2009 Jaguar XF Review & Road Test
May 18, 2009 by Matt Brogan
2009 Jaguar XF V6 Luxury Review & Road Test
Simple sophistication
Model Tested:
- 2009 Jaguar XF V6 Luxury; 3.0-litre, six-cylinder; six-speed automatic; sedan – $108,350 (RRP)
Attractive styling; quiet & comfortable cabin; capable V6
Trim & plastic rattles; average stereo; weak headlamps
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Matt Brogan
Boasting sleek flowing lines, rich, deep paint work, just enough chrome trim, and a rear end that wouldn’t look out of place on an Aston Martin, the Jaguar XF is certainly a looker, well except perhaps for the questionable styling of its headlamps.
For most prospective buyers that’s about where any thoughts of owning an XF begin and end, which is a shame really, for it’s my opinion that the big cat is just a little more unique and less comformist than its German rivals, though not without a hint of ostentacious imperial flair.
The looks grow on you, they truly do, and when you start to allow yourself more than a passing glance, you begin to understand where designer Ian Callum was coming from.
Yes, it’s alarming I know, but I can assure you that I am being quite sincere, I really do love the styling of the XF, but after a week behind the wheel would I stand by my decision to choose the Jaguar – and its premium price tag – over one of the Bavarian big boys?
At a claimed 8.3 seconds for the 0-100km/h run the 3.0-litre petrol powered XF we tested this week is hardly a rocket-ship, but in saying that, it’s not exactly slow either.
Developing 175kW at 6800rpm the car’s 1689kg tare weight is certainly evident, but despite this the free revving, fantastic sounding V6 is surprisingly capable, delivering both smooth and confident acceleration.
Similarly torque isn’t exactly a strong point in with only 293Nm available at 4100rpm. Fortunately though the Sachs ZF six-speed automatic makes short work of any downfall here by keeping the drive to the rear wheels live and positive through even the most trying of situations.
To extract the most from the car however I would definitely recommend making use of the steering wheel mounted paddle shifts, sports mode, or both. Combined they make the transmission sing when under pressure, an absolute delight, and best of all help the XF return, on this occasion at least, a weekly fuel consumption average of just 11.8 litres per 100km.
Underfoot the big cat is very well balanced, though not without a touch of body roll when cornering at full tilt. The ride is smooth and settled with the suspension managing an excellent job of providing a complaint, confident feel at speed, even if some may find it a little firm.
Bends are tackled effortlessly with sharp, responsive steering providing ample feedback while at the same time remaining appropriately weighted for the vehicle’s luxury orientation.
Braking however, though quite well sorted technically, does lack that initial bite found in XF’s German rivals, but once familiar with the more progressive pedal, you will find stopping to be a sorted and sure proposition backed with the reassurance of all the expected electronic nannies.
The XF’s quiet cabin is elegant and simple, almost disguising the sophistication of the technology in constant use behind the scenes. All controls are logical and completely user-friendly with the touch screen system being easily one of the best I’ve yet experienced – provided you’re at a standstill.
Proportionally generous the seating is both comfortable and supportive offering an excellent driving position made all the more enjoyable by the surroundings of supple leather, polished alloy and real woodgrain that meld seemlessly to encompass a feeling of heritage in what is otherwise a modern, light and enjoyable space.
The rising gear shift, heartbeat starter button, handshake vents, push button glovebox, illuminated sill panels and touch sensitive overhead lighting are also a nice touch of modernism, even if they are only a gimmick.
On the downside however I did find the stereo poor of tone considering the XF’s price and the headlamps rather weak both in low and high-beam. There are also no seat heaters in standard form and the trip computer resets itself each time you switch off the ignition.
Fortunately some of these faults can be remedied by upgrading (for an additional charge) at the time of sale, though when you consider just how much kit some of Jaguar’s rivals offer at a lower price, it is these trivial items that could be a potential deal breaker.
I was also a little disappointed at the fit of some interior panelling and the slight plastic rattles evident from the dashboard and door trims, though this could be chalked up to “press-car-itis”.
In terms of cargo space the XF offers 500 litres in standard form which can be expanded to 923 litres with thanks to 60:40 split fold rear seats and can also tow up to 1850kg (braked).
