Jaguar is in the middle of the largest company-wide rejuvenation that the brand has ever seen, reevaluating from the ground up who they are and what they do. The reveal of the Jaguar’s future has been one of enormous controversy since the Type 00 was announced. With a refresh in values and perception that pivots towards a fully-electric, top-end luxury car horizon, it’s hard to ignore the decades of classy and traditional British design being traded in for something that might alienate the core fanbase.
Just before this transition was set in stone for the public, the final fragments of the Jaguar we knew and loved were released into the world, ones that we could look at through retro-tinted glasses and still spot the pride and heritage. For people craving a British, large displacement, gasoline engine with classy design cues, Jaguar’s new lineup might not be for you. But set your mind a couple of years back, some of the true end-of-an-era vehicles were still being made. Ones that weren’t only proper Jaguars, but cars that the industry was forgetting about.
The Jaguar XF Had A Big Heritage Heart That Was Overshadowed
Regardless of what you think of the brand shift that is taking place as we speak, Jaguar, only a couple of years ago, had wonderful options available for those who required a traditional sedan. The XF had a 17-year production run, officially ending in 2024. Now, they serve as value-oriented, incredibly comfortable family cars that can truly get a shift on, and cars that were hidden in plain sight behind their German rivals. Whilst most people either moved on with the masses into F-Paces or German alternatives, the XF was a car that refused to sell its soul throughout its years, and it will be missed.
The Jaguar XF always remained the luxury sedan option that followed its own path, rather than one trying to chase the rest of the industry. With a classy and simplistic interior that interweaves an intuitive touchscreen alongside tactile buttons and dials, the 2024 XF felt like the perfect balance of dynamic modern technology nestled amongst a gorgeous array of leather and aluminum accents.
Swift Performance In Enormous Comfort
The 2021 to 2024 XF comes with the infamous Ingenium engine. “Ingenium” has become a word synonymous with catastrophic failure and bike-chain-like timing chains. Don’t be alarmed, however, these newer XFs use the matured AJ200 family of Ingenium engines, which had addressed the colossal red flags of the first generation 2015-2018 diesel (D200) powertrains, and meant that, despite the negative reputation, these engines became acceptably dependable. The timing chain was strengthened, and the far-improved thermal management meant that it was no longer worthy of its negative reputation. And for these 2024 models, two Ingeniums were utilized.
2021 – 2024 Jaguar XF P300 AWD
|
Engine |
2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder |
|
Horsepower |
296 |
|
Torque |
295 Ib-ft |
|
Transmission |
8-speed ZF automatic |
|
0 – 60 mph |
5.8 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
155 mph (restricted) |
|
Weight |
3,845 pounds |
While the realms of “performance car” were more suited to the previous iterations of the XF, which featured two V6s, one with 380 horsepower and the other with 340 horsepower, the final Ingenium models were performant enough to most consumers who prioritized smoothness and refinement over outright acceleration, though it did leave an element of excitement on the table from previous versions. If you require your XF to blow your socks off with sheer power, the older XFR-S has a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 with a frankly joyous 510 horsepower punch, designed to compete directly against the BMW M5. But, for most level-headed people, the more modern Ingenium four-cylinders are the more mundane, but more sensible choices.
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A Masterclass In Craftsmanship
Whilst German rivals always opt for the functional, tech-focused interior, Jaguar’s later iterations of the XF showed the industry how an interior was done properly. With HSE models including soft Windsor leather, grippy cricket ball stitching details, curved glass, rotary dials, precision-engineered button clicks, and an array of interior colors to choose from, such as Caraway and Siena Tan, you get a space that feels beyond luxurious; something that feels utterly detailed and fine-crafted. HSE models also come with a 650 watt Meridian sound system paired with the Jag’s active road noise cancellation technology, which uses humming frequencies through the speakers to drown out road noise for excellent acoustics.
More Interior Features And Technology
- A choice of 30 colors in the ambient light system
- Simplified UI means 90 percent of tasks can be done in one or two taps
- Active cabin air purification
- 3D rendered surround 360-degree camera
- Choice of digital or standard rearview mirror
The Everyday Practicalities Of Owning A Jaguar XF
With the later models of Jaguar XF scoring a respectable 7.5/10 on iSeeCars for reliability, it’s clear that the effort for the newer Ingenium engine’s improved durability seriously paid off, and with that in mind, when considering the Jag’s first few years of depreciation taking place, it is a great time to purchase one. Considering the 2021 to 2023 models range from $21,000 to $35,000, depending on spec and mileage, you get a very modern experience with some of the craftsmanship details that are hard to find under $50,000 in something modern and reliable.
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With a generous cargo space of 17.8 cubic feet and plenty of rear legroom even for adults, the Jaguar XF is a car of craftsmanship that the whole family can enjoy. Not only that, but its efficiency is reasonable too. With a combined mpg of 24–26, depending on whether you opt for the P250 or P300, expect the enormous 19.5-gallon fuel tank to be able to take you way over 500 miles on one fill-up.
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Why It Was The End Of An Era For Jaguar
The XF represented the final chapter of the Jaguar we’ve known and loved for 100 years. While this tradition has arguably been diluted since the start of the 21st century, the symbol of something with heritage on its sleeve, quintessential Britishness, and craftsmanship quality in a sedan was still alive in the final breaths of the XF. The end of this model proved to be one of the strongest legacies, being redefined in front of us. Jaguar wanted a clean slate as part of their “reimagined” strategy, and so the death of the XF marked the farewell to Jag’s internal combustion heritage, and a goodbye to traditional sedans.
It’s a real shame we let the XF go under the radar. While it made pricing more competitive and presented an excellent second-hand market opportunity, it has eventually led to a shift in Jaguar. One that can hopefully start another era that Jaguar can be proud of, not one that we will regret. Whatever happens, we will miss the V8 roar of a Jag, the feeling of the rear wheels behind propelled through internal combustion, and what it felt like to sit in a cabin of a car that felt so close to its heritage and pride.