Jaguar XF 20d AWD

You've suddenly outgrown your BMW 3-series and well the next step logically would be to climb into the 5-series. However, what if the new promotion allows you to sort of treat yourself to something even nicer. You'd think a nice 7-series would tickle your fancy?

How about a Jaguar XF? You won't regret it one bit.

20d trim comes with or without all-wheel-drive and a decent four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. 180Hp for many many not sound like much but it is enough for most buyers who desire luxury and also somewhat respectable running costs. The new 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 247hp is a sweet spot in the range. It has plenty of torque at low revs and feels so much more flexible when you want it the most. What's a Jag without the option of a six-cylinder engine? Well you get two of them to choose from, both 3-liter supercharged with 340hp and 380hp. Our tester car wasn't any of the gasoline engines, we had the diesel engine with all-wheel-drive and a R-Sport package. Exterior styling is great and well the larger alloys seem to compliment the XF style more. Driving the diesel engine in the XF isn't like what you'd expect because we surely expected a smoother engine. It's not all bad just not as smooth as it should be, but at relaxed speeds it's fine. Besides, most people aren't going to flat out flog it at every given opportunity and with the low running costs you get with this car it's a home run. Diesel fueling stations are hard to come by but if you find one and you desire this particular XF we'd say go for it. You won't find a Mercedes E-class diesel until 2018 and you also won't find a 5-series diesel anywhere either. Jaguar pretty much owns this segment.

Long gone are the days when you'd say Jags are for those who are more into luxury and very little sport. The new XF has steering feedback that was sent from the gods and the chassis can pretty much handle every twist and turn tossed at it. You'll appreciate that the diesel engine doesn't have much horsepower because you can really see what the car is capable of achieving without feeling like you're going to overpower each turn and flog it when it isn't needed. 319Lb-ft torque at only 1750rpm is a lot. Road noise is decently suppressed as well as wind noise. The engine does have more clatter than we'd like, but we still would choose this happily over the 2-liter turbo four.

The interior has a minimalistic feel to it. Most would feel there should be buttons where there are none at all and well we are fine with that. It makes you appreciate the space that you have around you and the attention to details is stellar. We just wish that it had a bit more spice to it, more refinement in certain areas where you'll be greeted with cheap plastics. They do feel sturdy and long lasting but for the price that our tester car had we were expecting a bit more. The front seats do offer decent comfort but some may find the seats are a bit narrow and the cabin is also feels narrower than a 5-series. The rear seat can seat four comfortably but a fifth person will find themselves straddling the center transmission hump and sharing out the foot space.

Out tester car came kitted with every single option that you could possibly ask for. Adaptive Xenon-headlamps, lane keep assist, 825 watt sound system and 20-inch alloy wheels. You'll have to pay extra for ventilated leather front seats, upgraded infotainment screen and 360 view camera. These features all came with our tester car and yes while it is nice, many of them we hadn't had the chance to try them due to time. One feature that our tester car didn't come kitted with was the Adaptive Dynamics Package which we did find a bit strange.

The Jaguar XF is a great sedan that you should short list if you aren't impressed with the latest Audi, BMW and Mercedes offerings. Driving dynamics are spot on excellent and you won't regret the diesel engine for it's low running costs. Everyone else will find the 2-liter turbo four offers good flexibility. Power hungry will be very satisfied with the supercharged six-cylinders offered. The only letdown that Jaguar still needs to work on is reliability.

Likes: The XF was sent from the gods. It's dynamically the best sedan we've ever driven. Classic British luxury inside out. Diesel engine has low running costs. There's an XF for everyone.

Dislikes: Jaguar isn't known for having reliable products. Resale value is a bit scary. Be careful with the options as it may induce sticker shock, our tester car certainly did.

20d AWD *** (We were finally able to test drive the XF with the 2-liter turbo-diesel engine option. While it was met with divided opinions, the XF 20d AWD certainly isn't a bad option for those who do worry about running costs, or do tons of highway miles. It's not the quickest diesel engine you'll encounter, but it does make a lot of financial sense for us if we were to option for this Jag. It has plenty of torque at low revs which helps it feel light on its toes, and while you'll wake up everyone in your neighborhood just turning on the thing. We love the charm that this car has that other German Rivals seem to lack.) 

