Jaguar XF 3.0 D Review (2009)

We have already tested the Jaguar XF V8 4.2 Review but since then the model has been revised and is now the 2010 year model XF.

There have been a number of modifications most importantly the engine line up and for 2010 there are new AJ-V8 Gen III petrol engines and new AJ-V6D Gen III diesel engines as well and having driven all the models we can confirm that they are all very good. They all deliver more power, better performance with comparable or better fuel economy and improved emissions than the outgoing engines.

There are now four trim levels - XF Luxury, Premium Luxury, Portfolio and XFR and a total of five engine options. Prices currently start at £32,900 for the 3.0 V6 Petrol Luxury and go up to £59,900 for the high performance Jaguar XFR.

We drove the 2010 Jaguar XF 3.0L Diesel S Portfolio priced at £44,200.

There is now a choice of three petrol engines (3.0, 5.0 and a supercharged 5.0) and two diesel 3.0 engines with either 240 bhp or 275 bhp.

The new 3.0-litre engine is excellent, especially the higher output engine which provides 275 bhp and can develop a whopping 600 Nm of torque which is enough to propel it from 0-60mph in just 5.9 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 155 mph. There can be a little lag and a delay from the transmission as it changes down but a planted right foot is rewarded with a nice shove in the back as the XF surges forward and it felt conspicuously quick for a diesel car.

The engine is very refined and fortunately for fleet owners and rental companies Jaguar has fitted a new diesel miss fuelling prevention device as standard which prevents you putting petrol into a diesel car. There is very little noise from the muted diesel engine, yes you can tell it is a diesel, when cold or when stood outside but you are not going to care. Jaguar has even introduced an acoustic laminated front windscreen to reduce any noise.

The all-new 5.0-litre AJ-V8 Gen III and the 3.0-litre diesel AJ-V6 D Gen III engines transmit their power through an enhanced version of Jaguar's ZF 6HP28 electronically controlled, six-speed transmission there is not a manual option available.

Although there is a paddle shift set up or as Jaguar prefer to call it 'Sequential Shift' which allows you to manually change gear via two paddles on the steering wheel. In sports mode you have total control, i.e. it won't change gear and in normal mode it will shift gears if it feels the need. The paddle shift can be quite addictive especially on hill climbs or descents and in sport mode the Jaguar XF will even dab the throttle under heavy down changes.