Best 2009 luxury car ($50,000-$75,000)

KATHY RENWALD FOR THE TORONTO STAR

Jaguar XF

Kathy Renwald

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

BEST: Jaguar XF

Entry into the exclusive XF world starts at $61,800. The party starts with a 4.2 L, 300 hp V8 that sounds rich and lusty.

It has a smooth shifting six-speed automatic, steering is perfectly weighted, the ride is refined. Yet the XF is always ready to sling around corners and romp.

A well-polished design makes the XF a wind tunnel wonder. From the rear it suggests Aston Martin, from the front a sort of members only gleam from the big grille.

Inside the well-dressed cabin, one feels insulated and smugly amused as the XF blazes its own path. There is no common stack with PRNDL for this cat.

Turn the key and Jaguar Drive Selector rises from the console, twist the knob and glide into Drive. At the same time air vents open and revolve to fan a fresh breeze over occupants, overhead lights are activated with the wave of a hand.

Write a bigger cheque and purchase more horsepower by moving up to the Premium Luxury XF. Throw in a tip to get the Portfolio Package, which adds exotic wood, super suede and chocolate dipped strawberries in season .

But the base XF has glamour to spare and looks like a car Mad Mens's Don Draper would drive.

NEXT BEST: BMW 335i

It's not as daring a choice as the Jag, and it's not as luxurious, but the BMW 335i is universally loved. The sweet six-cylinder twin-turbo has to be destined for a hall of fame. It does 0-to-100 km in 5.6 seconds, the handling is without fault, and the steering is alive and assured. Compared to the XF, its kind of luxury-lite but still seductive.

ALSO CONSIDER:

Mercedes C-class: Underpinned with rock solid driving dynamic and pampering interior.

Acura RL ($63,900): Lovely interior, forgettable exterior, and all-wheel drive.

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