we described the Jaguar XF as “an athletic five-seater that defies ancient traditions.” That’s a key point, because Jaguar had been mired in a styling rut, perpetuating past designs to the point of irrelevance. We’ve heard a few pundits suggest the XF “doesn’t look like a Jaguar.” To which we say: Right, and none too soon.Although there are elements from the XK sports car and the S-type sedan, the XF is essentially a new unibody, with distinctly higher platform rigidity than the S-type. It’s a little bigger than the S-type, on the same wheelbase, and a little roomier. Interior furnishings are quietly upscale, and there’s a sense of tailored comfort that’s common to high-end European sports sedans.
As pleasant as it is to behold, the XF’s most compelling attribute is outstanding dynamics. Power, from either the standard 4.2-liter V-8 or a supercharged 4.2-liter V-8, ranges from sufficient to stimulating, and the Jag’s responses to zigs and zags are gracefully feline.Best CarsBY TONYSWAN
Jaguar XF Specs
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
BASE PRICE: $49,975–$64,475
Jaguar XF ENGINES: DOHC 32-valve 4.2-liter V-8, 300 hp, 310 lb-ft; supercharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve 4.2-liter V-8, 420 hp, 413 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed auto with manumatic shifting
FUEL ECONOMY:EPA city/highway driving: 15–16/23–25 mpg
