Key Facts
Model tested: Jaguar XF S
Price: XF from £32,300; S from £49,995; car as tested £58,715
Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol
Transmission: rear-wheel drive, eight-speed automatic
Body style: four-door saloon
CO2 emissions: 198g/km (Band J, £500 VED first 12 months, £270 annually thereafter, if registered before April 1, 2017; £1,510 first 12 months, £450 per annum next four years, £140 per annum thereafter, if registered after April 1, 2017)
Combined economy: 34mpg
Top speed: 155mph (limited)
0-62mph: 5.3 seconds
Power: 380hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 4,500rpm
Our view:
Last time we drove a
second-generation Jaguar XF, it was a promising executive saloon car that was hobbled by an unusual, mixed-up specification that tried to match tax-beating characteristics with an element of performance. The 163hp 2.0-litre diesel R-Sport therefore didn't blow us away. And that's a shame, because the original XF was a car that we loved in all its multifarious guises.
What we could see, though, was that - with the right boxes ticked on the order form - the XF MkII had all the potential to take on the class elite in this mid-sized executive sector. And order form boxes don't come any more 'right' than the ones that say '380hp 3.0-litre supercharged petrol V6, if you will' and 'I want it in full-on S format'. Hence, here's the XF S, in our company for a week to see if could elevate the Jaguar to the top step of its market podium.
Via the simple expedient of some big 20-inch alloys (£1,230 diamond-turned Labyrinth design), the subtle body kit of the XF S and a nice exterior colour, this Jaguar looks every inch the premium part and there are none of the aesthetic concerns we had about the R-Sport we drove a few months back. Ditto the interior, although that wasn't an issue on the 2.0-litre diesel anyway - but the S cabin is a lovely place to spend some time. Provided you don't get it in the rather daring red-and-black colour scheme that Jaguar offers, that is.
Anyway, inside and out, the XF S looks stunning. And then you drive it, and everything comes together beautifully. Packing the 380hp supercharged engine as found in the F-Type V6 S (the smaller, visually similar XE S is powered by the 340hp iteration of this unit that's used in the entry point F-Type V6) and using the silken ZF eight-speed automatic, the XF S is a wonderful performer in a wide variety of situations. It has crisp steering and sharp body control, although we would say its longer wheelbase compared to the XE S makes it a less overtly sporty drive than its stablemate. This is more of an executive express with a focus on comfort before outright acuity, and it's all the better for it because the ride quality is absolutely exquisite as a result. Even on the mighty alloys stuffed into each wheel arch, the XF S doesn't once introduce thuds and bangs into a cabin that's concomitantly supremely well-insulated from external noise contributors. So it's a proper Jag in the finest traditions, all hushed and comfortable when you need it to be; and on the motorway, where its big V6 is running under-stressed, it'll genuinely return as good as - if not more than - the 34mpg quoted combined economy.
Not that the V6 lacks for aural charm as a result of its impeccable refinement. It might not have the outrageously loud sound effects in the same style as its application in the F-Type, but extend it up beyond 4,000rpm and there's a pleasingly menacing growl to the engine. It's smooth, too, as it delivers its abundant power as one clean, rich seam of acceleration. It's actually a highly deceptive car in that respect, so keep a close eye on that lovely TFT speedo if you're going to keep digging deep into the throttle's travel, as the XF S can swiftly accumulate massive velocity in a disarmingly easy fashion.
In brief, it's a supremely polished dynamic act from the XF S in all departments, so much so that we actually think the £49,995 list price is pretty reasonable. The Jaguar is cheaper than both the ageing Audi S6 and also the brand-new Mercedes-AMG E 43, which is a handy little bonus. Crucially, for that cash the XF S does feel like a genuine, understated high-performance saloon - even with quite a few needless options, the price stayed the right side of £60k for our test car. Therefore, a thumping great 380hp petrol version of the Jag makes a good deal of sense at this price point; and of the extras fitted, we'd definitely advocate the £970 panoramic roof, the £1,265 head-up display pack and the £1,225 InControl Touch Pro upgrade - not for what it does to the satnav, but more because it brings in the 380-watt Meridian Surround Sound System that's an absolute corker.
A magnificent performance from the XF S during our week with it has thus eradicated the memory of the underwhelming 2.0-litre diesel model and completely restored our faith in Jaguar's mid-sized saloon. Indeed, the S spent a week in our company alongside Ford's show-stopping Focus RS mega hatch, yet somehow the Jaguar managed to avoid being overshadowed by the bright blue five-door, even convincing us to reach for its key fob rather than the Ford's on occasion. Nevertheless, what this brilliant S chiefly does for us is this: it makes us yearn even more for the inevitable XFR that will be on the way. A supercharged V8, 550hp-plus... yep, that should be something well worth waiting for. In the meantime, the XF S does a fine job of plugging Jaguar's performance car gap.
Alternatives:
Audi S6: this generation of A6 is due to be phased out next year and the 450hp/550Nm S6 is the forgotten man of the range. It's quick, but not massively involving, unlike the enthralling XF S.
BMW 540i: unlike Audi, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz - all of whom link to their performance brands with the rival machines - BMW makes no reference to M with the new 540i, so it's a discreet car in this company.
Mercedes-AMG E 43 4Matic: powerful and, as with the Audi, has the benefit of all-wheel drive, although don't be fooled by the AMG badging - it's not the most thrilling four-door you can pilot.
