The adaptive dampers don’t transform the S from the standard fixed setup, yet neither do they punish the ride. Suspension compliance is another strong suit, just as it was in the previous-generation XF. Jaguar’s Dynamic mode can individually toggle the throttle, transmission, steering, and suspension between Normal and Sport settings, although the default tune is so spot-on that we didn’t fiddle with it most of the time. In Dynamic mode, which sharpens steering response even more, it still feels natural. As speed builds, weight increases and just enough road feel reaches the steering-wheel rim without it becoming overly chatty in the mold of a hypernervous sports car. Around town, it’s light but not overly quick.
The Jaguar’s thick, three-spoke steering wheel piles on that confidence as a Goldilocks example of how to tune electric power assist. Turn that S up, Coventry.ĬHRIS DOANE AUTOMOTIVE Grace at a Rapid Paceīut don’t mess with the chassis, which is beautifully balanced and predictable. When a four-cylinder Audi TTS or Mercedes SLC300 barks with more authority than a six-cylinder Jaguar, something’s amiss.
At full throttle with the XF S, with Sport shifting and Dynamic mode both engaged, we might have been hurtling forward in a Toyota Camry for all our ears knew. The F-Pace S sounds brawnier and way louder. Even the exhaust note is just as muted in the S-too much so for this car’s character. At legal road speeds, the two cars feel the same, and the heavier, more powerful all-wheel-drive version didn’t even hit our gasoline budget any harder-both the R-Sport and S models returned 19 mpg in our tests, although this car’s configuration scores 2 mpg worse (28 versus 30 mpg) in EPA highway ratings. In either car, the V-6 is smooth, eager to pull, and quiet, with no supercharger whine or coarseness as it thrusts the XF toward the next curve. From a standing start to 120 mph, the gap between it and the R-Sport widens to nearly a full second. The S really kicks in its 40 additional ponies beyond 80 mph, or the illegal zone in most of America. HIGHS: Dapper looks, sublime balance of comfort and performance, rare on the street. It’s clear where Jaguar feels its bread will be buttered. Summer tires are not yet on the official options list, even though you can get them on the F-Pace SUV. All-wheel drive fattened this kitty by 116 pounds (the S is available with rear-drive for $3000 less), plus the S model wore the same Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season tires as the R-Sport.
Braking was actually worse, requiring 10 extra feet to stop from 70 mph, although it should be noted that more than a few Car and Driver editors had flogged these rotors on our test loop before it headed to the track. Compared with the similarly option-laden R-Sport, the S was 0.1 second slower to 60 mph at 5.1 seconds but a tenth quicker in the quarter-mile with a 2-mph-higher trap speed it was just a skosh (0.01 g) grippier on the skidpad. Much in the way that a base F-type coupe delivers 98 percent of the F-type S, the XF S is separated from its lesser sibling by the thinnest of margins-and sometimes it’s not an improvement. Jaguar also fitted our example with $11,180 in options, bringing our as-tested total to a hefty $77,875. Aesthetically, the car gets bigger scoops, red brake calipers, and contrasting gloss-black trim. Software tweaks the V-6 to 380 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque (up 7 lb-ft), while adaptive dampers collaborate with larger 20-inch wheels.
For $2050, a couple of extra mods turn the 35t R-Sport into an S. Find out more about our advertising opportunities.Our all-wheel-drive S is as sporty as the XF gets before the upcoming high-performance SVR model makes it truly nasty. Advertise Advertising on is well-targeted, has unique benefits, and is highly successful. Looking for something lighter? Read our funny complaints to see people who found humor in a bad situation. Vehicle Problems Find out what cars to avoid, view the latest problem trends, or keep up-to-date with the most recently reported problems. Contact us with any comments or concerns.
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