Mid-range XF seamlessly blends refinement, performance and comfort

What is it?

Jaguar’s answer to the BMW 530d. The recently revised Jaguar XF range has now arrived on UK roads, and it’s the mid-range diesel we’re testing here.

The 3.0D V6 model used to be the entry-level XF model, but the addition of the 2.2D has pushed it higher up the range. The biggest change from the pre-facelift car is the addition of a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, which promises smoother, faster and more seamless shifts over the six-speeder from before.

The handsome styling changes include slimmed down headlights, a lower bonnet line and two striking sets of LED strips sitting either side of the larger front grille.

Asides from the gearbox, dynamic changes are small yet significant, and include dynamic engine mounts, an increased use of sound deadening materials and redesigned wing mirrors, all designed bolster refinement and suppress road noise.

What’s it like?

A remarkably accomplished machine. What strikes you first is just how silky smooth the powertrain is, the 237bhp, 369lb ft V6 turbodiesel oozing refinement and being capable of eating up motorway miles without any fuss. Drive this XF back-to-back with the new 2.2-litre four-cylinder model and you’ll really appreciate how much greater the refinement is – and how much quieter it operates – at lower speeds.

The gearbox is also a fine addition to the package. Having eight forward speeds raises fears over hesitancy and the potential for blunting progress, but it responds well to differing driving styles: really put your foot down and it’ll hold the gear for more rapid acceleration; drive with more consideration and it’ll seamlessly shift in the background.

Off the motorway, it lacks the impressive urgency of the more driver-focused S model, but it’s still remarkably composed and quick enough in almost any given situation.

The steering is accurate and the ride quality is also particularly pleasing, although we’d stick with the standard 18-inch wheels of this Premium Luxury model over the optional 19- or 20-inchers as the latter options tend to detract from ride comfort over more abrasive surfaces around town.

Should I buy one?

It’s hard to think of too many reasons not to. Each of the three diesel models in the XF range offers something distinctly different, but each of them is so well executed.

If you can live without the added power and sharpened chassis of the non S 3.0 V6D but still want the extra refinement of a six-cylinder engine, then you won’t have too many regrets while eating up the motorway miles in this XF.

Jaguar XF 3.0D V6 Premium Luxury

Price: £40,950; Top speed: 149mph (limited); 0-60mph: 6.7sec; Economy: 44.8mpg; CO2: 169g/km; Kerb weight: 1810kg; Engine: V6, 2993cc, turbodiesel; Power: 237bhp at 4000rpm; Torque: 369lb ft at 2000rpm; Gearbox: 8-spd automatic

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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philcUK 16 August 2011

Re: Jaguar XF 3.0D V6

captainrick wrote:
Sloppy indeed, but not as bad as Autoexpress, who told us recently that the 3 litre BMW Diesel engine is a V6 and that the Touareg has an 8 speed DSG
Am I missing some sort of irony there? its early in the morning so forgive me if that's the case.

captainrick 16 August 2011

Re: Jaguar XF 3.0D V6

Sloppy indeed, but not as bad as Autoexpress, who told us recently that the 3 litre BMW Diesel engine is a V6 and that the Touareg has an 8 speed DSG. We deserve better.

ronmcdonald 16 August 2011

Re: Jaguar XF 3.0D V6

WarrenL wrote:

Sorry to revive an old argument, but Hilton, I'm with Scrap. You are playing with semantics in an effort to obfuscate. A car made in the UK cannot arrive on UK shores. To state that it was "now available in the UK" would have been more appropriate.

Semantics in an effort to obfuscate? Hmmm. Lets's see...

As far as I'm aware it's common for people to announce the arrival of their new baby, and as far as I know, the baby was made in the UK. Now what's the difference?

English is such a flexible language, I love how people play with it in a 'Ronnie Barker' fashion. But some people can't see that and it's those who correct others I have a slight problem with. Inevitably their pompousness always backfires.

For instance, " To state that it was now available" is incorrect, you're using the past and present tense in the same sentence. "To state that it is now available" would be more appropriate.

I tend to find those who feel the need to correct others always end up with egg on their face, just like I'm going to have egg on my face when someone dissects this message and finds fault. Sometimes it's easier just to accept others as they are.