2018 Jaguar XF

The 2018 Jaguar XF sedan comes in six trim levels. It is offered with a 247 hp 2.0L I-4 engine with RWD as standard, but there are other three engine options and AWD to choose from. All trim levels come equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The XF sedan makes the most of its engine and gearbox combinations to deliver very controlled and precise handling and steering. Even in terms of fuel economy, the XF sedan will leave you surprised with its high fuel efficiency compared to its rivals. The interior on the XF can be described in these exact words: luxury, comfort, spacious, and feature-rich.

There are a few flaws with the XF. The infotainment system is not the easiest to use, and it does feel behind the times. The build quality let us down, which is a shock coming from the English luxury carmaker. These issues give the rivals a benefit as the rivals are in a way better at these aspects. At $47,775, the Jaguar XF sedan goes up against the 2018 Audi A6, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and the 2018 BMW 5-Series.

The 2018 Jaguar XF sedan comes in six trim levels: the base, Premium, Prestige, R-Sport, Portfolio, and S. The pricing for these trims starts at $47,775, and goes up to $71,025 for the top trim. As standard, all trims except the Portfolio and the S come with the turbocharged 2.0L engine (247 hp) and RWD. Except for the base and the S trim, the 296 hp 2.0L engine and the 340 hp 3.0L engine (340 hp) are offered on all the remaining trims. Also, AWD configuration is optional. All trims with their respective engine options and drive configurations have been listed in the table below. All trims come well-equipped in terms of standard features and there's a ton of optional equipment as well. Some feature highlights have also been listed in the table below.

All trims get the Driver Assistance Package, Vision Assist Package, the Technology package, and the Cold Climate package. There are a few stand-alone options available as well.

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The 2018 Jaguar XF Portfolio AWD is the best trim to go for, to enjoy the English luxury. The Supercharged 3.0L V6 is a must, as it gives excellent performance and a thrilling drive. The Portfolio with all this setup becomes the right XF with balanced power and comfort. The Vision Assist Package is a must. 

"Strong V6 power and supple handling sort out the 2018 Jaguar XF's sport -sedan credentials." -TheCarConnection

2018 Jaguar XF sedan Engine and Transmission

The 2018 Jaguar XF comes with a turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine as standard, which has an output of 247 hp @ 5500 rpm, and a torque output of 269 lb-ft @ 1200 rpm. There are also two other engines: a turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine which makes 296 hp @ 550 rpm with a torque output of 295 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm. The second engine is a supercharged 3.0L V6 which outputs 340 hp @ 6500 rpm with a torque output of 332 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm. All engines come with an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard and come with either RWD or AWD configurations.

Both the engines are very refined, smooth and the power output is linear. It can be very sporty as well, depending upon the driving mode chosen. The engine has a nice grunt to it. All in all, the V6 engine feels the most lively among these. The RWD models are good in terms of stability, but the AWD is the better choice. The eight-speed transmission is precise and slick, irrespective of the driving mode or the engine power output.

The Jaguar is the most affordable car on this list. The Mercedes is the most expensive, and it has the most torque output as well at 273 lb-ft. Even the Audi has the same torque output, but the peak torque kicks in earlier on the E-Class. The most power is made by the A6. The A6 is also the only car to come with FWD, whereas all the others get RWD. The E-Class makes the least power among these four cars

2018 Jaguar XF sedan Acceleration

The XF sedan equipped with the 247 hp base engine has a 0-60 mph sprint time of 6 seconds, and the quarter-mile comes up in 14.5 seconds. The top speed is limited to 121 mph. With AWD, this performance time drops down to 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 14.7 seconds. With the 296 hp 2.0L engine, there is an improvement of 0.5 seconds in the 0-60 mph sprint, at 5.5 seconds; with the quarter-mile coming up in 14 seconds. The 340 hp V6 engine is heavier, and hence the performance just improves by 0.3 seconds at 5.2 seconds for the 0-60 mph sprint, with the quarter-mile time at 13.5 seconds. The top 380 hp 3.0L V6 accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds, and the quarter-mile time stands at 1.5 seconds. 

