Jaguar has struggled to shift cars in the ultra-competitive premium market for a few years now, consistently losing market share to old foes like BMW and new upstarts like Genesis. With such poor sales, buyers may well assume that Jaguar's lineup isn't good enough and that their cars can't compete with their rivals. Well, that isn't necessarily the case, as the XF sedan goes to show.
The XF has been in production since 2007, replacing the S-Type as the company's mid-size luxury sedan. Today, it's the only sedan left in Jaguar's US lineup, and it starts at $43,995. The brand might have lost the reputation it once had as a leading premium automaker, but the XF can still put up a fight even if it's the underdog. Let's break down some of the best features of the 2021 XF and see why it deserves more credit than it gets.
8 Smooth, Refined Powertrains
The most important single aspect of any premium car has to be its engine, as it's no good having a plush interior and athletic design if the car accelerates like a school bus. Jaguar have plenty of experience in this department, and they currently offer a choice of two gas engines for the XF.
There's a 246 hp four-pot engine available for regular cars, and an upgraded 296 hp unit offered in higher-spec models. There's also a diesel mild hybrid on offer in other markets, but sadly that isn't sold on American shores.
7 R-Dynamic Trim
Buyers with a little more cash to splash can opt to spend the extra $6,000 and get the XF R-Dynamic, which features a number of subtle upgrades over the standard car. There's a new grille, extra side vents and a set of 19 inch wheels included in the package which are unique to the R-Dynamic.
There's also sports suspension, and strangely enough, keyless entry, which for some reason isn't included with the standard car. The R-Dynamic still won't make the XF win any performance awards, but it's a nice suite of extras that puts it firmly on par with its primary rivals.
6 Top Quality Interior
Interior design is where Jaguar have excelled for years, and the XF keeps that tradition strong. Gone are the days of the old-school cabin though, as the XF presents an immaculate blend of cutting-edge modernity and heritage-inspired luxury.
There's a refreshing mix of metal, glass and leather, but it all manages to be very comfortable and accommodating. It's one of the nicest cabins of any car in its sector, made even better by the fact it's been freshly redesigned for 2021.
5 Pivi Pro Infotainment
Historically, Jaguar's infotainment systems have been a little hit and miss, but the new Pivi Pro suite aims to fix that for good. It's connected to the car via Jag's new Electronic Vehicle Architecture, which allows for over-the-air software updates and wireless fast charging for phones, among other things.
Jaguar say they've designed the Pivi Pro system so that 90% of the car's functions can be accessed with just two taps of the 12.3" screen. That screen also features curved glass and a newly-improved range of brightness for better visibility when driving. As with most new cars nowadays, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available as standard.
4 Active Road Noise Cancellation
One particularly cool bit of kit that's new for 2021 is the XF's Active Road Noise Cancellation, a first for the segment. The noise-cancelling technology constantly monitors the vibrations coming into the cabin and emits an opposite sound wave that effectively cancels out those vibrations.
It means occupants will be free to either sit in silence or listen to their soundtrack of choice undisturbed. Jaguar claims driving fatigue can be caused by long-term exposure to road noise, and so by using noise-filtering technology, they're helping the driver stay alert on long drives too.
3 ClearSight Rear View Mirror
As anyone who regularly drives in cold or wet weather will know, it's very easy for the rear window of the car to get misty or obstructed. The new XF gets around that problem by using ClearSight, Jaguar's new technology that integrates a wide-angle camera into the traditional rear view mirror.
The rear-mounted camera is designed to stay clear even in bad weather, giving the driver a better view of what's behind them. There's also no need to worry about taking tall passengers in the back of the car, as ClearSight means the driver will be able to see no matter how much the rear window is blocked.
2 Wearable Activity Key
Despite the lack of keyless entry as standard, Jaguar do offer a novel alternative that can be added as an optional extra. The wearable Activity Key is essentially a key fob that looks like a FitBit, and it incorporates a watch face for extra functionality.
It eliminates the need for a traditional key altogether, and it's apparently got a range of seven days before it'll need charging. It's certainly a unique take on the idea of keyless entry, and it's good to see the usually very conservative Jaguar taking some innovative design risks.
1 A Focus On Sustainability
Green is the new gold, as today's luxury cars almost always have to incorporate some element of sustainability to draw in a modern buyer. With the XF, that comes in the form of recycled aluminium, which is used throughout the car in the bodywork and chassis.
That has the side effect of making the car lighter, and therefore more agile. It's yet another cool feature on this highly underrated car. Despite lacking the brand appeal of some of its international rivals, the XF can compete with nearly all of them in luxury and refinement. For that, it deserves a lot more credit than it currently gets.