In the "old days" of a couple of years ago, when a domestic automaker introduced a new or improved model, it would compare the new offering to its crosstown rivals. So if Chevy had a new compact SUV like the Equinox, it would dig up a Ford Escape and Dodge Caliber for critics to compare it to. Never mind that Honda's CR-V and Toyota's RAV4 might really be the benchmarks for perceived quality, features and performance.

Jaguar's smart, contemporary XF series has been a dramatic success for the company that had appeared to be stuck in a design theme that worshiped the proud marque's early history. Although Jaguar attributes have skewed toward the comfort end of luxury, the company has also offered performance versions of its lineup.