Jaguar XF (2015 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]
Summary
The Jaguar XF is a large executive saloon and estate model, and is currently the largest saloon in the Jaguar range after the end of production of the flagship XJ range in early 2019.
The current model is the second generation, which was launched onto the UK market in the summer of 2015. Initially only available as a saloon, an estate model (called the Sportbrake) was added in 2017. Both are built at Jaguar’s Castle Bromwich plant near Birmingham in England.
The Jaguar XF has received mostly positive reviews from the UK motoring media, with an overall Expert Rating of 73% (as of December 2021) that is decent but a long way behind the class-leading BMW 5 Series. The XF has received particular praise for its driving dynamics and generous standard equipment levels, but has been criticised for its interior quality and engine efficiency not being up to the same level as most of its major rivals.
Key specifications
Body style: Large saloon and estateEngines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £33,975 on-road
Launched: Summer 2015Last updated: Spring 2019
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic AWD R-Sport estate“Some cabin elements do let it down a touch, but it’s still a premium machine and it benefits from a surprisingly involving drive, too.”
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Model reviewed: XF S saloonScore: 7.6 / 10“The Jaguar XF S is a worthy competitor in a very tough market. It’s not perfect, but it is a fine car.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic Sportbrake R-Dynamic SScore: 8 / 10“The Jaguar XF Sportbrake is a decent match for any rival in this sector, although a lack of plug-in hybrid tech counts against it.”
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Score: 8 / 10“Jaguar’s latest XF is desirable and very good to drive, making it a genuine rival to the German alternatives.”
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Model reviewed: 2021 updateScore: 8 / 10“Updates to the XF’s interior and tech have put it on an equal footing with the best executive models. It still drives exactly as we want a big Jaguar saloon to, blending comfort and refinement with agile handling.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 8 / 10“Jaguar’s latest XF is desirable and very good to drive, making it a genuine rival to the German alternatives.”
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Model reviewed: Sportbrake rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Jaguar XF Sportbrake is a match for any rival in this sector and a practical alternative to an SUV”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Saloon 2021Score: 9 / 10“Jaguar’s updated XF gets new tech, mild hybrid engines and impresses with its sporty handling and smart interior
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Sportbrake D200 2021Score: 8 / 10“Mild-hybrid diesel works well in a sweet-handling, refined, luxurious-feeling and well-priced Jaguar XF.”
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Model reviewed: P300 R Dynamic 2021Score: 8 / 10“The car’s superb new interior and canny price cut just might do the trick.”
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Model reviewed: Sportbrake rangeScore: 7 / 10“The Jaguar XF Sportbrake is a likeable, at times delightful, all-weather steer, but without a major mid-life facelift, it’s at risk of acquiring anachronism status next to high-tech rivals.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 9 / 10“Exceeding our expectation of a business saloon was Jaguar’s stated goal. The XF doesn’t do that precisely, but it does go further toward fulfilling our wish list of dynamic attributes than any model currently on sale.”
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Model reviewed: 300 R-Sport 2.0-litre petrol automatic estateScore: 8 / 10“Jaguar’s likeable wagon remains a left-field, and increasingly aged, option.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic Sportbrake R-Dynamic SScore: 9 / 10“The Jaguar XF shows it still has a few tricks up its sleeve, and isn’t shying away from the competition.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 2021Score: 8 / 10“The Jaguar XF is still one of the most entertaining executive saloons to drive. It trades maximum comfort levels for driver enjoyment, but not by a detrimental amount, offering enough opulence, space and performance in a handsome-looking package.”
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Model reviewed: Sportbrake rangeScore: 8 / 10“If James Bond and M decided to patch up their working relationship with some fly-fishing in Scotland, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake is the car they would take. It’s stylish, practical, desirable, and fantastic to drive. What more do you need to know?”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic R-Sport saloonScore: 8 / 10“The humble entry-level Jaguar XF is a winner, bringing many of the benefits of Jaguar ownership to the company car masses.”
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Model reviewed: 3.0-litre V6 petrol automatic S saloonScore: 8 / 10“Jaguar’s quickest XF is a deeply accomplished and sophisticated saloon. Some may be put off by its nuanced and subtle approach to refined and rapid progress. Those that aren’t will be absolutely delighted.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Saloon range overviewScore: 8.2 / 10“The Jaguar XF is a handsome four-door saloon with plenty of space and competitive running costs that’s also able to satisfy keen drivers.”
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Model reviewed: Sportback range overviewScore: 8.6 / 10“While rivals have better interiors, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake is a sharp-handling and elegant executive estate.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Sportbrake estate rangeScore: 7 / 10“The Jaguar XF Sportbrake is a good-looking car that is fun to drive. Still, it’s not quite as fuel-efficient as alternatives like the Mercedes E-Class Estate and Audi A6 Avant.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 7 / 10“Straight out the box, the Jaguar XF is the best-driving car in its class and one of the best looking, while the new model’s added rear legroom means there’s now no practical reason not to choose it.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: SPORTBRAKE D200 MHEV SE“Update brings efficient, refined and powerful new diesel, as well as better infotainment and a classier interior.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic 250 R-Sport Sportbrake“The Jaguar XF Sportbrake looks great, with the slight dimension changes giving it better proportions and a shorter rear overhang. It’s also refined, handles well and has excellent residuals.”
