89: Jaguar XF – Still worthy in a world of SUVs

Top 100 cars for 2020: XF has almost-peerless agility, coupled with a gentle, absorbent ride quality

XF is pretty much as practical if you buy the gorgeous Sportbrake estate
XF is pretty much as practical if you buy the gorgeous Sportbrake estate

Jaguar’s mid-size saloon has seen its sales battered in the past couple of years, both by the general headwinds of the market and the fact that buyers are increasingly turning away from saloons and towards SUVs. Which is desperately unfair, really, as the XF is far more handsome, and far better to drive than any SUV.

And pretty much as practical if you buy the gorgeous Sportbrake estate. If it falls down, it's arguably because Jaguar didn't quite push the styling boat out as far as it might, leaving the XF to look a little too predictable on the outside. Likewise, the cabin is far too bland - there's nothing in their other than the badge to show you that it's a Jag.

On the upside, though, few cars of any badge, bodystyle, or type, are quite such good fun to drive. The XF has fantastic steering and almost-peerless agility, coupled with a gentle, absorbent ride quality. It deserves to be more widely experienced.

Best model: XF Chequered Flag 2.0d 180 for €61,455

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Price range: €52,235 to €92,375. Finance from POA per month.

Co2 emissions: 135 to 171g/km

Sum up: Still as slick as they come.

* A note on Co2 figures: For almost all the cars in the Top 100, we’ve quoted the stricter WLTP figures for Co2 emissions. A few are still quoted on their older NEDC2 figure, and that’s the number they’ll be taxed on. If you’re confused at all, just consult your local dealer for specific data for the make and model in which you’re interested.