2021 Jaguar XF review: R-Dynamic HSE P300 AWD

While it’s still uncertain what impact Jaguar’s commitment to focus entirely on electric vehicles from 2025 will have on its XF luxury sedan, it's likely this will be the last model to come with pistons.

Coventry has already made its BMW 5-Series rival greener, ditching the supercharged V6 petrol and twin-turbo V6 diesel powertrains to make it a four-pot-only affair with the P300 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine power and a mild-hybrid diesel, though the latter isn’t available here in the XF but can be had in an F-Pace.

This has seen the local XF range whittled down from 15 variants to just one, the Jaguar XF R-Dynamic HSE P300 AWD, which may well be the big sedan’s swansong model here. If that is the case, it will be going out in style.

What is the Jaguar XF like to live with?

37

Pricing starts at a hefty $102,376 before on-roads, and our test vehicle comes with extra-cost options. These include adaptive suspension and configurable driving dynamics, a panoramic sunroof, head-up display, clear-sight (digital) rear-view mirror, privacy glass, boot lid spoiler, wireless phone charger and a leisure activity key that you wear like a smartwatch, all of which takes the price to $114,146.

Apart from the revised grille and bumpers, plus new LED headlights, there aren’t too many external differences over the 2020 model, the current generation’s second upgrade mostly focused on its innards to result in all-new crisp and clutter-free cabin design that gives the Audi A6 a run for its money.

At its heart is the 11.4-inch curved touchscreen that floats in front of the dashboard and controls JLR’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment system with sharp graphics, intuitive menu and now mandatory Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.

This is complemented by a 12.3-inch fully-configurable gauge cluster in front of the driver that features 3D mapping and also shows navigation directions.

37

The local XF range whittled down from 15 variants to just one, the XF R-Dynamic HSE P300 AWD, which may well be the sedan’s swansong model. If that is the case, it will be going out in style.

Interior fit and finish is excellent, and I like the multi-purpose air-conditioning dials and pop-up drive mode switch that you see in its Land Rover cousins. Jaguar has also done away with the divisive rotary gear shifter in favour of an electronic lever that requires you to push a button when selecting gears. It looks better but can be a little fiddly, especially when nudging back and forth in tight parking spots.

Other standard technology includes active road noise cancellation, surround-view camera and driver condition monitor, along with low-speed autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warning, active blind-spot assist and auto parking.

37

The cabin is a nice place to be, particularly up front where both seats have 16-way power settings, though curiously there is none of the seat heating or ventilation you’d expect in this price range.

Featureless back seats also belie the six-figure price tag, with amenities limited to a 12V socket, air vents and fold-down centre armrest with cupholders. The seats themselves feel a little too firm, but the broad cushion provides good bum and under-thigh support. Legroom is okay but headroom is a little tight for taller types, even without the optional sunroof.

The XF wins more points for its 459-litre boot space, which is about the average size for a sedan this size in terms of volume but offers a decent 1200mm between the seatbacks and boot lip.

37

The 2.0-litre petrol turbocharged engine has an official combined fuel consumption is 7.2 litres of premium unleaded petrol (95 or 98RON) per 100km, though that blew out to about 10L/100km in real-world conditions, which included a mix of urban and freeway driving.

Service intervals are ... well Jaguar doesn’t have set service intervals. Instead, the vehicle will tell you when the next service is due based on various factors such as arduous conditions, driving style and climate. Jaguar offers a pre-paid maintenance plan that for $1905 covers the 2.0-litre XF for all services done in the first five years or 102,000km.

The Jaguar XF is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

What is the Jaguar XF like to drive?

37

The XF P300 is in its element when cruising, the 2.0-litre engine producing 221kW and 400Nm paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system.

It’s capable of pulling the 1819kg luxury sedan from 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds, but isn’t as punchy off the mark as I hoped. With peak power reached at 5500rpm, it has good mid-range acceleration and that helps with overtaking.

The powertrain feels refined, though when you press the start button the initial high-revs create quite a racket that’s rather unbecoming for a car like this. But once the engine warms and the idling slows it’s very quiet, with minimal engine noise the move, helped by excellent soundproofing that includes active noise cancellation.

37

The XF P300 is in its element when cruising, the 221kW 2.0-litre engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system.

The downside of a big cat that prefers to purr than roar is the lack of a smile-inducing engine note when you put the foot down, though if you have a soul you’ll likely be keeping your eardrums greased with the 400W 13-speaker Meridian sound system that’s part of the standard kit.

Regardless of powertrain, you expect a big Jag to ride and handle well and to this end, the XF doesn’t disappoint. It corners with poise thanks to a taut chassis with double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, and its already supple ride is further ironed out with the optional adaptive dampers fitted to our car.

The electrically assisted steering feels sharp and fluid, provides good communication with the road, and is surprisingly direct for a car this size.

What is the Jaguar XF like for safety?

37

The second-generation XF has a five-star ANCAP rating that was awarded in February 2016.

It has six airbags including two front, front-side, and full-length side curtains as well as seatbelt reminders.

Advanced driver assistance technology includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, low-speed autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert and driver alert monitor.

You’ll have no excuses for not knowing what’s going on outside the XF, which now features a Clear Exit Monitor that alerts both front and rear occupants to the presence of an approaching car or cyclist when exiting the vehicle.

Also new is the 360-degree, surround-view parking monitor, rear-collision alert and ‘ClearSight’ electronic ‘mirror’ that uses a camera mounted on the roof to provide an unimpeded rear-view image – if you prefer using the standard mirror you can turn the camera feed off and on.

The verdict

37

While the four-cylinder engine won’t satisfy the purists, there is a lot to like about the revised XF. It embodies the sporty sophistication associated with Jaguar and while it doesn’t set the world on fire when putting the foot down, it’s enjoyable enough for me to seek any reason to take it for a spin.

If this is the final XF as we know it, then it’s fair to say that as an overall package Jaguar has left its best til last. However, I don’t think that will be enough to sway buyers from the bigger-selling F-Pace SUV, which shares its interior and underpinnings.

2021 Jaguar XF R-Dynamic HSE P300 AWD specifications

37