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2013 Jaguar XF

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Overview

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2013 Jaguar XF Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

KBB Expert Rating: 7.2

Jaguar's XF, when first introduced in 2009, signaled the brand's determination to attract younger buyers and transform public perception. Several years and many enhancements later, the 2013 Jaguar XF is finally a full-fledged player in the competitive mid-size luxury-sedan segment. Notably, its engine and driveline choices have expanded dramatically this year. There's a new turbo 4-cylinder engine, a supercharged V6 and two levels of supercharged-V8 power, plus a fine 8-speed automatic transmission and an advanced all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. Combined with the sumptuous cabin atmosphere the marque has long been famous for and the well-managed driving dynamics of these thoroughly modern automobiles, the Jaguar XF has earned its place among the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6 and Lexus GS.

You'll Like This Car If...

Whether you're a trendsetter, trailblazer or simply an admirer of Britannic automotive design, the XF is a unique alternative to common mid-size luxury sedans.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're a hard-nosed value- or brand-conscious consumer, you're probably aware that the cache of the Jaguar name does not support the cars' residual values over time. A more mainstream German luxury nameplate is likely more your style.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.2
Driving Dynamics

7.1
Comfort & Convenience

6.9
Design: Interior & Exterior

7.5
Value

5.7
Safety

7.8

How It Ranks

#4

out of 12

MPG

#10

out of 12

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

8.6 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2013

This is a big year for the Jaguar XF. For 2013 the engine lineup, formerly all-V8, adds a turbocharged inline-4 and supercharged V6 to push down both fuel consumption and the cost of entry. An AWD system is now offered (V6 only) for drivers in the Snow Belt.

Driving the XF

Driving Impressions Tradition suggests a Jaguar will be softer and more isolated in its driving experience than other, particularly German, luxury sedans but the XF in any iteration is taut, responsive, balanced...

and gives good feedback through the steering and brakes. In fact, in the top-performing XFR, the scale tips the other way and it's the Jaguar that is borderline-stiff in its ride quality. The running character obviously depends on engine choice, now that there are so many in the XF line, but the supercharged V6 represents an appealing balance of power, smoothness and efficiency. The 8-speed automatic transmission that accompanies every XF engine works seamlessly, thanks to all those close-spaced ratios and adaptive shift programming, but there are handy paddle shifters for do-it-yourselfers. The new AWD system favors the rear wheels in its torque delivery to retain a lively rear-drive feel.

Favorite Features

JAGUARDRIVE SELECTOR
From the pages of science fiction to 21st-century roadways, the JaguarDrive Selector is one of the most innovative interpretations of a universal automotive feature. A beautifully crafted, metallic wheel automatically rises into the driver's hand once the Start/Stop button is pressed for effortless control of various transmission modes.

MERIDIAN AUDIO SYSTEM
Audiophiles will love the top 7.1 surround-sound audio system, standard on the XFR and optional on other XFs. The 825-watt, 17-speaker setup accommodates all the usual signal sources and includes HD and SiriusXM satellite radio.

2013 Jaguar XF Details

2013 Jaguar XF Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

The 2013 Jaguar XF provides an airy, upscale cabin, where rich leather covers all five seats and high-quality materials are arranged with remarkable precision. The ergonomically designed front seats deliver ample support for occupants of all sizes, though 6-footers will find rear-seat headroom slightly restricted by the aggressive curvature of the roof. Instrumentation is sharp and legible, but operating the touch-screen climate-control functions can be cumbersome. The top-line Meridian audio system, with its 825 watts and 17 speakers, is simply awesome.

Exterior

The 2013 Jaguar XF has an aggressive stance, sleek and aerodynamic body shape and sweeping coupe-like roofline. Detailing is tastefully restrained and integrated, from the headlights' LED strings to the front fender vents and the chrome rear-hatch bar that magically fades into the backup lights. The range-topping Jaguar XFR features unique body cladding, gloss black upper- and lower-grille inserts and a distinctive front-end design. Several XFR touches are available to dress up the other members of the line, including front and rear spoilers and 19- or 20-inch wheels.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

For 2013, the Jaguar XF's starting price plunges by $6,000 from last year, but that's due to the 4- and 6-cylinder engines joining the line, not to any noticeable cutback in the level of standard content. All XFs have a hard-drive-based navigation system with a 7-inch touch screen and a DVD player. JaguarVoice allows for voice control of the audio, navigation, phone and climate-control functions, while the ventilation system's humidity sensor and odor control ensure a pleasant interior environment. Safety features include a full complement of airbags and the typical battery of electronic driving aids.

Optional Equipment

The rearranged 2013 Jaguar XF line now consists of five models based on engine/driveline: XF (2.0 turbo-4), XF 3.0 (supercharged V6), XF 3.0 AWD (with all-wheel drive), XF Supercharged (blown 5.0 V8) and XFR (higher-output V8). Options are bundled into a half-dozen packages, including the Sport Portfolio for the 4- and 6-cylinder models (upgraded seat trim and adjustability, heated/cooled front seats, 19- or 20-inch wheels and aero add-ons) and the ambitious Speed Package for the XFR, which adds bigger front and rear spoilers and defeats the stock speed limiter to let the car run to a claimed 174 mph.

Under the Hood

Jaguar's XF engine lineup changes dramatically for 2013, with two new offerings stretching fuel efficiency for the mid-size luxury sedan. A new 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (based on the engine in Ford's Explorer EcoBoost) is the base engine and the next step up is an also-new 3.0-liter supercharged V6. The latter can be ordered with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or Jaguar's new AWD system. The other two available engines are carryover V8s from last year, both 5.0 liters and both supercharged, though tuned for different output, 470 horsepower in the XF Supercharged and 510 in the XFR. All engines are mated to a new 8-speed automatic transmission. Fuel-economy ratings range from 19/29 for the turbo-4 to the supercharged V8's 15/23 (for both power levels, interestingly).

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
240 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
251 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/29 mpg

3.0-liter supercharged V6
340 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
332 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/28 mpg (RWD), 16/25 mpg (AWD)

5.0-liter supercharged V8
470 horsepower @ 6,000-6,500 rpm
424 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/23 mpg

5.0-liter supercharged V8
510 horsepower @ 6,000-6,500 rpm
461 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/23 mpg

Pricing Notes

With the new 4- and 6-cylinder engines joining the lineup, starting prices fall for the XF this year. The base turbo-4 2013 Jaguar XF has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $47,850, some $6,000 less than 2012's starting price. That base figure is now in line with the BMW 5 Series and Lexus GS, a bit over Audi's A6 and well below the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Stepping up, the new V6-powered XF 3.0 starts at $50,785; the new AWD system adds $3,000. The two V8 models run $68,975 for the Supercharged and a heady $84,075 for the XFR. Loading on options, including the Sport Portfolio Package, lifts a 4-cylinder XF past $65,000; an XFR can top $90,000. Check KBB.com's Fair Purchase Price to see what consumers in your area are paying. Jaguar's reputation for dependability is still spotty, so resale values for the XFR will likely trail those of its rivals.

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2013 Jaguar XF Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.6

Out of 10

Based on 70 Ratings for the 2009 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.7/10

Quality

8.7/10
Reliability

8.6/10

Performance

9.2/10
Comfort

9.0/10

Styling

9.2/10

Like a beautiful woman

By Lee (OH) on Tuesday, January 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 87,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "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?"

12 people out of 12 found this review helpful

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a pleasure to drive, co.fort, performance

By jimme (FL) on Sunday, September 02, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 35,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "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."

12 people out of 13 found this review helpful

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