A full house of airbags, ABS with Cornering Brake Control, Electronic Brake Assist and Brake Force Districution are all on board to keep you safe as are Electronic Stability and Traction Control.
At the end of my week I must say that although I am still besotted with the XF’s styling, and a great fan of it’s smooth drive and simple sophistication, I can’t help but feel the RRP, questionable trim fit and frightfully steep options pricing do leave me wondering why this base model starts at some $30K more than its nearest rivals, and for that reason alone, it’s three-and-a-half out of five from me.
Ratings:
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Options:
Metallic paint $2645 (fitted); mirror & blindspot monitor $2150; keyless entry $950; heated seats $1915; bi-Xenon headlamps $1925; heated windscreen $925; premium sound $1585; visibility pack $1850; mirror pack $1270 (fitted); parking aid & camera $1385 (fitted); television $1480; voice recognition $1585; air quality sensor $120; B&W sound upgrade $4130; iPod interface $1375; rear electric sunblind $875; floor mats $345 (fitted); burr walnut veneer $315 (fitted); ivory leather $3335 (fitted); adaptive cruise control $5825; tyre pressure monitoring $950; sunroof $3920; 19-inch alloys $1480
Specifications:
- Engine: 2967cc DOHC V6 (24-valve)
- Power: 175kW @ 6800rpm
- Torque: 293Nm @ 4100rpm
- Induction: Multi-point
- Transmission: Six-speed automatic
- Driven Wheels: Rear
- Brakes: Discs with ABS, CBC, EBA & EBD
- Top Speed: 237km/h (claimed)
- 0-100km/h: 8.3 seconds
- CO2 Emissions: 249g/km (average)
- Fuel Consumption: 10.5 litres per 100km (ADR combined)
- Fuel Consumption: 11.8 litres per 100km (as tested)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
- Fuel Type: 98RON petrol
- ANCAP Rating: TBC
- Airbags: Front, side & curtain
- Safety: ESP with traction control
- Spare Wheel: Space-saver
- Cargo Capacity: 500/923 litres
- Tow Capacity: 1850kg(braked)
- Turning Circle: 11.5 metres
- Warranty: Three year/100,000km
- Weight: 1679kg (tare)
- Wheels: Alloy 18 x 8.5-inch
Road Test the Rivals:
- Audi A6 (from $74,500)
- BMW 5 Series (from $76,400)
- Lexus GS (from $99,900)
- Mercedes-Benz E Class (from $90,025)
Print it: 
Good review. I suspect you would have enjoyed a week in the V8 more (the PL has bi-xenons, a better stereo etc – about $145K for one with sunroof and the B & W stereo), or the SV8. 0 – 100 in 8 plus seconds is just too slow for a car that otherwise has everything you need for a sports saloon. After a year in one, I’m still besotted with it, no trim quibbles (save for a squeaking sunroof seal that has been fixed), but a bit more speed (6.5 secs for the V8) wouldnt hurt – probably a half second too slow. The new 3 litre diesel (around 6 secs) will be the real winner, though the absence of the V8 noise is a killer for me.
The exterior of the jag is fine, although I’m one of those that don’t like the headlights. And that interior does not look good from the photos (I’ve never sat in one).
I’d purchase an M-Sport 530i or 530d over this.
Funnily enough, I didnt like the interior when I ordered mine – thought the photos in the brochure looked pretty poxy, and really wanted black on black on black. I didnt really notice the interior when I took one for a test drive. I got a demo sight unseen, with ivory and oyster (cream and grey) interior which probably would have been my last choice, but it is beautiful when you are in it, and all of my passengers comment on how gorgeous and luxurious it is, so I suspect it is better first hand. Agree on the lights, though. The concept C-XF was much better.
What an overpriced crap…!! Actually, Its engine is basically Ford Taurus’s engine (so called Duratech Engine)…Bring Hyundai Genesis here..It is 10 times better than this crap at half price..
^ Exactly what is an overpriced crap? Is that paying $20- to use a toilet that doesn’t work? Or do you mean an overpriced piece of crap? I understand that you must still be coming down from your weekend trip on disco biscuits as that is the only way you could compare this car to a Hyundai Genesis.
