Jaguar XF Review

2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged Sedan Shown

The Jaguar XF is an all-new midsize luxury sport sedan. In the grand scheme of things, this statement is perhaps not of extraordinary significance. But for Jaguar, whose past 10 years have been awash in slowing sales and diminishing consumer enthusiasm, the XF is a savior of sorts. Sporting standard V8 power and a blending of tradition with modern style and technology, it's one of the most interesting Jaguars to come out in a long while.

Current Jaguar XF

The Jaguar XF debuted for the 2009 model year. It rides on a stiff new structure that shares some suspension components with the sporty XK coupe and convertible. The car's exterior shape takes inspiration from many historic Jaguar design cues (especially the 1959 Jaguar Mk. II) and combines them with the current enthusiasm for sedans styled to have a coupelike roof line. The result has been somewhat controversial, but most will agree that the XF looks better in person than in photos.

There are two engines available, and they will be familiar to many Jaguar drivers. The first is a normally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The second is a supercharged version that makes 420 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. For both engines, power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with manual control via steering-wheel-mounted paddles. One of the XF's more distinctive features is its JaguarDrive gear selector, a small rotary knob that rises out of the center console, replacing the traditional console-mounted shift lever.

All Jaguar XF models are generously equipped. With seating for five, the sedan arrives in three trim levels -- Luxury, Premium Luxury and Supercharged -- each endowed with finely stitched leather upholstery, wood veneer accents, brushed aluminum trim, dramatic "phosphor blue" interior illumination, and the innovative JaguarSense system, which uses proximity sensors to open the glovebox or turn on map lights with the wave of a hand.

Jaguar's latest midsize luxury sport sedan offers the expected features for this class of car, including 19- or 20-inch wheels, a navigation system, keyless ignition/start and a 440-watt Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system. Antilock disc brakes, stability control, active front head restraints, front side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are standard on all XF models. The Supercharged adds a blind spot monitor to the list.

Overall, the XF is a clear indicator that Jaguar has learned from its past missteps and delivered a wholly compelling midsize luxury sedan. Traditionalists may balk at the XF's chic, coupelike roof line and strikingly unfamiliar front-end treatment. For those buyers, the classically appointed XJ sedan still graces Jaguar showrooms. The Jaguar XF is aimed at a new buyer: younger, more style-conscious and more tech-savvy. Measured from that point of view, the XF is a solid hit.

Past Jaguar XF models

The XF is a new model but from a lineage standpoint it replaces the S-Type midsize sedan sold from 2000-'08.

SELECT A SPECIFIC JAGUAR XF MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.