You May Not Like This Car If. The Driver Assistance pack in the R-Sport and S models adds park assist, proximity camera, adaptive cruise control with queue assist, 360-degree view camera system and a 360-degree park distance control. Outstanding driving dynamics coupled with traditional British styling form a one-two punch that's hard to beat. 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. A Driver Assistance Pack adds adaptive cruise control, proximity cameras and traffic-sign recognition.
The standard 10-inch touch screen is easy to see, and the InControl system works well in general. The Adaptive Surface Response system borrows a lot from the Terrain Response systems used on Land Rovers and Range Rovers. Interestingly, torque figures for both engines are identical. Premium materials fill the cabin, and the trunk is one of the largest in the class. It makes the car almost indecently quick. I have a 2 litre Diesel engine and return between 50 - 53 mpg on the long journeys.
Exceptional handling ability, sharp automatic transmission, and the best electric power steering I have ever felt. The touchscreen also allows pinch to zoom gestures, and the nav system offers door-to-door route planning and guidance incorporating public transport options, a commute mode that learns your daily drive so that it can automatically offer alternative routes to avoid congestion using historical and real-time traffic information, and an approach mode which shows a 360-degree interactive Google Street View-style image of your destination when you're approximately 650 feet away. The exterior has an excellent fit and finish and I found no flaws in it at all. It is one of the most successful four-door Jaguars ever. The little diesel's a willing worker, though.
That leads to a bit of stiffness; the driver has to push through some resistance to deliberately bring out the excitement. The overall effect is one of thoughtful, purposeful design — after all, this is Ian Callum's work — rather than taking a corporate-mandated design language and scaling it up or down to suit the hardpoints. The touchscreen also allows pinch to zoom gestures, and the nav system offers door-to-door route planning and guidance incorporating public transport options, a commute mode that learns your daily drive so that it can automatically offer alternative routes to avoid congestion using historical and real-time traffic information, and an approach mode which shows a 360-degree interactive Google Street View-style image of your destination when you're approximately 650 feet away. Switching the transmission into Sport mode and shifting via paddles makes things interesting, but we wonder if the way it delivers performance is just antithetical to what's expected in a Jaguar—no crackling V-8 exhaust, no copious amounts of exhaust overrun. The rear fascia cuts through some of the bulk of the rear end with a steep cutline. You can spec the larger 10-inch screen with InControl Touch Pro and a gruntier stereo, but I think at 130 large the bigger screen should be standard.
Partially, it does this with a good old fashioned British projection of power. On more advanced models, the screen grows to 10. First to arrive in mid-2016 will be a turbodiesel 4-cylinder with 178 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The all-wheel-drive models feel at home on the track, even though there's more compliance in its suspension tuning, more body lean and lighter steering than in some rivals. Tight as can be, 17k miles now with no squeaks to be spoken of. .
The materials could probably do with a bit more attention because at this level and hand out a bit of a hiding literally, in some cases on that front, and the fit of some of the trim pieces in the Jag isn't as close to perfect as it could be. An InTouch Pro system with greater functionality will be optional. Finally, I used to buy a new car every year or less. That could be a problem, but the big screen and easy-to-see icons make using it simple. This car was purchased off the showroom floor and has every option that was available in 2016. The supercharger itself is a bit of a statement. I have been more than pleased with everything about it.
The 5 Series corners well, but it's most at home as a cruiser thanks to its serene ride. The Jaguar's profile is long, low and sleek and finishes off with a fastback rear end. It's quite close in style to the smaller —which is to be expected, since they share an aluminum architecture. The basics include a double-wishbone front suspension and an integral-link rear. Response time is good, but it would take some getting used to before we were comfortable using it in traffic. Inside you can opt for the traditional leather-and-timber look - still our favourite - or more modern metallic-sports appearance. When I drove it I was hooked.
Standard features include ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a 17-speaker Meridian audio system, and a head-up display. The detail of the satnav directions is good, but there was little adjustment available. On the standard version, phone, audio, and navigation functions, as well as the home screen, have a button for quick access. 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. It's a fairly uncluttered interior, with good space and a minimalist approach. Though you'll likely save money with older models, you won't get all the benefits of the redesign. The rest of the experience is.
Tell us why in the comments below. You might also consider the new 300 Sport trim, which comes with a stronger engine and a few more active safety features than the lower trims, while still costing a few thousand less than the top trims. Inside there are further additions such as special dials, dark wood and more heavily bolstered, but extremely comfortable, seats. The interior is beautiful, multiple drive dynamics available, well finished, and well laid out. We drove both rear- and all-wheel-drive versions in the 380-hp tune.