Apparently the diesel version is the pick of the non-XFR bunch, its slightly faster than the V6 petrol, much torquier which suits its size better. I’d get one over a 5 series, even though the 5 series is probably the better car. Mainly because the 5 series looks as interesting as my plastic chopping board and pulls on the heart strings by a similar amount. The XF styling makes the car, even with the headlights.
Looks gorgeous,sounds like trouble! I thought Jag had improved on their quality ?
BM I’m not sure how much we can take about quality from this review. Not having a go at the review, it was great, but as the review said its probably press-car-itis. Its been thrashed around by motor journo’s since it arrived in the country, and that prematurely ages cars. And given how cash strapped Jag is, I doubt they would have many press cars in this country.
Really like this car, my head knows the 5 series is a better car technically but my heart says this car will be more enjoyable to live with. But agreed on the headlights, it’s not ideal and never like the grill either.
As far as reliability goes it’s not good – http://lucire.com/insider/2008.....ty-survey/
My car’s trip computer resets after four hours of the car being switched off – and it’s designed to. It’s so annoying, so I can’t imagine how I’d be with this thing resetting every time I get out of the car!
It’s pointless having an average fuel reading when it resets so soon. It should reset every time the fuel cap is opened or something.
I’ll chime in again (because I’m now passionate about Jags) and I keep an eye on the XF Forum, so I see what goes on worldwide. There have been a few niggly issues with the XF – sunroof seals creak, the fuel flap would get stuck. Some people have had worse problems – with electrical failures etc, but so far that seems to be pretty isolated. Americans in particular tend to get upset about this, and very vocal. I would have expected some issues with an “all new” car, even if the components were dragged in largely from other models. I havent seen any complaints about interior trim. Really, buying a Jag you always worry there will be problems, but nothing so far looks like it is more than the usual “first year” niggles – in fact people I deal with who have bought Benzes have reported far more serious problems, though I think that a BMW is probably going to be safer if you are not willing to take a little risk. Jag and Buick did score highest on the reliability survey (I believe) if that counts for anything. I’d certainly buy another based on experience so far, but it would be more sensible to wait until they have been on the road for 12 months. In one sentence? Not trouble, but with all beautiful things you have to be prepared to work at the relationship.
yeah the petrol is a bad choice
this car is heavy as a Ford Falcon but with a 1/4 less capacity
and the option list is extraodinary… enough to make a BMW owner blush
i haven’t added it up but it looks like if you specc’ed all those options if you can add a good $25-$30k? on top
One of the best reviews for a good while. Thanks Matt, it’s really hard to add anything worthwhile to your observations!
Exterior looks OK but interior looks like was taken straight from crappy Camry.
it does look a little pedestrian with the silver fine and square trim plates
but the transmission dial + rotating vents and LCD make the difference
it’s just that it’s a $105k car here and reality is that it’s a entry level large executive car in the UK so it’s not that luxo
Andrew go back and see the salesperson who sold you the car and get him to do his job properly. If you take the trip computer off auto, through the touch screen, it will not reset everytime you turn the car off.
Jake, go and look at a picture of a Camry interior. Then please describe to me in great detail exactly it looks like a Camry interior. Because it doesn’t.
Strange about the dashboard squeaks, most journalists have praised this car for it’s build quality. Must just be that it’s a test car.
OK, when I was in the UK a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of sampling three of the new XFs and the new XK but I’ll focus on the XFs. I tried the new diesel S, the new 5.0 V8 (naturally aspirated) and the XF R. I can report back that the diesel S is one of the best all rounder executive cars I have ever had the pleasure to drive. If I hadn’t been coming back to Australia I may have bought one right then and there just because I wanted one. There is so much torque and it’s really fast (0-60 MPH in 5.9 seconds!). Great fun and to me, it even betters the impressive but cold 535d.
The 5.0 V8 is a wonderful engine but just doesn’t suit this car as well as the diesel S. It’s not as effective and satisfying as a daily driver either.
OK this is where it gets even better. The XF R is a masterpiece. Not quite as precise as an M5 but not in an inferior way, in a Jaguar way. It feels British, once again in a good way. It’s a wonderful drive and I wouldn’t hesitate to reccomend one or to buy one if I was looking for a super saloon. If they bring out a Touring version I may replace my M5 Touring with it.
