Review: New Jag roars past some but isn't king of the jungle

Then, last year, the former Ford property rolled out the XF — Jaguar’s answer to BMW’s increasingly popular über-hauler, the 5-series, and Mercedes’ endless alphabet soup of production cars that would qualify as an “executive sedan.”

To suggest that the XF is better than its German competitors is wrong. Half the time it outclasses the Mercedes in luxury, the other half the time it outclasses the BMW in performance. So does it mean that it’s better than both all the time?

Not quite.

While the XF is guilty — and the supercharged XFR, by association — of being a stuffy Brit Jaguar from its nose to its kneecaps and all the way around, there are a few places were this well-heeled sedan is better heeled than its competitors.

For beginners, the design of Jaguar’s cat is simply stunning. A brisk departure from the botox-inspired, AARP-card-carrying XJ, the XF resembles more the wild child XK coupe — and by alliance — Aston Martin DB7. Sharp lines, a menacing grille and side gills all bring the skin of the XF within a whisper of gorgeous.

While the rear end and its skinny tail lights may turn some off — it’s hard to argue that if you don’t think the car passing you by looks good, it sure sounds good.

That’s because the naturally aspirated V8, pumping 385 bhp in the premium edition — 300 in the XR and 510 in the supercharged XFR — sounds like a mountain cat ready to pounce.

The raspy note and thrust from the rear powers the big cat from 0-60 in 5.5 seconds as tested and hurdles the luxury sedan toward the electronically limited 121 mph easily.

While the BMW 5-series may accomplish those feats in quicker times — especially the M5, and the Mercedes E or S series might do it with better gizmos and comforts, the XF arrives at the destination of a well-rounded luxury competitor as designed.

At $57,000 starting, a hair over $60,000 fully equipped, the XF may be the “money-for-value” choice in the class against its luxury competitors.

But I suppose a “value” personal isn’t nearly as sexy as Bea Arthur or Lindsay Lohan, now is it?

Final Verdict: Three and a half stars out of four. The 2010 Jaguar XF is mildly improved over last year’s initial offering from Jaguar. While the sport sedan may not do some things as well as BMW, Mercedes or even Audi, the Jaguar offers remarkable luxury, speed and comfort for a palatable price for nearly all within the applicable tax bracket.

Aaron Cole is the managing editor of The Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or at acole@aurorasentinel.com.