they are rarely felt in a rude manner.
The XF is also very quiet, with only a touch of tyre roar on coarse-chip roads to disturb the considerable calm.
Verdict
Get past mediocre rear headroom and the 2.7D's slight performance shortfall, and finding serious fault with the XF is a hard task. That's in stark contrast to its many positives, which range from stunning styling and cabin ambience to poised road manners and undeniable value.
The XF isn't just refreshing by Jaguar standards, it's a competitive mid-sized package and desirable as well.
Jaguar XF 2.7D 4/5
How much: $108,350 (auto only).
Engine: 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel; 152 kW/435 Nm; 7.5 L/100 km; 199g CO2/km.
What it's got: Twin front, side and curtain airbags, stability/traction control, ABS with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, rear-parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, power front seats, cruise control, trip computer, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, satellite navigation, six-stack CD player with auxiliary jack, leather-shod multi-function steering wheel, 18-inch alloy wheels.
For: Stunning looks, refined and thrifty turbo-diesel V6, agile and supple road manners, cabin comfort and ambience, value.
Against: Average rear headroom, some minor safety shortfalls.
The competition
Audi A6 3.0 Tdiquattro
How much: From $103,200.
Engine: 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6.
171 kW/450 Nm; 8.7 L/100 km; 230 g CO2/km.
Safety: Five-star NCAP rating. Eight airbags, stability/traction control, ABS, parking sensors.
What it's got: Dual-zone climate control, power front seats, six-stack CD player, 17-inch alloys.
For: Great turbo-diesel V6, classy design, roomy cabin, predictable all-wheel-drive handling, quality.
Against: Patchy ride, steering lacks feel.
Our score: 3/5.5
BMW530d
How much: From $118,413.
Engine: 3.0-litre turbo-diesel six.
160 kW/480 Nm, 7.5 L/100 km; 200 g CO2/km.
Safety: Five-star NCAP rating. Eight airbags, stability/traction control, ABS, parking sensors.
What it's got: Dual-zone climate control, power front seats, satellite navigation, six-stack CD player, 17-inch alloys.
For: Muscular performance, great economy, involving road manners, roomy cabin.
Against: Polarising looks, stern urban ride, mediocre cabin storage, iDrive controller a pain.
Our score: 3/5.5
Mercedes-Benz E280 CDI
How much: From $106,231.
Engine: 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6.
140 kW/440 Nm; 7.5 L/100 km; 200 g CO2/km.
Safety: Five-star NCAP rating. Eight airbags, stability/traction control, ABS, parking sensors, tyre-pressure monitoring system.
What it's got: Dual-zone climate control, power front seats, six-stack CD player, 16-inch alloys.
For: Smooth and efficient performance, brilliant seven-speed auto, comfy ride, pampering cabin, safety.
Against: Not the sharpest handler going, lukewarm value.
Our score: 3/5.5
First published by Drive.com.au on August 18 2008
drive.com.au buy, sell and know cars
