Alex,
You would have to be a fool to take the Jags around a track and expect them to be as nimble as a Mini . However, on the road, they are as sweet handling as the Mondeos (strangley enough ). The brakes don't inspire any confidence and the front dives quite a lot, but cornering and ride feel is really nice IMO.

Regarding the AWD system, the diesels and 2.0 litre petrols are just FWD AFAIACR .

Auto's are for old people and Phil anyway, so avoid them like the plague .