2012 Jaguar XF Review by Teamspeed.com
Karl takes a look at the XF Range and comes away rather impressed.
Words and photos by Karl Peskett – Teamspeed Contributing Editor

What is it? Jaguar’s updated mid-size luxury saloon

Why do I care? Just look at it – it’s one of the best proportioned saloons to ever go on sale, and it’s a cracking drive, too.

How much is it? $53,000 - $82,000

Finally, it’s sorted.

It is something which bothered me ever since the release of the Jaguar XF in 2008. Apparently the technology wasn’t there to do it at launch, but now it is. And it was the one thing that tamed what could have been the perfect package. Yes, we’re talking about headlights.

You’ll remember the C-XF concept car from 2007 at the North American International Auto Show, and how stunningly gorgeous it was with its angry, squinty eyes and classic chrome grille. When the XF production car was first revealed, though, it was somewhat disappointing. Its bulbous headlights which cut into the bonnet just didn’t reflect the time and effort master designer Ian Callum had put into creating the concept. The ruined the flowing styling. Sure, the car was excellent and from the rear it was still gorgeous, but the frontal design just didn’t quite live up to what we were expecting.

Fast forward to today and the 2012 Jaguar XF has rectified all of that. The headlights are now back to what the C-XF concept promised in terms of style, but in terms of drive it completely delivers.

It’s one of the most driver focused mid-size premium sedans on sale today, with chassis and styling which simply embarrass the German trio. Nothing in the premium mid-size market comes close to looking as good as the 2012 XF.

Making its debut with this model is a new turbo-diesel engine, a 2.2-litre with an eight-speed automatic, stop/start and fuel economy of just 5.4-litres/100km. Of course, the other engines continue, meaning a 3.0-litre V6 petrol, the epic 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel (making 600Nm and which also receives the eight-speed auto), a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8, and of course, the monstrous 375kW 5.0-litre supercharged V8.

Updates to the interior have seen re-profiling of the seats, new finishes on the dash and steering wheel and more veneers available. In fact the options for personalization have increased significantly, allowing customers to keep their car completely different to the next. No two cars will be the same.

Importantly, the satnav has been upgraded to look more like the flagship XJ’s appearance (though the XF doesn’t get the parallax barrier tech) and gets better contrast through the use of a new polarizing filter. In front of the driver is a new full-color TFT screen which sits in between the tachometer and speedometer, and includes a digital speed reading as well.

They’re little upgrades, but it adds to the whole experience. You see, a simple styling change is good, but with everything else tweaked, the XF really takes the fight to the Teutons. For example, if you wanted a small diesel, you’d be clinically insane to buy a BMW 520d over the XF 2.2D. Likewise if you bought the Merc E 350 CDI over the XF 3.0D we’d be calling for the men in white coats to come and take you away.
It’s more than just the styling and engines, though. The XF involves and excites.

Teamspeed was invited to a launch route which included hills, flats, straights, twists, smooth blacktop and rough tarmac – on all of it the XF shines.

Partly it’s the suspension. Sure, it’s on the firm side, but no matter how pock-marked the road it just soaks it up with zero crashing. Somehow the damping has been calibrated to follow every movement of the wheel with split-second timing, cushioning when necessary and firming up when needed. But it’s the handling which really impresses.

The XF’s road holding ability is just amazing for car of this size and type. Even on the base model’s 17-inch wheels, it grips like nothing else and resists understeer to the point where you’re pushing it harder and harder just to try and find its limits. Of course, with the XFR, the limits come from the back and not the front, as the rear tires deal with all that grunt coming through, but it’s completely predictable and controllable. That’s also thanks to its fabulous steering.

The XF’s tiller provides feedback that belies its lightness (a typical Jaguar trait, if ever there was one) and while at first you may think it’s a little vague, especially in comparison with a hefty BMW wheel, you soon realize that it’s talking to you constantly. It turns in sharply and weights up through the lock consistently and cleanly.

The brakes, too, work particularly well, considering how heavy it is, but more importantly, they don’t fade. Like at all. And of course, whether it’s the eight-speed auto or the six-speed job, shifts are smooth and well placed. There are paddles behind the wheel allowing for manual control, also, and they respond instantly, unlike the Mercedes-Benz gearboxes for example.

The real beauty of the XF though is its space. Sure, there’s the larger XJ, but the XF’s price and derivability make it the real bargain of the Jaguar range. The seats are extremely comfortable (the base model even gets alcantara inserts which really grip you) and the back seat headroom (unless you’re huge) is quite good, despite its sloping roof-line. And there’s a big boot to boot.

As a package, the XF is hard to beat. It has top-notch build quality, unique features – like the handshake entrance sequence – a decent amount of room, fabulous drivelines, an engaging chassis, brilliant steering, and of course, those supermodel looks. There’s an engine and spec for everybody, yet you still get a sense of luxury and performance from each of them.

Oh, and did we mention the styling?

Forget BMW, forget Mercedes-Benz and definitely forget Audi. Hands down, the 2012 Jaguar XF is the best mid-size premium car on sale today.

 

Great pics! IMO the face lifted model looks a bit better than the old one. Thx for sharing DJ

 

this way shoulda looked from the start...very sharp looking

 

We can't wait to drive the new M5 to see what it's like against the XFR, though. It will have to be unbelievably epic to be better.

 

great looking saloon...one of the best...

 

It IS a handsome looking car. No doubt.

 

Such a beauty.
Engineering:BMW
Sex appeal:Jag

 

in love with those headlights