Jaguar XF 2.2D 190 CV, test drive (Equipment, prices and overall assessment)

After several days with the test of the Jaguar XF we reach the end of it in this third part. As we already announced, we have tested the Jaguar with a 2.2-litre diesel engine with 190 CV of power. Everything about the engine and performance we saw and analysed in the first part of the test, concluding that it is a more than sufficient powertrain in terms of performance.

The exterior design (which was recently updated) and the interior, without overlooking the quality of the finishes, are matters we covered in the second part of the test. Being a saloon with a high level of finish, on a par with premium brands or surpassing some competing models.

And after all this, now we turn to the equipment (including safety equipment), the prices of the Jaguar XF, and we will close with our overall assessment of this feline that has pleasantly surprised us, to the writer and to the test team at Highmotor.

Equipment

We begin by reviewing all the elements that make up the standard safety equipment of the Jaguar XF. This, by the way, is a somewhat controversial topic, since the XF in the EuroNCAP safety tests did not achieve the famous five stars and had to settle for four. But I do not want to get ahead of events, so let us start with a review of the safety equipment.

As standard the XF has front, side and curtain airbags, active head restraints, as well as stability control (with a specific cornering braking system), traction control, among other elements. It can be fitted with blind-spot monitoring for the mirror or even has a system that slightly raises the bonnet in the event of a pedestrian impact to mitigate possible injury.

Despite all these systems, when it was presented for the EuroNCAP safety tests it achieved only four stars. Looking for the explanation from the international body, they say it is due to the dashboard: some elements, in the event of a frontal collision, caused marginal knee injuries to the dummy. Because of this detail it did not obtain five stars, while in the side impact it received the maximum score.

After reviewing the safety equipment we must refer to the abundant and complete standard equipment of the Jaguar XF. Since from 45,900 euros (which could be even lower thanks to occasional promotions) we have available complete equipment that overlooks no detail, among which stand out the bi-xenon lights, dashboard trimmed in leather, leather seats, touchscreen, premium sound system, ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, 17-inch alloy wheels, among other elements.

The starting price may seem high, but if we count the standard fitment and that the least powerful engine has 190 CV, the figures work in favour of the Jaguar XF.

Among the optional elements present on our unit, the blind-spot warning (very useful), automatically folding mirrors, or the navigation and Bluetooth system stand out. Because the touchscreen comes as standard, from which we control all audio, climate and navigation functions (if we fit that extra).

It also had rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera, but no front sensors, a very recommendable element on a vehicle of these dimensions. Moreover, the various scrapes our test unit had on the front bear witness to this.

Premium details that we found were the interior lights, which were activated by a proximity sensor so there was no need to touch the light for it to come on, the dashboard trimmed in leather (standard), or the water jets built into the windscreen wipers, which prevented water from splashing and cleaned the glass much better.

The micro-perforated leather seats (an extra) had heating and also ventilation, meaning we could warm the seats or cool them with cool air (a real treat for summer).

Prices

• 2.2 Diesel Classic 45,900 euros
• 2.2 Diesel Luxury 49,330 euros
• 3.0 V6 Diesel Luxury 57,170 euros
• 3.0 V6 Diesel S Luxury 61,470 euros
• 5.0 V8 Luxury 76,110 euros
• 2.2 Diesel Premium Luxury 55,480 euros
• 3.0 V6 Diesel Premium Luxury 63,570 euros
• 3.0 V6 Diesel S Premium Luxury 67,870 euros
• 5.0 V8 Premium Luxury 81,908 euros
• 3.0 V6 Diesel S Portfolio 70,244 euros
• 5.0 V8 Portfolio 88,787 euros

Our test unit was a Jaguar XF 2.2D Premium Luxury priced at around 55,480 euros.

Overall Assessment

Before starting the overall assessment of the car, I would like to sum up our impressions of the model in a single thought: why are so few Jaguar XF sold, when the street is full of Audi A6s or BMW 5 Series?

Many of you may think we are somewhat radical in our opinions, but the truth is it has details that surprise and that other brands do not offer. First of all is the image, a car rarely seen on the street, and that, together with its sporty exterior look, gives it an exclusive touch.

On the other hand, the interior quality is that of a premium saloon, but almost no premium brand offers a leather-trimmed dashboard as standard, nor even leather seats as standard, and wood inserts are also usually another typical premium extra, yet the British firm includes all these elements as standard equipment from the base trim.

And the engine, is 190 CV enough? The answer is clear: yes. Jaguar has done a good job with this engine of PSA origin. It is curious how strong the response of this powertrain is, which, when tried in other models from the PSA giant, did not feel as powerful to me. That said, fuel consumption is rather improvable, since rivals with similar power are far more frugal.

The interior is spacious, perhaps the front seats could have more room and not feel so surrounded by the dashboard, but for travelling it is a very comfortable car. Finally, there is the matter of safety: Jaguar should improve the dashboard design to try to achieve the coveted five stars, but this does not mean it is an unsafe car.

It has a reinforced steel chassis and good safety equipment (where we only miss the knee airbag). Moreover, it is not the first premium saloon to stumble in EuroNCAP, as BMW know well, since the previous generation of the 5 Series had only four stars and that did not make it an unsafe vehicle.

Photos | David Taboada and test team

Technical specifications of this car

SedanJaguar XF7 versions · from 65,200 €