Jaguar XF (X260) review: a capable executive sedan with no factory future
3.6/5motorssouq Editorial Team
Buy an XF in Bahrain for the driving experience and the discount, not for long-term peace of mind. The 2.0-litre Ingenium four is strong enough and the chassis is genuinely more engaging than a comparable 5 Series or E-Class, but Jaguar's exit from combustion cars means parts and specialist knowledge will thin out faster than for a German rival. Buy a well-documented late facelift car, budget for independent-specialist service, and treat the low asking price as compensation for that risk.
Pros
- Chassis and steering more engaging than a comparable 5 Series or E-Class
- 2.0-litre Ingenium four is smooth and strong enough for daily use
- Post-2021 facelift brings a much faster Pivi Pro infotainment system
- Steep depreciation makes a well-kept used example genuinely cheap
Cons
- Jaguar ended XF production in 2024 with no factory successor
- Cabin materials and switchgear feel a generation behind German rivals
- Dealer and specialist network in Bahrain is shrinking as Jaguar goes electric-only
- Pre-2021 infotainment is noticeably slow
The X260 XF never sold in the numbers Jaguar wanted against the German establishment, but the reason was never how it drove. The double-wishbone front and integral-link rear suspension give it a composure over broken tarmac that a 5 Series matches and a C-Class does not, and the electric power steering has more feel than most saloons in this class bother with.
Living with the Ingenium four
The 2.0-litre turbo four fitted to most GCC cars produces 250 hp and pulls cleanly to its redline, with the ZF eight-speed automatic shifting smoothly enough that the drivetrain rarely announces itself. It is not as quick as a turbocharged six from BMW or Mercedes, and Bahrain's summer heat will occasionally have the transmission hunting for gears in stop-start Manama traffic, but the highway cruising manners are excellent.
Interior quality is the XF's real weak spot next to a contemporary A6 or E-Class: the switchgear feels a generation behind, and the infotainment system in pre-2021 cars is slow to respond. Jaguar improved both with the 2021 facelift's Pivi Pro system, which is the version worth seeking out on the used market.
The bigger question in 2026 is what happens after the warranty runs out. Jaguar's UK and GCC dealer network is shrinking as the brand pivots to an all-electric relaunch, and independent specialists in Bahrain are still building up Ingenium-engine expertise compared to their decades of BMW and Mercedes experience. Budget accordingly and get a pre-purchase inspection from a shop that already services Jaguars.