MotorTrend

Refreshing or Revolting: 2016 Jaguar XF

MotorTrend StaffWriter

Over the past few years, Jaguar has been trying to get consumers excited for its products again. With the launch of the ever-popular F-Type, it seemed like the British automaker was on the right track. And now, during the 2015 New York International Auto Show, Jaguar will debut the new 2016 XF. However, when first glancing at the new model, it's not easy to tell it apart from the outgoing model. But given a closer look, the differences become more apparent. The same thing happened in 2003 when the automaker launched the XJ, which turned buyers away. Is Jaguar repeating history by producing the same car each generation?

While the new and outgoing model share many similarities, there are subtle changes that bring the new 2016 Jaguar XF into modern times. For starters, Jaguar has implemented the use of aluminum which now accounts for around 75 percent of the body, cutting 132 pounds on RWD models and 265 pounds on AWD models. The new XF is also almost unnoticeably smaller, with 0.3 inches shaved off its length and 0.1 inches off its height. However, the wheelbase is 2 inches longer, which gives the 2016 XF more legroom and trunk space.

Compared to the outgoing model, the new Jaguar XF offers slight detail changes that improve the overall design. The grille has been updated, with a new side and lower grille design. The rear offers a new taillight graphic, looking similar to what we first saw on the F-Type. While the outgoing model's taillights seem to wrap around the chrome bar running along the rear, the new taillight design on the 2016 XF rounds underneath that now much-sleeker bar, giving off a more aggressive look.

New design elements can also be found in the cabin, which gets a new infotainment system among other things. While the new model comes with a standard Jaguar InControl Touch with an 8-inch screen, customers can opt for the larger 10.2-inch screen that features a solid-state drive, a quad-core processor, and an "ultra-fast Ethernent connection." However, those who opt for the upgraded system will also get the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that can be seen in the current-gen Range Rovers. The interior itself looks much more streamlined with the cleaned-up layout when compared with the outgoing XF's haphazardly thrown-together center stack.

While there may not be many significant visual changes to the new 2016 Jaguar XF, Jaguar design chief Ian Callum said, "This wasn't the time to go and re-invent Jaguar. There's a lot of the world that still doesn't know us." Should Jaguar have made more changes to the new XF model? Let us know in the comments below.

Last week's Refreshing or Revolting featured the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor. While the majority of comments favored the new look, there was one resounding complaint.

"Revolting because of one thing: V8 power. Now I'm sure the Ford boys will point out that the Ecoboost makes more power and is listed to be more efficient, blah, blah, blah. However the sound of that 6.2 was amazing and will be missed and added to the attitude of the previous truck," saidmopar_srt.

"Love it. Hope the innovations in the Raptor get adopted in other vehicles. Would love to see Taurus and Explorer get high end treatment," saidiwarriorpoet.

"More horsepower, less weight, bigger shocks…Refreshing," saidBatman.

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