The All New 2009 Jaguar XF Luxury

The 2009 Jaguar XF is a new model, replacing the aging S-Type in Jaguar's lineup. And Jaguar got it right with this mid-sized, rear-wheel-drive sedan, which offers a fresh alternative to luxury imports such as the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, and Lexus GS.  Compared to this competition, the 2009 Jaguar XF is near the top of its class. The XF is intended to emulate the Jaguar XK's lines without sacrificing interior room. From its basic shape to its aerodynamic characteristics to its underlying structure, the 2009 Jaguar XF sedan is a modern automobile. It's also pure Jaguar, and while its styling is intended to create a template for Jaguars to come, the XF was given certain traits that the one associates with one of Britain's best-known brands. The main downsides to the 2009 XF Luxury are that its grille looks cheap, it takes premium gas, its got a high backseat floor hump, and its backup camera option is outdated.  The best things about the XF are the superior ride and handling, its drivetrain performance and sound, its contemporary cabin design, and its control ergonomics. The 2009 Luxury is one of the best equipped base models in this class, with features like rear park assist, passive keyless entry and start and a power glass sunroof included in the price. The standard seating is bond-grain leather, with satin-finish walnut and aluminum trim, a 320-watt, eight-speaker stereo and 18-inch alloy wheels.

XF Power

The standard drivetrain is a 4.2-liter V-8 with the six-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel. Jaguar says the XF from goes zero to 60 mph in roughly 6.2 seconds. Dynamic and Winter modes optimize the accelerator progression, shift schedules and stability-system operation for sporty driving and foul weather, respectively.  The 4.2 liter V8 comes naturally aspirated. The XF engine is an updated version of what was used in Jaguar's S-Type sedan (which the XF replaces), with reinforced engine blocks to reduce vibration and the latest control technology.

Driving the Jaguar XF Lux

The lower trim levels such as the Luxury have conventional four-wheel-independent suspensions.  The new Jaguar XF measures up to the best cars in its class in just about every respect, and its over-the-road performance is excellent.  From the driver's seat, the XF delivers everything one would look for in a medium-sized sport-luxury sedan.  The XF is smooth, fast, and responsive, but also quiet and comfortable. Its six-speed automatic transmission might be the best in any luxury car anywhere, and contributes considerably to the enjoyable driving experience. Perhaps best of all, the XF has lots of those subtle little characteristics that somehow make it better than others in its class.

Luxury Trim Design

 
The XF Luxury is shaped very aerodynamically, and this design helps keep it stable at high speeds, reduce wind noise inside and reduce fuel consumption at a given speed, compared to a car with more drag. The XF windshield has the same raked angle as the Jaguar XK., and the XF also carries front fender vents similar to the XK's. Distinctive characteristics to the 2009 XF, though, include a sculpted hood and a prominent aluminum frame surrounding the side windows. The car's smallish mesh grille and large lower-bumper vents carry over from the C-XF concept, but the formerly slitlike headlights are much larger.  In the rear are high-mounted LED taillights that emulate Aston Martin - much like the XK was charged with ripping off an Aston-style front end. Alloy wheel sizes range from 17 to 20 inches. 

Inside the XF

The interior of the '09 XF combines traditional British cues with contemporary touches, like a rotary knob in the center console that serves as a gear selector. With its c ontinued dedication to ease of use, Jaguar does not use this knob as a multifunction controller like the German and some Japanese makers do. Like the XK, the XF's in-dash LCD is a touch-screen. When the engine is started, the JaguarDrive Selector knob rises out of the console, and closed air conditioning vents rotate to the open position. Actions like these and the pulsing-red engine Start button are what interior designers call theater. The XF also uses proximity sensors in place of switches or handles for the reading lights and glove compartment lid, a wave of the hand does the trick. The XF Luxury's large trunk can be expanded by folding the backseat forward. Standard and optional features include heated and cooled front seats, front and rear sonar parking aids, a backup camera, a blind spot monitor, adaptive cruise control, Bluetooth wireless phone capability and inputs for an iPod, a generic MP3 player or a USB storage device. There's a choice of three audio rigs, the best of which is a Bowers & Wilkins premium surround-sound system.

Safety for the XF

The 2009 XF is also at the top of its class for safety.  It is slightly larger in just about every exterior dimension than the Audi A6, which was previously the largest car in this class. Its underlying structural design is driven by safety considerations, and particularly by the goal of protecting against side impacts and the tendency of tall, sport-utility type vehicles to slide upward in collisions with sedans.  Jaguar has applied a host of high-tech metals, including high-carbon steels, dual-phase steel, hot-formed boron and bake-hardened steels, to create a vertical safety ring around the XF's occupant cell. Jaguar claims that the XF will deliver the best crash protection in the class with a body/frame package that is lighter than that of its competitors. Safety features include dual-stage frontal airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags, and curtain airbags for front and rear side-impact protection. For more specifications on this trim, read a 2009 Jaguar XF Luxury review by myride.com.  Active head restraints come on the front seats. Antilock disc brakes with brake assist and brake-force distribution are standard. Also onboard are traction control and an electronic stability system.  For another take on the XF Luxury click here.