I am not the most confident of drivers. Every time I get behind the wheel I have a lot of concerns ― from fear of speed, to the sensitivity of the pedals, to judging the weight of the vehicle right.

But for an anxious driver like me, the Jaguar XF 3.0 is a delight, settling most of my worries.

I took the car out for a test drive twice in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, and once more on the expressway.

The first thing that struck me was the sense of security it gives. Drivers with children would feel safe in it.

Though the whole body is made of aluminum ― which could give off a lightweight feel ― its grip on turns tells me that the car is more than sturdy. It made cornering smoother, lighter and more stable.

This was more evident on the expressway. The pedal was light ― a little push you could easily get you to 120 kilometers per hour ― but the steering was sure-footed. The soundproofing was outstanding, and the silence might even be quite eerie without someone to talk to.

Fortunately I had Kim Do-yoon, a professional racecar driver to show me how to get the best out of the car.

The other interior aspects were comfortable and stylish. The suede and Bond grain leather interior was luxurious, and could satisfy people of different ages and tastes. 

The refined exterior with the signature mesh grille and the growling Jaguar emblem adds a classic yet sexy touch to the overall streamline.

Known for its famous derriere, the vehicle is every inch fashionable.

“We say the rear of Jaguar XF is ‘tenacious,’” said Cho Joo-hyun, marketing and PR director at Jaguar Land Rover Korea.

The rest of its specifications are even more impressive.

The car has a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine “with the refinement and excitement usually found with six cylinders,” according to the carmaker. It churns out 340 horsepower and a maximum torque of 51 kilogram-meters at 2,000 rpm. The vehicle goes from 0 to 100 kph in 7.9 seconds.

Most of all, Jaguar’s idiosyncratic sequential shift system is quite fun to use.

Yes, a Jaguar is not just a car for a simple commute. But the XF is also a good car for an anxious driver like me. And its famous winter mode could save drivers from spinning out on the icy road, the carmaker says.

For people who enjoy speed, the car has no shortage of that. The sport mode turns the car into a growling beast in a second.

Perhaps Kim summed up these dual benefits best during our test-drive:

“I could imagine, after a long day in the bustling city and when night falls, I press the sport mode button, lean back a bit, push up the speed and enjoy the alonetime with the car.”

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)