In a race against its rivals the diesel XF would lose. At £37,500 for this Premium Luxury model, the XF faces the Audi A6 3.0 TDI, Mercedes E280 CDI and BMW 530d. All three have more torque than the Jaguar and, with the exception of the Benz, more power.
In the sprint to 60mph, the best we could achieve was a disappointing 8.4sec, while the 530d we took along for comparison posted 6.4sec. But any worries about the XF’s pace soon ebb away.
We are already familiar with the 204bhp/321lb ft, 2.7-litre V6 diesel from applications in the S-type and XJ, and know that what it lacks in outright punch it makes up for in linearity. Furthermore, ZF’s six-speed automatic gearbox gets the maximum from the engine with the minimum of fuss. In Drive, the gearbox toggles ratios seamlessly and with unerring accuracy.
This combination of control and accuracy gives the XF an assured purpose, meaning that on any given day on any British road it’s the Jaguar driver who would arrive in a better frame of mind, even if the 530d would have it whipped in a race.
But to really overcome this power deficit, the XF must lead the class in ride and handling. It does. In fact, this is the XF’s finest achievement, but there are some surprises. The first is that the XF rides firmly below 30mph. However, the movement is never uncomfortable, and the XF still copes better in this respect than any rival. At higher speeds the ride provides enough flex to keep you cosseted, without excessive float.
The second revelation comes in the corners. Previous Jags may have been extremely comfortable and capable here, but not BMW good. That changes with the XF. Next to a 5-series the Jag has more roll and more pitch, but it is no less accurate or composed.
All of this is controlled through perfectly weighted steering, that is blessed with feel and accuracy without ever feeling nervous. This sense of control and balance makes the XF a genuinely pleasurable to drive.