Jaguar made a name for itself with luxury sedans, coupes and convertibles for decades. However, the times have changed. Now, buyers want crossovers and
SUVs. Jaguar has streamlined the sedan line-up to just one model as it offers more crossover and electric vehicles.
The XF sedan has a revised front-end makeover with sleek LED lighting clusters and a revised grille. The P300 R-Dynamic model has special badging, aggressively styled 20-inch wheels and a unique grille that differentiates it from other XF models. Styling standouts in the luxury class as the XF conveys a cool vibe without really screaming about it. The optional British Racing Green paint seems to be the obvious choice for the Jaguar sedan.
Inside, the XF turns up the luxury with a rich-looking interior. The front seats will satisfy most luxury car drivers, but the lighter color will show dirt quickly, especially with children. I like the mix of wood, aluminum and extended leather trim in the more relaxed-feeling cabin. Space is surprisingly good for four and a fifth person is fine on shorter trips. The trunk may be lacking space when compared to some other midsize luxury sedans. A revised 11.4-inch touchscreen responds much quicker than in previous Jaguars I have driven, but there is a learning curve for using it.
Performance for the Jaguar XF sedan is changed with this redesign also. A series of four-cylinder engines are now underneath the bonnet. The P300 Dynamic version I drove came packing nearly 300hp and is now the most powerful version. Gone are the days of supercharged V6s and V8s of the past. However, the more efficient Turbo Four provides adequate power in most situations. My tester also came with AWD, which makes this a good year round vehicle. The optional Dynamic handling pack wakes up the sedan when it comes to carving corners without really affecting ride quality.
Cost: $49,995; as tested $62,695
MPG: 22 mpg city and 30mpg highway; I managed 25.2 mpg in 326 miles of mixed driving.
Safety: In-Control Protect; emergency braking with assist; traffic sign recognition & adaptive speed limiter; lane-keep assist; driver condition monitor; surround camera front & rear parking aid; head-up display; Drive Pack; adaptive cruise control; blind spot assist, rear traffic monitor; adaptive surface response.
Options: $1,000 convenience pack; $600 British racing green; $1,200 20″ split spoke wheels style 5036; $1,010 head-up display; $800 Meridian surround sound system; $1,800 extended leather upgrade; $700 cold weather pack; $1,300 dynamic handling pack; $450 clear sight interior rear view mirror; $1,050 head-up display; $ 1,200 adaptive cruise control; $400 natural burr ash veneer; $800 light oyster Windsor leather sport seats
Things to know: The XF is the sedan in the Jaguar lineup. This midsize luxury sedan carries on with understated British style to stand out in the crowd.
Pros:
- Redesigned exterior gives the XF a fresh and modern look.
- The interior sees an upgrade in materials and design.
- Hushed cabin makes this an easy cruiser.
Cons:
- XF models only come with four-cylinder engines.
- The interface takes some practice to use properly.
- Trunk space is less than some of the competition.
