Used Jaguar XF Saloon 2015-2024 review

The Jaguar XF has long been something of a left-field choice for those seeking a smart luxury car. This second-generation version was launched in 2015 and follows in the footsteps of the original 2008-2015 Jaguar XF in offering arrestingly suave looks allied to a slick and rewarding driving experience.

This model is predominantly made of aluminium. It’s lighter and leaner than the first XF, yet bigger inside, too – another overhaul prescribed by its predecessor’s shortcomings.

Engines & Performance: It also got a range of new engines, with four variants of JLR's 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Ingenium diesel engines, which was further supplemented by a trio of Ingenium petrols two years after launch in 2017, while the top-of-the-range is dominated by 3.0-litre V6 petrol and diesel engines mainly found in the XF S.

Later models, from 2019 onwards, trimmed the range down, with just 2.0-litre engines being sold. These were the 2.0 247bhp P250 and 296bhp P300 petrol-engined cars, and the 201bhp D200 diesel-engined model. The most recent upgrade in 2020 introduced a heavily revised interior (developed in conjunction with the F-Pace SUV), an 11.4in touchscreen infotainment system, a mild-hybrid diesel engine and a rationalisation of the trim line-up.

Ride & Handling: Luxury cars like this have to be smooth and relaxing to drive and, on this count, the XF certainly scores well. Even with the optional, larger wheels it’s suitably wafty, though you do feel a trace of the rippled road surfaces below you making their way through to your backside. XFs with 19in wheels or less seem to cure even this minor irritation, providing a thoroughly fitting level of comfort.

Happily, this comfort doesn’t come at the expense of handling. For such a large car, the way the XF can move through corners is little short of astonishing; the nose swings into corners the instant you turn the wheel, while the supple suspension damps out mid-corner bumps and allows the XF to glide fluidly from corner to corner with perfect control.

Meanwhile, the car is beautifully balanced and responds sweetly to your throttle and steering inputs. The result is a car that’s a delight whether you’re on a twisting back road, a fast, sweeping A-road or a motorway.

Interior & Practicality: Inside, the XF could be just as impressive, were it not for a couple of flies in the ointment. First, there’s the infotainment system, which has a few labyrinthine menus and doesn’t respond as quickly as it should; then there’s the build quality – some of the switchgear and a couple of the plastics feel a little cheaper than the equivalent rivals’.

Fortunately, smart touches such as the knurled gear selector and the arc of wood veneer that stretches across the dashboard do a good job of distracting you. Space, meanwhile, isn’t an issue for any occupant – there’s more in a couple of its rivals, but you have to question whether you’d really need it.

Trims & Equipment: There are four trim levels to choose from for the Jaguar XF - Prestige, Portfolio, R-Sport and S, split into two categories - Luxury and Sport. The entry-level Luxury models, also known as Prestige, get 17in alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, leather upholstery, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, rear parking sensors and Jaguar's InControl Touch infotainment system complete with Jaguar's standard 80W audio system.

Upgrade to Portfolio and your XF gets more luxuries such as 18in alloy wheels, Windsor-clad leather upholstery, more electrical front seat adjustment, gloss veneer, split-folding rear seats, a heated windscreen, keyless entry, front parking sensors and a reversing camera, as well as a 380W Meridian sound system. Opt for the R-Sport trim and the XF gains a sporty bodykit, sports suspension, black headlining, front parking sensors and lots of exterior gloss black trim on top of the Prestige trim, while the range-topping S models get 19in alloy wheels, a more aggressive bodykit, red brake calipers, keyless entry, a 380W Meridian sound system, a reversing camera and adaptive dampers added to the package.

Later models redefined the trims to S, R-Dynamic S, R-Dynamic SE and R-Dynamic HSE. Entry-level S-grade cars aren’t stingy on kit. Heated 12-way electrically adjustable leather seats, cruise control, automatic LED headlights and wipers, LED daytime running lights, a powered tailgate, front and rear parking sensors and the 11.4in Pivi Pro infotainment are all standard.

Stepping up to R-Dynamic SE trim adds a powered steering column, keyless entry, 16-way electrically adjustable sports seats, digital dials, directional indicators and additional safety kit. It’s also worth pointing out R-Dynamic-grade cars also get more aggressive styling including black detailing, bigger alloy wheels and a bespoke bodykit. Meanwhile, range-topping R-Dynamic HSE trim gets luxuries such as 20in alloy wheels, sport seats with Windsor leather, a fantastic 400W Meridian Sound System and adaptive cruise control with steering assistance.

