Here’s the answer to a maiden’s prayer when you’re having a bad hair day: go for a drive in Jaguar’s XF 2.7D.

You could be feeling like the wreck of the Hesperus - a zit on your forehead, a cold sore the size of Japan, and roots in need of a tint job – but the Jaguar will imbue you with the confidence of Madonna and the allure of Angelina Jolie.

Jaguar XF has scooped numerous awards

Not for nothing has the Jaguar XF scooped numerous awards: Auto Express, What Car? and What Diesel magazines as well as The Sun Motoring voted it Car of the Year, it was Top Gear mag’s Limo of the Year, British Car’s Interior of the Year and Autocar’s Design Award winner.

A worthy winner in any category

Price: From R540 000 To R585 000 Article Options Email to Friend Print Article Remove from Favorites Add to Favorites Remove from 'Articles to Read' Add to 'Articles to Read'

So okay, it’s not cheap. And yes it reeks of an aristocracy that’s as rare as rocking horse dung but there’s no denying its utter class, sophistication, and – well, sheer excellence.

Auto Express, when choosing it as Car of The Year, said: “Our winner has raised the standards in a class where excellence is considered the norm. It’s a home-grown package, designed and developed in the UK and built by a highly-skilled workforce."

I couldn’t fault the Jaguar XF 2.7 diesel. In fact, to quote from a page in my 11-year-old daughter’s diary/notebook: “I love the Jaguar because it is so smooth when you are driving fast: you can’t hear it is a diesel engine because it’s so quiet. And we felt very safe in the car because it has lots of airbags and other things to keep you safe.”
From the mouths of babes!

One of the smoothest gearboxes in town

Brilliantly quiet, brilliant on the open road, smooth, quiet, stable, effortless, and a host of superlatives . . . and one of the smoothest gearboxes in town.

The kids also loved the speedo and rev counter needles: they are absolutely fascinating, appearing as free floating little sticks, unattached to absolutely anything.

But it’s everything else you’ll find in your Jaguar XF that completes the package for me

Get into the XF and the start button pulses red, like a heartbeat. Press this button and the silver JaguarDrive gear selector rises into the palm of your hand. You’ll be awed by the rotating vents as they turn from their flush “parked” position to their functional open position... and as far as behaviour is concerned, the car delivers everything it promises, its 152kW 2.7-litre 24-valve V6 turbodiesel (435Nm of torque) engine providing you with a marvellous driving experience.
Jeez it’s beautiful.

Incredibly spacious, too: five adults have no problems with leg or head room. And compulsive shoppers will love the cavernous boot.
My daughter had the last word: “If it didn’t cost to much money my mom would buy one for us.” I would, too. Tomorrow!
•    R540 000 for the Luxury model, R585 000 for the Premium Luxury