Jaguar XF 2021 Review

The 2021 Jaguar XF is the brand's midsize luxury sedan. It's actually Jag's only sedan, too — the company discontinued the larger XJ after the 2019 model year and killed the smaller XE after 2020. The XF is based on the most recent redesign that happened way back for 2016, though the 2021 car does get a few updates.

The previously available supercharged V6 is gone, as is the cool Sportbrake station wagon. A new S model serves as the XF's base trim, and it comes loaded with a more comprehensive set of features than before. In fact, the entire lineup is less expensive than last year, and even the top-level SE R-Dynamic costs less than last year's entry-level model. You can still load up the XF with options to your heart's content, but doing so is a more affordable proposition this time around.

Other enhancements include a more traditionally shaped shifter to replace the pop-up rotary transmission selector, reconfigured cushioning for the seats, and revised exterior styling. The biggest change is with the infotainment system, which outgrows its integrated housing and looks like a stuck-on tablet. It's loaded with Jaguar's new Pivi Pro infotainment system, which Jaguar says is quicker, more intuitive and easier to use than the previous interface.

Unfortunately, we've found the Pivi Pro interface to still be convoluted and hard to use. The XF also comes up short on cargo space and performance compared to other top midsize sedans such as the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. If you're considering an XF, you'll want to check out our Expert Rating below to get our full take on the car's hits and misses.

Which XF does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 Jaguar XF is a midsize luxury sedan available in three trims: S, SE and SE R-Dynamic. The S and SE feature a powertrain that Jaguar refers to as P250 RWD. Underhood is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (246 horsepower, 294 lb-ft of torque) that sends power to the rear wheels. The SE R-Dynamic uses the P300 AWD powertrain — pairing a more powerful version of the same motor (296 hp, 295 lb-ft) with all-wheel drive. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board.

S The base S model comes standard with:

• 18-inch wheels
• LED headlights
• Automatic wipers
• Power-folding and heated mirrors with automatic dimming on the driver's side
• Panoramic sunroof
• Power liftgate
• Push-button start
• Ambient lighting
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Dual-zone climate control
• Heated front seats
• Leather upholstery
• 11.4-inch touchscreen
• 12-speaker audio system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

All XFs come with a suite of safety features, including:

• Collision mitigation braking (applies the brakes automatically to stop the vehicle to avoid or minimize a collision)
• Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the XF back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Jaguar and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

SE Stepping up to the SE adds:

• 19-inch wheels
• Keyless entry
• Power-adjustable steering column
• Digital instrument panel
• Additional adjustments for the front seats
• Front-seat memory settings
• Navigation system

Unlike the base model, there are numerous packages and stand-alone options for the SE. These include:

• Dynamic Handling Pack
• Adaptive dampers
• Rear spoiler
• Red brake calipers
• Black Exterior Styling package
• Black-painted grille, grille surround, window trim and bumper surrounds
• Cold Climate Pack
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated windshield and washer jets
• Convenience Pack
• Soft-closing doors
• Rear sunshade
• 20-inch wheels
• Additional leather trim inside
• Faux suede headliner
• Ventilated front seats with massage
• Heated rear seats
• 17-speaker audio system
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Jaguar and the car in front)

SE R-Dynamic Along with the more potent engine and all-wheel-drive powertrain, the SE R-Dynamic includes:

• Black-painted exterior styling elements
• Upgraded leather upholstery

All of the SE's optional extras are available for the R-Dynamic as well.