Used 2016 Jaguar XF

Just as the luster was wearing off the previous generation, the all-new 2016 Jaguar XF comes along and dramatically improves everything we liked about the old car, fixes what needed fixing, and even offers up a few surprises. The styling is spot-on, a subtle but effective upgrade that keeps the recognizable shape but refines it for a new generation. The same is true inside, with a clean, uncluttered dash complemented by the all-new InControl touch-screen infotainment system. Powered by one of two supercharged V6 engines, backed by an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and available all-wheel drive (AWD), the new Jaguar XF is a worthy alternative to cars like the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, Cadillac CTS and others.

Put simply, this car is a joy to drive. With the 380-horsepower supercharged V6 roaring under the hood, the 2016 Jaguar XF thunders down the road, the steering razor-sharp, the suspension nimbly dispatching every corner you come upon. The 8-speed automatic reacts swiftly to your inputs, either with the steering-wheel-mounted paddles or your right foot. The 2016 XF comes with multiple user-selectable driving modes — albeit through a somewhat clumsy push-button interface — that allow drivers to choose among Eco, Normal, Dynamic and a special Winter program to help you in bad weather. Dynamic mode definitely amps up the performance, offering a stiffer ride and shifts firm enough that some complain about them being too harsh. Yet dial it back into Normal or Eco modes and the ride and shifts smooth out, letting you concentrate on the comfortable and quiet interior, and play with the new InControl touch-screen infotainment system.

The new Jaguar XF interior isn’t fancy or flashy. Instead, it trades chrome highlights and out-there design for a simple, straightforward interface that’s classy and elegant. The big InControl Touch Pro system takes center stage, offering most functions through its touch-screen interface. That could be a problem, but the big screen and easy-to-see icons make using it simple. The heated and cooled seats are comfortable when cruising, and plenty supportive for those times when you just have to blast through that onramp. The rear seats are also decent, and the around-town quiet is pure luxury sedan.

The 2016 Jaguar XF isn’t a radical styling departure from its predecessor, and we’re okay with that. The new XF maintains the same basic profile, with the long hood and short trunk emphasizing the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration. Yet despite the superficial similarities, everything about the design is new. The grille is more upright for better aerodynamics and to better tie it in with the new XE and revised XJ sedans. The LED accents on the headlights look modern and just right, and vents in the front bumper route air over the front wheels, reducing drag and helping fuel economy.

INCONTROL TOUCH PRO
We used to lament the infotainment system in Jaguars, but the new InControl Touch Pro system gives us one less thing to gripe about. In addition to the usual audio and navigation functions, it offers gesture controls, a customizable interface, and even a smartphone app to control vehicle functions.

JAGUAR ELITECARE
To burnish its reliability credentials, Jaguar now offers a best-in-class warranty, offering five years/60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper, scheduled maintenance, and roadside assistance, and five years and unlimited miles on its InControl Remote and Protect system.

Jaguar’s 2016 XF comes as nicely equipped as you’d expect of a high-end luxury sedan. There’s dual-zone climate control, cruise control, power windows and all that kind of stuff, sure. There’s also an 8-inch version of the InControl touch-screen interface, start-stop technology, rear parking camera, and a 380-watt 12-speaker Meridian sound system. Other standard features include Jaguar Drive Control with its selectable modes, 3-position memory for the driver’s seat, and keyless start. Mid-level Prestige models come standard with heated leather seats and navigation, while top-end R-Sport models add exterior design cues, lane-keeping assist and more.

XF S models come with an upgraded engine, putting out 380 horsepower to the standard model’s 340. Other options include the InControl Touch Pro, which adds a larger touch screen, a navigation system with a solid-state drive, and a host of other features. Also available are front and rear parking sensors, a comfort and convenience package that includes soft-close doors, plus cooled and heated front seats and heated rear seats. A Driver Assistance Pack adds adaptive cruise control, proximity cameras and traffic-sign recognition. There’s also a luxury package that adds a suede headliner, among other interior upgrades.

For now, 2016 Jaguar XF buyers can choose between two versions of a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine. The first is a 340-horsepower version, available in Prestige, Premium and R Sport models. Opt for the XF S and you get the 380-horsepower version. Interestingly, torque figures for both engines are identical. All Jaguar XF models are available in all-wheel drive, and all route their power through an 8-speed automatic transmission that offers shift-for-yourself paddles on the steering wheel. Surprisingly, despite the 40-horsepower advantage the XF S models have, there’s no fuel-economy penalty, and fuel economy is solid, with the new XF getting up to 30 miles for every gallon of premium fuel.

3.0-liter supercharged V6
340 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
332 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 mpg (RWD), 20/28 mpg (AWD)

3.0-liter supercharged V6
380 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
332 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 mpg (RWD), 20/28 mpg (AWD)