2009 Jaguar XF

An athletic, persuasive luxury sedan.

BY DAVE VANDERWERP, PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICH CHENET AND THE MANUFACTURER
February 2009

Is it surprising that the XF has landed Jaguar on our 2009 10Best Cars list, the first time in the award’s 27-year history? Absolutely. That is, until about five minutes into driving this new S-type replacement.

Sure it looks sleek and sinuous, particularly in black, but what really won us over is how the XF strafes back roads with an agility that escapes nearly all its competition. Light and accurate steering and a quick-acting transmission add to the sense of engagement. Considering the optional 35-series 20-inch tires, the XF’s unflinching structure and limber ride quality are nothing short of incredible. A balanced 0.88 g on the skidpad and 155-foot stops from 70 mph—that’s Corvette territory—are at the top of the segment.

Only V-8s are available in the XF, but the base 4.2-liter produces just 300 horsepower, which is what the V-6s of many automakers make these days. Indeed, the 290-hp Hyundai Genesis V-6 outsprints the smaller but heavier Jag by a couple 10ths. The V-8 doesn’t help fuel economy in the 4055-pound sedan, either. We averaged 18 mpg.

Starting at $49,975, the XF is at least priced closer to six-cylinder competition, such stalwarts as the Acura RL, the BMW 535i, and the Mercedes E350. Our $61,550 test car included almost every option from the 420-hp XF Supercharged, and with a sticker within three grand of that model’s, it should.

To allow the stylist’s flowing roofline, perhaps a touch too much headroom was removed from the otherwise ample back-seat area. And gimmicky details, such as a start button that mimics a heartbeat by flickering in a thump-thump manner and the power dash vents, didn’t do much for us. However, the touch-sensitive glove-box release and interior lights are chic details. And be careful with that newfangled rotating gearshift knob as it won’t prevent the driver from inadvertently twirling it into neutral, reverse, or park at speed. Hey, we sometimes get fidgety, and our XF was not amused.

But these are mostly frivolities. This is a persuasive luxury sedan with the sort of athleticism and involvement that make driving exciting. If Jaguar keeps this up, Ford execs are going to be kicking themselves, wishing that they’d sold Lincoln instead.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED: $61,550 (base price: $49,975)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 256 cu in, 4196cc
Power (SAE net): 300 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 310 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manumatic shifting

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 114.5 in Length: 195.3 in Width: 73.9 in Height: 57.5 in Curb weight: 4055 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 6.2 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 15.4 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 23.5 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 6.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.8 sec @ 98 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 123 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 155 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.88 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 16/25 mpg
C/D observed: 18 mpg