Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 Diesel S Luxury 4dr Car Review - February 2012

The driving position is excellent and those behind the wheel have a good view of the road with the adjustable seats that will make covering the miles a joy. The ride can be a little firm at lower speed, but this is no more than some of the rivals on the market, but once you start picking up the pace the XF handles delightfully and has wonderful grip. The cabin is generally quite quiet, and the automatic gearbox slides unnoticeably through the gears when required.

In terms of the performance from the three litre diesel engine, the sports car reputation of Jaguar is certainly seen in the figures produced by the XF. The acceleration from 0-62mph is an impressive 5.9 seconds, and the vehicle is able to reach an impressive top speed of 155mph. One of the best things about this diesel engine is that it can deliver these figures while still having all the luxuries that people would expect from a Jaguar.

Jaguar have always designed attractive cars, and while the current generation XF doesn’t have the leaping cat sculpted on to the front of the bonnet, it still has the sleek lines you would expect. The large grille is prominent at the front of the car, and with the narrow headlights and low front bumper, it does look very good indeed. The leaping cat is now to be seen on the boot of the car, where the lights are split between the pillar and the boot itself.

As you would expect from a Jaguar with the Luxury package, there are plenty of features included, with the satellite navigation, hands free kit and Bluetooth connectivity all included. The alloy wheels are the minimum of what would be expected from a Jaguar, and the luxuries that help to make driving easy are all present, along with the power heated seats that are there for comfort.

The front seats are wonderfully spacious and comfortable, and although there is space in the back for three, there is a little problem in terms of the headroom available. The boot space is good for a car in this class. Most people looking at this version will be using it for regular travel, and the comfort for the driver certainly makes it practical for this purpose.

The car comes fitted with six airbags to ensure that the driver and passengers are safe, and the driving aids are all present to help ensure the car stays on the road. The Euro NCAP tests did give the XF a four star award, and this is generally below average for most new cars. Jaguar is generally considered to be a very reliable brand of car, and the three year warranty and breakdown cover should be reassuring for those buying the car.

People who are looking to buy a Jaguar will know that they can be quite expensive to buy, and with a list price of £42,950 it is fair to say that people will be expecting the kind of luxury and performance that the XF delivers.

In terms of the running costs, the fuel performance of an average 44.8mpg is not too bad for cars in this class, but the cost to insure a Jaguar XF is a fairly significant expense. However, one positive aspect of owning a Jaguar is that they do hold their value very well, and the depreciation of a car like the XF means that much of the purchase price is likely to be recovered when the car is sold.