We question everything about the GLE Coupe

The Mercedes GLE Coupe is proof that money doesn’t buy taste. You can choose between two engines. Entry-level gets a 3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder producing 429hp. While the top of the range AMG GLE 63 S Coupe gets a 4-liter twin-turbocharged eight-cylinder producing 603hp. Both engines are paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The GLE is very expensive to begin with, so picking between the two engines depends upon how much money you are willing to spend on one. We reckon that most will be satisfied with the AMG GLE 53, which utilizes the turbocharged six-cylinder engine. However, if you desire that extra kick in your pants acceleration and don’t mind paying the premium. The AMGGLE 63 S is certainly worth the consideration. Driving the GLE around town provided a mixed bag of emotions. We were certainly happy that the air suspension was fitted standard. Which allowed us to slip it into comfort mode around town and when we felt like driving in a non-SUV tradition. We slipped the setting into sport mode and really pushed the GLE hard through corners and switchbacks. You’ll certainly enjoy the GLE if driving dynamics is what you are after. It might not be as sharp as the X6, however it’s not a complete dullard. When you aren’t driving like a hooligan, this Mercedes is certainly a comfortable companion for long distance cruising. You won’t notice much wind or road noise. However, what will be noticed is the smallish rear windscreen and how the corners are curved, which makes it tricky to park in tight parking spaces. However, the 360-view camera (which was fitted to our tester car) can take some of the sting out of that. Don’t buy a GLE Coupe thinking that it’s a practical SUV. It’s far from it to be honest. The boot space is hugely compromised compared to the non-coupe form of the GLE. It’s also not as practical in the rear seat. It’s more of a two-seater if anything. Space in the front seats are ample. There’s plenty of adjustments for both driver and front passenger to get comfortable. The interior is what you’d expect of a Mercedes. Plenty of high-quality materials used and the infotainment screen is easy to navigate through. The GLE Coupe in both trims are similar in standard-kit. Keyless-Go is fitted standard along with dual-zone climate control and 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is fitted as standard along with power-folding exterior mirrors and handsfree boot release. The GLE Coupe is certainly a distinct looking SUV. Its hunchback design means that practicality isn’t its strong suite. However, what the GLE does shine in is performance and road presence, and for anyone that’s looking for an SUV to be seen in. The GLE Coupe certainly is the one to go for. Likes: Both engines are extremely flexible. The interior is well-executed with many high-quality materials used. It has road presence that not many SUVS have. Dislikes: It’s not a ‘coupe’. It can get quite expensive with options. It’s not a car for introverts. The GLE Coupe isn’t a sensible choice. It’s more for about the driving dynamics and road presence. Which is why we say the AMG GLE 53 is the appropriate way to go. It’s flexible enough and expensive enough without being completely ridiculous like the AMG GLE 63 S.

Answering car questions

We decided to respond to car questions found on the internet.

What is the purpose of an automobile clutch pedal?
What happens when you push on the clutch pedal? Explain it in the most simplist way as possible.

Cars with a clutch pedal (three-pedal layout) are manual transmission cars. The Clutch pedal is simply there to allow you to shift between gears. Most modern cars you have to depress the clutch pedal before turning on the engine.

Car Dealer Question?
Can a car dealership purposely sell you a car knowing there would be financial repercussions without telling you beforehand?

A car dealership will try to sell you a car regardless if you can or can't afford it. I strongly suggest doing your homework before going into a car dealership and know exactly what you can and can't afford. You don't want to put yourself in a financial crunch paying for a car that you cannot afford. A car dealership will hype the car up because they want the sale and want you to pay the most as possible because the more money you spend the more profits they make in return. Yes, they will make the car look lavish and awesome until the first payment is due.

Im buying my first car tomorrow?
I’m 18 years old & tomorrow I will be buying my first car by myself with my own money. I don’t have any support from my parents & they told me that they didn’t want to come with me so I have to go through this all by myself even though I wanted them there. I’m having a friend of mine drive me to the dealership & I have no idea what I should bring or how this will all go down. I’m also paying for the car in cash. Can anyone explain the process step by step for me? Thank you.

Listen to me when I say this. Do not! I repeat do not go to a dealership by yourself! Car dealerships love consumers such as yourself who has no clue about buying a car. They will take advantage of your lack of knowledge and put you in a auto loan that you can't afford. I strongly suggest taking someone who has experience buying a car and knows exactly what you should and shouldn't buy. Also, someone that knows if you're being taken advantage of. Buying a car is a huge responsibility, so take someone who can give you tips and guide you through the car buying experience.


IS it possible to import a Mercedes X class into the US?
With the X Class being Mercedes first ever true pickup, selling to the US seems like an option. Though due to the workings of the pickup truck market in the US, as well as what Mercedes is known as in the US vs. the rest of the world, Mercedes doesn t see the US market as being worth the time. But despite this, some Americans might find the X class to be appealing. So With that, is there any possible way to import an X Class to the US?

I agree with you. It would make a lot of sense if Mercedes sold the X-Class here along with the commercial vans they sell. However, I strongly suspect that the reason Mercedes isn't going to sell the X-Class here has to do with the simple fact that it would cost a lot of money to make it street legal here in the U.S. Also, the X-Class would be far too expensive compared to the Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram pickups that dominate U.S. sales. Lincoln tried to sell a 'luxury pickup' and failed miserably.


You are buying a new car.you have to choose transmission (automatic or manual),color (red,blue or white) and body style (Suv,hatch batch or?

I'll answer this question as if I were getting ready to buy a new car today. I would choose a Kia Sportage EX. It only comes with an automatic gearbox. Color, I'd choose blue. Body style, well it's an SUV of course.


