Skip advert
Advertisement

Jaguar XF review – interior and tech

A huge step up in quality, material and tech. Feels genuinely plush and luxurious  

Evo rating
RRP
from £32,585
  • Sophisticated chassis with superb ride quality; interior design and tech now a real highlight; priced well below rivals
  • Lacklustre powertrains; imprecise transmission; crying out for a performance derivative

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. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

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. 

> Jaguar F-type review – flying the flag for the great British sports car

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.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
News

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV

If you have to have an SUV, a Stelvio QV is acceptable. Now it's being heavily discounted.
8 Jul 2025
MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation
MST Ford Escort front
News

MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation

Costing a tenth of most made-new classics, the MST Mk1 Sports is comparatively accessible
8 Jul 2025
Mini JCW 2025 review – too feisty for its own good
Mini JCW – front
Reviews

Mini JCW 2025 review – too feisty for its own good

The petrol-powered JCW lives on – for now. But in its latest incarnation, has this supermini survivor become too hardcore?
6 Jul 2025