For years, Jaguar held a unique position in the automotive world. As the saying goes, owning a Jaguar wasn’t just about possession; it was a love affair. This came with its quirks – beautiful but perhaps less practical designs, and a reputation, sometimes unfairly earned, for reliability issues. While models like the 2000 XJ8 defied these stereotypes for some, the sentiment persisted. When the S-Type debuted, its classic lines were undeniably Jaguar, yet perhaps too reminiscent of past glories. Performance variants like the XJR and S-Type R offered speed, but they seemed more like comfortable cruisers than true competitors to their German counterparts. Jaguar’s focus was on “swift progress” and refined elegance, a distinctly British approach to performance. Their designs were undeniably stunning, drawing admiration wherever they went. However, when it came to making a purchase, many consumers opted for the more assertive presence of a BMW or Mercedes. Jaguar, despite its allure, often remained a beautiful but slightly overlooked choice in the luxury performance segment.
While at Jaguar to test drive the 2011 XJ, an unexpected opportunity arose: a chance to experience the 2010 Jaguar Xfr. Frankly, it wasn’t at the top of my list. Having recently driven the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and BMW M5, my body was still recovering. The M5’s unforgiving ride and the E63’s jarring transmission had left lasting impressions, and not in a good way. Therefore, I approached the XFR with a degree of apprehension. Jaguar was now directly challenging the German giants, aiming to create not just a faster Jaguar, but a true performance sedan capable of taking on the best from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Fortunately, the Jaguar XFR proved to be not only a worthy competitor to the German autobahn stormers, but also a uniquely compelling and refined performance machine in its own right.
Initially, judging from photos, the Jaguar XFR seemed to risk being too subtle, too conventional in its styling. However, in person, the front fascia is assertive and distinctive, while the rear possesses a hint of Aston Martin elegance that photographs fail to capture. The only slightly underwhelming angle is the side profile, which could perhaps be more sculpted. Parked beside a BMW or Mercedes, the XF, and by extension the XFR, might appear understated, or perhaps, more accurately, restrained. This minimalist design philosophy extends to the interior, which feels more Scandinavian-inspired than traditionally Coventry. The build quality is generally excellent, although some less refined plastic elements are present on the airbag cover and steering column. To be fair, the plastic on the airbag cover is comparable to that found in the E-Class and BMW 5 Series. However, the overall sumptuousness of the XFR‘s cabin makes these minor details stand out more noticeably. In terms of interior quality and feel, the Jaguar XFR scores highly against its German rivals, rivaling all except perhaps the Audi RS6.
Stepping up to the XFR from the standard XF brings a significant upgrade in luxury and sporting ambiance. The XFR boasts full leather upholstery with enhanced seat bolstering, a meticulously stitched dashboard, an Alcantara headliner, and dark oak trim accented with knurled aluminum. Virtually every option available on the XF comes standard on the XFR, including 20-inch wheels, subtle side skirts, additional exhaust outlets, and, most importantly, a monstrously powerful 510 horsepower 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine. The 18-way adjustable driver’s seat is exceptionally comfortable and includes both heating and cooling functions. While the seat bolstering isn’t as aggressive as in a BMW M car, it’s perfectly adequate for a 4,000lb sedan in real-world driving scenarios. Regrettably, the rear seats in the XFR are less luxurious than the fronts, lacking heating or cooling and any dedicated controls.
Both the XF and XFR utilize the same touchscreen navigation system. While generally user-friendly, the system suffers from a noticeable delay when switching between screens. While minimalist design is appreciated, integrating controls for features like seat heating/cooling and the steering wheel warmer into the touchscreen interface feels somewhat unconventional. Jaguar’s voice control system, unfortunately, is a significant letdown. It’s plagued by unintuitive commands, unhelpful assistance, slow response times, and a frequent inability to understand spoken instructions. Jaguar dealerships reportedly acknowledge this as a common complaint. Further compounding the voice control’s shortcomings, it offers no functionality for controlling an iPod. This deficiency can likely be attributed to Ford, Jaguar’s previous owner, which restricted its Premier Automotive Group brands from using Ford SYNC. Ironically, this means a Ford Fiesta possesses a superior voice control system to a premium Jaguar XFR costing upwards of $80,000. In fairness, Mercedes-Benz’s voice command system is similarly underwhelming.
