Jaguar XF Review 2024

A large saloon needs to be comfortable on the commute, yet spacious enough to prove useful for family duty on the weekends. The Jaguar XF does all of those things, but its speciality is the brilliant way that it drives. 

If you enjoy taking the long route home, then this Jaguar is one of the most rewarding saloons you can buy. Its sharp responses and agile-yet-supple ride mean you can have your cake and eat it. If you don't want to get suckered into paying a lot for extras, the generous standard equipment list will be a real boon.

Some buyers will find the Jaguar XF's simple, traditional cabin a soothing antidote to the tech-laden and ever more complex interiors in premium German saloons, but the fact is that it looks quite dated now, and not as solid.

Company car drivers will also prefer the lower CO2 emissions and cheaper BIK tax rates on this car's rivals, particularly with plug-in hybrid or even full EV choices, so until the engine range is updated we'd steer clear of the XF unless you really want to pay for the privilege.

The original Jaguar XF was a seminal car for the British brand. It was the first time it had built a credible rival to the big German executives that dominated the reserved spots in business car parks across the UK.

Those same cars, namely the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6, remain the XF's natural rivals. All of them feel more upmarket and modern than the Jaguar does inside, with impressive built-in technology.

Most are also quieter travelling companions on the motorway, with stronger diesel engines that have the Jag licked both in their refinement and fuel economy, but none handles as sweetly (or looks as good) as the XF. They also provide greater choice thanks to plug-in hybrid or full EV options.

If you're not fussed about driving thrills and merely want to take it easy, the Lexus ES is a fine choice. Its petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain makes it a cheaper company car, and it's less expensive to buy when new.

To match the Jaguar for style, you might be better off with the elegant Volvo S90. This car is safe, modern to sit in, and very comfortable, but the Swedish brand has now axed the diesel engines, so it's now petrol or PHEV only. For a full full EV alternative, the Tesla Model S provides it at a price, and it's not as well screwed together.

Time has not been particularly kind to the interior of the Jaguar XF. When it first launched it felt smart enough to go up against its German peers (perhaps a fraction less solid) but now it lags way behind for fit and finish.

Several newer models have raised the bar of what buyers can expect from a posh, expensive saloon. While plush leather seats, a rising gear selector on earlier models, and some bright metal pedals do their best to distract you from the flimsier materials on show around the centre console and doors, they ultimately fail.

It's not just the hardness of the glossy plastic around the climate controls either. The whole panel creaks if you prod it too firmly, and the small buttons and switches are not nicely damped or clicky in their operation. While it may prove as robust as anything from Audi, BMW or Mercedes, it simply doesn't feel as premium.

That's not to say it's an unmitigated disaster - far from it - but the class standards have moved on. The Jaguar XF still has traditional luxuries if you move up the range, as you can fit a variety of traditional wood veneers for a reasonable price, and HSE (Portfolio in earlier models) models have very soft leather, but this all feels a bit old hat in a modern car.

Older versions of the Jaguar XF came with a choice of 8.0-inch and 10.2-inch touchscreens, but neither was really at the races, with dated graphics, laggy responses, and lower resolution than the systems in its competitors.

So in 2019, Jaguar introduced a newer 10.0-inch Touch Pro display, with improved processing power and menus, standard in all models. It's a big step on, but still not as cutting edge or intuitive as rival software. The screen sits flush with the dash, but fiddling with it is still more distracting than using a rotary controller. This has since been increased in size again to an 11.4-inch screen with the Pivi Pro set-up.

The Jaguar XF does come packed with features though. All models get built-in sat-nav, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth, and (in another recent addition to the spec) Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring as standard. You can pay to add a TV tuner (£910) and dual-view screen that lets your passenger watch TV while driving.

A Wi-Fi hotspot and 'Pro' services are included, so you can browse local fuel prices, or search for free parking at your destination. The 500MB data allowance only lasts for three years; the length of the warranty. Audiophiles can upgrade the decent standard stereo for a powerful Meridian branded system by choosing the SE Black trim or above.

All new XF models get a digital screen in the place of the conventional dials or earlier cars. This helps make the interior look more modern, but the display is not as bright or easy to customise as the class best. Truth be told, the XF's infotainment hardware feels like it needs a major overhaul.

Interior space is a major strength of the Jaguar XF's cabin. Sitting in the front, you'll be a comfortable distance from whoever is sat in the passenger seat, and there's a generous amount of storage dotted about the place too.

There's a hidden cubby beneath the armrest for valuables, and you can cover the two cupholders with a neat retractable lid to keep them free from dust (this won't help with the usual coffee spillages though).

Despite the sporty design, you shouldn't feel too hemmed in, and the good news continues in the back. A pair of six-footers will have no trouble settling in for a long ride, with plenty of knee- and headroom to spare.