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Evo
Score: 8 / 10“The XF’s impressive chassis is now joined by a plush new interior and slick tech, but powertrains remain a significant weakness.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic R-Sport 300PSScore: 8 / 10“Jaguar probably pips all three German rivals at this market level for driver appeal but currently lacks a true high-performance XF, while all three Germans offer better cabins and more up-to-date technology.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The new Jaguar XF may have its shortcomings, but in the right trim and spec it’s a compelling proposition and a strong alternative to its key rivals from Germany.”
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Model reviewed: 3.0-litre V6 petrol automatic Sportbrake S“Jaguar’s exec estate still leads the class dynamically, but rivals best it technologically”
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Fleetworld
Score: 8 / 10“As good to drive as ever, the premium feel to the new interior of the facelifted XF marks this Jaguar out, despite tough opposition.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual Prestige saloonScore: 9 / 10“Surely this Jaguar XF is the ideal company car for lots of motorway driving. It’s refined, quiet, comfortable, and has excellent fuel economy at 70mph. If you really want to save fuel, buy the XF rather than an SUV.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“Jaguar sells so many SUVs that it’s easy to forget what made the brand famous – big, beautiful saloon cars that were great to look at and thrilling to drive. The XF fits that traditional mould perfectly. It can’t compete with newer rivals for pace, efficiency or technology, but is still a great all-round package.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Jaguar XF is a very good alternative to the cars like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series. It’s as well-made as the competition, plus it offers excellent ride quality and enjoyable handling.”
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Model reviewed: Sportback rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Jaguar XF Sportbrake doesn’t get anything dramatically bad, but equally it doesn’t excel in any particular area either. It is comfortable, efficient and luxurious. And for many family car buyers that will be more than enough.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Saloon range overviewScore: 8.2 / 10“Stylish Jaguar XF showcases how executive saloons can deliver comfort and incisive handling”
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Model reviewed: Sportback estate rangeScore: 8.4 / 10“Best-looking large estate is also great to drive”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic 250 Portfolio saloon“Once you’re up and running on the open road, it steams along with effortless comfort. It’ll simply eat up the motorway miles. And that’s what the Jaguar XF will be used for by owners – as a long-distance cruiser with a generous boot for gear and comfy back seats.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic 250 Portfolio saloonScore: 8 / 10“Still a compelling alternative to usual German options”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 240 Portfolio AWD saloonScore: 6 / 10“The Jaguar XF is spacious, efficient and comfortable – and a terrific thing to drive, too. But it falls down on interior quality a little and refinement a lot – and somehow, the raffish charm we’ve come to expect from Jaguar saloons has been diluted here.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic 250 R-SportScore: 8 / 10“With Jaguar’s SUV sales thriving this XF Sportbrake estate could end up being a fairly niche choice. That’s not to say it’s not still a very fine car though, with a satisfying level of comfort, power and handling, not to mention a very handsome design.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Sportbrake rangeScore: 7 / 10“Jaguar said its SUVs made new estate cars pointless. It’s built one anyway, and it’s mostly a success.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 7 / 10“In isolation, the Jaguar XF is a good car. But against an immensely talented – and varied – crop of rivals, it falls a little short.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Sportbrake rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Jaguar XF Sportbrake is a very competitive luxury estate. If sharp handling is your top priority, it’s without doubt one of the most enjoyable cars in its class to drive – and it comes well equipped, too.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Jaguar XF is one of the best cars to drive in the luxury car class, and it comes with an impressive amount of kit as standard, too. Its engines aren’t quite as efficient and quick as its key rivals, and interior build quality is off the pace, but it’s still definitely worth considering.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Saloon range“Superior-feeling alternative to the German luxury car norm”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2015
92%
ADULT OCCUPANT
84%
CHILD OCCUPANT
80%
VULNERABLE ROAD USERS
83%
SAFETY ASSIST
Read full Euro NCAP review
Eco rating
Independent emissions and efficiency ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Jaguar XF has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP. As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic.
If the XF is selected for assessment, we will publish the results here.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Jaguar XF has received
2021
- DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Executive Car
2020
- DieselCar & EcoCar Used Car Awards – Best Used Executive Car
2018
- SME Company Car of the Year Awards – Company Car of the Year + Large Company Car of the Year
2017
- Auto Trader Awards – New Car of the Year
2016
- BBC Top Gear Awards – Best Saloon Car
- Fleet World Honours – Best Executive Car
- Fleet News Awards – Best Executive Car
- DieselCar Awards – Best Executive Car
- SME Company Car of the Year Awards – Best Director’s Company Car
- Tow Car Awards – Best Tow Car, 1550-1699kg category
2015
- Auto Express Awards – Design Award
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Keyword: Jaguar XF