On the surface, the Jaguar XFR might appear as just another contender in the crowded performance luxury segment. Its styling is contemporary and refined, if not overtly flamboyant, and the interior leans towards a modern, Scandinavian aesthetic. However, what elevates the Jaguar XFR from merely average to truly exceptional is its driving experience. Many high-horsepower luxury cars deliver exhilarating performance but often compromise on ride quality, transmission smoothness, and everyday usability. Jerky transmissions are a common pitfall, as Maserati learned with early Quattroporte models, eventually switching to a ZF 6-speed transmission to address complaints. Similarly, the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, despite its immense capabilities, can suffer from a herky-jerky transmission in stop-and-go traffic, detracting from its daily driver credentials, much like the BMW M5. The Jaguar XFR, in contrast, is remarkably smooth, even Lexus-smooth, in its everyday driving behavior.
On the highway, the XFR might initially feel almost too refined for a performance sedan. However, this impression is quickly dispelled with a firm press of the accelerator. The Jaguar XFR unleashes a surge of acceleration that combines effortless grace with a menacing snarl from the exhaust. On winding back roads, the XFR demonstrates surprising agility. The ZF 6-speed transmission is incredibly responsive, even in regular Drive mode. Switching to Sport mode using the rotary gear selector, and any yearning for a dual-clutch transmission vanishes. This automatic transmission is exemplary. Shifts are practically telepathic, and if the computer anticipates incorrectly, the paddle shifters provide instantaneous gear changes, every time. While the rotary gear selector might be considered a slight gimmick, it’s intuitive to use, and its contribution to rapid, rev-matched shifts quickly earns forgiveness for any perceived quirkiness. When fully unleashing the 510 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque, valves in the exhaust system open, transforming the XFR from a composed luxury sedan into a ferocious beast. Yet, thanks to an electronic rear differential and advanced stability control, the XFR remains a remarkably controlled wild animal.
Historically, over-boosted and numb steering has been a criticism leveled at high-performance Jaguars. However, the XFR‘s steering is quick, communicative, and perfectly weighted, striking a balance between lightness and heft. The dynamic suspension is equally impressive, firming up in demanding driving situations on twisty roads while reverting to a comfortable and composed ride on rough highway surfaces. This combination of exceptional ride quality and a remarkably quiet cabin effectively masks the XFR‘s true speed. Careless acceleration on freeway on-ramps can easily result in speeds exceeding triple digits in under 10 seconds.
After a week with the Jaguar XFR, parting ways was genuinely disappointing. With an as-tested price of $82,000, the XFR is not inexpensive. However, compared to similarly equipped BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG models, the Jaguar XFR represents a compelling value proposition, a factor that remains relevant even in this price bracket. While some publications might hesitate to declare a car superior to a BMW, that’s not the approach here. The Jaguar XFR is, unequivocally, the better car when directly compared to the E63 and M5. Given the choice, the XFR would be the preferred selection every time. Ultimately, Jaguar has achieved a perfect equilibrium between luxury and performance with the XFR. It’s a car that can be driven and enjoyed daily, drawing admiring glances, and while it might not outpace an M5 on a racetrack, it will certainly provide a formidable challenge. The Jaguar XFR is perhaps the quintessential sleeper, and arguably the best-kept secret in the European sports sedan segment.
For the 2011 model year, Jaguar introduced subtle refinements to the XFR, including a unique front grille, a conventional glove box button replacing the proximity sensor, and radar cruise control becoming a standalone option. The BMW M5 took a hiatus for 2011, returning as an all-new model in 2012.
Jaguar provided the vehicle, insurance, and a tank of fuel for this review.
