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Jaguar XF - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Jaguar XF ranks 5 out of 13 Luxury Large Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 31 published reviews and test drives of the Jaguar XF, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Jaguar XF boasts a distinctive personality.  An interior filled with high-tech toys, a pair of very powerful engines and a sporty profile distinguish this from more comfort-oriented luxury cars. 

The 2010 Jaguar XF throws aside the retro-inspired designs Jaguar has pursued for years, opting for an aggressive, coupe-like profile outside and a high-tech ambience inside.  Playful touches -- like a start button that pulses until you push it to ignite the car's engine, and a stainless steel rotary shift dial that rises out of the console and into the driver's hand when the car starts -- set the XF apart from everything else on the market.  

The XF also makes no secret of its sporting intentions.  There is no V6 here.  The XF is available with a powerful V8 or an asphalt-rippling supercharged V8. 

All-wheel drive, however, is not available on the XF.  Buyers looking for AWD grip with a sporty spirit might want to consider the Audi A6 or BMW 5-Series.

The XF is available in three trims -- the Luxury model, the Premium Luxury and the Supercharged. A high-performance XFR is reviewed separately. 

• "Is it surprising that the XF has landed Jaguar on our 2009 10Best Cars list, the first time in the award's 27-year history? Absolutely. That is, until about five minutes into driving this new S-type replacement." -- Car and Driver
• "The historic British car company is combining sleek exterior design, innovative driver interfaces and strong performance with a luxurious interior. Yes, it's a whole new type of cat. And we like it." -- Popular Mechanics
• "The XF has the performance and panache to stand out in the premium midsize segment...and a car with a heart is going to be tough to beat." -- Motor Trend
• "Too many manufacturers think their higher-performance sedans have to imitate track cars, down to rock hard seats, tooth-chipping suspensions, a Cray wedged into the dashboard, carbon fiber and a bad-ass nasty demeanor. The XF Supercharged is another kind of car entirely. It's a first-tier luxury sedan that just happens to have afterburners in the trunk." -- The Truth About Cars
• "All in all a great car which deserves to succeed." -- The Auto Channel
• "For people who shop for distinction and driving pleasure in this price class, the XF is worth serious consideration."  -- Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
• "The XF is a very fine motorcar in a market segment that demands utter perfection."  -- Los Angeles Times
• "Is it the contemporary Is it the contemporary upper-class English muscle car it wants to be or the wallowy, cheap imitator it felt like right before we gave it back?...it's probably both, depending on its environment." -- Jalopnik

XF Performance - 8.9 (Very Good)

The 2010 Jaguar XF is intended to be a high-performance car, not a quiet luxury cruiser. While most of its rivals offer a V6 engine, Jaguar sells the XF with a choice of a big V8, or a big supercharged V8.  "The thing the XF Supercharged does best is to turn small holes in traffic into big holes with its thick band of thrust," raves the Los Angeles Times. This is no sloppy-but-powerful muscle car, however.  Reviewers are impressed with the car's handling balance as well. Read More

XF Exterior - 8.2 (Very Good)

Jaguar abandoned the retro-inspired design theme it had pursued for years when it designed the XF.  This car is decidedly more modern, with a sporty coupe-like profile.  The automotive press is divided on the appeal of the look. The Los Angeles Times thinks the XF is just "a reasonably attractive sedan from a company that needs a ravishing, wallet-emptying beauty."  The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, on the other hand, says "it would be hard to find anyone who thinks the new XF is ugly. It has stunning, taut lines that look more like a coupe than a sedan."    Read More

XF Interior - 7.9 (Good)

The cockpit of the 2010 Jaguar XF is unique in the automotive world, with several surprise-and-delight touches that lend it a high-tech feel. Motor Trend says "Prepare to make the jump to hyperspace: You're at the glowing helm of your own Millennium Falcon."  In place of a shift lever, for instance, the XF has a stainless steel dial that rises out of the console when the car is started. Despite the focus on high-tech toys, most reviewers find the cabin plush and comfortable.   Read More

XF Safety - NA

Neither the insurance industry nor the federal government has crash tested the 2010 Jaguar XF.  Neither tested the 2009 version of the car, either, so there is very little safety data available on this car.  The XF includes a long list of standard safety equipment. Read More

XF Reliability - 6.0 (Mediocre)

The 2010 Jaguar XF reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Jaguar covers the XF with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty. Unlike most rivals, no separate powertrain warranty is provided. Read More