The BMW is the lightest car and benefits with its 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. The BMW also propels forward with its strong low end and a powerful midrange. The XF comes second, with its 6 seconds time. The E-Class takes the third spot at 6.1 seconds, whereas the Audi comes the last at 6.5 seconds. In the quarter-mile run, the BMW is the quickest again, whereas the Merc is quicker than the Jaguar. The Audi take the last spot.

2018 Jaguar XF Ride and Handling

The handling of the Jaguar XF is one of its strong points. The Jaguar XF has a 50/50 weight distribution that gives it superb control and balances even when pushed hard into a corner. The car is completely stable, with a neutral feel from the lightweight chassis. On the base Jaguar, the independent suspension is quite well-balanced: it is not too stiff, nor is it too soft. The sportier S and R-Sport trims however are equipped with a stiffer suspension setup.

The JaguarDrive Control works excellent, providing a setup based on the road condition. The lightweight, but precise electric power steering is well done. It turns right where you want it to, and leans in more in corners, sharply. Under daily driving as well, the steering has enough weight to perform smooth turns without feeling too heavy. The Xf's steering has a turning diameter of 38.1 feet.

2018 Jaguar XF Braking

The 2018 Jaguar XF sedan gets a braking setup of 12.8-inch disc brake rotors at the front and the rear. The car gets a ventilated brake setup at the front and the rear. This helps the 2018 XF stop from a speed of 60-0 mph at a distance of 119 feet. Rivals, however, have a better stopping distance.

The brake pedal has a firm feel to it, and the travel is not too long. Slight modulations to the pedal do cause some brake application, but the overall brakes are quite progressive. Under panic braking, the XF stops quick, with minimal nosedive.

The 5-Series and the E-Class have the best stopping distance at 106 feet despite being heavier than the XF. The Audi A6 also stops 2 feet before the XF. The XF has the most stopping distance. In terms of brake size, the A6 has the largest front brake at 13.6 inches and the largest rear brake at 13 inches. The BMW gets the smallest brake sizes.

The 2018 Jaguar XF with the base engine and RWD returns 25 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and has a combined mileage of 28 mpg. The AWD returns 23 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 247 mpg combined. The 296hp XF with RWD has a fuel economy of 23 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. With AWD, the city mileage drops to 22 mpg and combined drops to 25 mpg. The 3.0L V6 340 hp RWD XF has a city/highway/combined mileage of 20 mpg/ 29 mpg/ 23 mpg. With AWD, the highway mileage drops down to 28 mpg. The most powerful 380 hp V6 returns the same mileage as the 340 hp version. The Jaguar XF gets a fuel capacity of 19.5 gallons, and with the 247hp 2.0L engine it gets a range of 487.5 miles in the city and 663 miles on the highway.

The XF, the A6, and the 5-Series have the same combined mileage at 29 mpg and the same highway mileage at 34 mpg. The E-Class has a slightly lower combined mileage at 28 mpg. The city mileage on the XF and the A6 is the most at 25 mpg. On the highway, the E-Class has a lower mileage of 33 mpg. In terms of range, the A6 has the most city range at 495 miles, and the most highway range at 673 miles. The least range is on the E-Class, at 417 city miles and 574 highway miles.

"Top-quality materials extend throughout, giving the interior an appropriately luxurious feel. Infotainment is thoughtfully designed but lacks the finished details of competitors. What really sets the XF apart from the class is its trunk, which is comparatively massive.” – Edmunds

2018 Jaguar XF sedan Seating and Comfort

The 2018 Jaguar XF sedan's interior is pretty and roomy. It's luxurious, with high-quality materials spread throughout the cabin. Soft-touch materials, different trim materials, and contrast-stitched seats make the interior very appealing. However, the dark theme used in the car is not very welcome, and a few brighter colors should have been included. The layout of the controls and the buttons have been well-thought-out, and it's easy to access. However, these controls do not feel as robust as what some rivals offer, and they feel less premium in the plush interior. Coming to fit and finish, the XF's interiors are well finished, but there are a few panel gaps and some squeaks here and there.  The cabin is well-damped from outside noises, and even engine noise is negligible under full throttle.

