Jaguar XF 3.0 TDV6 S UK: review

When it comes to proving itself on home roads, Britain’s Jaguar hits the spot bang-on
Is it as good as it needs to be to cut the mustard in the competitive executive car sector
Autocar|David Long15 November 2015

Everyone’s clocked how much Jaguar’s second-generation XF looks like its predecessor, but that’s clearly no bad thing.

The real question is, is it as good as it needs to be to cut the mustard in the frighteningly competitive executive car sector?

The version here is the range-topping oil-burner, a crucial player in this area of the market, with a 3.0 TDV6 outputting 296bhp and 516lb ft.

The version here is the range-topping oil-burner, a crucial player in this area of the market

Via Jaguar’s familiar eight-speed auto, that looks like plenty on paper. It’s a ‘box with a spread of ratios designed to move the plot on as silently and seamlessly as possible - and it delivers it beautifully at more or less any speed.

Gun the throttle hard enough and you’ll hear the engine, but for most of the time even the wrong side of the national speed limit it’s possible to enjoy your time behind the wheel in almost perfect peace.

Owners can configure the accelerator, steering response, and transmission to suit their own preferences

That said a Jaguar, any Jaguar, is expected to deliver more than just a smooth, quiet ride. This one certainly is and does. More than anything the XF is a reminder of the importance of the interaction between ride and handling. It’s sporty, yes, but on the sort of sub-optimal surface we’ve all come to know it soaks up the ruts beautifully along with all but the worst corrugations, pits and potholes.

Knowing that one can press on with real purpose, confident that whatever kind of road you’re on – big and sweeping, or narrow and challenging - the XF will respond with aplomb. Dishing up the kind of firm but unflappable composure, and outstanding body control, its handling is nothing short of amazing.

As with most premium rivals, owners can configure the accelerator, steering response, and transmission to suit their own preferences. But frankly the standard settings are so good that most will probably fiddle with the controls no more than once or twice.

The same goes for the seat, a heated and leather-bound item (obviously) which probably says all you need to know about the near-stratospheric levels of specification this sector of the market regards as a bare minimum.

The most formidable competition naturally comes from Germany

The most formidable competition naturally comes from Germany. Asking whether it quite matches up to the best that Audi and BMW offer may sound picky, but given that it costs more than the equivalent 5-Series it’s a question any would-be XF buyer won’t ignore.

Well the answer is that, yes, it does. Here and there are a few small details which could disappoint, but that’s all they are: details. Elsewhere it ticks all the other boxes, and for that reason we’re sending it to the front of the class.

Jaguar XF 3.0 TDV6 S

On sale: Now

Price: £49,945

Engine: V6, 2993cc, turbodiesel

Power: 296bhp at 4000rpm

Torque: 516lb ft at 2000rpm

Gearbox: 8-spd automatic

Kerb weight: 1750kg

0-60mph: 5.8sec

Top speed: 155mph

Economy: 51.4mpg (combined)

CO2/tax band: 144g/km, 25%

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