2016 Jaguar XF India review, test drive

The second-gen Jaguar XF has made its India debut. We drive both petrol and diesel versions to see what it’s like.

Published on Oct 14, 2016 11:18:00 AM

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Should I buy one?

It depends on your priorities. If you drive yourself, like the buzz of being in control of a strong petrol engine, and value handling finesse more than plastic finish, the XF 25T petrol is the luxury sedan for you. It is the most rewarding petrol car to drive in the segment this side of the mad V8 versions. And while the diesel XF isn’t a standout performer, it more than gets the job done too.

On the other hand, the XF won’t be quite as easy a sell for buyers to whom luxury comes above all else. True, the XF improves over the older model in key areas, but there’s still some way to go in terms of refinement and cabin quality. And that’s talking in terms of today’s competition. Remember, the XF will be up against the likes of the new S90 and the next-gen E-Class and 5-series soon enough. Simply put, the XF isn’t the revolution it ought to have been.

What makes matters that bit harder for the XF is pricing. Yes, the petrol version is more powerful than rivals, but you also have to pay a premium for the performance. The Prestige trim’s Rs 55.65 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) tag makes it costlier than rivals and the gap increases dramatically when you take into account the top-spec Portfolio version that costs Rs 61.85 lakh. The diesel range starts at a more realistic Rs 49.50 lakh for the ‘base’ Pure trim, but you’ll have to shell out Rs 62.1 lakh for the fully-loaded Portfolio. As a result, even in a segment where car buying budgets are flexible, the XF comes across as pricey. And that is a shame for what is otherwise a thoroughly likeable car.