I got no squeaks or creaks from either three and I don’t know why you thought the headlights were dull Matt, I think the Xenons were excellent. As for the stereo, well who on earth spends more than $100,000 on a car and doesn’t get the best stereo on offer? There probably is a better one to option. And if not, perhaps it was broken? The one I sampled was fantastic.
As for reliability, well once again, Jaguar beat Lexus in US reliability surveys and came right at the top so I don’t think there should be much to worry about.
After my drives, I am a true convert and think it is the best Executive car on the market. It’s just such a satisfying car. And to me, it’s beautiful. Looks like a Jaguar but has a touch of Aston Martin in it which makes it special. Has a real sense of occasion too. I would never go for the 3.0 V6 petrol because I believe it is the least impressive but any of the others, I would be happy to.
Finally, the interior looks better in Black or with the red leather that I had in the test XF R. The wood is OK but all the beige and grey is really there for old men to option.
Alex you traitor! :-)
Alex..Yes I had a good look at the Camry/Aurion interiors and to me looks just as cheap as Jaguar XF does.Same cheap silver plastics all over the place…the Jaguar’s interior designer should be sacked ASAP
i think this car is stunning…
i think at this moment i’d have this as my family car (sv8 or xfr), and an alfa 8c-competzione as MY car… lol
Jake – pictures don’t paint a thousand words on this occasion. How can you compare the physical feel of an interior looking at a picture. Get real and make some sensible comments for a change.
Regarding the stereo – I’ve read the sound system is one of the best. I’m guessing this isn’t the upgraded system. Sound qualitly is a subjective item, the amount of times I get in hire cars (once a week usually) and find the bass cranked right up and the treble halfway up is unbelievable, I always turn them right down and boost the volume a bit does exactly the same thing.
The XF is a great car deserving of its praise. My boss bought the current 2.7 diesel coming from a 335D. Hated the loss of performance but loves the car otherwise. The latest 207KW? diesel donk has that little error sorted.
Well what can I write Jake; you’ve obviously never sat in an XF. Just because a car has silver plastic doesn’t mean that it’s cheap. It’s doesn’t feel cheap, it doesn’t look cheap if you’re actually sitting in it and quite frankly, you have no authority on the matter. The XF has a very high quality interior. I think you’d struggle to find a car that didn’t use some silver plastic somewhere in the interior. Are they all cheap too?
And for the future, two cars sharing a (very common) interior colour does not mean that their interiors look the same.
Silver plastic with 111,000 $ car? Must be a joke…
Dealer, I have read the manual and have changed between the manual and automatic settings and it does not seem to make a difference. It is not a touch screen either. It appears that it is designed to do this.
Andrew,
I just checked on my car and if you select vehicle on the bottom left of the touch screen menu it brings up the vehicle settings, then just select trip a or b instead of auto and this will take it off the auto setting and you can then scroll through with the button on the indicator stalk. I hope you didn’t pay the dealer too much if you can’t even get them to do the job of explaining vehicle features which they were paid to do
Who would pay 100k for a v6? You must really hate your life if you do, if its going to be a XF is SCV8 or nothing.
Dealer, when I say my car I am not referring to a Jaguar, sorry if this has confused you. I know the salesperson as I used to work with him, and he didn’t need to do a handover of the vehicle as he is 64 and I probably had it worked out more than him!
Well to me interior looks cheap and I don’t care what anyone else says…this is my personal opinion and I have right to write what I think….if to anyone else this interior looks good I have no problem with that…amen.
And please don’t get me started on the engine…
Hey Jake! Agree on the 6 cyl. I think Jag tipped the XF out a little undercooked – the new engines are meant to be better. The 4.2 eight is nice, but could be better. Have your opinion on the interior by all means, but if you actually go and sit in one (PL, not the entry level 6 cyl) I think that you will find that they are gorgeous, and the photos dont do them justice. They kill the Germans on the interiors. Every time I have to hire an Oz or Japanese car (XR6, commodore, aurion), it reinforces why you spend 2 to 3 times as much for the Jag, and are happy to do it.
the new v8’s are 5L