Jaguar XF test drive: make sure to check these features out
Jaguar XF test drive: make sure to check these features out
By Martin Pretorius
Mentioning the phrase “premium executive sedan” usually conjures up the mental image of a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series, or Audi A6. There are however plenty of alternatives in the marketplace chipping away at the leadership positions held by this German trio, and one of the most appealing offerings comes from the Jaguar stable.
It’s difficult to understand why the Jaguar XF hasn’t really found traction with local buyers in this class. The XF matches or betters its peers in most metrics, offers a good selection of modern technology, boasts an exquisite driving experience, and wraps it all in a stylish and classy package.
In short, you should go test drive a Jaguar XF before signing on any dotted line. And, while you’re at it, have a look at these cool features: some of them are standard, others are optional, but all of them set the XF apart from its opponents.
1. Engine start-stop button
From the moment you get in, the XF will envelop you with leather-lined luxury and soft ambient lighting. But the real sign that you’re in something special is the engine start-stop button, pulsating at 72 beats per minute. It adds to the sense of occasion when you press that button and watch the car’s cabin come to life, priming itself to give you comfort, class, and excitement in equal measure.
2. Rotating front outer air vents
As soon as you initiate the start-up function, the outer air vents in the dashboard quietly rotate to their functioning position, indicating that the car is ready to serve you. These rotating air vents first appeared in the first-generation Jaguar XF, and has since become a signature feature of this model. Gimmicky? Perhaps. But unusual and very distinctive, nonetheless.
3. Interactive driver’s display (R7 300 option, only available with R8 300 Touch Pro infotainment system)
This one is a bit tricky to get, because it requires an infotainment system upgrade to be chosen as an option. Never mind, because you really want the 10-inch Touch Pro infotainment system anyway – its graphics are clear and pretty, and the latest functionality is built in. From there, it’s only another R7 300 to get a fully digital instrument cluster, with a myriad of ways to configure it to exactly match your preferences.
4. Dual view centre display (R8 300 option)
Just as with the interactive driver’s display, you’ll need to specify the Touch Pro infotainment system before this function becomes available. It’s clever enough to justify this expense, though: thanks to some ultra-modern screen technology, this centre display shows different things to the driver and the front passenger – all at once!
This means that the driver could keep an eye on navigation- or car-related information on a full-sized screen, while the passenger could be watching a movie on the screen’s media player, without distracting the driver with their in-car entertainment.
5. Adaptive dynamics (R12 600 option)
The Jaguar XF has beautifully responsive driving dynamics and a supple ride quality even in standard trim, but ticking the adaptive dynamics option box adds another layer of competence to its repertoire. By adjusting the electronically controlled dampers up to 100 times per second, the adaptive suspension ensures that you’ll always enjoy an optimal balance between comfort, agility, and control, no matter what the road surface throws at the car.
- Option pricing was accurate at the time of writing, but may change without prior notice.
Related reading:
We spent time with an XF, and made you a video about the experience.
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