The XF can seat a total of 5 passengers. The seats are comfortable, but are on the firmer side. In the front, the seats are well-cushioned, with thin side bolstering and decent support. Long journeys might not be very comfortable due to the stiffness in the seats. There's ample legroom and headroom to accommodate drivers of all sizes and shapes. In the rear as well, there is good space for even taller passengers, with the seats providing decent levels of comfort and support. In terms of getting in and getting out of the XF, it's an easy task. The doors open wide, and the seats are at the right height as well to facilitate easy movement. Visibility is good in the front all around but limited on the sides and the rear. In the back, the side and rear roof pillars block out most of the view.

The Jaguar XF's interior gets a lot of customizations, which range from the seating material, seat color, trim finish, trim color, some features, and some accessories as well. Some customizations are trim-specific, but all accessories are offered on all trim levels. 

All the rivals also seat five passengers. The four cars are quite roomy, but the BMW has a better front headroom at 38.8 inches, and the other three offer a similar amount of headroom. The XF has the most front legroom at 41.5 inches, but the difference between the legroom space is not much. In the rear row, the Mercedes has a better roof height, at 38.2 inches, whereas in the Audi A6, the rear legroom is the most. However, the BMW's interior is more spacious overall and the Mercedes has more comfort on offer. Some interior features on the XF include:

• Keyless entry
• Heated front seats
• Heated power-adjustable steering wheel
• Leather seats with 4-way lumbar adjustment
• Ambient lighting system
• Contrasting seat stitching

2018 Jaguar XF Infotainment System

The infotainment on the 2018 XF fails to impress completely. Standard functions are easy, but connectivity issues limit the usage. The system is not the most user-friendly, and it will take time to get used to it. Voice controls are also limited to some areas, after which the Controls do not work at all. The music through the speakers is crispy and clean, which means audiophiles will love it. Sadly, there is no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay on offer. 

As standard, every XF trim comes equipped with the InControl Touch infotainment system, an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and a 380-Watt Meridian Surround Sound system. Some other infotainment features offered include:

• 10-inch touchscreen
• 12.3-inch driver display
• Navigation
• WiFI hotspot
• 17-speaker Meridian sound system
• Satellite Radio

2018 Jaguar XF Cargo Capacity

The 2018 Jaguar XF has a standard cargo capacity of 19.1 cu-ft, which is more than what its rivals offer. The trunk area is wide and deep, making the XF a good road trip companion. Cargo loading/unloading is an easy task.

Among the rivals, the BMW offers the most standard cargo capacity at 18.7 cu-ft. The Audi A6 offers the next best standard cargo capacity at 14.1 cu-ft. The E-Class offers the least at 13.1 cu-ft.

"With its handsome details and attractive proportions, the 2018 Jaguar XF puts no foot wrong. In wagon form, it’s simply beautiful.” – TheCarConnection

2018 Jaguar XF Weight and Dimension

The 2018 Jaguar XF has an elegant exterior. It's well-proportioned, with subtle details all around the car. The Jaguar XF however does draw a lot of similarity in design to its smaller counterpart the Jaguar XE. The car has got no updates to its exterior styling and maintains the same profile with the long hood and the short tail. In the front, the rectangular upright grille with slim headlamps gives the car a sporty look. The vents in the front reroute airflow over the front wheels, and this has helped improve the overall performance.

Along the side, the curvy roof that integrates well with the rear does remind us of the car's fastback staying. The large wheels sit nicely in proud wheel arches, and a straight beltline flows from the front headlamps to the rear taillights. In the rear, the trunk lid gets a slight protrusion which makes it look like an integrated spoiler, but it's not one. Higher trims get a proper spoiler. The taillights are similar in shape to the headlamps but are larger. The car gets a dual exhaust setup, with chrome-finished end pipes.

The R-Sport trim gets a few visual touches like a unique front bumper, chrome side vents, a trunk spoiler, and a blacked-out grille. The XF S gets the S-body kit which adds gloss black finished accents to the front and rear bumper, a trunk lid spoiler, and gloss black side sills. Dimensionally, the XF weighs 3604 lbs, and has a wheelbase of 116.5 inches. The car is 195.2 inches long, with a width of 78.2 inches and a height of 57.4 inches. The car saves a lot of weight with its all-aluminum body. Apart from the features mentioned, Jaguar offers a range of customization to the exterior of the XF, ranging from wheels to some carbon fiber trims.