The middle seat is narrow and set quite high, and the raised transmission tunnel eats into foot space. All that means it won't be very comfortable with three abreast in the back, but that's the same in other big saloons.

Visibility over-the-shoulder is impaired by the thick C-pillars that form the XF's athletic haunches, so in tight parking spaces you'll be glad that Jaguar fits front and rear parking sensors across the range. The view out front is better, but a low seating position and high window line can make it tricky to see the end of the bonnet.

All new XFs have folding rear seats that split in a flexible 40:20:40 configuration, helping you carry a surprising about for a saloon. Previously, this was an option on lower order cars.

With the seats in place, the Jaguar XF's has a 540-litre boot capacity, matching the competition. While the load space has size on its side, it's not the most practical to use. The boot aperture is narrow, and there's a high loading lip, so heaving broader items (like a buggy or golf bag) into the back can be a challenge. The rear wheel arches also intrude inside the luggage area, so it constricts once it reaches the rear seats, limiting what it can carry.

If you're wanting to measure up the Jaguar XF for your parking space at the office, then the dimensions of the Jaguar XF are 4954mm long and 1890mm wide.

Jaguar has recently streamlined the range of engines available with the XF, with either a mild-hybrid 204PS 2.0-litre diesel or the choice of two 2.0-litre petrol units with either 250 or 300PS on tap. 

If you're looking on the used market for a Jaguar XF, there's a wide choice of conventional engines and transmissions, the most popular being the ageing 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel. It's available in three different power outputs. Propping up the range is the 2.0d 163, which feels underwhelming, and will only appeal to buyers who need to save on CO2.

Right in the middle is our favourite 2.0d 180. It's stronger in-gear, and is flexible enough for quick overtakes and effortless cruising, but can't match the performance of similarly powerful engines in its closest rivals. This engine comes with the option of all-wheel drive, where standard cars send power to the rear axle only.

The punchiest 2.0-litre diesel has 240PS and came with four-wheel drive as standard. It sounds faster on paper than in practice though, and the 300PS 3.0-litre V6 is a lot smoother, and a good deal more efficient.

Jaguar introduced a 2.0-litre petrol turbo in 2018, also available in three states of tune. Buyers can pick from a 2.0-litre with, 200, 250, or 300PS, with the quickest model featuring four-wheel drive. When the lively 3.0-litre supercharged V6 was dropped in the UK, the latter became the quickest (and thirstiest) XF available.

However, those after searing pace will be left disappointed. There's no rip-snorting V8 to take on Mercedes's AMG, BMW's M Division, or Audi's S6, and the standard petrols actually feel quite sedate. The 200PS car has the most palatable running costs, but the others are expensive to buy and run, without feeling very quick.

Both the 163PS and 180PS diesel came with a six-speed manual as standard, where the rest of the range is fitted with an eight-speed automatic that is optional on these versions. The auto is the transmission of choice though, it makes the XF feel keener to accelerate, improves cruising refinement, and barely dents economy.

Executive saloons like the XF are designed to travel great distances in comfort, which is why diesel engines and automatic gearboxes are such popular options in this class. However, the XF falls short in this regard.

With such a sophisticated and supple ride, you expect it to waft along like a limo. Yet, it's only the flagship V6 diesel that possesses the mechanical refinement to keep things tranquil in the cabin, no matter your speed.

The popular four-cylinder diesels are noisier. You'll hear them less often than in the smaller XE saloon, and they're only vocal when worked hard, but the equivalent engines from Audi and BMW are much more muted.

Drive the XF in town, and the stop/start system constantly reminds you of their poor isolation, restarting with a nasty jolt and noisy idle. It's a shame because on the motorway they settle down to a fairly civilised cruise.

Picking a 2.0-litre petrol improves matters slightly - certainly at low speeds - and the Jaguar cuts through the air nicely, but it also creates more intrusive tyre rumble than its peers will, especially fitted with larger wheels.

The eight-speed automatic transmission fitted to the majority of the line-up is pretty smooth, whether you let it make its own shifts or take control using the paddles. It can occasionally hesitate when you want a quick burst of speed but has the annoying habit of kicking down through several ratios if you try to make progress.


Every executive saloon at this price does enough to gain a five-star rating from the crash testers Euro NCAP. It doesn't necessarily follow that they're all equally safe though, with some differences in the level protection.

The XF got high scores across all four individual categories, with an impressive 92% for adult protection and 84% for safeguarding children if the worst happens. Still, rivals such as the E-Class and S90 do even better. 

Every model comes fitted with a host of active safety kit, including traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, and auto emergency braking, which can sense potential collisions, stopping the car if necessary.

That's on top of cruise and traction control, six airbags, hazard lights that flash to warn other drivers if you stop suddenly, and a hill launch assistant to get you moving again when you're sitting at a steep junction.

