I was fortunate enough to get a base model 2.5t XF as a loaner this week. I've been pretty excited to drive the new XF, I've had some doubts about it when I first saw it in the showroom, my original thought was the styling was super bland (exterior and interior). It looks great with the R-Sport bumper, but not exciting in base spec.

having experienced the car for the past few days, the interior is a HUGE let down (at least in my opinion). styling and design is bland and minimalist, I actually think its a downgrade from the previous XF. The car was a base model that was bare bones. no heated seats? Meredian stereo is a disappointment. guage cluster is cheap plastic, overall materials are cheap looking. I understand its no XJ, but it should at least be nicer than the XE, in which case has basically the same quality materials.

the car is nice to drive at least. steering is direct and handles well. I am assuming its electronic and not hydrolic. transmission is quick and smooth. the 2.5t is boring, Compared to its competition, the E class and 5 series, this Jag is far behind

Are other peoples thoughts in line?

 

The upgraded trims do make a difference. Also, adding the technology pack gives you a much better audio system and upgrades the dash, much better.

To me the one big negative is the 4 cylinder engines. My Prestige has the 6, but you are stuck with the 4 on the new ones unless you go with the top of the line S trim.

 

The Jaguar interior trims for the current models (XF260) have caused some quite heated discussion due to their minimalistic appearance and apparent lack of quality. I like minimalistic interiors which is all a matter of taste, obviously, but the materials issue is another set of concerns entirely. I have had my 2017 MY XF for almost exactly a year and my initial concerns have vanished. The materials really are quite excellent but do not give that initial impression of quality and solidity until you drive alternatives which really, to me, have that, dare I say, tacky look that seems to be in fashion today.

I look at Mercedes Benz, Audi and BMW (and I have owned 13 BMWs and 1 MB) and they have gone the way of 'glitz is good' with fussy trim, instruments that looks as if they came out of a video game etc. I do have significant concerns with Jaguar electronics for audio/media/sat nav etc. They are slow and downright do not work for the media side (I still cannot get it to work with my music on an iPhone, playlists are not selectable, trying to select a specific track is impossible etc.) and the Meridian top level system (850W surround) in my car is terrible (boomy and poor definition - and I am a so called audiophile who has made good sound his life long goal - I used to design specialist speakers for the high end audio industry). So Jags are not perfect, but they have a silent and unobtrusive quality to them. Maybe I am just old fashioned, but I really appreciate my car even if the sound system is awful and the sat nav slow and inaccurate.