Jaguar XF review – interior and tech

When the first XF broke cover in 2007, it was just as much its interior as the exterior that symbolised Jaguar’s incoming transformation. The cabin of that original wasn’t just a contrast to the linseed leather and walnut cliche Jaguar had fostered for decades, but was theatrical, clever and inspired. 

It went on to introduce components still used within the JLR range like the rising hockey puck gear selector, rotating air vents and layered, almost architectural thought process to materials and layering. You can imagine the disappointment, then, when the second generation XF was revealed with its cost-cutting and entirely outclassed cabin from day one. 

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This mid-cycle has addressed the cabin’s issues. Like it did with the old S-Type, Jaguar has completely redesigned the cabin of the XF, creating a totally new dash and console, fitting new doors, significantly hiking up material quality and introducing JLR’s new Pivi Pro infotainment system accessed via a floating and curved glass touchscreen. The changes are so dramatic, not just compared to the old XF, but to other Jaguar models as well, that it’s hardly believable to come from the same company.

Crucial touchpoints like the steering wheel, standard gearshift paddles and touchscreen don’t just feel plush for an XF, but for the whole exec class, and while the new gear selector does feel a little cheap, it doesn’t compromise the overall aura of quality and opulence the new cabin offers. 

The new infotainment is also a massive improvement, and easily feels the most user-friendly system of any German rival, while easily beating them in clarity and performance. If there’s one downside it remains the sluggish responses of the driver’s display, which although equally sleek in terms of interface design, still struggles to keep up with inputs from the steering wheel-mounted controls.