2009 Jaguar XF

Reviewer Wayne Cunningham, writing for CNET, says "The 2009 Jaguar XF offers a lot of luxury for the money with many unique high-tech touches and an exceptional audio system." Yet, citing run-of-the-mill suspension and navigation systems, he says the car "doesn't always deliver on its apparent promise."

Other reviewers including Edmunds.com's James Riswick, say the suspension turns bumpy over gnarled asphalt and concrete, but is otherwise well-tuned, achieving excellent balance between ride and handling. He's also one of several reviewers who believe the Jaguar XF's steering is on the light side for a performance car.

"The XF's handling felt controlled at low speeds and stable at high speeds," says Wasef, "and braking power is impressive in both models, with larger rotors in the Supercharged version offering increased stopping power."

Overall, testers heartily approve of the Jaguar XF's exterior styling. Reviewers at SeriousWheels.com say, "The defining element of the new XF as a true sporting Jaguar is its visual strength…the XF builds on already high standards of craftsmanship, quality and dynamic refinement."

Motor Trend's Arthur St. Antoine writes, "Make no styling judgments until you've seen the XF in person…. it radiates a modernity and sexiness that don't translate to the printed page."

Some testers feel the Jaguar XF has its drawbacks, like the rake of the rear glass, which tightens rear headroom. However, the Jaguar XF's trunk is larger than its competitors, and a folding rear seat further expands capacity.

"It's the fit between the human software and the machine-made hardware that makes the Jaguar XF so unique," writes Michael Jordan, executive editor of Edmunds Inside Line. "The XF invites you to be a part of the experience." He says this is evidenced in the red glow of the engine start button that pulses with a heartbeat-like rhythm upon entering the car, and in the intuitive spun-nickel rotary JaguarDrive Selector dial (in place of a traditional shifter) that rises out of the center console when the Jaguar XF engine comes to life.

"The cabin is full of grace notes," writes Dan Neil in his review for the Los Angeles Times. He adds, "Jag designers went with a broad, textured aluminum fascia across the dash, and wood paneling on the central console. Meanwhile, all instruments and satiny-silver controls are traced with a blue neon glow, like the keypad of a mobile phone."

Reviewers say the front seats support occupants like fine armchairs, while the wood trim accents are designed to appear "as structural elements of the car rather than glued-on bits of tree." Neil says, "Even the plastic pieces inside have a rich, latex-like feel. It's as inviting a design as any car in its class." He also agrees with fellow testers who find the rear seats cramped.

The Jaguar XF is offered in three trim levels, the normally aspirated (i.e. non-supercharged) XF and XF Premium including additional standard features such as leather, a "smart key" system with keyless entry, ventilated heated/cooled front seats, side mounted sensors with blind spot alert, a front parking aid, rear camera and bi-xenon headlamps. The Portfolio Package adds unique trim colors, a suede headliner, deep pile carpet and 15/12-way climate controlled seats. The XF Supercharged includes the 4.2-liter supercharged V8 with an active rear differential, computer-controlled suspension, quad exhaust pipes, Bowers & Wilkes 440-watt sound system, 16/12-way active ventilated seats, wood veneers and 20-inch wheels.

XF options include an unremarkable DVD-based navigation system, rear parking camera, radar-based blind-spot monitors and a 440-watt, 13-speaker Bowers and Wilkins audio system with Dolby surround sound (all standard on the XF Supercharged).

Standard safety equipment on all trim levels includes a full complement of airbags, plus a front-seat anti-whiplash system and "soft-landing" seatbelt retraction technology. A new Pedestrian Contact Sensing System helps mitigate pedestrian injury In the event of a collision.