if you want a luxurious interior just get a lexus ES, seriously they are so nice on the inside and like 15-20k cheaper!

But yeah, maybe in terms of looks the XF might not compare to an E class or 5 series but it more than makes up for it once you actually turn it on and drive it (: the brand new E Class feels like you're driving a boat.. but I guess you have nice shiny wood to look at?

A fairer comparison for the XF is probably the Maserati Ghibli anyways, which also has a "cheap" looking interior but is meant to be a performance-oriented car.

Besides if you have the Prestige trim, the XF interior blows any other car in its class out of the water when the sun goes down and those ambient lights come on

 

Absolutely agree. People will always complain about quality no matter what, but how many complaining actually OWN a new XF? The fit and finish is impeccable, interior is refined yet sporty, (at least in my S model) suspension corners like the car is on rails, and power delivery is spot on with fast shifts and volumes of power immediately available on demand.

Comparing a Jaguar with anything else is rather amusing. If something else is better, buy it. But so many complain just to complain with no personal experience with the current models.

 

Late to this party but after owning a new XF for a little over a month here's my .02..... I was smitten by the performance, handling, and comfort on my first test drive and nothing has changed since then. To me ALL the manufacturers' interiors have been downgraded in this class. After multiple MB and BMWs I picked the XF based on the driving experience. Isn't that what a car is for? The seats met my comfort criteria, the performance and handling exceeded it. I have low expectations for leather quality as once you run your fingers over it the sensation is gone and the comfort is what matters and the differences are too close for my butt and back to feel. Plastic? Everyone is using it more because it's light, strong, saves money, and the the tactile finishes take away that "cheap" feel and look we all complained about years ago. So I'm a happy camper with my XF and first Jaguar

 

I think the new E-Class actually has a very posh upgraded interior. Did you test drive it and not like it??

 

Yes, nice looking interior but too busy for my taste. The Jag's simplicity is more to my liking but they should do something about that aluminum strip
The E performance and handling is sub par to the XF IMHO and my last car was an E350 that was downright uncomfortable. Especially on long trips. The biggest reason was the 4 banger engine and having to wind up the turbos and make noise to get going. Nothing beats a supercharger for a kick in the rear from the start.

 

The current E300 needs way better engine to really compete in this segment. The interior is great but the engine has no place in 50k car. MB can't get the E400 here soon enough.

 

+1 It's a non starter for many people....like me.

 

Interesting view of the 2016 XF. I viewed and tested it's main competitorsL: E Class MB, A6 Audi,BMW535 and concluded the XF was a superior vehicle in materials quality and overall performance. I have just bought a 2016 Jaguar XF AWD fully loaded in Tenerite Gray Metallic with Light Oyster leather interior. Wood trim is glossy burled walnut which I prefer. I have 19 inch wheels too. It is hard to compare the interiors as I just traded my loaded 2011 528i, a very good car btw. The Jaguar construction and underpinnings are first rate. Just look at the thickness of the doors, the fit and finish. It has great, properly served brakes and the steering is just right and a progressive rack and pinion. I think the quality of the interiors of the competitors is subjective but for me the only interior which LOOKED fancier than the Jaguar was the E Class but the interior was more noticeable for all the wood trim and not much else. It drove like a restrained bathtub--the C Class was worse. I almost bought the A6 but the 340HP 8 spd supercharged XF was too much too much to pass by. Still I do agree that there are not many choices for interior accoutrements such as leather, trim but the quality is excellent IMHO
Cheers
AL

 

Cool cat. Sporty interior. S model would have killed my Canadian dollar budget so I bought a 2016 XF AWD Prestige model loaded in Tenerite Grey and light Oyster leather. Love it. Enjoy yours too,
AL

 

Well I bypassed the glossy wood everywhere and compare the actual materials and although the E class is somewhat warmer in presentation the instruments, nav, switchgear AND the radio are not at all better. And that 4 cylinder turbo is a slug by comparison although a moderately powerful 6 is available for lots more bucks. I also much preferred the ride and handling of the 2016 XF AWD, which I bought after trying its competitors.


cheers
AL

 

+1 matches my analysis. However I have to admit that performance and handling are my prime motivators followed closely by comfort and features is last. The balance of comfort and handling is far superior with the XF and the performance is on par at a minimum and exceeding of many unless you go to the next price level.

 

This "old timer", whatever that means, just bought a 2016 XF AWD Prestige loaded. I remember driving a 1973 Jaguar RHD LWB 12 cylinder in maroon with lovely beige leather and miles of wood. Oh those days. Sorry young-uns but be happy. This new XF is excellent engineering IMHO
AL

 

Good point. The E Class is a boat and a big one with a nasty 4 cylinder turbo unless you pony up for the 6 and lots of ponies. It still drives like a boat.
AL

 

Having taken a test drive of the new gen XF 2.0d R-Sport yesterday I have to agree that JLR have undone their good work of the older gen XF. I am driving a 2009 XF Portfolio S but looking to change. My budget is up to £23k and based on the fit and finiah of the new XF it looks like I will go for a 2012 -2013 XJ Portfolio (8sp ZF) rather than a new gen XF. A real shame. Just went on to jaguar.com to build a new XF and the option to replace the fake faux leather seats and dash don't appear to be possible. Surely not ?

 

That's exactly what I did - Had to step up for an XJ, after owning 3 XF's that I greatly enjoyed spending time in. Yes, the new interiors are borderline rubbish

 

Yes it's sad Jaguar has abandoned luxury for sport in most of their cars. But luxury was never a traditional Jag thing...It's a British thing but not a Jag thing. It's the smooth sensuous looks and the 'grace, space, pace" that distinguish Jags from other marquees, not the wood-and-leather interior. Apart from the XJ (from Series I to present), all other Jag models had/have a shortage of wood and leather.
Even from the outside, I don't think the new XF saloon is all that pretty. The XF Sportbrake, on the other hand, is a looker.

 

They now claim the prize for the most cheap-hard plastic intensive, uninspiring interiors in the luxury segment.

 

Well now, my Canadian model 2016 XF AWD Prestige does have the leather dash and door panels. I notice on some models the stitching I have on the dash but it doesn't look like the faux leather I have which I like actually. BTW I have had many MBs and BMWs and I really prefer the XF overall although I admit the interior isn't as warm as it could be.