JUST about the best value executive saloon or estate on the secondhand market is the Jaguar XF.

Don't believe me? Check out the prices for yourself. You'll savethousands when compared to all of the German models of the same year, size and mileage.

The equipment is just as good and nobody does such cosseting and luxurious interiors as the British, with Jaguar at the top of the list.

Of course, neither the XF saloon or its Sportbrake estate are available with electric power like the German opposition. If you want that, you'll have to wait until the company reinvents itself as a super luxury brand over the next few years.

Howsoever, there is one diesel/hybrid in the range - the D200 - but that is a mild or self charging hybrid.

Needless to say though, it helps the company car tax levels. With 204bhp on tap it's no slouch, bringing up 60 from rest in 7.1 seconds and capable of 56 miles per gallon.

All the engines apart from one are the company's excellent, smooth and powerful 2.0-litre Ingenium units and many models will be fitted with a brilliant electronically controlled all wheel drive system.

Almost all available secondhand will also be fitted with Jaguar's excellent eight speed automatic gearbox, which is just as it should be in such a car as far as I'm concerned.

Other diesels in the range start with 180bhp. This one is capable of 49mpg and gets to 60 in 8.1 seconds.

Then there is a twin turbo of the same 2.0-litre engine that boosts power to 240bhp and reaches the benchmark from rest in 6.3 seconds, while managing no less than 53mpg with a light right foot.

Finally comes a 3.0-litre V6 with 300bhp that covers the sprint in 6.2 and can do 43mpg.

Now we come to the petrol engined models, which are all 2.0-litre turbos with varying amounts of power.

First there is a 200bhp model known as the P200 and that reaches 60 in 7.1 seconds and can do 41mpg.

The middle of the range of three is covered by the P250, which as you will have guessed, has 250bhp. That's enough for an excellent sprint of 6.5 seconds but economy drops to 34.

And finally comes the P300. This one covers the sprint in 5.9 and is capable of 32mpg.

Part of the reason that the XF offers such good economy with performance is down to extensive use of lightweight aluminium in its construction, cutting the overall weight.

As a result it feels very light, nimble and agile for an executive saloon as well as offering a marvellous ride in the Jaguar tradition.

Inside, it's spacious front and rear, with plenty of leg and knee room for rear seat passengers.

And of course, the extensive use of leather and wood sets a standard that few others can match.

Mid-range R-Dynamic SE models come with those heated leather sports seats with electric adjustment, heated mirrors, parking sensors, excellent sat nav, traction control, cruise and a raft of electronic safety devices.

Pay about £10,350 for a '19 19-reg R-Sport 240bhp diesel, or £19,000 for a '21 21-reg R-Dynamic SE P300 petrol with AWD.