2021 Jaguar XF Review

Name: 2021 Jaguar XF Review
Brand: Jaguar

Price: $37,998

Jaguar XF P300 R-Dynamic SE Sedan Exterior. Black Exterior Pack Shown.

Jaguar XF P300 R-Dynamic SE Sedan Exterior Shown

+188

The 2021 Jaguar XF is an alluring luxury sedan with arresting visual style and a comfortable ride. But behind its initial presentation, the XF struggles to deliver on its promises and lacks real athletic credentials. This luxury sedan is defined not by its strengths but by its weaknesses, and while there are a few significant wins, there aren't enough to cover up its many blemishes.

See all features & specs

Price & Payment

18 cars

$31,539 avg. price

Min$

Max$

See listings

Appraise My 2021 Jaguar XF

For sale nearby

18 listings

Sort by:

See all for sale

Jaguar XF model years

Jaguar XF for Sale

2021 Jaguar XF Review

byCameron Rogers^{Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).}

Pros

Impressive interior design and quality of materials
Generous passenger space
Comfortable and supportive seats
Quiet interior

Cons

User interface is overcomplicated and unintuitive
Trunk space and interior storage are exceptionally scarce
Less powerful and less efficient engines than many rivals
Unsatisfying steering and handling characteristics

What's new

Revised front and rear styling
Interior updated with new tech, new seats and various other upgrades
Trim line reduced from 10 variants to three
Sportbrake wagon variant no longer available
Part of the second XF generation introduced for 2016

Overview

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.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jaguar XF P250 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.72 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$163/mo

$187/mo

Avg. Large Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.3

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7/10

How does the XF drive? The XF has adequate power. We tested a P300 R-Dynamic with all-wheel drive, and it sprinted from 0 to 60 mph at our test track in 6.9 seconds. That's not great, but the Jag has enough muscle that it'll easily keep pace in traffic. The brakes are where this Jag shines brightest. Along with strong results in our 60-0 mph panic-stop test, the Jag also feels composed and confident in routine braking.

The rest of the driving experience is not so impressive. The eight-speed automatic transmission has lazy shifts that hold the engine back, and the steering lacks on-center feel and needs to be monitored often when cruising on the highway. Most disappointing is that the XF feels lively and playful at lower speeds, but it oddly fails to provide the handling capabilities to keep up as your speeds increase. This unpredictability prevents it from reaching any sporty potential.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the XF? The leather sport seats on our test vehicle were shapely and supportive on long drives, and the comfortable cushioning and side bolsters hold you in place under cornering. Up front there is a wide range of adjustability to suit drivers of different sizes. Ride comfort is another strength, muting imperfections in the road before they reach your seat. However, the suspension feels bouncy and is slow to return the car to a level ride. We noticed little noise inside the cabin at highway speeds.

One noticeable issue is the climate control system, which in our testing pumped out warm air even when turned to cooler temps.

Interior

7/10

How’s the interior? The XF has a spacious cabin with good room for rear passengers to get comfortable. But there are problems. Getting in and out is hindered by small doors, wide sills to step over, and a low roofline due to the athletic styling. Once you're in, the seats and steering wheel have a wide range of adjustments, but the controls to operate them are confusing and oddly placed.

It can also be difficult to see out due to the thick windshield pillars and bulky rearview mirror housing. And the controls are frustrating at best — the driver display is difficult to operate, the infotainment menus are vague, and the XF offers few hard buttons that could offer some relief. You have to pull, press or twist the climate dials depending on what you're trying to achieve. This learning curve is beyond what we typically find acceptable.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? We've got good news and bad news. On the positive front: The 11.4-inch touchscreen delivers vibrant maps and menus, with easy operation of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. The navigation system can also find addresses quickly, and our test vehicle had an excellent surround-sound stereo amplified by the XF's tranquility.

We didn't enjoy the voice controls so much — they offer only basic functionality and do not respond to natural language. The parking sensors are also loud and drown out your audio to deliver incessant warnings even if you're sitting in traffic. Inexplicably, you use the same button to operate the speed limiter function and the adaptive cruise control. A system that should be as straightforward as possible is instead unnecessarily confusing.

Storage

6/10

How’s the storage? The XF was once a class standout when it comes to cargo capacity, but the current version is dramatically worse. At just 10.5 cubic feet, the trunk is the smallest we've tested in the midsize luxury class, and its high floor and low ceiling make it unusable for many medium-size to large items. Similarly, there's very limited storage space inside the cabin. Please pack lightly.

The back seat has enough space to accommodate a child's car seat, but the small door openings may make it difficult to load a bulky rear-facing seat. Also be careful not to lose the detachable latch covers.

Fuel Economy

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? On our highway-biased evaluation route the XF returned 23.7 mpg, which is below its EPA estimate of 25 mpg combined (22 city/30 highway). This is an indication that the XF may struggle to replicate its estimated fuel economy rating when driving in the real world, and it's lower than some luxury sedan rivals that use larger and more powerful six-cylinder engines. It also requires premium fuel.

