I been in this journo game for knocking on 5 years now and yet this is the first time that I've managed to scoop a British Jaguar to review.
Now maybe that's because I have a bit of a background in Jaguar. After all, I did once own an independent Jaguar workshop. I was also a member of the Ontario Jaguar Owners' Club for many years and judged several of their JCNA concourse events.
Maybe the company was a bit worried that I had a little too much history in the Jag world, or that I might be as critical with its new cars as I was with its older classics?
On the other hand, maybe Ford's ownership and tight budget restraints of late has meant that the company's PR department simply never had enough vehicles available for the media.
Well, they shouldn't have worried on the first score, at least not when the model we're talking about is the Jaguar XF, because I simply adore the vehicle.
Honestly, I had been waiting with bated breath to drive the XF ever since the vehicle was first revealed in 2007.
Of course, I've seen the XF shows, and even sat in one or two, but I was waiting to drive the vehicle myself before I voiced any kind of real opinion. After all, a Jaguar has to offer more than simply good looks, it has to perform and handle like a cat to be worthy of the Jaguar name. "Grace, space and pace", as the old saying goes. Anything short of that is a no no!
Well, the results are in, and I give it two big thumbs up. In fact, after living with the XF for a week, the only question remaining in my mind is, "why aren't we seeing them prowling on every street corner"?
In my opinion, for the money, I can't think of another vehicle which can compare to the XF. Prices range from $59,000 for the base car, $65,000 for the Premium Luxury edition, and $77,000 for the Super-charged model (My test vehicle was the nicely appointed mid-range Premium Luxury model).
Now maybe that's because I have a bit of a background in Jaguar. After all, I did once own an independent Jaguar workshop. I was also a member of the Ontario Jaguar Owners' Club for many years and judged several of their JCNA concourse events.
 |
| Jaguar makes really good cars at very reasonable prices nowadays. |
Maybe the company was a bit worried that I had a little too much history in the Jag world, or that I might be as critical with its new cars as I was with its older classics?
On the other hand, maybe Ford's ownership and tight budget restraints of late has meant that the company's PR department simply never had enough vehicles available for the media.
Well, they shouldn't have worried on the first score, at least not when the model we're talking about is the Jaguar XF, because I simply adore the vehicle.
Honestly, I had been waiting with bated breath to drive the XF ever since the vehicle was first revealed in 2007.
Of course, I've seen the XF shows, and even sat in one or two, but I was waiting to drive the vehicle myself before I voiced any kind of real opinion. After all, a Jaguar has to offer more than simply good looks, it has to perform and handle like a cat to be worthy of the Jaguar name. "Grace, space and pace", as the old saying goes. Anything short of that is a no no!
Well, the results are in, and I give it two big thumbs up. In fact, after living with the XF for a week, the only question remaining in my mind is, "why aren't we seeing them prowling on every street corner"?
In my opinion, for the money, I can't think of another vehicle which can compare to the XF. Prices range from $59,000 for the base car, $65,000 for the Premium Luxury edition, and $77,000 for the Super-charged model (My test vehicle was the nicely appointed mid-range Premium Luxury model).
 |
| A gentle pressure on the small button and the 4.2L V8 wakes up. |