Sottozeros: expensive but definitely the best performing of all the choices when the road is clear (which is most of the time even in winter), and not too shabby in snow either!

 

Sybarite, what wheels are you sporting there! Car looks good, even in snow!

 

Standard XFR-S 20" wheels, brand new Sottozeros with staggered setup. Noticeably better traction than last winter with my old XFR (also Sottozeros, 255 all around but used for 4 winters), underscoring the importance of fresh tires!

 

Continental TS850 or TS860 and Nokian WR G2 come in the right 20 inch size for Jaguar. The Nokian WR G3 is not yet available in 20 in.

Either is competitive with Sottozeros.

In fact, both outperform the Sottozeros in important categories. I prefer the Pirelli but the numbers favour the other brands.

Bridgestone LM 32 is one of the current top winter performance tires and is also available in Europe in this size, I believe.

 

I just went thorough a brief snow storm < 2" accumulation and my XF did surprisingly well. I thought a SC V8 rwd would be terrible and it wasn't bad. I still had to use common sense but it actually surprised me. This was on Continental Extreme Contact DWS.

All things being equal, namely tires, I'd say AWD is still better in winter. My S4 and a loaner C class 4matic were more confidence inspiring even on all season tires.

 

I drover the jag through the ice storms in Ontario this winter it did fine on regular all seasons. The winter mode makes a difference also keep a light foot and the car wont fish tail. I do think winter tires are needed though as it makes driving easier but driving it on the stock continental is a lot of fun.

 

Those DWS are one of the best all season tires for winter use you can buy.