The seductive XF exemplifies British tradition with its sophisticated style and refined road manners. The Jag’s design is as beautiful and aggressive as the carmaker’s feline namesake, and its agile chassis and compliant suspension deliver a calm, composed driving experience. An efficient diesel inline-four is the base engine; two potent and polished supercharged V-6s are optional, and all three powerplants pair with a decisive eight-speed automatic transmission and rear- or all-wheel drive. The XF provides eye-catching exclusivity and upper-echelon refinement, but membership in Jaguar’s club is expensive.
What’s New for 2017?
The XF was completely redesigned for its second generation in 2016. The changes inside and out were a subtle but attractive evolution of the outgoing version. Most notably, Jaguar switched to an aluminum-intensive architecture to reduce weight and stretched the wheelbase for improved interior space. The main update to the XF for 2017 is the addition of a new base engine, a 180-hp diesel inline-four.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The XF’s base 180-hp diesel 2.0-liter inline-four is new for 2017. It rules in fuel-efficiency, but its sluggish acceleration diminishes driving enjoyment and thus fails to deliver on the promise of the XF’s sleek façade. The supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 boasts two different horsepower ratings: 340 in the mid-level 35t model and 380 in the top-end S. They share a polished demeanor, eager throttle response, and nearly identical acceleration times. However, neither engine treats our ears to the aggressive exhaust note we want in a performance sedan. Every XF has a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic with a manual mode operated via paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel. Jaguar’s all-wheel-drive system is optional on all models. A supple suspension delivers fluid handling with exceptional ride quality that reflects Jaguar’s sophisticated image. Unfortunately, the XF lagged behind its rivals in performance testing. Still, the Jag boasts a quiet, compliant ride and steering that adeptly transitions between low-speed lightness and high-speed heft.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Thoughtfully laid out, pleasingly spacious, and appropriately upscale, the XF’s interior has most of the trappings of high society. But less than luxurious leather quality and limited standard equipment clash with Jaguar’s otherwise palatial presentation. The S we tested sits atop the lineup and offers such accoutrements as four-zone climate control, a faux-suede headliner, heated and cooled leather front sport seats, and a head-up display. The XF’s walnut wood accents earned our approval, but they’re so dark against the blacked-out upper dash that they’re hard to see. Despite generous volume, the XF held one less carry-on than its rivals in our testing. A high lift-over height and limited interior storage space thwart its aspirations as an ideal travel companion.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every XF has a version of Jaguar’s InControl Touch infotainment system; buyers can upgrade to the Touch Pro unit for a fully digitized dash and premium features. However, its software seems to be still in the beta phase, as we experienced various glitches. The standard system has an 8.0-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker Meridian stereo. The Technology package adds navigation, a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, a 10.2-inch touchscreen, and a 17-speaker Meridian sound system. Neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto is available.
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