After years in the wilderness with the hopeless X-Type and flawed S-Type, the XF shows that Jaguar has re-emerged as the form team of the luxury car market. In fact the S-Type, which was under-developed at launch grew into a good car over the years, only hampered by its dreadful styling. That was the result of listening to focus groups of 60 year old men in Florida (no, we don't know why Ford decreed Jaguar must listen to the least style-conscious demographic in the western world, either).
Thankfully the XF, styled by the brilliant, self-effacing Ian Callum, goes back to the real principles of Jaguar - grace, space and pace in a modern form. The XF is far more in keeping with the approach of Sir William Lyons, Jaguar's founder, than the pastiche S-Type.
The XF goes up against some truly senior competition - the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes E Class - but it competes without needing any apologies for Jaguar's more slender resources. Based on the S-type platform, the decision was made to build the XF out of conventional steel rather than the aluminium of the XJ in order to keep costs down.
The XF is sharp on the outside, but it's the interior that takes you by surprise, though. It takes the concept of a Jaguar interior a huge leap forward, using the traditional wood and leather but in a fresh and contemporary way. The air vents that rotate and the gear lever that ascends out of the centre console as you ready the car are moments of pure theatre.
There is plenty of room inside the XF, and average space inside the boot for your luggage, but it's the impressive quality and wonderful atmosphere that will grab your attention. This isn't the segment for trick seating arrangements or nifty storage areas.
The communicative steering, taut ride and sheer amount of grip make for a singular driving experience - an accomplished chassis mated to excellent engines, a fine range where you can't really go too wrong. The 3.0-litre diesel is our favourite, suiting the car's hushed sense of urgency.
Jaguar has knocked it out of the park with the XF, a car that in terms of emotional appeal is the best in its class.