2010 Jaguar XFR Review

We have started to get used to the new styling created for the Jaguar XF by famed designer Ian Callum, with its Aston Martin airs, although we have not seen too many on the road. The car oozes luxury, and with the R treatment, delivers even greater performance—especially with its improved supercharged V8, making 510 horsepower. Once again, you won't see too many of these cats on a British Touring Car Championship circuit because they're expensive and not necessarily the best road-handlers out there. It is, however, a great car to head out to the country in, to appear at a fancy restaurant with, or to go to a classical night at the opera in a luxe environment with great performance. It's a fairly large automobile, although we'd still like more room in the back seat.

Electronics are plentiful and you'd hope they will remain reliable over time. From the lighted, pulsing Start/Stop button to the Active Differential Control and Adaptive Dynamic Damping system via touch-operated glove box and light, this masterpiece is very 21st-century—would it be like Car 5.0? If a big engine goes with a big sound system, this cat has more ways than one to purr and roar: crank up the 440 watt Bowers & Wilkins entertainment system and you might just continue driving right past the opera house as your seat will be more comfortable. We did like the leather and the 16-way by 12-way actively ventilated heated and cooled seats up front, not forgetting the suede cloth headlining and premium carpets. You sure get a feeling of luxury and comfort in a Jag, prior to going anywhere.

Europe gets a twin-turbocharged diesel with good performance and good mileage, but U.S. models have big V8s. Considering the entire package, the car is a good value, although the base ticket price remains too high for most. The warranty is not a bad deal, either, with 24/7 roadside assistance coming as a standard feature.

Read a review of the 2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged