2015 Jaguar XF Road Test and Review

The 2015 Jaguar XF makes a statement about its owner: I went in a different direction. As much as luxury brand advertising might underscore up the individualism associated with purchasing a driveway ornament to show the world that you've finally 'made it,' there's little outside-the-box thinking that goes into leasing the latest black or silver piece of German hardware. If you really want to chart your own path in the world of mid-size premium sedans, then you have to seek out a lower-volume model like the XF (or its similarly-positioned domestic rival, the Cadillac CTS).

Unlike a BMW, Audi, or Cadillac, however, the Jaguar XF brings with it an understanding of luxury that is distinctly British, and one that has remained undiluted by decades of foreign ownership. Whether this is your cup of tea of not won't become apparent until you spend some time inside a Jaguar, but despite riding on a platform that's due to age out at the end of this model year, the XF has a lot to offer traditional luxury fans who favor stand-out styling over pack mentality.

The 2015 Jaguar XF is available in six trim levels. The entry-level 2.0T Premium model (MSRP $50,175) is well equipped, featuring HID headlights, 18-inch wheels, parking assistance, a blind spot monitoring system, a sunroof, dual automatic climate control, a rearview camera, heated exterior mirrors, a touchscreen navigation and infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic windshield wipers, power front seats (with heaters), leather upholstery, and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Moving up to the XF 3.0 Sport (MSRP $57,175) adds a supercharged V-6, a trunk spoiler, blacked-out trim inside and outside the vehicle, additional power adjustments for the front seats, and 20-inch wheels, while the identically-priced XF 3.0 Portfolio (MSTP $57,175) swaps out the performance looks for adaptive HID headlights, upgraded leather seating, surround sound audio, and 19-inch wheels. You can add all-wheel drive to each of these trims, which also brings with it a heated steering wheel.

The XF 5.0 Supercharged (MSRP $70,875) re-installs 20-inch rims and also comes with an adaptive suspension system, a electronically-controlled rear differential, rear sunshades, a supercharged V-8 engine, and bigger brakes. The XFR (MSRP $83,550) is a high performance model that turns up the boost on the supercharged V-8 while also amping up exterior styling, and the XFR-S (MSRP $99,000) does the same thing again, essentially dialing the sedan's performance up to 11 by way of even more power as well as an aggressive aero package.

The vehicle I drove for a week was a 2015 Jaguar XF 3.0 AWD Portfolio that featured an optional heated windshield as well as London Tan seats with a Warm Charcoal contrast. The total MSRP for my tester came to $60,775.

What’s New:

• The 2015 Jaguar XF is a carry-over design from the previous model year.

While there was certainly something to be said for the iconic Zippo lighter-shaped Jaguar designs of old, there's no doubt that the sinuous metal flesh of the 2015 Jaguar XF is a far better analog to the jungle cat after which the brand is named. The XF is a striking car, especially when compared against competitors such as the BMW 5 Series and the Audi A6, and it during my time behind the wheel I could feel all eyes on me from the adjacent lane on more than one occasion. Still, the Jaguar's ripple-causing looks are based on class and presence rather than caricature, which makes it a perfectly acceptable corporate chariot for those who must keep up appearances at the country club or airport valet.

Modesty evaporates once you're safely ensconced inside the XF's Portfolio-level interior. Is there anyone out there who does leather as well as the Brits? I submit that the answer to that question is 'no,' and as my first witness I call Jaguar's 'London Tan' upholstery. It's a cut above what you'd find in most other similarly-priced luxury sedans, and it's very nicely set off by the wood trim on the doors, dash, and center console, as well as the tasteful silver metal highlights that also come with the car.

What’s New:

• The 2015 Jaguar XF does not introduce any new comfort or cargo equipment, but does shuffle a number of features and add two new trims (Sport and Portfolio).

The 2015 Jaguar XF AWD Portfolio's 'upgraded' leather seats are as comfortable to sit in as they are gorgeous to look at, even after putting in significant miles behind the wheel of the mid-size model. Rear seat room is good, but not class-leading, so if you see yourself regularly hauling six-footers behind the first two positions you might want to reality-check the back bench before making your purchase. Trunk space is beyond reproach, with just under 18 cubic feet available, plus the bonus of a pass-through for longer items such as skis.

It's worth delving a little more into the Jaguar XF's excellent ride comfort. Not only is the cabin quiet and free from the booms associated with Montreal's crumbling infrastructure, but a minimum of vibration was translated into the cabin during my time with the car, which is rare even for luxury models. I attribute this to the XF's softer suspension settings, which complemented cruising more than they did athletic endeavor (more on that later).

