Jaguar to Offer All-Wheel Drive Option Across Future Range
Jaguar will engineer all future models to support all-wheel drive, responding to strong demand in North America and planning for broader market flexibility.
Jaguar will make all-wheel drive available on every future model, the company’s global brand director Adrian Hallmark confirmed at the launch of the XF and XJ 3.0 V6 AWD. This marks a shift in Jaguar’s approach, as the brand responds to increasing demand for all-wheel drive saloons in North America and Canada.
The decision follows the launch of all-wheel drive versions of the XF and XJ, which were developed in response to customer demand in regions with harsh winters. Hallmark said the company now intends to engineer AWD capability into the architecture of every new Jaguar model from the outset. He stated that, looking ahead, there is no model in the pipeline that would not benefit from having AWD as an option.
Jaguar’s current AWD system is paired exclusively with the new 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine. The company has limited the offering to this engine due to the high cost of engineering AWD across the full range, and the need to prioritise investment where demand is strongest. At present, AWD is not available on right-hand drive cars for the UK, as the market for V6 petrol models with AWD remains small.
Focus on North America and Canada
Jaguar’s move is targeted squarely at the US and Canadian markets, where AWD saloons are popular, especially in regions with heavy snowfall. The company acknowledged that buyers in these markets now expect AWD as a standard or optional feature in premium saloons, putting pressure on brands that have traditionally focused on rear-wheel drive. This shift brings Jaguar in line with rivals such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, both of which have expanded their AWD offerings in recent years.
The company said that while it cannot currently offer AWD across every engine and drivetrain configuration, future models will be engineered to support it from the start. This approach allows Jaguar to respond more quickly to market trends and regional demands without the need for costly retrofits.
Engineering priorities and future planning
Hallmark explained that the decision to limit current AWD availability is driven by return on investment. Engineering AWD into right-hand drive models or pairing it with other engines would require further investment that is not justified by current sales forecasts. However, by planning AWD capability into new platforms, Jaguar will be able to offer the option more widely as demand evolves.
This strategy reflects a broader industry trend as premium brands seek to make AWD available across their ranges, particularly in markets where winter conditions and customer expectations make it a necessity. Jaguar’s commitment to engineering flexibility ensures it can adapt quickly as those expectations shift.
Comparison: AWD availability in premium saloons
| Brand | AWD Option | Target Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Jaguar | XF, XJ 3.0 V6 AWD only | US, Canada (LHD) |
| BMW | 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series (various engines) | Global |
| Mercedes-Benz | E-Class, S-Class (various engines) | Global |
