2016 Jaguar XF S

This new cat defies all sterotypes.

Few of us would confuse Jaguars, those unreliable cars for old fuddies, with an “Ultimate Driving Machine.”   

Yet those privy to the truth know the Brits have been building audaciously sleek sedans and sports cars that have finished near the top in most independent surveys, such as J.D. Power, for customer satisfaction and reliability for several years now.

Jaguar is going for the heart of the market with the new XF midsize sports sedan. While its mostly aluminum body is evolutionary in styling, it is carefully detailed, well proportioned, and quite captivating. It’s also stiffer and over 200 pounds lighter than its predecessor.

Inside, this Jaguar is slightly roomier—especially in back, where it needed to be—and generally speaking, thoughtfully detailed, with interesting textures and use of color and wood and aluminum trim. However, the base seats are hard, lack support and are limited in range adjustments, and the cloud-based InControlApps interface is buggy and nowhere near as intuitive as the German systems.

Dynamically, Jaguar aimed for best in class, and it landed in the top tier of driver’s cars—without creating a rough-riding sedan that wouldn’t engender broad acceptance. Perhaps only the Cadillac CTS steers, controls body motions or nails the ride and handling balance as well; both are ahead of the BMW 5-series, Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6.

The XF trounces the American in the powertrain department; the programming of its ZF 8-speed automatic (shared with two of the German cars) is the standard by which others should write tranny code, with perfectly executed, intuitive shifts in all modes. The engines at launch are closely related 3-liter, supercharged V6s; the base one has outputs of 340hp/332lb-ft; the S model has another 40 ponies. Both boast a wide spread of shove, commendable smoothness to redline, and refined yet intoxicating noise signature.

Cornering is what the XF is really built for. Few cars of this size have ever straightened curvy roads with such aplomb. The steering is superb: detailed and accurate, with a proper build up of forces to tell the pilot grip levels, locked-in straight line tracking and proper weighting. Suspension is comprised of double wishbones at the front and what Jaguar calls an “Integral Link” rear; drivers will call it astonishing.

The testers were all equipped with the optional, continuously variable suspension dubbed Adaptive Dynamics, which rode so well in its sportier setting that I never needed the soft setting. Consider this upgrade mandatory. That the XF is so accomplished, while including best-in-class warranty and servicing, means Jaguar may indeed rewire prejudices and achieve the kind of acceptance the company has long deserved.

EPA ratings: 20/30mpg; 24mpg combined (RWD)
0-60mph: 5.0-5.2 sec (MFG estimate)
Price range: $52,895-66,695 (before options)
Here is what Jaguar has to say.
 

Isaac Bouchard is owner of Bespoke Autos, an auto brokerage that helps people save time, money and hassle when buying or leasing vehicles. Since 1991 he has helped his clients save over $1 million dollars. He has written extensively about getting the best deal possible when buying or leasing a vehicle, arranging financing or trading in a car. Isaac has been a professional automotive journalist as well for over 12 years, having reviewed most all types of car, truck and SUV.