What’s New:

• The 2015 Jaguar XF does not introduce any new features or controls, but does shuffle a number of features and add two new trims (Sport and Portfolio).

The 2015 Jaguar XF does have a chink in its luxury armor, and it can be found sitting at the center of its dashboard. It's not that the XF's touchscreen infotainment system is 'bad,' per se - I was actually quite pleased with how easily the navigation feature found rural addresses for me - but there's no denying that it's much slower to respond than most other modern interfaces. There are a few too many steps involved in moving through its menus, too, with a mix of hard buttons combining with onscreen commands to remind you that the system hasn't aged all that gracefully.

There's echoes of Jaguar's older technology to be found on LCD screen sandwiched between the speedometer and the tachometer as well, which offers simple colors and fonts that stand out in an era of snazzier designs. It's all part of the legacy of the XF's older platform, and it will all be washed away for 2016 model year when the redesigned car hits the streets.

What’s New:

• The 2015 Jaguar XF doesn’t introduce any new safety features for the current model year.

The 2015 Jaguar XF comes standard with dual forward airbags, side curtain airbags, side impact airbags up front, electronic traction control, and stability control. A blind spot warning system is also available with the car but you won't find any other advanced safety gear on the options list, which puts the XF at a disadvantage compared to other mid-size luxury options. 

2015 Jaguar XF Crash-Test Ratings: The XF has yet to be crash tested by either the IIHS or the NHTSA.

What’s New:

• The 2015 Jaguar XF does not introduce any new engine options for the current model year.

The 2015 Jaguar XF's entry-level 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder motor produces 240 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque, and it also returns 19-mpg in city driving and 30-mpg on the highway. Move up to the available 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 and you'll enjoy 340 horses and 332 lb-ft of twist, along with a slightly lower fuel efficiency rating of 18-mpg city and 28-mpg highway (I saw 23-mpg combined with the slightly-less-frugal all-wheel drive version of this model).

The Jaguar XF's 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 comes in three iterations, depending on trim level: Supercharged (470 horsepower, 424 lb-ft of torque), XFR (510 horsepower, 461 lb-ft of torque), and XFR-S (550 ponies, 502 lb-ft of torque). Somehow, the stars have aligned to give each of these eight-cylinder options the same fuel mileage of 15-mpg around town and 23-mpg on the highway. All versions of the Jaguar XF come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, but only the V-6 models add the option of all-wheel drive.

The 2015 Jaguar XF offers a range of driving experiences, and the 3.0 AWD Portfolio model I drove stands square in the middle when it comes to balancing performance with day-to-day comfort. The 340 ponies produced by the supercharged V-6 are tasked with hauling a hefty 4,385 lbs, so you can't expect too much in the way of stoplight glory with the XF 3.0 AWD. This is true even with the Dynamic Mode button activated and the gearbox set to Sport. That being said, power delivery is pleasantly smooth at all times, with a particular emphasis on highway passing that keeps the Jaguar in the conversation with models like the BMW 535i xDrive and the Audi A6. It doesn't hurt that the sweetheart ZF eight-speed automatic transmission is one of the better self-shifters on the market. 

Handling is also somewhat hampered by the XF's heft, although stability and control are preserved at all times thanks to a well-designed chassis that informs the Jaguar's solid poise. If you want to carve corners then the XF Supercharged's adaptive suspension system makes a better play partner, but if instead you are seeking to devour highway miles at a rapid, yet calm pace, the V-6 model is as good a bet as you'll find in the XF's line-up. The all-wheel drive system on my tester had the effect of somewhat dialing back steering feel and introducing a token amount of understeer at the limit, but that's more than made up for by the sedan's ability to demolish snow-covered roads.

The 2015 Jaguar XF's multiple personalities - attractive entry-level mid-size, sumptuously-appointed all-wheel drive cruiser, and performance-oriented eight-cylinder muscle machine - make it a versatile choice for luxury shoppers seeking to break free from what Madison Avenue has told them to buy. Driving an XF likely means not meeting yourself across every downtown intersection while enjoying one of the most attractive exteriors and comfortable cabins available in a $60,000 mid-size sedan. If you can deal with the older technologies stuffed under the Jaguar's sultry metal skin, then the XF is certain worth a test drive. If the latest bells and whistles are too important to ignore, give yourself a few months and seek out the redesigned 2016 model instead.

Pros:

• Unique visual personality
• Beautiful interior available with Portfolio models (and above)
• Optional supercharged V-8 power
• Available all-wheel drive
• Relatively affordable
• Comfortable ride 

Cons:

• Not as nimble as some rivals
• V-6 power is adequate, but not overwhelming
• Fuel mileage is average
• All-wheel drive only available with V-6 model.

Jaguar Canada supplied the vehicle for this review.