By KBB.com Editors
When it was introduced three years ago, the XF Sedan represented a radical departure from traditional Jaguar styling. The bold move has paid off brilliantly for Jaguar, and the XF's sleek coupe-like styling and wide-mouth grille have now migrated onto other Jaguar products, namely the new XJ. Intended to compete with long-established models, such as the BWM 5 Series, Audi A6 and Lexus GS, the 2011 Jaguar XF provides all the performance benefits of its Japanese and European rivals, but also offers a hefty dose of traditional British luxury, something not easily imitated and that still holds value among those with a taste for life's finer pleasures.
If you've grown tired of seeing the same luxury brands lining the valet parking lot, take a spin in the 2011 Jaguar XF. Its clever styling, powerful engine and luxuriously-appointed interior may just win you over.
If part of what draws you to a brand such as Lexus is its stellar reputation for reliability and longevity, the XF's somewhat shaky repair record and poor resale values may be a deal breaker.
For 2011, Jaguar drops the entry-level 4.2-liter V8, equipping all XFs with a 5.0-liter V8 engine, although horsepower does vary by trim. Jaguar's Platinum Coverage, which includes 5-years/50,000 miles of scheduled maintenance, is now standard equipment for the XF.
Driving Impressions The 2011 Jaguar XF is not a bloated luxury barge; it's a bona-fide touring sedan with blisteringly-quick acceleration, excellent stability in curves, good steering and braking feedback and a whisper-quiet...
cabin. The larger wheels and stiffer suspension on the Supercharged and XFR make for a rather firm ride, easily jolted by road imperfections and uneven pavement. Those seeking a more luxurious ride should stick with the Premium or Portfolio models. The XF's six-speed sequential shift transmission features a Sport mode that, in conjunction with the steering-wheel paddle shifters, makes for a rather spirited and enjoyable driving performance. If we have one concern regarding the XF, it rests with the car's overly-automated controls which, in the event of a dead battery, make operating even the simplest features (such as shifting into neutral should the car need to be towed or pushed) maddeningly complex.JaguarDrive Selector
The unorthodox gear selector stands out as an innovative way to put the car into Drive. With a simple turn of the knob, going from Drive to Drive Sport is effortless, with no button or lever to maneuver.
Bowers & Wilkins Sound System
A favorite among audiophiles, the Bowers & Wilkins sound system has precise and crisp sound output at any volume level.
A luxury car should excite and delight its owner every time he or she gets behind the wheel, and that's exactly what the 2011 Jaguar XF does. Upon entering the vehicle, a pulsating red ignition button beckons to be pushed. Once engaged, the XF's engine roars to life, the dash vents rotate open and a hockey-puck shaped gear selector rises from atop the center console. Soft blue lighting illuminates switches and knobs, as well as the steering-wheel-mounted controls. Soft-touch vinyl and leather resides wherever a hand can be laid or an arm rested, and luxurious appointments such as the Bowers and Wilkins 440-watt sound system wait to delight the senses. As for interior space, the Jaguar XF is quite accommodating, even in the rear seat where head room is surprisingly generous.
ExteriorFor generations, Jaguar cars were easily spotted regardless of their date of origin. This car, however, is not so easy to pick out. There is no "leaper" hood ornament, for one (it's migrated to the trunk lid's lower lip), and no traditional curving lines or rounded headlamps to denote the car's heritage. The 2011 Jaguar XF's styling is eye-catching, to be sure, but it looks much more Aston Martin-like than vintage Jaguar. The XF's sloping rear window and long beltline create a coupe-like profile, with the top-of-the-line XFR adding a black mesh grille, chrome outboard air intakes, a louvered hood and 20-inch alloy wheels to round out its performance image.
The 2011 Jaguar XF includes a 5.0-liter V8 engine paired to a six-speed automatic transmission with the JaguarDrive Rotary Gear Selector, 18–inch wheels, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), 320-watt sound system with portable audio interface including iPod connectivity, voice-activated navigation, an auxiliary input and a USB port. The touch-screen LCD displays the audio functions and controls the iPod to allow full access to playlists and artists while the Bluetooth technology is able to pair up to five phones for hands-free use. JaguarVoice allows voice control of the audio, CD, navigation, phone and climate-control functions.
The 2011 Jaguar XF Premium adds active ventilated heated and cooling front seats, Jaguar Smart Key, soft-grain leather seating surfaces, Blind Spot Monitor, Front Parking Aid, rear backup camera and soft-grain stitched instrument panel and doors. Other options include the Bowers and Wilkins 440-watt sound system, adaptive cruise control, heated steering wheel, heated windshield and a power rear sunshade. XF Supercharged and XFR models share a supercharged 5.0-liter engine, Adaptive Dynamic suspension and Active Differential Control.
All 2011 Jaguar XF Sedans are powered by a gasoline direct-injection 5.0-liter V8 that, in the base cars, pumps out a respectable 385 horsepower. In the XF Supercharged and XFR, Jaguar bolts a supercharger to the 5.0-liter V8, bumping output to a whopping 470 and 510 horsepower, respectively. With this engine under the hood, the XFR posts a zero-to-60 mph run of just 4.7 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 155 miles per hour.
