Although we love the current Jaguar XF‘s sharp looks and excellent handling, its underwhelming infotainment system and interior quality leave us wanting. Luckily, Jag’s midsize sedan gets a major overhaul for 2021 that should help give the aging cat another life. Sadly, the XF Sportbrake is not mentioned in the 2021 update, which leads us to believe it’s likely gone for good in the United States. A moment of silence, please.
2021 Jaguar XF: Fresh Looks for an Aging Cat
We’ll start with the 2021 XF‘s new face, which adopts a number of styling measures that also appear on the recently refreshed 2021 Jaguar F-Pace crossover. This includes new blade-like LED running lights LED daytime running, grille, front and rear bumpers, and taillights. Keen eyes will note the sedan‘s reworked fender vents and C-pillar, which is rounded off for a more elegant look. Jaguar notes the XF’s new nose makes the car look bolder. We, however, prefer the term “elegant.”
Behind its new nose sits one of two engine options. Gone is the current car’s available V-6. Instead, buyers can choose between a 246-hp or 296-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Both mate to an eight-speed automatic. Whereas the lower power four-pot offers rear- or all-wheel-drive, the optional unit pairs exclusively with all-wheel drive. Depending on the output, four-cylinder XFs sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in either 6.5 seconds or 5.8 seconds, per Jaguar.
We asked a brand representative why the 2021 F-Pace’s new “mild-hybrid” inline-six with 395 hp isn’t available in the XF and were essentially told customer demand for the prior V-6 didn’t warrant the inclusion of a six-cylinder engine for the 2021 model.
2021 Jaguar XF: Interior Upgrades
Hop inside the 2021 XF and you’ll note a new infotainment system that includes the brand’s latest software, dubbed Pivi Pro, and an 11.4-inch touchscreen that seemingly floats above the dashboard. The slightly curved screen is housed in a magnesium frame and is divided into three main sections when activated: media, navigation, and external devices. The setup promises snappier performance and the ability to receive over-the-air updates.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, as is a 12-speaker Meridian sound system. To combat road-noise, Jaguar adds active noise cancellation to all XF models. There’s also a standard surround-view camera that should make parking this luxury sedan a breeze.
The rest of the interior has been luxed-up, too. Inside you’ll find materials such as open-poor wood trim, a new front seat design, a redesigned center console, and air vents finished in brushed metal. There’s also a new steering wheel design.
All in all, the XF appears to be a more elegant and well-rounded package for 2021. There’s still no word on pricing, but the current XF starts at $52,250. We assume Jaguar will bump the price of the 2021 model by at least a couple hundred dollars.
