Jaguar — the luxury brand known for its cars — currently makes only two kinds of them. And only one of them is a sedan.
The rest are crossovers, which everyone else is known for making.
It makes one wonder why Jaguar decided to make them, too, as opposed to making more of what everyone else isn't making much anymore — like the XF sedan.
What It Is
The XF is a midsize luxury-sport sedan that competes with the handful of other such sedans still on the market, including the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class sedans. Like them, it is available in both rear-drive and all-wheel-drive versions.
Unlike either of them, it is only available with a four-cylinder engine. It also comes standard with a much smaller (just 10.5 cubic feet) trunk than they do.
But it also carries a much lower starting price — $47,000 — than they do.
The Mercedes-Benz E350's base price is $54,950. A BMW 5 Series stickers for $54,200. That $10,000 difference makes up a lot for less space in the trunk.
Indeed, you can buy a top-of-the-line XF P300 R Dynamic — which comes standard with a more powerful four-cylinder engine and standard AWD — for $51,000 and still spend thousands less than what Mercedes and BMW are asking for the four-cylinder-powered (and less powerful) rear-wheel-drive versions of their luxury-sport sedans.
What's New
The XF wagon is no longer available.
What's Good
Attractive pricing.
Attractive looks.
Twelve-speaker stereo, panorama sunroof and wireless charger are among the standard features.
What's Not So Good
No more than just a four.
Not much trunk.
Many desirable options aren't available with the base P250 S trim.
Under The Hood
Every '22 XF is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which isn't much engine by historical standards, as well as Jaguar standards. Memories of Jaguar inline sixes and even V12s linger like those of a time when only the homeless and extreme hypochondriacs wore masks.
But there are two versions of this engine available.
The standard version produces 248 horsepower. The optional version amps that up to 296 via a bit more turbo boost and other tweaks. Both engines are paired with the same eight-speed automatic. The 248-horsepower engine in the P250 versions sends its power to the rear wheels. The stronger version, to all four — via a standard AWD system.
Jaguar doesn't offer the stronger engine without AWD — and you cannot get the standard engine with AWD. This may disappoint potential buyers who want more power and more traction.
With the standard engine (and RWD), the XF takes about 6.5 seconds to get to 60 mph. Opting for the stronger engine (and AWD) gets you there about 1 second sooner — and gets you a 155 mph top speed (electronically limited) versus 149 for the standard-engine Jag.
On The Road
The four moves the Jag well enough — more so if you get the optional iteration of it. But it doesn't sound like much or feel much different than the turbo fours that power so many other cars. If this Jaguar had the V8 you can still get in the F-Type, it would sound and feel more like something else.
The V8 in the F-Type serves as a counterpoint in more ways than one. Jaguar used to offer the latter as an option, with the 2.0 four as standard. Now — for what is likely its last hurrah — it only comes with a V8. This being Jaguar's bittersweet goodbye to the V8, before it goes away — not in favor of a four but in favor of an electric motor.
But at least the XF is still a luxury-sport sedan, and that is no small difference given the ubiquity of luxury-sport crossovers, which even Jaguar now makes more of than cars.
At The Curb
Jags have never been especially practical cars because they didn't need to be. People bought Jaguar cars because they were beautiful cars. Some of them were so beautiful it didn't matter that they weren't especially reliable, either.
It has been said that an E-Type in the garage looks better than a Corolla on the road — and there is much truth in that.
Current Jaguars are more reliable but less practical in some ways — the XF's tiny 10.5 cubic foot trunk, for instance. A Corolla (which is a much smaller car) has a much larger (13.1 cubic feet) trunk. The more apt comparison may be with the BMW 5 and Mercedes E, both of which are about the same size (midsize) and both of which have more appropriately sized trunks (18.7 cubic feet for the BMW).
The Rest
Though this Jag no longer offers more than one engine type, there are many options to choose from insofar as the amenities — if you opt for the P250 SE. Then you can get red powder-coated (and higher performance) brake calipers, poking out of 19-inch (rather than 18-inch) wheels as well as an adaptive suspension, heated windshield (and steering wheel) and massaging seats, among the many available.
But none of them are available as options with the base P250 S trim. This includes all-wheel drive, as discussed earlier.
The Bottom Line
The current XF, which dates back to the 2016 model year, may be your last chance to buy a Jaguar sedan. And one that isn't "electrified."
Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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