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

Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung – AMG’s V8 is back!
Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung
News

Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung – AMG’s V8 is back!

The new era of AMG V8s has arrived, with a car that’s as cool as its name is weird
10 Sep 2026
BMW i8 (2014-2020) review – futuristic hybrid sports car now looks a bargain
BMW i8 review
In-depth reviews

BMW i8 (2014-2020) review – futuristic hybrid sports car now looks a bargain

The BMW i8 was a very different sort of 911 rival, not least because it used a hybrid system with a Mini engine mounted in the middle and a carbon tub
9 Sep 2026
Audi RS5 Review - the fast estate that takes the fight to BMW’s M3
Audi RS5 Avant
In-depth reviews

Audi RS5 Review - the fast estate that takes the fight to BMW’s M3

Hybrid power provides Audi’s new super estate with a class leading 630bhp, but it comes at a price. Well two actually
10 Sep 2026