Jaguar XF 3,0 V6 Luxury

The XF was the last new Jaguar to be unveiled under Ford's Premier Automotive Group custodianship and was heralded as a fresh new face that would signal the future direction of the embattled marque's products. As it turns out, the XF is now the flag bearer for the marque under the ownership of the India-based Tata.

One would think that it wouldn't take much for the XF to eclipse its long-serving and much-maligned S-Type predecessor, but traditionalists have argued that the newcomer is too derivative and I quote “it's a Mazda6 with a Slazenger badge on its bootlid”. Well, I don't agree and here’s why: Having almost gone under due to disappointing X-Type sales and flattered to deceive with its Aston Martin-lookalike XK, Jaguar had to dispose of its “draws on the classic lines of the [insert model name here] that was built long before your parents were born” designs.

The result is a car that manages to have a striking presence, but without screaming "look at me". The muscular exterior design is superbly-detailed... Note the large grille and back-swept headlamp treatment, dramatic side windows, sweeping silhouette and the handsome 18-inch rims. Even the XF's rump is seductively contoured, complete with slim-line rear light clusters and a pair of trapezoidal exhaust tips at either end of the rear apron – you may not get V8 power with this XF, but at least the styling does not suffer for it, save for smaller wheels, of course.

But the one aspect of the XF that lends a great sense of occasion to the Jaguar executive saloon's driving experience is the newcomer's interior. I have never seen beige leather and rich brown trim (which Jaguar calls the Champaign and Truffle combo), combined with a textured grey aluminium facia with so much success. The interior's architecture is of such a nature that the cabin always feels spacious (the rotating ventilation outlets and receding JaguarDrive Selector certainly help) and at night, the entire cabin is illuminated in pretty phosphor blue lighting.

All those rectangular shapes and grey switchgear could have turned the interior into something resembling an explosion at a discount Korean hi-fi store, but it all clicks together so nicely. Other highlights include a superb driving position and an elegant multi-function steering wheel, ergonomically-sound touch-screen sat nav/infotainment system and front and rear park sensors (with reverse camera).

It is also incredible easy to just flop into the XF's driver's seat, drop your keyless entry fob into one of the pockets in the console and set off. The British executive saloon is no lightweight, and its 3,0-litre V6 produces a relatively modest 175 kW and 293 N.m of torque... Therefore, you need to use the shift paddles to extract optimal performance from the V6's six-speed automatic gearbox. Having said that, the XF’s engine is otherwise refined, suitably vocal in its upper rev range and the transmission arguably as slick as that of any competitor in this segment.

Although I would love to experience the XF with the added oomph of a V8 under its bonnet, the V6 will easily suffice for everyday use. Besides, with such neutral handling, precise reaction to driver inputs (steering, throttle and braking), the lighter V6 might actually hold an edge over its heavier V8-engined siblings in the handling department.

To sum up - the XF makes the perfect argument for a buyer not to follow the trend of buying an up-spec compact saloon instead of an executive offering. As an entry-level model, the new Jaguar comes loaded with standard features, is arguably the pick of the litter, and it makes a bold statement in an otherwise mediocre segment. The XF could offer better rear legroom and the fact that Jaguar isn’t ranked on JD Power’s SA Customer Satisfaction Index (due to inadequate sample size) could compel buyers to stick with more established brands at purchase time.

But not me. I want one.