Jaguar has brought the XF below the £30,000 price point with the addition of a new, detuned 163hp version of the 2.2-litre diesel that is also available in 190hp form.
It means Jaguar has been able to price the 163hp SE XF at £29,950, although it expects the new SE Business trim, which in only available with this power output, to be more popular for the corporate drivers that will dominate the mix for the lower-powered model.
The only difference between the two trims, apart from £1500, is the addition of Jaguar’s touch-screen navigation system, giving fleet drivers the opportunity to add navigation without having to delve into the options list for an extra that costs £2050 when bought separately. While the standard XF specification is already pretty good, with DAB radio, keyless start, 17-inch alloys and rear parking sensors, it’s a shame the SE Business edition doesn’t come with more extras over the standard car than just navigation.
On paper, the 163hp version doesn’t look particularly impressive, and we had worries the 1745kg saloon would prove too much for the engine. Fortunately, this is not the case. The engine does show a reluctance to accelerate when at cruising speed, but from standstill or around town performance isn’t a problem. That’s helped by the excellent eight-speed auto gearbox that’s standard on the XF.
Emissions and economy are the same as the 190hp model, which means an official 52.3mpg and 149g/km. Unfortunately, that’s 17g/km worse than Audi‘s A6, while the equivalent Mercedes E220 CDI is at 129g/km and the BMW 5-series at 123g/km.
But in its favour, the XF has a better residual value than any of its German rivals, and in SE Business trim is also a couple of hundred pounds cheaper. There’s a pay-off in that you get standard satellite navigation, but less power and performance than any of the German cars at the same £31,500 ball park.
The XF is BusinessCar’s reigning Executive Car of the Year, and the new 163hp engine will enhance that appeal.
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