Here's something you don't normally hear: "Hey, honey, it's snowing. Let's take the Jaguar."
Certainly, a couple years ago, it would have been imprudent. While Jaguars have prodigious grip under most circumstances, their rear-wheel drive configuration is less than perfect in wintry Northern climes. After all, when the weather turns bleak, one heads for home, picking up the kids from school along the way before stopping at Whole Foods to ensure a robust supply of almond milk, sprouted whole wheat bread and hummus.
Thankfully, Jaguar added all-wheel drive to the XF last year, and it is once more available in all 2016 XFs, which are being offered in two totally redesigned models: the XF 35t, powered by a 340-horsepower V-6 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission-and available in Premium, Prestige and R-Sport trim levels-or the XF S, with the same engine but boasting an extra 40 horsepower. Torque for both engines is identical: 332 pound-feet. For those who don't need all-wheel drive, a rear-wheel drive model is still offered.
Of course, looking at the 2016 model, you may think that little has changed. Guess again. The whole vehicle has been reworked with a stronger, more burly look. Admittedly, the effect is subtle, but an easy way to tell is to look for the new rear quarter windows; they're a first for the XF.
And once you climb inside, you'll notice a significant difference in the rear seat. Thanks to the XF's longer wheelbase, you'll find that rear legroom has grown 0.6 inches, while rear knee room is up by 0.9 inches, and headroom has increased 1.1 inches. Trunk space has risen as well, now rated at a commodious 19.1 cubic feet. Nevertheless, overall vehicle length is down by 0.3 inches. Neat trick.
And here's the best part: weight is down as well.
Jaguar pioneered aluminum construction in its cars, and it pays dividends on the scale. This cat has shed 132 pounds in rear-wheel-drive configuration, and 265 pounds in all-wheel-drive trim. Pair this with Jaguar's drivelines, and rear-drive models can return 30 mpg in highway cruising. But given the goodness of the XF, you're forgiven if you don't achieve that. After all, you'll want to hammer this bad boy.
If you do, you'll find that there's a host of electronic aids that make you a better driver than you truly are. It starts with Torque Vectoring by Braking, which individually slows the inner wheels while cornering, and continues to Configurable Dynamics, which adjusts the car's responses to suit your mood. Adaptive Surface Response modifies the XF's responses to match road conditions, be they normal, wet, made of gravel, or covered in snow and ice. Other options, including Laser Heads-Up Display, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, and Semi-Automated Parking, finish the job.
Pairing the magic of microchips to the solid chassis (torsional rigidity has been increased 28 percent) and you have a superb midsize sports sedan that produces an intoxicatingly lovely engine and a growling exhaust note, along with the power to go with it. Reaching 60 mph takes about 5 seconds, with the V-6 delivering the goods with a certain amount of urgent grace. Its demeanor is vehement but polished, with the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters quickly snicking off the gear changes. And despite the XF's straight-line athleticism and firmly absorbent ride, it's agile enough to tackle the twisties with the finest from the fatherland, although a lot of the old Jaguar suppleness is absent.
In fact, you'll find the new XF is more Teutonic than its predecessor, especially once seated inside. Its polished, upscale cabin feels more starkly European than British, and it's its rotary shifter and larger 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment systems, backed by quad-core processors, do lend the cabin a modern feel. And kudos to the 17-speaker, 825-watt Meridian digital surround sound system; it turns this kitty into a concert hall.
And once seduced by this powerful cat, Jaguar seals the deal with a new 5-year/60,000 mile warranty.
That makes the XF a car that you can once more put on your shopping list, not only for all of the classic values that make a Jaguar a Jaguar, but because it can deliver those qualities no matter what the weather.
Stats
Wheelbase: 116.5 inches
Length: 195 inches
Cargo space: 19.1 cubic feet
Curb weight: 3,770 pounds
EPA rating (city/highway): 20/30 mpg (real-wheel drive)
NHTSA safety rating: Not rated