2014 Jaguar XF

The 2014 Jaguar XF comes in five trim levels starting with the inline four-cylinder trim level that produces a respectable 240 horsepower and comes at $46,975, enough to go head-to-head with the competition. The wide gap between the I-4 and the V8 engine is filled by the V6 supercharged offering with a big horsepower bump to 380 and coming in at around just three and a half grand more. The V6 trim level also comes with an AWD trim level which is oriented for tracks and roads with less traction like rain or snow. All trim levels have heated seats, ABS/traction control, heated mirrors, AM/FM radio, dual-zone climate control, and a parking assist system as standard.

After the V6 trim level, the XF lineup quickly turns over to more performance-oriented trim levels like the supercharged V8 and the R trim levels which push the car into a different ballpark altogether. The V8 comes with a supercharged five-liter eight-cylinder motor. The XFR and the XFRS are wholly different beasts with weight reduction, higher tuning producing 550 HP in the XFRS, and bigger wheel sizes which go up to 20 inches in the XFR-S. The V8 versions also come with more features like a SatNav system, lumbar support, and Sirius AM/FM satellite radio system.

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Even though all the trims have a specific purpose, and all are aimed towards buyers of respective categories, the V6 supercharged trim level comes as a banger, giving performance and features combined in a package just around $3,500 more than the inline-four one. The trim level also comes with an AWD trim level, but the RWD one is sufficient for track days or just driving along long stretches of road. The packages above the v6 model are much more performance-oriented and would suffice to just a specific niche of car buyers.

If performance is what you crave then the 2014 Jaguar XF is right up your alley. Even the inline 4 trim level produces 240 horsepower which can hit 0-60 in just 7.5 seconds. The upper trim levels have a lot more power. The performance figures include a 0-60 MPH timing of just 4.4 seconds for the XFRS. The car’s automatic system coupled with the paddle shifters makes shifting effortless and thus makes it easier to throw the XF around the corners. The V6 trim level also comes with an AWD system which is beautifully designed by Jaguar to put power on all four wheels making it easier to maneuver and control in less ideal conditions like rain or snow.

If we compare the inline-four trim level which is the base trim level of the XF, it does lag behind in some areas such as top speed and torque, but it is certainly a strong contender with its 240 HP engine that goes head-to-head with the 528i. Its acceleration is also certainly quick only to be beaten by the Audi A6 which is quick for an FWD car. Overall, the Jaguar sits in between the competition but only on paper. The car feels much more agile because of its suspension setup and sporty tuning.

The fuel economy of the 2014 Jaguar XF is average or even slightly below it. So much focus on performance has a few drawbacks and gas mileage is one of them. The XF gives just 19 MPG in the city and 30 on the highway which is rather dull numbers. The XF also comes with an average tank capacity of 18.4 gallons which is not a lot considering the numbers for BMW and Audi both having 18.8 and 19.8 gallons as tank capacity, respectively. Even here the Mercedes is the worst offender with the smallest tank capacity of just 17.4 gallons.

The range is also a limiting factor for the XF, being only a bit better than the E 350 but clearly worse than the 528i and the Audi A6. When we compare these to Audi’s 25 MPG in the city or BMW's 34 MPG on the highway, the distinction is quite visible. The only car in the comparison that the XF beats is the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E 350 which has subpar figures of 19 MPG in the city and 28 on the highway.

The interior of the Jaguar XF is more of an experience rather than just features and materials. While the XF lacks what most of the competition is offering especially in terms of connectivity which is limited to AM/FM and USB, the interior of the car is an experience that makes luxury seem like an understatement. Firstly, everything that you touch is made from the finest materials. From the wood finishes to the aluminum dash trims, everything feels good to the touch. 

The double-stitched leather seats are extremely soft, and this makes sure that you are indeed sitting in a Jaguar. Yes, the headroom/shoulder room is not much with just 37.1 and 56.9 inches when we compare it to the other vehicles, but this is a fallback that comes with aggressive and sporty styling. The cabin still feels upmarket. The higher trim levels come with satellite navigation and Sirius AM/FM satellite radio connectivity.

Despite its smaller dimensions, the Jaguar does not fail to impress and will not forget to remind you even for a second that you are sitting in a luxury sedan. The only down point is that the competition which is the Audi A6, BMW 528i, and the Mercedes-Benz E 350 offers much more when it comes to creature comforts. But in the end, the experience that the XF offers is not in any way less than the rivals in terms of luxury and the feel of the cabin. Salient features of the 2014 Jaguar XF sedan include:

• Leather Steering Wheel
• Keyless Ignition
• Leather Upholstery
• Electric Power Steering
• Interior Air Filtration

How intuitive is the 2014 Jaguar XF’s infotainment system?

The infotainment system in the 2014 Jaguar XF comes with an 8-speaker audio system integrated with a 7-inch touch screen. The center console offers connectivity options like AM/FM connectivity, USB connectivity, parking assist, etc. The higher trim levels also come with satellite navigation, a 12 or 17 speaker Meridian system, and a backup camera. The infotainment system is intuitive but a struggle to use as it is not as responsive and a bit laggy when it comes to touch controls and input. Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are as follows:

• AM/FM Connectivity
• USB
• Parking assist
• In-Cabin Wi-Fi
• The navigation system in higher models

This is the class where the 2014 Jaguar XF really shines. The 2014 trim level comes with little updates to the exterior with some additional curves and styling but it does look like a different car when compared to its rivals. The XF looks gorgeous with aggressive styling cues and a fluid swooping back that makes it distinctly a Jaguar. 

Even though the model was launched 6 years ago, it still looks modern and the philosophy of if it is not broken why fix it remains. It has a unique design that comes with a stance that clearly upholds the design of Jaguar’s logo which is the pouncing Jaguar. The swooping back and styling details like the chrome inserts exude luxury and performance.

A relatively shorter wheelbase and the smallest ground clearance clearly give away the XF’s intent that it is not just focusing on delivering luxury but performance as well. On the other hand, the rivals shine with bigger dimensions giving them a bigger look but a less sporty appearance. Notable exterior features of the Jaguar XF include:

• 18.0-inch Alloy Wheels
• LED Headlights
• Splash Guards
• Power tailgates
• Fog lights
• Wheel Lock Kit

Not a lot of crash tests were performed on the 2014 Jaguar XF, but all trim levels get equipped with six airbags as standard, ABS and Stability control, traction control, and rear parking sensors and cameras in higher trim levels. The competition comes with a longer list of safety features and scores from American crash testing agencies as well. This is one class where the 2014 Jaguar XF tends to fall behind. Some of the standout safety features are as follows:

• Electronic stability control
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Backup camera
• Blind-spot monitoring system
• 360-degree camera
• 9 airbags

The 2014 Jaguar XF is a mixed bag when it comes to the class. It is focused on being a vehicle that balances performance and luxury but on the way, it loses on some key features that the competition excels at. Especially the BMW and the Mercedes, which come with class-leading safety features, and the Audi which offers good performance, even though it is FWD. The higher trim levels of the 5 Series and the E-Class offer great performance as well. The decision at the end boils down to whether you would like a different experience than what the Germans provide and go for the quintessentially British offering.