The United Kingdom has long produced many of the most renowned luxury automobiles. Rolls-Royce, Astin Martin, and Bently are not only world famous, they are among the oldest automobile manufacturers still in existence. But there is one more manufacturer that arrived on the scene somewhat later: Jaguar. Today a marque of the combined company Jaguar Land Rover, Jaguar has been producing luxury and performance cars since 1935.
Jaguar’s current line up consists of a variety of sedans, crossover SUVs (including the new battery-powered E-Pace), and the F-Type sports car. All of these vehicles represent an excellent combination of performance and luxury, and Queen Elizabeth herself was known to occasionally drive her personal Jaguar X-Type Sportwagon (sadly no longer offered) prior to giving up driving last year.
The New XE Sedan
The entry-level Jaguar is the XE compact sedan introduced for 2015 and updated for 2017. Starting at $39,900, it is available in RWD or AWD and is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder producing 247 hp. The uprated R-Dynamic sports variant only comes in AWD and has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine tuned for 296 hp, but all versions are equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Safety features include standard automatic emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, and a Driver Condition Monitor that will warn you if you are getting too tired. Inside, the XE has a luxurious full leather interior, dual-zone climate control, and a 10” infotainment touchscreen. Options include blindspot warnings, 12-way adjustable heated power seats, and an improved sound system with satellite radio.
The 2020 E-Pace SUV
Accompanying the Jaguar XE at the entry-level is the E-Pace compact SUV. Introduced in 2017, the E-Pace seats five and has up to 52.7 cu.ft. of cargo space with the rear seat folded. The base price is $39,950, and it has the same engine as the XE but is only available in AWD. The R-Dynamic version also shares an engine with the R-Dynamic XE, but inexplicably the E-Pace Checkered Flag only has the base engine.
Although the base trim has a leather interior and power-folding side mirrors, it is probably worth upgrading to the $43,700 SE trim that adds automatic headlights, a powered tailgate, navigation, an upgraded sound system, and traffic sign recognition.
The 2020 F-Pace SUV
Moving slightly up the line is the F-Pace SUV. Introduced in 2017, this vehicle is slightly larger than the E-Pace (up to 63.5 cu.ft. of cargo space) and has a starting price of $45,200. Like the E-Pace, the F-Pace is only available in AWD, but it has several engine options that include both of the turbocharged four-cylinder engines from the smaller vehicle as well as a 3.0L supercharged V6 producing 380 hp and a 5.0L supercharged V8 producing 550 hp. The use of supercharged rather than turbocharged engines on the higher trims is a hallmark of Jaguar and provides improved throttle response.
The F-Pace is also available in no fewer than five different trims, but even the base trim includes several features that are only found on the higher trim of the E-Pace (such as the powered tailgate and upgraded sound system). When combined with its larger size, this probably makes the F-Pace the better buy.
The 2020 XF Sedan
However, if you want to upgrade to a larger sedan, it is going to cost you quite a bit more as the XF midsize sedan starts out at $51,100. The XF also comes in a “Sportbrake” (station wagon) body style, although that option starts at an even higher $65,150. As with the XE, the XF is available in both RWD and AWD and has the same turbocharged four-cylinder engines. However, the XF can also be had (in AWD only) with the supercharged V6 from the E-Pace.
The higher price tag is because the XF is a true luxury vehicle. Standard features in even the base trim on the XF include automatic headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, power-folding side mirrors, and the ability to wash down your headlights with the touch of a button. However, you will still need to opt for the higher trims to get the full suite of safety systems.
The 2021 F-Type Sports Coupe
Not to be confused with the F-Pace, the F-Type is Jaguar’s luxury sports car. It has two doors, two seats, and is available as either a coupe or a convertible with a starting price of $61,600. It is available in RWD with Jaguar’s 296 hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine or in AWD with either the shared 380 hp supercharged V6 or a unique 575 hp supercharged V8. As of 2020, the only transmission option is an eight-speed automatic, although a six-speed manual was offered up until last year for the V6. It is also important to note that the four-cylinder has an open differential, while the V6 has a mechanical limited-slip differential, and the V8 has an electronic limited-slip differential.
But despite being a sports car, the F-Type is still a luxury vehicle. Even the base trim comes standard with 12-way power-adjustable seats, Jaguar’s premium sound system, and automatic emergency braking among numerous other premium features. However, these features add to rather than detract from the F-Type’s performance, and with the top engine, it is fully capable of a 3.5 second zero to sixty time and a top speed of 186 mph.
I-Pace Electric SUV
Continuing to move up the scale, Jaguar’s next offering is another unique vehicle: an electric SUV. The I-Pace is the most recent addition to Jaguar’s line up, having been introduced in 2018. However, its range is somewhat lacking at just 234 miles. While that is still enough for most people, it pales in comparison to Tesla’s offerings (the Model X has a range of up to 328 miles while the upcoming Model Y will have a range of 315 miles). Still, the I-Pace does accelerate better than all but the top Tesla trims.
The real selling points of the I-Pace are its luxury features. Active air suspension, a 12.3” interactive driver display, and automatic park assist are only some of the many valuable features of the I-Pace. Further, flush automatic door handles, ambient interior lighting, and smartphone-controlled timed charging gives the I-Pace an undeniable premium air that can even match the gull-wing doors on the Tesla Model X.
The 2019 XJ Sedan
After the uniqueness of the F-Type and I-Pace, Jaguar’s top model returns to its roots of traditional British luxury. The XJ is a full-size sedan that starts at $76,000 and comes in both standard (119.4”) and long (124.3”) wheelbase variants. The drivetrain can be either RWD or AWD and comes with a 3.0L supercharged V6 producing 340 hp, a 5.0L supercharged V8 producing 470 hp, or (on the long wheelbase only) a 5.0L supercharged V8 producing 575 hp.
The interior of the flagship Jaguar XJ fully lives up to the brand’s reputation, and even the base trim is truly fit for a king. On top of all of the features offered on Jaguar’s lesser models, the XJ shows remarkable attention to the comfort of rear-seat passengers. Noise dampening acoustic glass is used in all front windows instead of merely the windshield. Both front and rear seats are ventilated, heated, and cooled with footwell lighting. And the surround sound system has no fewer than 20 speakers and 2 subwoofers.
Jaguar Ownership
No matter which Jaguar model you settle on, you will be treated like royalty. Every car sold comes with 5 year/60,000 mile coverage that includes both complimentary scheduled maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance. You will also receive a three month free trial of SiriusXM satellite radio and will be eligible for exclusive Jaguar Owners Insurance. Finally, you will have the opportunity to experience Jaguar Handover Encore, where an expert will explain all the features of your vehicle in a one-on-one session.
