2018 Jaguar XF Reviews, Pricing & Specs

For some time now, the Jaguar XF has carried a lot of weight on its shoulders, as it made up over half of the automaker’s sales in the U.S....

For some time now, the Jaguar XF has carried a lot of weight on its shoulders, as it made up over half of the automaker’s sales in the U.S. But for 2018, the XF can finally take a breather, thanks to the success of the new XE compact sedan and F-Pace crossover. Jaguar isn’t letting the XF take a long break, however, as it receives some updates for 2018 to help it stand out from the rest of the midsize sedan class.

The biggest change for 2018 lies under the XF’s aluminum hood—a new turbocharged 2.0-liter Ingenium 4-cylinder engine good for 247 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque that will serve as the XF’s base powertrain. Models equipped with this engine will be denoted with a 25t badge and receive an 8-speed automatic transmission and the choice of rear-wheel (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The remainder of the engine lineup is unchanged for the 2018 model year. A 2.0-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder with 180 hp and 318 lb-ft serves as the XF’s mileage champ, boasting fuel-economy figures of 31 mpg city, 42 highway, and 35 combined with RWD and 30, 40, and 34 with AWD. Topping the range is a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with 2 different power outputs—340 or 380 hp—and 332 lb-ft of torque. Both the turbodiesel and the V6 are paired with the 8-speed automatic transmission.

The XF’s distinctive exterior design strikes a balance between elegance and aggression. Its side profile displays sleek, fluid lines, and the front-fender trim points forward to give the impression of movement. The muscular front end is equipped with a large, rectangular grille, headlights that wrap into the fenders, and large air vents in the bumper to provide additional cooling.

Moving inside the cabin, the XF can be summed up in a single word—charming. A plethora of small yet elaborate details work together to provide a luxurious driving experience, from the rotary gear selector that rises when you start the vehicle to the starter button that pulsates to simulate a beating heart. The material quality is towards the top of the class, with real wood and aluminum trim throughout and leather wrapping the seats and door panels. Space is abundant for passengers sitting in both rows, with plenty of head- and legroom. In terms of technology, models equipped with the available 10-inch InControl Touch Pro infotainment system now come with a new 12.3-inch reconfigurable gauge cluster. You’ll also be able to pay for your fill-up at any Shell gas station via the vehicle’s infotainment system with Apple Pay or PayPal, thanks to a newly developed app. Android Pay will be available at a later date.

New for the 2018 XF is the introduction of a Portfolio trim for the 35t. The XF Portfolio comes exclusively with a Yulong White exterior and tan leather upholstering the seats and door panels. Standard features include 20-way power front seats, the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system with navigation, an 825-watt Meridian Surround Sound system, 4-zone climate control, soft-closing doors, adaptive LED headlights, and automatic emergency braking.

Finally, the XF’s safety credentials see noticeable upgrade for 2018. If you opt for the available surround-view camera system, it now comes with forward traffic detection to alert the driver if it detects an object on the road and forward vehicle guidance to help the driver maneuver into or out of tight spaces. Other safety options include blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist, which comes standard on higher trims. All XFs receive a full suite of airbags, traction and stability control, and Jaguar’s InControl Protect telematics system.

The 2018 Jaguar XF arrives at dealers in May with a starting price of $47,775.