5.0-liter V8
385 horsepower @ 6500 rpm
380 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/23
5.0-liter V8, Supercharged (XF Supercharged)
470 horsepower @ 6000-6500 rpm
424 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2500-5500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21
5.0-liter V8, Supercharged (XFR)
510 horsepower @ 6000-6500 rpm
461 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2500-5500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21
To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Jaguar XF vehicles for sale near you.
Based on 74 Ratings for the 2009 - 2013 models.
Review this carBy Damon (CA) on Sunday, April 28, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,000
overall rating 9 of 10rating detailsPros: "execution of materials,head turner,driving dynamic"
Cons: "envious looks"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10
"I bought this car for my wive recently and she loves it as do I in-fact I end up driving this more than my Bentley or Maserati due to how the driving dynamics are great as is the steering response and acceleration which are both effortless."
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By Mr. ROBBO (NJ) on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 3,500
overall rating 9 of 10rating detailsPros: "Best looking vehicle....great handling.....comfort"
Cons: "Rear seat a bit tight for larger passengers"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10
"Traded 2007 S-Type for the 2013 AWD XF. Wow! Great power, great handling and great looking vehicle. While driving, I always get thumbs up from other drivers and questions on how I like the XF Jag. My S-type was flawless in 5 years with just gas and regular service. I can only hope this Jag gives me such ease of ownership. Only negatives are rear seating is a little tight for the taller or larger passengers and 17 Mpg in New York City driving. Open road highway was a very pleasing 27 MPG. Great value compared to the other luxury cars in this catagory. My wife loved driving with the AWD in the snow just recently. She felt comfortable and secure with the great handling. It's a winner!"
4 people out of 4 found this review helpful
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By JohnA (NJ) on Friday, March 15, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 45,000
overall rating 9 of 10rating detailsPros: "comfort, cruising, power, bells and whistles"
Cons: "tiny sensor to open the glove box, rear visibility"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10
"Traded in my 2006 S type on the 2010 XF. At first I missed the old styling...I really liked the feel of the S type, but the XF has won me over. Very comfortable, quiet and smooth, but with enough road feel to remind you it's a Jag. (they don't build Buicks) Power is the next thing I've noticed, way more than the S type...much smoother acceleration with not loss of pull until it get scarry fast. Really like the new style now, getting noticed is rewarding. sort of wish it got a few more miles to the gallon, but then you don't buy these for the gas economy (still I get 27 on the highway)...no maintenance issues but being an old guy, I do miss the dip stick to check the oil...(kidding there)"
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful
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By hthiaw (MD) on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,000
overall rating 5 of 10rating detailsPros: "nice gadget and design"
Cons: "no rooms in backseat, bad customer service"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1
"I gave low grades because I used to have a lexus and compare to A lexus Jaguar has a long way to go to catch up. I am 6'3 and I have problem fitting inside the car when I drive. I guess it was not designed for tall people. And not enough room in the back. You dont want to seat in the back seats during a long trip. After two weeks of buying it,I have problem with external rearview mirros and the mat under the steering keep falling on my legs. I tried to take it to a Jaguar dealership to get fixed since I have the platinum warranty. either they are close or on lunch break. I tried to get a loaner and they say you have to pay for it.... I had this car only 2 weeks ago and I already miss the realiability and the good customer service of Lexus... My advise if you want a good care with good service buy a lexus if you care about the look only buy a jaguar. The design of the car is nice but that s only what you are getting"
2 people out of 6 found this review helpful
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By Lee (OH) on Tuesday, January 01, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 87,000
overall rating 8 of 10rating detailsPros: "best combination of style, luxury and performance"
Cons: "some minor design flaws"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9
"I bought this car after falling in love with her on my favorite car lot. She's a black beauty with amazing lines and subtle design characteristics that set her apart from fairly common sedan styling. At a glance she could be mistaken for a Nissan but give her a 2 second stare and you're hooked! High end interior materials and the coolest vent system I've ever seen let's you know this is no ordinary ride. The best part is when you start the engine and the gear shifter rises from the console and the exhaust sounds like a symphony. And that's still in park! I moved from a Mercedes to the Jag and never looked back. The power, handling, exterior design and interior luxury are worth the risk. By risk I mean this car is like a beautiful woman - temperamental and a little high on maintenance but worth ever bit of time, effort and money. The tire pressure system had to be replaced (by dealer at their cost) but otherwise simple things that did not cost me anything. Do a little research on her flaws and the fixes are easy. For example, one knock is the battery drains. It's true, but the fix is to lock the doors. If you lock the car it turns the monitoring system off and I've never had an issue since. The gear shifter sometimes does not work properly but if you turn the car off and back on she always comes back to proper operation. The Jag is not a sturdy as the Mercedes and likely will have more issues down the road, but would you rather be seen with a hausfrau or a super model?"
13 people out of 13 found this review helpful
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By jimme (FL) on Sunday, September 02, 2012
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 35,000
overall rating 9 of 10rating detailsPros: "Fun to drive, eye catching looks. Sensible pricing"
Cons: "Some body rattles, Slow responding electronics"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8
"The styling, and performance lured me in, but as a long term owner I continue to be impressed, especially with better than anticipated reliability. Even the fuel consumption is reasonable for a mid size v8 vehicle. It comes completely equipped without the endless extras on BMW or Mercedes, that run the final price through the roof."
13 people out of 14 found this review helpful
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