The A6 is the heaviest car at 3858 lbs, whereas the XF weighs the least at 3604 lbs. All four cars come very close dimensionally. The XF is the longest of all, whereas the E-Class has the least length at 193.8 inches. In terms of width, the XF's width is a lot more than the other three, whose width ranges in the 73 inches mark. The BMW has the most height of 58.2 inches, whereas the other two get a height of 57.8 inches, and the XF has the least height at 57.4 inches.

Some exterior features on the XF are:

• Alloy wheels
• Spoiler
• Adaptive headlamps
• LED taillights
• Aluminum  body
• Adjustable suspension

The 2018 Jaguar XF has not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or the IIHS. However, it uses a lightweight all-aluminum chassis and is based on the JLR D7a platform, made for premium larger vehicles. As standard, the XF is equipped with safety features such as airbags, tire pressure monitoring system, stability control, traction control, ABS, and a post-collision safety system. Surprisingly, the base XF does not get a rearview camera which is standard on all other trim levels. Some other safety features include:

• Surround-view camera system
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blindspot monitoring system
• Forward-collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Head-up display

2018 Jaguar XF vs 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets a turbocharged 2.0L engine as well, but it makes less power and slightly more torque. This gives the E-Class similar performance runtimes as the XF. The E-Class also handles very well, and has a smooth and composed ride quality that is better than the XF's. In terms of braking, the E-Class has significantly better braking power. However, the XF has bigger brakes, and is lighter as well. In terms of fuel economy, the XF is just a tad bit ahead, but a larger fuel tank gives more range.

The interior of the Mercedes is one of the best in this class, with luxurious comfort taking a front seat. There are more features on offer, and the seat comfort is excellent. Also, the XF's infotainment system is too complex, whereas the E-Class's system is larger and user-friendly. Both the cars offer a long list of safety features. The Mercedes-Benz has a safety rating, whereas the XF does not even get one. Despite the Mercedes's higher costs than the XF, it is the better car to buy.

2018 Jaguar XF vs 2018 BMW 5-Series

The 2018 BMW 5-Series is probably the most well-balanced car to get, and ranks highly in this segment. It also gets a turbocharged 2.0L engine, but makes more power. This gives the BMW faster performance runtimes than the XF. The 5-Series is very sporty and athletic to handle even in the base trims, and like the XF it also gets a powerful array of engines. The ride quality is calm, and composed. When it comes to efficiency, both the cars have a similar efficiency but the XF has more range on offer.

In terms of interior, the BMW's interior might not be as luxurious as the XF, but it's very practical and quite spacious as well. The 5-Series's rear seats are roomy, and the cargo capacity is one the best in this class. It is very quiet as well. The infotainment system on the BMW is very simple, with a user-friendly interface and a neat layout. When it comes to safety, the BMW has top ratings from IIHS and is similarly equipped as the XF. It is also $5,000 pricier than the XF, but it's worth it all.

The updated 2018 Jaguar XF with its new standard engine and a lower price has made it accessible to many customers who want something affordable in the luxury midsize sedan segment. The car is well-equipped all-around - powerful engines, excellent handling, decent fuel efficiency, and a thrilling driving experience. This British luxury car remains true to its roots with its luxurious and spacious interior that offers comfortable seating. Against the German rivals, the XF does not steal the show due to its flaws, but it does create a different sense of premium and posh. If you want to be unique and not get a luxury German car, the Jaguar XF is the car to buy. 

Also Read:

• 2022 Jaguar F-Type
• Another rival to the XF: the Volvo S90

2018 Jaguar XF FAQs

How much does a 2018 Jaguar XF cost?

Pricing for the 2018 Jaguar XF sedan starts at $47,775.

Is the 2018 Jaguar XF worth buying?

With its powerful engines, affordable price tag, and luxurious and spacious interior, the XF is a good choice among midsize luxury sedans.

How much does maintenance on a 2018 Jaguar XF cost?

The annual maintenance cost for a 2018 Jaguara XF comes up to $1,060 with proper care.

How reliable is the 2018 Jaguar XF?

The 2018 XF has a low predicted reliability rating of 2/5 from J.D. Power.

How much power does the V6 on the 2018 Jaguar XF make?

The supercharged 3.0L V6 engine on the 2018 XF outputs 340 hp and has a torque output of 332 lb-ft.