Skip advert
Advertisement
Long term tests

Jaguar XFR

IS F versus XFR - far from a foregone conclusion. Time for the big Jag to get rid of its winter tyres.

I had a ball in the revised Lexus IS-F we had in last month. Partly because I ran one a year or so ago, so fond memories were rekindled, but also because it felt more hardcore, keener and feistier than the XFR.

This in itself isn’t too surprising as the Lexus is a smaller, lighter car, but I also realised that I’d been pussyfooting in the Jag for the last couple of months while the winter tyres have been on. Two days later I was at Tyres Northampton switching back to the Dunlop SP Sport summer rubber.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Instantly the Jag felt sharper and more precise, keener to turn in and less likely to trigger the traction control on the way out of corners. More than that, I enjoyed the process of rediscovery, of finding handling traits about the XFR that had been covered up for the last three months. Yet another reason to love the big Jag. 

Running Costs

Date acquiredJune 2009
Total mileage26,113
Costs this month£11.99 (coolant)
Mileage this month2713
MPG this month21.4
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

VW Golf GTI Edition 50 v Toyota GR Yaris Aero v Honda Civic Type R: hot hatch stars go head-to-head
Golf GTI v GR Yaris Aero v Civic Type R
Group tests

VW Golf GTI Edition 50 v Toyota GR Yaris Aero v Honda Civic Type R: hot hatch stars go head-to-head

Volkswagen and Toyota have just released the best versions yet of the GR Yaris and Mk8 Golf GTI. Does either have what it takes to overcome the brilli…
2 Aug 2026
I put budget tyres to the test in the wet, and the results were terrifying
Cheap tyres
Opinion

I put budget tyres to the test in the wet, and the results were terrifying

Skimping on tyres may save you a few pounds, but at what cost, ponders Barker
30 Jul 2026
Maserati Grecale Modena review – an SUV with a supercar engine to replace your Porsche Macan
Maserati Grecale Modena
Reviews

Maserati Grecale Modena review – an SUV with a supercar engine to replace your Porsche Macan

The MCPura supercar engine with 240bhp less in a Macan-sized SUV from £85k sounds pretty appealing. Is it?
31 Jul 2026