Jaguar XF

The XF is the sportiest among midsized luxury sedans. It's taut and agile, with lively steering, yet possesses a supple and composed ride. The 340-hp supercharged V6 is punchy, but may have too much of a growling note for a luxury car. A more powerful 380-hp version is also available. We got 21 mpg overall with our all-wheel-drive XF. The front and rear seats are very comfortable, and the trunk is large. However, interior ambience is a bit austere for a Jaguar, and the standard infotainment system is slow and somewhat fussy. The air-conditioning system is rather wimpy. Updates for 2018 included a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and an all-wheel-drive wagon version called Sportbrake. New features for 2019 included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Front and rear parking aids, and an enhanced touch-screen infotainment system are new standard equipment for 2020. The wagon was discontinued for 2021. 2024 is the final year for the XF.

The midsized Jaguar XF is something of a boutique selection: stylish, expensive, and a little whimsical, even eccentric. It may be the sportiest-handling car in its class, with driving dynamics like the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series. The ride is compliant and composed with underlying firmness. Most will have the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic. The base engine is a four-cylinder; three powerful V8s top the range. Our AWD V6 proved very quick and agile. Low-slung, coupe-like styling takes a toll on access and visibility. The cabin is beautifully finished but snug, especially in back, and controls are needlessly complicated.

The XF replaced the S-Type for 2009. Considerably more in keeping with the traits we've come to expect from Jaguar, the XF brought first-rate driving dynamics and a comfortable ride. While somewhat snug, the interior is beautifully finished, although some of the controls are more complicated than they really need to be. This iteration of the XF can be found with either V8 or V6 power.