Value

8/10

Is the XF a good value? The XF makes an instant impression. Inside there is an impressive display of leathers and metal brought together with tight stitching and panel gaps. Jag's pricing is typically higher than you'll find for fully loaded Japanese competitors but less than for German rivals.

Jaguar also offers a good warranty, including five years/60,000 miles of basic and powertrain coverage. The same terms apply to rust coverage, roadside assistance and free maintenance, which is generous for the class.

Wildcard

7.5/10

The XF has an abundance of personality thanks to its distinctive style and attractive interior quality. It certainly makes a statement upon arrival, more so than many luxury competitors. But along with that presence comes a litany of frustrations, such as feigned sportiness that is never realized in practice.

Which XF does Edmunds recommend?

All three trims are worthwhile, but we think the SE R-Dynamic offers the best bang for your buck. It has more power than the other trims, and its all-wheel drive is useful when the road is icy.

Compare 2021 Jaguar XF trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2021 Jaguar XF models

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.

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

See pricing history

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

2/5Below Average

#68 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Jaguar XF from 2008-2022.}

$874/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

2.92x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

17.4%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Jaguar XF Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.3

24 reviews

5(62%)

4(13%)

3(17%)

2(4%)

1(4%)

Write a vehicle review See all 24 reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Love and Hate Type of Car

Dillon Patel, 02/27/2019

2017 Jaguar XF 35t Premium 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

I leased this car in October 2017 because the lease deal was $399 zero down for a $$63,000 car. Has a lot of safety features and the best part is the supercharged engine which is the best part about the car. However after a month of ownership the rear view camera was dangling as well as the rear heated seat component. They were both replaced but the same issue occurred a week later. The …

The Car to get -- If Driving Matters Most.

My 1st Jag, 04/12/2017

2017 Jaguar XF S 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

Just finished an Audi A6 lease, and was planning to do the easy thing and get into another Audi. Then....I drove the Jaguar XF. I first drove a base XF in premium trim, then I drove XF S AWD. And wow, does the XF S AWD drive! The steering feel, handling, and responsiveness far exceed the Audi and the BMW 5 series. If you care about the joy of driving, you owe it to yourself to check …

Very satisfied

Jhill, 06/08/2019

2017 Jaguar XF 35t Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

Have had this car for 2 years now. Overall extremely satisfied with the car. 33mpg on road trips in a car with 340hp is great. Very smooth ride quality. Seats....after two years....are still very supportive. I'm 6'2/240lbs and am very comfortable. Tires have, so far, lasted 28,000 miles which is fabulous. Absolutely no mechanical problems. Had some odd cosmetic issues present at …

Love my new XF - 2016 Redesign

Mic Jaguar, 09/20/2016

2016 Jaguar XF 35t Prestige 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

So...I've owned pretty much every German brand, a few Japanese cars and two American sports cars. I wasn't even considering Jaguar as option this go-around, but stopped at the dealership to check out the XE (boy was that TOO small). Then I sat in the XF and realized this was the perfect car (fit and finish). Once I took it for a test drive I was hooked. It feels like a big cat ready to …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Jaguar XF, so we've included reviews for other years of the XF since its last redesign.

See all 24 reviews of the Jaguar XF

Write a vehicle review

2021 XF Highlights

Trim:

P250 S

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$43,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$163/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the XF models:

Clear Exit Monitor: Uses the blind-spot monitoring system to alert passengers of traffic coming from behind while exiting the vehicle.
Rear Traffic Monitor: Warns the driver of oncoming vehicles when backing out of a tight parking spot.
Traffic Sign Recognition: Alerts the driver to changes in speed limits and road conditions. Can automatically adjust the speed if the adaptive speed limiter is enabled.

People who viewed this also viewed

Jaguar F-TYPE
Starting at $77,900

See Jaguar F-TYPE Inventory

Jaguar E-PACE
Starting at $49,500

See Jaguar E-PACE Inventory

Jaguar I-PACE
Starting at $72,000

See Jaguar I-PACE Inventory

2021 Jaguar XF Review

Price & Payment

For sale nearby

2021 Jaguar XFP300 R-Dynamic SE Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2021 Jaguar XFP300 R-Dynamic SE Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Certified 2021 Jaguar XFP250 SE Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2021 Jaguar XF Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jaguar XF P250 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.72 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which XF does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Jaguar XF models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Jaguar XF Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Love and Hate Type of Car

The Car to get -- If Driving Matters Most.

Very satisfied

Love my new XF - 2016 Redesign

2021 XF Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2021 Jaguar XF info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Jaguar

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

2021 Jaguar XF
P300 R-Dynamic SE Sedan

2021 Jaguar XF
P300 R-Dynamic SE Sedan

Certified 2021 Jaguar XF
P250 SE Sedan

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jaguar XF P250 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.72 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}