2009 Jaguar XF: The Cat is Back
Written by Nizam B. Ali
With three US models available, Jaguar is back to offering the best of what the brand was known for in its heyday. From the designs and specs of the XK, XJ and XF, one can see that each model exudes style, class, and performance in its own way, and at attractive price points. To test the particulars, Jaguar blessed us with the new XF for a six month run. One month in, we’re asking for an extension.
The XF in two words is “simply beautiful.” The front end features a wire mesh grille connected to a bold and stunning hood. As the lines go back and flow both around and over the cabin, there isn’t an inch I can find fault with. The raked rear glass continues the journey that culminates in a distinctive rear end that perfectly complements the beauty before it. Equally impressive was the exterior’s “Emerald Fire” metallic paint, which was rich and beautiful. But if this green doesn’t suit your fancy, don’t worry; the XF is available in 13 other exquisite exterior colors.
Inside the XF the beauty continues. From the brown leather dash to the soft grain leather seats, real wood veneers and an aluminum dash band, the interior is abundant and regal. Whatever four-tone environment is chosen, classy standard touches include; rotating open and close air vents, pop-up rotary gear selector, touch-screen display and finger-touch glove box and map lights. Available in three trim levels, other welcome standard features on the base XF Luxury model include ambient blue halo lighting, iPod integration, paddle shifters and Bluetooth.
The remaining two trims include the XF Premium Luxury and the XF Supercharged. The XF Premium Luxury adds 19” wheels (up an inch from the XF Luxury), navigation, and soft grain leather trimmed seating. The XF Luxury and the XF Premium Luxury both come with a 300-horsepower V8 with 310 pound-feet of torque.
The XF Supercharged adds a supercharged V8 with 420-horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, 20” wheels, a Bowers and Wilkins 440-watt 13 speaker sound system with subwoofer, Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, rear parking camera, blind spot warning system, front parking assist and heated and cooled seats.
Pricing begins at $49,995 for the XF Luxury, $55,975 for the XF Premium Luxury and $64,475 for the XF Supercharged. Our XF Premium Luxury with all the trimmings came in at $61,550. The 300-hp V8 is plenty potent and hurls this heavy cat forward with authority. The engine is confident and great off the line but there is some downshift lag when you accelerate hard while at speed. Luckily, the XF comes equipped with a sport mode as well as paddle shifters which both work to nullify the lag.
On the road, the Jag straddles the line between sports car and sedan well. The ride was firm without being rigid, and all four paws dug in around curves as they should. Behind the wheel though, both driver and Jag are on display. This car has and continues to turn heads. The recurring question arises, “what is that?” “It’s the Jaguar XF” I say. “That’s a Jaguar!?” The reaction is first surprise and then admiration. People like the looks of this car. Their perception of it almost rivals that of an exotic. There is no clearer indication, as the people have spoken; Jaguar is back on the prowl.
But rocking the Jag for a month, the little things get noticed. The iPod integration is great and appreciated, but I wish for a bit more remote control on the steering wheel. A volume control is there, as is the ability to go to the next or previous track, but you can’t scroll through folders or select other songs remotely. I worked the touch-screen for that which works fine but takes a hand off the wheel.
Another quirk is the stylish and felt-like material around the door jambs, which looks great but sheds leaving black specks to rub into the beautiful beige carpeting.
Of the many positives the heated steering wheel turned out to be my favorite and low and behold, it’s only fall.
But alas, my time in the XF has come to an end. It is a sad day for me but you can look forward to the next review on our long-term Jaguar XF, which will post soon. Nicely done Jaguar.
