Used Jaguar XF 2007 - 2015 review

The Jaguar XF was a radical departure for Jaguar when it first went on sale in late 2007. Retro styling was out, replaced instead by a sleek, far more modern look.

Now, this first-generation XF has long been something of a raffish choice for those seeking a smart used luxury car at a reasonable price. The 2015-onwards, second-generation Jaguar XF follows in its footsteps offering arrestingly suave looks allied to a slick and rewarding driving experience.

A 2.7-litre diesel-engined model kicked off the range initially. However, the punchier 3.0-litre diesel engine that replaced it in mid-2009 was even better.

The next major change came in 2011, when Jaguar restyled the car, giving it more modern looking front and rear lights and a slightly classier interior. At the same time it added a 2.2-litre diesel engine, but while this is the most efficient engine in the range, it feels a little underpowered and still isn’t as easy on fuel as an equivalent BMW 5 Series is.

Originally, the most powerful XF was the supercharged 4.2-litre petrol SV8, but when the car was facelifted this was replaced with an R model that uses a 5.0-litre petrol V8 and produces more than 500bhp. Both V8s are naturally expensive to run, as is the 3.0-litre V6 petrol.

Jaguar went to town when deciding what should be fitted to the XF as standard. Sat-nav, climate control, electrically adjustable seats, a leather interior and parking sensors are all included on the lower-spec Luxury model, while the Premium Luxury also gets higher-quality seats, upgraded interior trim, larger alloys, keyless entry and powered folding mirrors. The 2.2-litre diesel is also available in a more basic SE specification.

Jaguar also managed to make it more fun to drive than the contemporary versions of the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, as well as insulating passengers well from wind and road noise. True, the XF's ride has a firm edge to it, but it’s never overly uncomfortable.

The wow factor continues on the inside, where everything is backlit in cool blue, and starting the engine causes the air vents to power open and the gear selector to rise out of the centre console.

There's plenty of space in the front, but the sloping roofline and thinly padded rear seat base means this isn’t the most comfortable place to spend long journeys. Storage-wise, the boot is big enough for suitcases or golf bags, and the rear seats fold down for extra space.

If you're interested in finding a used Jaguar XF, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

At this age of car, the condition becomes king, so always check the history of your car carefully. A budget of around £7000 can get you an early example. Spend between £8000 and £10,000 on a post-facelift 2011 car in good condition with an average mileage for the year, and between £10,000 and £12,000 on a later, post-facelift car from 2012 to 2015 with an average mileage.

The most popular engine when the XF first went on sale was a 2.7-litre diesel, which emits 199g/km of CO2. However, in 2009 this was replaced by a 3.0-litre, which managed 179g/km, so this is cheaper to tax, despite having more power. What’s more, it averages a fuell efficiency figure of 41.5mpg in official tests, compared with the 37.4mpg of the 2.7-litre-engined model.

Later in the car’s life, Jaguar introduced a 2.2-litre diesel engine which is more efficient once again, with an official average of 52.3mpg – although our True MPG fuel economy tests suggest 42mpg is more likely in the real world.

All cars were registered before the tax changes of April 2017 came into force so will be charged an annual fee according to the CO2 emissions.

If you’re buying a car that’s still under warranty, you should stick to franchised dealers for servicing until it expires. While this will cost noticeably more than at an independent, it will help resale values and ensure that all maintenance work and software updates are carried out.

A 2.7-litre diesel-engined model is a fine choice, combining low running costs with enough power for the XF to be entertaining. However, the 3.0-litre diesel engine that replaced it in mid-2009 is even better.

Sat-nav, climate control, electrically adjustable seats, a leather interior and parking sensors are all included on the lower-spec Luxury model, while the Premium Luxury also gets higher-quality seats, upgraded interior trim, larger alloys, keyless entry and powered folding mirrors. The 2.2-litre diesel is also available in a more basic SE specification.

Our favourite used Jaguar XF: 3.0 D V6 Premium Luxury

The XF is aimed squarely at the 2010-2017 BMW 5 Series. That isn’t quite as fun to drive, but it’s still far from cumbersome in corners and offers more interior space. If you go for the 520d model, you also get a 2.0-litre diesel engine that’s stronger, smoother and more efficient than the 2.2-litre diesel of the XF.

Alternatively, if comfort is your top priority, you should consider the 2016-onwards Mercedes E-Class. It glides over bumps like a magic carpet - as long as you avoid models with the optional sports suspension, that is - and like the 5-Series, it’s more spacious than the XF. The biggest problem with the E-Class is its four-cylinder diesel engine, because it’s noisy and sends a lot of vibration into the car.

The final member of the German big three is the 2011-2018 Audi A6. It can’t match the handling of the XF or 5 Series, or the ride comfort of the E-Class, but it counters those shortcomings with the classiest interior of the lot.

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If you're interested in finding a used Jaguar XF, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.