2016 Jaguar XF India review, test drive

The second-gen Jaguar XF has made its India debut. We drive both petrol and diesel versions to see what it’s like.

Published on Oct 14, 2016 11:18:00 AM

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What is it like on the inside?

As the point of first contact, the XF’s front seats work brilliantly. The perforated leather seats look sumptuous, are supremely comfortable, and the top-spec Portfolio trim gets 14-way electric adjust, including controls for thigh support and side bolstering. However, once buckled up, there is some disappointment. Jaguar cabins, while luxurious in their own right, have never quite matched the Germans for quality and, unfortunately, that’s something you’ll see here too. There are a few hard plastics in the cabin and even bits like the buttons for the windows lack the richness we’ve seen in the newer lot of Mercs and Audis. It’s not sub-par by any standard, but Jag’s rivals have taken the game forward in this respect. The XF’s layered dashboard, though smart, also doesn’t break new ground in design. Sadly, the cowl for the new heads-up display (only on the top-spec cars) also breaks the flow of Jaguar’s trademark ‘Riva loop’ that encircles the dash.

Over to the good stuff. Leading the list has to be the top Portfolio trim’s excellent 825W Meridian sound system and InControl Touch Pro infotainment system. The unit is operated via a sizeable 10.2-inch touchscreen (lower versions get an 8-inch unit) and scores really well for usability. The screen displays everything in good clarity, is very responsive to inputs and shuffles through the menus fluidly. The screen relays images from the multiple cameras around the car (ala, Land Rovers) and is where you’d end up looking when parking the big Jag yourself. The Portfolio trim cars get park assist which automatically (and deftly) steers the car into and out of a detected parking spot; all the driver needs to do is modulate the brake. Also nice is the Portfolio’s 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster. It’s not as sophisticated as Audi’s Virtual Cockpit system, but we like how the layout changes between driving modes. Well-executed ambient lighting (configurable on the Portfolio models) further adds that little extra sense of occasion to the cabin in the dark. And, yes, you still get the Jaguar handshake that has the side air-con vents and rotary gear lever rise on ignition.

Given how much kit Jaguar has packed into the XF Portfolio, it’s a bit of a shame that separate climate control setting for the rear section of the cabin is not on offer. But on the whole, the back seat offers a great experience. The seats are supportive (some might find the backrest a touch upright), there’s lots of legroom and cushioning is well judged. Seated at the back, you also get a good view of the cabin and a nice view out. However, headroom could be an issue for tall passengers and the high centre tunnel is a spoiler for those seated in the middle.