2011 Jaguar XF Supercharged

We're lucky here at Automobile Magazine in that we usually get to drive a different car every night, but sometimes a car comes along that we don't want to relinquish. The Jaguar XF has consistently been one of those cars; it's comfortable, spacious, it drives well, it has good looks, and it's sporty. Now heading into its third year, the XF is aging exceptionally well. This particular XF came with the optional supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 engine that turns this car into a real sleeper. The force-fed V-8 makes an impressive 470 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque. The latter is available at a low 2500 rpm and the power band continues through 5500 rpm. Thankfully, Jaguar equipped the car with Pirelli Sottozero winter tires so we were able to unleash this feline while maintaining control on the icy winter roads. If there's a downside to this car, it's the fuel mileage: 15 city mpg. Ouch. But that's the price you pay for a 4300-pound, rear-wheel drive, sedan with a big displacement V-8 under the hood. The as-tested price for this XF rung up to $69,375, which is lower than I would have guessed, given that is has the upgraded supercharged engine. However, the king of all kitties, the Jaguar XFR, is only around $10,000 more, at $80,000. If you can pony up the dough, that's the route I'd take. Mike Ofiara, Road Test Coordinator