All of this combined should ensure you are thoroughly protected should you have a prang, but there is help on hand to keep your wheels and bumpers looking pristine. All XFs now get front and rear parking sensors, while the SE Black and HSE Black versions add a reversing camera. This was also standard on the Portfolio trim.

LED headlights were once an option, but they are now standard across the XF range, which makes a later car more attractive if your budget extends this far.

All new XFs also have a driver fatigue sensor, adaptive cruise control that can come to a stop and set off again without you intervening, and traffic sign recognition.

While it hasn't had the best reputation for reliability, Jaguar's turned things round in recent years with the brand coming in fifth place for overall owner satisfaction in the latest Honest John, our sister website's, satisfaction survey. Impressive stuff, coming in behind first-placed Lexus and second-placed Skoda.

 The Jaguar XF comes with a three-year warranty as standard, with the option to buy extended warranties if you wish.

Insuring your Jaguar saloon should mean parting with less of your hard-earned than any of its German rivals. That's due to the most basic car's modest output and its manual gearbox, putting it right down in Group 25. This is the for the 163PS diesel in base trim.

You'll add one insurance band for each step you take up the trim ladder, and upgrading to the quicker 180PS diesel means you'll start off in Group 28. For reference, most rivals are in Group 30 or above, a difference that will undoubtedly save you some cash, especially if you have a few speeding points still on your licence.

Petrol XFs kick-off in Group 30, while the top-spec V6 diesel 'S' sits in Group 42 so will set you back a lot more than any of the four-cylinder models. A similar sized engine in the Audi A6 50 TDI is only in Group 40.

The current range of XFs sits in insurance groups spread between 28 and 39 depending on engine and trim spec.

Jaguar launched the current XF in 2015, and any cars registered before April 2017 will pay road tax based on their individual CO2 outputs. This could be £20 for a low-spec diesel, or up to £385 for the V6 S petrol.


All cars built after that pay the same flat-rate of VED. Currently this is set at £180 for petrol and diesels. Be aware that most of the range cost over £40,000, and those cars attract a higher 'Premium' tax rate as well. This adds an extra £390 a year over the first five years of ownership after registration, before dropping down.

Company car drivers will be most interested in the low-powered diesels, but with new surcharges for this fuel type, even the cleanest are in the 32% BIK bracket, versus 28% for the considerably faster BMW 520d auto.

Buyers of large saloons like the XF expect a high standard of equipment from their cars, which means there is no need to mess around adding too many options. All versions come with leather-trimmed heated seats, with an electric backrest adjustment, parking sensors, a nice touchscreen sat-nav, climate and cruise control.

That's on the Prestige model, which should be more than enough to satisfy most buyers, although moving up pumps up the sporty styling and adds luxury kit. Upgrade to the R-Sport for a larger set of 18-inch wheels, a bespoke body kit, lowered sports suspension, and suitably racy interior, with figure-hugging sports seats

Choose the Portfolio version if you're more interested in luxury goodies than a sporty design. It comes with softer leather seats with 10-way electric adjustment, a reversing camera, keyless entry and a posher Hi-Fi.


The Chequered Flag model is only available with the more powerful engines, and features gloss black alloys, a pumped-up exterior design. On the inside, there's a sharp set of digital dials and chrome gearshift paddles.

At the pinnacle of the range sat the high-performance 'S' model, a trim exclusive to the 3.0-litre V6 diesel. It gets upgraded brakes, adaptive suspension, and the best luxury gadgets borrowed from the Portfolio model.

If faced with the choice of upgrading the looks or the interior, we would choose the latter. So if you plan to upgrade, the plush Portfolio is better value than the R-Sport, and in our opinion at least, looks just as sharp.

Naturally for a swanky premium model, there were a plethora of optional extras, ranging from the modestly priced (£85 for a pair of 12v sockets in the back) to the punitively expensive (£1,725 for advanced park assistance).

With the current line-up of Jaguar XF, the range starts with the R-Dynamic S that comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, exterior bright pack, heated and folding door mirrors, LED headlights, rear parking camera, and adaptive cruise control. It also has the 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment set-up, leather upholstery, digital driver display dash, electric seat adjustment, and driver fatigue alert.

The R-Dynamic SE Black adds 19-inch alloys, heated windscreen, rear privacy glass, and more safety kit. It also has a Meridian sound system.

Choose the R-Dynamic HSA Black and it has 20-inch alloy wheels, black exterior pack, Windsor leather seats, and even greater adjustment in the front seats. Or you could opt for the 300 Sport that adds to this lot a black contrast roof, boot spoiler, interactive driver display, adaptive dynamics to choose suspension settings, and JaguarDrive Control with Adaptive Surface Response.