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2021 Jaguar XF P300 Road Test | Still in the game, but now in another league

The Jaguar XF is never the four-door you think of first when it comes to picking a luxury sedan. After all, you’re much more likely to see a BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class or Audi A6 roaming the streets than you are to see JagÂ’s midsize sedan. The numbers back this up, too, as Jaguar sold a middling 748 XFs in the U.S. in 2020. Does that mean this drive in the refreshed 2021 Jaguar XF could be one of our last? Perhaps, and as we pointed out in our first drive of this XF, getting rid of the model would mean the end of the Jaguar sedan. The XE and, most regrettably, the XJ have already met their maker. What a sad day that would be. But that day hasnÂ’t come yet, which means itÂ’s time to take this entry seriously. The specific version that was sent to review is the top-of-the-line Jaguar XF P300 R-Dynamic SE model that starts at $51,145. Even this one is cheaper than what has traditionally been considered its main competitors: the base BMW 530i or Mercedes-Benz E 350. Instead, the Jaguar XF lineup is priced to be in what is clearly a lower sedan segment with the Lexus ES, Acura TLX, Cadillac CT5 and cheaper Genesis G80s. The XF stands a chance on this playing field; on the previous one that flies the German flag? Not so much.  Walking up to the car is enough to deliver our first demerit. It comes in an area that was traditionally JaguarÂ’s strong suit: distinctive design. The XFÂ’s general look hasnÂ’t changed much since the 2016 model year when this generation was introduced, and the mid-cycle refresh didnÂ’t do enough to help. ItÂ’s not a bad-looking car, but JaguarÂ’s taken no chances, and itÂ’s getting boring. That wasn't the case with the original XF, which stood out boldly inside and out. Today's XF doesn't. We'd much rather stare at the slinky new TLX or stately G80. And while the sleek LED tails are a nice new touch, the elimination of its elegant dual exhaust for a hidden exhaust tucked up under the bumper is a step backwards — especially for the uprated and more powerful P300 R-Dynamic trim. 2021 Jaguar XF P300 R-Dynamic View 18 Photos At least output from the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four — the supercharged V6 option is dead, much to our dismay — is more than acceptable for this class, sitting at 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration is largely emotionless with a small bit of response lag after stepping into the throttle — it does hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds.

Jaguar XE axed from U.S. market: And then there was one sedan

The Jaguar XE sedan will no longer be offered in the U.S. market starting with the 2021 model year, the company announced Tuesday, shifting the balance of its lineup in favor of ever-more-popular crossover models. With the discontinuation of Jaguar's compact sedan, the E Pace crossover becomes the brand's entry-level model.  "The 2021 model year lineup, with three SUVs, a sports car and a competitively priced luxury sedan, continues the evolution of Jaguar to specifically meet the U.S. market requirements, which today is made up of 66 percent SUV buyers in the luxury segment,” Jaguar North America boss Joe Eberhardt said in the announcement. “But the biggest impact on the product portfolio are the technology and interior design changes made across the lineup. These updates, and the repositioning of the Jaguar XF, will help our retailers grow our business in all segments.” And reposition it they did. For 2021, the midsize XF sedan will start at $45,145 (including $1,150 for destination) — $7,100 less than the 2020 model, corresponding to its rather significant overhaul. While the 2021 XF's interior got some much-needed upgrades, Jaguar made some fundamental changes to the XF formula. The midsizer is now only available with four-cylinder engines, as the supercharged V6 has been axed. The base engine is the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 246 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. It's available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. A version of this engine making 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque is optional, and it comes only with all-wheel drive. And not only is the XF now Jaguar's entry-level sedan, it's also the company's halo sedan. Yes, that's the long way 'round to saying that the XF sits alone in Jaguar's four-door lineup for the 2021 model year — and perhaps for longer — while we await the unveiling of the next-generation XJ, which is expected to debut as an EV.  Related Video:

Land Rover knows where you're going and how you want to get there

Land Rover makes some of the most capable SUVs on or off the road, and some of the most luxurious too. But the British automaker isn't about to rest on those laurels - not when every other automaker assaults its territory with sport-utes of their own. That's why Land Rover has been working so hard on nifty new technologies from a depth-sounder in the door mirror of the Range Rover Sport an augmented-reality head-up display that makes the whole front of the car virtually disappear.
JLR's newest tech may not be ground-breaking, but its integration promises to make driving around town that much easier. The system syncs with the driver's smartphone and uses all manner of parameters - including driver habits, weather and location as well as the presence of other passengers - to make the commute go as smoothly as possible. Get into the car and it'll set the seat and mirrors for you. No big deal, because lots of cars do that. But it'll also set up the nav system to take you to work and the sound system to play your favorite music. Okay, getting more interesting.
Get in with your kids and it'll know not only that you've got to drop them off at school first (or remind you to pack their gym bag if they've got soccer practice after school that day) but that they might not enjoy that Chumbawamba album you've been listening to since college and it'll play something it knows you'll all enjoy based on your listening history. Then it'll switch back to Tubthumping once the kids are out, remind you of your morning meeting and alert those you're scheduled to meet with if you get stuck in traffic while finding you a better route to get there, monitoring fuel levels all the while and telling you if you'll need to tank up before you reach your destination. It knows if you like calling your mother on the drive to work and will lower the air suspension to make it easier to hop out once you get there.