2017 Jaguar XF Review

Car shoppers looking for a midsize luxury sedan can be forgiven for limiting their search to the German contingent. After all, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz created the class and have benchmarked it ever since, despite impressive incursions by American, Asian and other European automakers. But the 2017 Jaguar XF gives shoppers a very good reason to expand their options. The XF's extensive aluminum construction makes it light, fuel-efficient and quick to respond to driver commands. Its plush cabin melts away time spent sluicing through traffic. And it cuts a dashing British figure on an open road.

The 2017 Jaguar XF now offers a fuel-efficient diesel engine along with optional all-wheel drive.

New for 2017 is a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine, which should broaden the XF's appeal to luxury shoppers who prioritize fuel economy. With more than 300 pound-feet of torque waiting to be uncorked as you dig into the accelerator, the diesel XF doesn't sacrifice thrills for frugality, either. Jaguar hasn't announced the new engine's fuel economy yet, but figure somewhere in the high 30s for highway mpg just to keep pace with the offerings from Audi and BMW.

The new diesel is the perfect complement to the XF's existing power plant, a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that comes in two strengths -- one with 340 horsepower and the other with 380. There's plenty of performance on tap, of course, but you also get a solid 30 mpg on the highway with the standard rear-wheel-drive setup.

The 2017 Jaguar XF stands out for the emotional impact it delivers. Enter the cabin, for example, and you see an ignition button that pulses red like a heartbeat; press it, and a rotary shift dial rises from the center console. Of course, what the Germans might lack in dramatic presentation, they make up for with clinical precision, as in the impeccably engineered Audi A6, the enduringly competitive BMW 5 Series and the superbly stolid Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which is also redesigned for 2017.

The all-American Cadillac CTS vSport undercuts the performance-oriented XF S model on price and offers more power and exceptional handling. But if you're drawn to Jaguar's signature pairing of grace and pace, you may find the 2017 XF hard to resist.

Standard safety features on the 2017 Jaguar XF include traction and stability control, antilock brakes, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and, on all but the base model, a rearview camera. As detailed above, certain other safety technologies are included on the R-Sport and S, while the more advanced Driver Assistance pack is optional on those trims, and the Vision pack enhances the safety of the base Premium and Prestige.

The 2017 Jaguar XF is a midsize luxury sedan offered in five trim levels: base, Premium, Prestige, R-Sport and S.

When Jaguar redesigned the XF for 2016, it infused the body and panels with lightweight aluminum, which gave the car a more nimble and athletic character. Add accurate, light steering to the mix and you've got a midsize luxury sedan that feels more like a smaller model from the driver seat.

Fitting the XF with optional adaptive suspension dampers offers the choice of even sportier ride and handling, or comfortable and relaxed cruising. Not that you need those fancy dampers; on the contrary, the XF's standard suspension tune strikes an agreeable balance between athleticism and isolation.

Whether you choose regular or extra-caffeinated supercharged V6, new turbodiesel four-cylinder, rear-wheel- or all-wheel drive, the 2017 Jaguar XF won't leave you wanting for performance.

The supercharged V6 provides satisfying acceleration in either standard or S trims and there's ample torque across the rev range. Some sport sedan shoppers may wish for a richer soundtrack, however, as we've found this V6 sounds less enthusiastic here than in the Jaguar F-Type sports car. Nonetheless, the 2017 XF sports enough distinct English style and character to make it a compelling alternative to its midsize rivals.

From its pulsating starter button to its motorized rotary gear selector, the Jaguar XF infuses the start of every drive with a little theatre and charm. Top-quality materials and finishes extend throughout the interior, as befits a car in this class. Cabin space is also on par, offering taller rear seat passengers a little more headroom than the Audi A6, for example, all while maintaining the XF's sleek, low-roof look.

Trunk space is abundant at 19.1 cubic feet, a number that makes it tops in its class. With a wide and deep enclosure, you won't have much trouble fitting luggage, golf clubs, strollers or the take from a monthly wholesale warehouse supply run. A split-folding rear seatback with a pass-through door allows for easy transport of longer items.

The 2017 Jaguar XF interior is a deft blend of modern tech and British tradition.

The standard InControl Touch infotainment system has an 8-inch touchscreen, while the optional "Pro" version of the system (included with the Technology pack) enlarges the touchscreen to 10.2 inches and replaces the gauge cluster with a 12.3-inch configurable display. Here the XF falls a bit short, its infotainment system lacking the speed and refinement of rival systems. The screen, controls and menu buttons are easy to use, but we found the system's responses slow, and the navigation froze up a few times during our testing.

InControl Touch also does not yet support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. We're also a bit disappointed with the 3G Internet connection, given the increasing availability of 4G connections in today's vehicles.