Overview
In the past few years, the once car-heavy lineup at Jaguar has swiftly shifted toward crossovers, and now the 2021 XF is the brand’s only sedan—that is until the British automaker reveals the next-generation XJ, which will be an electric model. And unlike the brand’s SUVs, the XF nameplate comes with over a decade’s worth of performance and luxury expectations. For anyone looking for a sophisticated sedan, the 2021 XF may just be the ticket. Jaguar simplified its powertrain offerings for this year, cutting the supercharged V-6. That leaves the turbocharged four-cylinder as the only engine, which lacks the potency of six-cylinder versions of rivals such as the BMW 5-series and Mercedes-Benz E-class. But the brand did add some new tech and freshened up the look. Also, it cut the price.
What’s New for 2021?
Jaguar updated its mid-size sedan and slashed prices. Unfortunately, it also removed the previously optional supercharged V-6 from the lineup, leaving the XF with two versions of the significantly less powerful turbo four. A reshaped front end and new wheel designs help to modernize the look. Changes inside include subtle styling tweaks and new features such as a prominent 11.4-inch curved touchscreen.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The XF is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that comes in two potencies. The P250 version produces 246 horsepower whereas the P300 generates 296 horses. Both engines mate to an eight-speed automatic transmission, but only the less powerful one offers rear- or all-wheel drive. The P300 comes exclusively with an all-wheel drive. While we haven’t had the opportunity to test both engines at the track, we did evaluate an older XF with the standard turbo four. It was a couple of seconds slower to 60 mph than the now-defunct supercharged V-6 model, but the exhaust still sounded great. We appreciated the Jag’s supple suspension, which delivered fluid handling along with exceptional ride quality. The XF’s steering transitioned adeptly between low-speed lightness and high-speed heft. The soft brake pedal had a gradual response, too.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Inside, the XF receives a subtle makeover. Gone are the center console rotary shifter and the outboard air vents that rotated open in the dashboard. Now, next to the new shift handle rests a drive-mode selector that lowers into the console when not in use. Jaguar overhauled the climate controls, too, with dials that have self-contained temperature settings. The redesigned center console hosts a newly standard wireless charger, and Jaguar says space offers increased storage. The front seats are wider than before and have larger heating and cooling areas. Passenger and cargo space remain unchanged, which preserves the sedan’s roomy back seat and capacious trunk volume.