2010 Jaguar XF Review

Jaguar's fairly new mid-size premium XF sedan replaces its retro-style S-Type sedan. Slumping sales of Jaguar sedans in recent years showed that the automaker no longer could rely on its traditional, but seductive, Jaguar styling cues, which date to the 1950s.

That's unfortunate, because Jaguars always looked distinctive and appealing, although the automaker's sweeping lines are retained for the XF, which has a coupe-like appearance with its sloping roofline.

The well-received rear-wheel-drive XF is billed as a five-seater, but a stiff center rear seat area makes it comfortable for only four. That firm rear area is best left to the fold-down armrest with twin cupholders. Back-seat legroom is tight for tall occupants, especially behind the driver, and rear entry and exit calls for some twisting.

The high-quality XF was introduced for 2009 but the 2010 line has a wider range of models, including a mighty supercharged 510-horsepower XFR, and new 5-liter V-8 engines. The base XF retains last year's 4.2-liter V-8, which is improved with such things as longer service intervals.

The latest XF range has upgraded features and specifications, including better ventilated disc brakes. Interior features are what you'd expect from this revered British automaker. They include contrast color twin needle stitching on the instrument panel and door top rolls, an elaborate surround-sound system and even a heated steering wheel.. The navigation system now includes turn-by-turn instructions in the car's message center.

The new top-line XFR has Active Differential Control and Adaptive Dynamics. The electronically controlled differential and suspension system work together to optimize traction under hard acceleration and cornering, which this model invites.

Horsepower of the carryover 4.2 V-8 in the entry $51,150 XF Luxury version remains a respectable 300. But the new 5-liter V-8s produce 385 horsepower in the $56,150 Premium Luxury model, 470 in the $67,150 Supercharged version and the 510 ponies in the $79,150 XFR, which has a thumping 561 pound-feet of torque that can really snap your neck back..

All models are loaded with comfort, convenience and safety features-some of which are a little over-the-top. But, after all, this is a Jaguar.

The combination of aluminum dashboard, satin or gloss wood veneers, tailored instrument and door panels with twin-needle stitching and phosphor blue halo illumination and interior mood lighting set the XF cabin apart from some rivals.

Even the XF 4.2 is fast, but the more compact modern new V-8s provide additional punch. The come with or without a supercharger--and have have more efficient direct fuel injection, torque-actuated variable camshaft timing on all four camshafts for improved response and efficiency and a new inlet manifold on the unsupercharged 5-liter engine to increase low and high-end torque.

The XF is quieter than ever. The new V-8s are built around a stiff, new aluminum block with cast-iron liners and cross-bolted main bearing caps to reduce noise, vibration and harshness. They're very smooth, emitting only a mild snarl when pushed and dead-silent when cruising.

The XFR with the "AJ-V8 Gen III R" V-8 has the most exciting new XF engine. It's got a new vortex supercharger with twin intercoolers that virtually eliminates supercharger "whine."

The XFR acts like a posh luxury car if driven normally--but like a 1960s big-engine American muscle car if you put your throttle foot down hard. The mighty V-8 can rocket the XFR from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds if a driver needs to enter fast freeway traffic in a big hurry. He can hit 100 in about 10 seconds if he wants to quickly get ahead of traffic if the road ahead is clear. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

The XFR is visually distinguished by different exterior and interior design features, such as a front-end with a larger lower grille with new black-finished mesh, besides chrome outboard air intakes. The unique hood carries bold louvers, and there are new sculpted sill skirts and a rear bumper with a body colored lower spoiler and four shiny tail pipes. Still, the XFR has an understated appearance.

Inside the XFR are such items as superb sport seats, although seats in other XF models are very good.

Power of all V-8s is transmitted through a six-speed automatic transmission. The 5-liter engines work with an enhanced version of the automatic, which is beefed up to handle the supercharged V-8s additional power.

The automatic has Jaguar's easily used manual-shift feature and rather gimmicky small circular cast alloy gear selector that raises a bit out of the console. An illuminated stop/start engine button pulsates "like a heartbeat," as Jaguar puts it, until pressed when the selector rises into the driver's hand and rotating dashboard vents silently open-another .over-the-top item.

Despite more power, the 5-liter V-8s don't hinder fuel economy or emissions levels, although no XF is a fuel miser in town. Estimated mpg ranges from 15-16 in the city and 21-25 on highways.

The XFR is the best handling XF model, with a stiffer suspension and faster steering, although the steering in a test XFR felt rather heavy. All models handle well and have a supple ride and powerful brakes.

Gauges can be read fairly quickly, but the dashboard touch-screen controls that handle most audio and climate functions are confusing, with menu screens calling for a driver to take eyes off the road. Front door pockets are too shallow to be of much use, but there's a deep covered front console storage bin. The glove compartment is designed to open when you put a hand near its open-release button, but often refused to open-yet another over-the-top item.

The trunk is large with a nicely lined inner lid area, but has a rather high opening. And trunk-mounted releases for the rear seatbacks were stuck in my test car unless continually and forcefully yanked.

The XF is perhaps the finest Jaguar sedan ever built. It's a fine alternative to fast, upscale European and Japanese competitors.