The Jaguar XF broke with tradition when it debuted in 2009, a tradition that seemingly dictated that all new Jaguars must look and feel like all old Jaguars. The XF’s distinctive design, inside and out, resulted in a No. 2-ranked position among all midsize premium cars in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL), which measures how much people like the design and performance of their vehicles during the first year of ownership. And now, just one year after arriving in showrooms and replacing the old S-Type model, the Jaguar XF gets new engines, new models, and new technologies. We reviewed the popular XF Premium model equipped with every option except a rear window sunshade and a pricey Adaptive Cruise Control system. The window sticker? A very reasonable $59,325.

Highlights of the 2010 Jaguar XF include:

• New, direct-injection, 5.0-liter V-8 powertrains provide more power and better fuel economy
• New performance-tuned, supercharged XFR model
• New, luxury-trimmed XF Portfolio model
• New Active Differential Control system in XFR model
• New Adaptive Dynamics suspension in XFR model
• New alloy wheel designs for all models
• New brake pad wear indicator
• New acoustic laminated windshield for all models
• New rear sub-frame and standard trunk cross-brace for all models
• Navigation system now includes turn-by-turn instruction

Model Lineup

Jaguar offers five variants of the 2010 XF: XF, XF Premium, XF Portfolio, XF Supercharged, and XFR Supercharged. Prices range from $52,000 to $81,000.

The standard Jaguar XF is equipped with last year’s 4.2-liter V-8 engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, and comes equipped with the usual luxury amenities. Notable features include bond grain leather, heated front seats, keyless locking and ignition, a navigation system, satellite radio, and a six-disc in-dash CD changer. Genuine aluminum and American Walnut veneers trim the XF’s cabin. Options include a power rear sunshade, a heated steering wheel, a premium Bowers and Wilkins surround sound audio system, and a Vision Pack that includes a reversing camera, a blind spot monitoring system, and a front parking aid system.

The XF Premium model adds the new 5.0-liter V-8 engine, a Dynamic Mode for the JaguarDrive Control system, soft-grain leather for the seats and dashboard, 3-stage heated and cooled front seats, a blind spot monitoring system, front and rear parking aids, a reversing camera, and bi-Xenon headlights. The XF Premium is offered in a wider array of color choices, has standard 19-inch wheels, and features Burl Walnut interior veneers in place of the standard XF’s American Walnut trim. Options include a power rear sunshade, a heated steering wheel, a premium Bowers and Wilkins surround sound audio system, and an Adaptive Cruise Control with Emergency Brake Assist.

The XF Portfolio model builds on the XF Premium with contrast stitching, leather seatback map pockets, a premium suede headliner, deep-pile carpet mats, 16-way by 12-way power front seats with active heating and cooling, a heated steering wheel, and a rear window shade. Figured Ebony interior veneers replace the Burl Walnut of the XF Premium at the buyer’s discretion, a Spice interior color is offered, and the Portfolio is also distinguished by unique 20-inch alloy wheels. Options include the Bowers and Wilkins surround sound audio system and the Adaptive Cruise Control with Emergency Brake Assist.

The XF Supercharged builds from the XF Premium model, including a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 engine, an Adaptive Dynamics suspension, an Active Differential Control system, quad exhaust outlets, and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the cabin is equipped with contrast stitching, a premium suede headliner, 16-way by 12-way power front seats with active heating and cooling, and a 440-watt Bowers & Wilkins surround sound audio system with HD radio. Adaptive Cruise Control with Emergency Brake Assist is optional.

The XFR has a more powerful version of the XF Supercharged model’s V-8 engine, a quicker steering ratio, and larger ventilated brakes. Styling differences include revised exterior mirrors with integrated LED signal indicators, chrome air intakes, hood louvers, polished exhaust outlets, a rear spoiler, side sills, red dial pointers on unique gauges, and “R” badges scattered about the exterior and interior. Dark Oak interior veneers complement the dark mesh aluminum dash trim, and unique sport seats (18-way adjustable for the driver and 14-way adjustable for the front passenger) are part of the package. The XFR is also equipped with special Handling Functionality Adaptive Dynamics suspension software to maximize performance, and comes with Adaptive Cruise Control with Emergency Brake Assist.

Under the Hood

The 2010 Jaguar XF is available with one of three engines. Carried over from last year and only available in the standard XF is a 4.2-liter V-8 making 300 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 310 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4,100 rpm. This engine has service intervals of 10,000 miles or 12 months, and requires premium fuel. EPA fuel economy ratings are 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

All other Jaguar XFs are equipped with normally-aspirated or supercharged versions of an all-new 5.0-liter V-8 engine with 15,000-mile/12-month service intervals. The XF Premium and Portfolio models have the normally-aspirated version, making 385 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 381 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3,500 rpm. According to the EPA, this engine is rated to return 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway running on premium fuel.

Our review vehicle, the XF Premium with the normally-aspirated V-8, averaged 18.7 mpg in mixed driving. Combined with the XF’s 18.4-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 345-mile range between fill-ups of premium unleaded.

The XF Supercharged is equipped with a supercharged version of the new 5.0-liter V-8 engine rated at 470 horsepower between 6,000 and 6,500 rpm and 424 ft.-lbs. of torque between 2,500 and 5,500 rpm. The XFR has a massaged version of the supercharged V-8, making 510 horsepower between 6,000 and 6,500 rpm and 461 ft.-lbs. of torque between 2,500 and 5,500 rpm. The EPA says the supercharged engines get 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.

All Jaguar XF models are equipped with an adaptive six-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. A Sport mode produces more aggressive shift patterns, and on the XF Premium and above the traction and stability control system offers a Dynamic mode for more spirited driving. Supercharged models have Active Differential Control and an Adaptive Dynamics suspension system, with the XFR getting exclusive software designed to allow for maximum extraction of performance.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment on the 2010 Jaguar XF includes dual front airbags, side impact airbags for the front seat occupants, and side curtain airbags for both rows of seats. Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, cornering brake control, and emergency brake assist are also standard, along with a stability and traction control system. Bi-Xenon headlights and park distance control sensors are standard on most XF trim levels.

Additional safety technologies on the XF include an Automatic Speed Limiter feature for the standard cruise control system, an Active Cruise Control system with Emergency Brake Assist, a Blind Spot Monitor, a reversing camera, and front and rear parking sensors in the bumpers.

The Competition

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2010 Jaguar XF competes against other midsize premium cars such as the Acura RL, Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac STS, Hyundai Genesis, Infiniti M, Lexus ES, Lexus GS, Lincoln MKS, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Volvo S80.

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Note: This review was published on December 11, 2009. It may not reflect data that has become available for this vehicle since that date.