Why is 2014 3X more expensive than 2012?
I found a 2012 MB S-class for $10k but can't find a 2014 S-class for less than $30k. Why are they so expensive??

The cheapest BMW X3 I found was $11K and the most expensive going as high as $23k. BMW tends to hold onto their value a lot better than Mercedes. However, I strongly suggest if you are considering an X3 to go for the more basic version. BMW tends to shove a ton of technology into their vehicles like Mercedes. The more tech the more prone to reliability issues you'll have, and the higher your repair bills are going to be. The Mercedes S-class has dreadful resale value because most tend to get rid of them after the lease is up and buy another one. Luxury cars tend to fall apart after warranty because of all the tech that's shoved in them and most (not all) tend to not really take care of them.

Should I sell my car now?
I have a nissan Alt 150,000 miles and I honestly want a Nissan 370Z. Some of my friends are saying sell my car now for the 370 but I’m thinking I should just wait till my car breaks down then get it.

Sell now!! Get rid of the car while it still working and you'll able to get something back from it if you are trading in at a dealership. You'll make more money selling yourself privately. However, don't wait until it breaks down. It will be harder to get rid of the car and you'll get far less for it in terms of value.

BMW or Mercedes and why?
I like BMW because aesthetically and performance wise it is closer to a spy mobile then a Mercedes which seems more like a limousine to me.

I'd go with BMW (3-series touring) over Mercedes. I honestly think the 3-series touring is the best BMW they have in their range and it's sad that they won't be selling them here in the U.S. after 2019. The 3-series touring is sporty to drive. It has a roomy interior and is all the car you'll ever need without compromising to an SUV or sedan. I like Mercedes products but they've never been eye appealing to me, and also they tend to be very problematic.

I need to get car repod. I plan on buying a car 3 weeks after the repo . Do i have to be worried? Im 20 btw.?

I don't think you understand the severity of getting your car repoed. When your car is repoed, the bank sells the car at an auction and you're stuck paying the remaining balance. Not only are you left with the balance but you are also left with a huge negative impact on your credit score. They (banks) will see this on your credit history and not want to give you an auto loan, or if they do it will be very high interest rates. I strongly suggest sitting down and figuring out your financial situation first and see ways that you can get out of your lease or loan to avoid repo.

Devon's Coverage of Auto Show (Final Part)

BMW X6
Likes: Upscale interior, high-tech hybrid drivetrain, slightly improved gas milage without giving up peformance.

Dislikes: Hybrid and 400hp V8 don't exactly mix, hybrid premium over gasoline counterpart.

Overall: A pointless vehicle made even more pointless.


Volkswagen Touareg
Likes: Well appointed interior, improved styling, improved gas milage.

Dislikes: Very strange name, hybrid commands $13,000 premium.

Overall: If you ignore the name, you'll find this is one great SUV for the money.


Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

Likes: 556hp! Available six-speed manual gearbox, roomy upscale interior.

Dislikes: Can get seriously expenisve with options.

Overall: Currently the only wagon with 556hp in the market right now.


















Mazda 2

Likes: Stylish exterior design, small but very spacious interior, value for money factor.

Dislikes: Feels a bit waterd down compared to Fiesta, no six-speed automatic, more power would be nice.

Overall: A cheaper alternative to the Ford Fiesta.



Buick Regal

Likes: Very stylish exterior design, interior feels very upscale, available turbo engine.

Dislikes: Base engine disappointing for a luxury car, rivals offer better fuel economy and weigh less.

Overall: A large step forward for Buick. If only this had happened years ago.




Ford Taurus

Likes: Slick exterior design, handsome interior, comfortable front seats.

Dislikes: For such a large vehicle the interior is small, turbo engine only available with SHO trim.

Overall: A home-run hit by Ford.


Jaguar XJ

Likes: Unique styling, light weight aluminum architecture, plenty of power to choose from, a very interesting alternate to the Mercedes S-class.

Dislikes: Styling may not appeal to some, interior virtural guages are a huge let down, Jaguar's spotty reliability record.

Did you know? The supercharged 510hp version can accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds.


Porsche Boxster Spyder

Likes: Affordable for a Porsche, two trunks, stays true to Porsche's hertiage.

Dislikes: Options are expensive, converting from coupe to roadster takes a bit of effort.

Overall: An excellent vehicle with true focus to performance.

Dodge Challenger

Likes: Retro styling that turns heads, tons of engine options, All-American Muscle Car.

Dislikes: Interior feels cheap, top of the range trim level is a bit expensive.

Driver's Choice: 5.7liter V8 400hp mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.













Hyundai Elantra

Likes: Very eye appealing design, loaded with standard safety features, improved fuel economy.

Dislike: Feelsl ike all style and no substance, resale value is still questionable.

Overall: Toyota and Honda should be very scared right about now.


Mercedes E-Class

Likes: Elegant design inside out, roomy rear seat for a convertible, plenty of cargo space with top up and down.

Dislikes: Expensive.

Did you know? The E-class convertible has a Aircap makes it possible to have conversations at speeds of 75mph with the top down.

Devon M