
Following a trend set by other luxury marques, Jaguar is killing the compact XE sedan in the United States for the 2021 model year. While Jaguar didn’t provide a reason for the decision, it’s most likely due to the ever-increasing popularity of SUVs. Additionally, Jaguar claims the 2021 XF, which received an overhaul for the model year, “offers superior value to entry-level luxury sedan buyers.”
Jaguar may not want to say it, but the XE just couldn’t compete with its rivals in terms of sales. The British automaker sold just 3,551 units of the XE in 2019. The Audi A4 (26,435 units sold), BMW 3-Series (47,827 units sold), Mercedes-Benz C-Class (48,875 units sold), Lexus IS (14,920 units sold), and Genesis G70 (11,903 units sold) all outsold the XE. The midsize XF wasn’t as popular as the XE last year, only accounting for 1,236 units sold. So, it’s interesting to see Jaguar push drivers toward the larger offering that’s not nearly as popular.
Between the obvious size difference between the two, there a few other notable differences. Prices start at $40,895 (including destination) for the 2020 XE and $52,095 for the 2020 XF. Then there’s the power. The most powerful engine in the XE is a 296-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the 2020 XF can be equipped with a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that makes 380 hp. Then, there are the features. The new 2021 XF will come with wireless smartphone charging, a 12-speaker Meridian audio system, active noise cancellation, and a surround-view camera as standard.
With the death of the XE, the XF is the only sedan the automaker sells. While other brands, like Ford and Lincoln are going all-in on SUVs, Jaguar’s decision to keep one sedan around is a good idea. The luxury midsize sedan segment may not be as popular as the compact one, but it’s a good safety net if SUVs ever drop in popularity.