2009 Jaguar XF Review by Bob Golfen

2009 Jaguar XF

Kelley Blue Book Retail $24,900–$31,600
This price range reflects the Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail value for all trim levels, but not necessarily all available options.
The Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail value represents the amount an auto dealer might ask for a specific vehicle; the actual sale price will vary. A vehicle's popularity, condition, warranty, color and local market conditions are factors involved in determining a final price. The retail value is not a trade-in or private party value.
The Suggested Retail value assumes that the vehicle has been fully reconditioned and has a clean title history. The Suggested Retail value also allows for advertising, sales commissions, insurance and other costs of doing business as a dealer. Most vehicles offered at this price have passed an inspection, and some may carry a warranty. Vehicle mileage is assumed to be normal or below normal.

Previous Review 7 of 10 Next Review

Expert Reviews

By Bob Golfen

AZCentral.com June 5, 2008

Finally, a Jaguar that looks to its future instead of its past.

The 2009 Jaguar XF is a bold effort by the famous British automaker to regain its relevance against such hot competition as BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Infiniti and Cadillac. In bringing its new sedan up to date, Jaguar dropped many of the touch points of its previous heritage-bound design in favor of modernistic forms and function.

Gone is the ovoid grille of the S-Type that XF replaces and the body shape that evoked Jaguar sedans of the 1960s. Instead, XF gets a sleek and muscular treatment that rivals the competitors' performance sedans, along with such brand identifiers as the vertical gills in the front fenders. The interior is a symphony of refinement, with well-integrated features and the long-overdue replacement of the traditional J-gate gear selector with a unique dial arrangement.

Based on the XK coupe and convertible, XF is a pivotal product for Jaguar coming at a critical time. The economy is a mess, which has pounded luxury-vehicle sales in the United States so that XF must compete in a slimmer market.

And Ford just sold off Jaguar, along with Land Rover, to become the jewel in the crown of India's Tata Group. How that plays out remains to be seen, although Tata is a wealthy automaker that could finance a brighter future for both brands. On the negative side, the sale could be seen as Ford getting rid of a foundering brand.

Hopefully past are the misguided attempts to bring Jaguar down market with the bland X-Type and midrange S-Type, and Jaguar can resume its role as a prestige brand with a singular niche of pedigreed performance.

XF is a good start, perhaps not as dramatically styled as it might have been, though with luxury and finesse that is right up with the competition.

Jaguar XF

Vehicle type: Five-passenger four-door sedan, rear-wheel drive.

Engine: 4.2-liter V-8, 300 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 310 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic.

Wheelbase: 114.5 inches

Overall length: 195.3 inches.

Curb weight: 4,017 pounds.

EPA rating: 16 city, 25 highway.

HIGHS: Lush interior, sleek styling, agile handling.

LOWS: Suspension harshness, poor fuel mileage, needs more dramatic styling.

PERFORMANCE: The 300-horsepower V-8 has decent pull for this 2-ton sedan, and there is a 420-horsepower supercharged version if you crave more. Fuel mileage is paltry.

DRIVABILITY: XF is agile and handles nimbly, although there is not much temptation to throw this heavyweight into corners as you might a BMW 5-series. The suspension seems stiff, even for a performance sedan, with harshness on poor surfaces.

The steering is about perfect, firm and precise. Electronic lifesavers, such as dynamic stability control and four-wheel discs brakes with antilock, come standard.

STYLING: Some mixed feelings here. Although the XF is certainly an attractive sedan, with a solid stance and good proportions, it seems that Jaguar could have used this occasion to make a strong design statement that would have set it apart. As it is, it looks as good as or better than the competition but not all that different.

INTERIOR: Gorgeous. This has to be one of the best sedan interiors ever, comfortable, well-integrated and sophisticated.

Before you press the "start" button, it pulses with a red glow, like a heartbeat. When you turn on the ignition, air-vent covers rise, looking as if the car is opening its eyelids. The rotating-dial transmission-gear selector also rises from the console. Over the top? Maybe, but quite effective.

The new dial shifter works well and could prompt a similar feature by copycats.

BOTTOM LINE: The Luxury Performance XFl tested here was pricey at $55,200 but in line with similar performance sedans.

Base price: $55,200

Price as tested: $55,975.

OPTIONS

The Premium Luxury version of XF includes a full range of luxury, safety and performance features, including navigation, a 320-watt Alpine audio system with full connectivity, leather and burl-walnut trim and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Shipping, $775.

Previous Review 7 of 10 Next Review

Additional Reviews

Cars.com Expert Reviews

Joe Wiesenfelder	Cars.com National	June 2, 2008
Joe Wiesenfelder	Cars.com National	December 4, 2007

Affiliate Reviews

Tom Strongman	KansasCity.com	May 21, 2009
Scott Burgess	The Detroit Newspapers	November 29, 2008
Tom Strongman	KansasCity.com	October 2, 2008
Jim Mateja	chicagotribune.com	June 15, 2008
Bob Golfen	AZCentral.com	June 5, 2008
Steven Cole Smith	Orlando Sentinel	May 24, 2008
Warren Brown	washingtonpost.com	April 27, 2008
Dan Neil	Los Angeles Times	April 9, 2008