Interested in buying a used Jaguar XF? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

You can buy a used Jaguar XF for around £7000 if you're comfortable with a 2015/'16 diesel car with around 70,000 miles to its name. Up your budget to between the £10,000 to £12,000 mark, though, and your options will open up – lower mileages, petrol engines, higher trim levels.

For a 2019 car, you'll need around £14,000 rising to £20,000 for a 2021 model. Nearly new 2024 XFs go for around £34,000 at least.

If you fancy an XF S, have at least £12,000 to spend, regardless of the year it was registered.

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MPG: Whether you choose a petrol or a diesel, fuel economy figures don’t tend to match up to those of the XF’s rivals – in fact, some engines lag behind rivals from BMW and Audi by as much as 10mpg, according to the official figures.

The good news is that if you choose our favourite version – the 178bhp 2.0 diesel – you’ll find that economy figures don’t lag behind quite as much as some rivals, with a combined figure of 54.3mpg. The slower 161bhp 2.0 is marginally better at 57.6mpg, while the 237bhp version gets 53.3mpg.

Petrol versions of the XF will drain their tanks with alarming speed. The supercharged 3.0-litre V6 is the thirstiest engine of the lot and achieves a figure of just 34mpg. Neither the 237bhp or 296bhp 2.0-litre petrols are much better, with results of 38.7mpg and 36.7mpg, respectively. The least potent 197bhp 2.0 petrol clocks in at 41.5mpg.

Under the later WLTP tests the P250 averages 34.9mpg, the P300 32.8mpg and the diesel-engined D200 53.8mpg in its lesser trims.

CO2 emissions: Not all engines were available before the 1 April 2017 changeover in how car tax is calculated, so we're only looking at the ones that were here. The 161bhp 2.0-litre diesel has the lowest emissions of 104g/km, followed by the 178bhp model with 114g/km. The 3.0-litre V6 diesel emits 144g/km, while the 3.0-litre V6 petrol chucks out 198g/km.

Road tax: Those high consumption figures translate to high emissions figures, with the result that most of the XFs registered before the 1 April 2017 tax change will incur higher tax than their like-for-like rivals. Cars registered after the road tax changes of April 2017 came into force will pay the annual car tax (VED) at the flat rate, plus an additional fee, if the car cost more than £40,000 new, which is payable between years two and six of the vehicle's age. These currently stand at £190 per year for the VED and £410 for the supplementary tax.

Servicing: Servicing costs are a little pricier than rivals, so it’s worth finding out whether the car you’re looking at is already covered by a pre-paid servicing package; if it is, you might not have to pay for any services until it’s five years old. If not, your XF will be eligible for Jaguar’s fixed-price servicing scheme once it hits three years old – though even then, it won’t be as cheap as its competitors.

Reliability

As part of our 2023 Reliability Survey, owners of both petrol and diesel Jaguar XF models reported several recurring issues. Electrical problems were common, with infotainment system malfunctions, warning light errors, and door lock failures frequently mentioned. Diesel owners also highlighted issues with the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), often leading to costly repairs.

Experiences with Jaguar dealerships varied significantly. Some readers praised their local dealers for efficient and friendly service, successfully resolving issues under warranty. However, many others expressed frustration over long wait times for appointments and parts, inconsistent communication, and high repair costs once the warranty expired. Some customers noted that problems often required multiple visits to resolve fully.

Discover more about used Jaguar XF reliability and common problems on our dedicated reliability page.

Engine: We'd pick the best all-round compromise between power and efficiency – the 2.0d 180 – as our engine of choice.

Specification: There are plenty of Prestige examples available second-hand because it was one of the most popular trim levels when new. Even though it’s the entry-level version, you still get a heap of standard equipment.

Our favourite Jaguar XF: 2.0d 180 Prestige

The most obvious alternative is the BMW 5 Series; it won our Car of the Year award in 2017 and continues to be probably the best used buy in the class for most buyers. It’s smart, classy inside, extremely comfortable and just as much fun to drive as the Jaguar XF – while also being more efficient. It’s pricier to buy, mind you.

The same can be said for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which isn’t quite such fun to drive as the Jaguar, but outpoints it with a genuinely beautiful interior that’s a joy to use. It’s more spacious, too.

Finally, there’s the Audi A6. The A6 has one of the best interiors in the business. What’s more, its engines are efficient.

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Interested in buying a used Jaguar XF? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.