The luxury British automaker has never been a major player on the U.S. market, but they’ve still managed to double their efforts in recent years which has resulted in a sales increase of more than 100 percent in 2016. In 2017, the company’s U.S. sales amounted to 39,594 units or a 0.23 percent market share. This is actually their best year in the U.S. since 2004 when the sales plummet initially caught on. However, their 2018 U.S. totals amount to only 30,483 units which is a considerable 25 percent drop compared to already mentioned 2017 totals. But, what does the future have in store for one of the JLR namesake divisions? Will the 2020 Jaguar models fare any better?
The same trend seems to be plaguing the Jaguar brand across the world as the luxury car maker’s sales have dropped by almost 20 percent on a global scale as well. Only the rapidly-growing Chinese market has been kind toward the British in 2018. Considering the electrification process has officially begun at JLR, expectations and reality of the current situation are certainly at odds. The I-Pace still hasn’t enjoyed a full model year considering its sales only began in October 2018. Moreover, the all-electric crossover might struggle in the U.S. due to its smaller frame. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg when Jaguar’s problems come to mind. What else is wrong?
Well, it would seem that the British royalty badge never quite got rid of its reputation for being maintenance-sensitive and rather unreliable. Automakers in the same predicament like Alfa Romeo and Cadillac will attest to that. Another seemingly insurmountable challenge rises from the shift in customer preferences. Most of JLR’s crossovers and SUVs are actually Land Rovers, with only the newcomer I-Pace, E-Pace, and F-Pace providing the required body style to prospective Jaguar owners. It doesn’t come as a surprise then, that the F-Pace accounts to around 50 percent of total Jaguar sales in the U.S., with sedans struggling to keep their head above water. Add to this the incoming Brexit deal and already imposed Trump administration tariffs and it’s easy to see that the future looks gloomy at best for the once-proud car maker. Only time will tell how the Indian-owned British automaker is going to approach the ever-increasing number of issues that are possibly threatening to invoke some dire consequences on brand’s fortunes.
You might also be interested in the other JLR brand automaker’s fortunes as presented in our 2020 Land Rover article.
What’s Hot in the New 2020 Jaguar Lineup
05. 2020 F-Pace
Despite being introduced in 2016 and in need of a facelift, the F-Pace is arguably the best choice if you’re looking to score on some timeless British design, luxury, and performance. The fact that it accounts for around 50 percent of division’s total sales in the U.S. only speaks in favor of that statement.
Although the British failed to refresh its exterior (which is still sublime-looking, by the way), the F-Pace did receive a number of upgrades in terms of standard features for MY 2019. The 2020 Jaguar F-Pace simply carries over from there but still upgrades the standard equipment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Otherwise, a larger new standard 10-inch infotainment screen and a number of driving aids including a rearview camera, front and rear parking assists, emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist are still available across the board. Also new for model year 2020 are the Checkered Flag Special Edition and the 300 Sport trim levels.
The F-Pace handles like a sports sedan and cuts corners like a hot knife cuts through butter, but features a firm ride (especially with larger wheels) as one of its more significant flaws. The entry-level models now go for around $45,000, while the new range-topping, performance-oriented SVR trim costs at least $80,000.
The F-Pace’s powertrain lineup has also undergone some revisions. The 340-horsepower version of the supercharged 3.0L V6 has been dropped, leaving the uptuned version of the engine a sole V6 offering. it makes 380 ponies and probably represents the best choice for enthusiasts thanks to its quick acceleration and abundance of power reserve for quick maneuvers.
A more pedestrian choice would be a base 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine tuned to return either 247 hp or 296 hp. Regardless of being standard on lower tiers, the four-banger is still more capable than most powertrains on the market. The fuel-conserving bunch will be glad to know the Jaguar F-Pace is also available with a 2.0L turbo-diesel 4-cylinder capable of returning 180 horses and up to 33 miles to the gallon on the highway.
Finally, the all-new 2020 Jaguar F-Pace SVR benefits from having a 5.0L supercharged V8 stuck under its hood. The most powerful of F-Pace engines generates a whopping 550 horsepower and accelerates to 60 mph from a standstill in just 4.1 seconds. All powertrain choices are paired with smooth-shifting 8-speed autos and standard all-wheel drive.
04. 2020 I-Pace
The compact luxury crossover is the company’s very first EV and as such, it’s expected to spearhead the electric revolution for the entire JLR division. The Jaguar I-Pace is capable, agile, and handsome – pretty much what you’d expect from a Jag. The fact it’s also a zero-emissions vehicle only goes in its favor.
However good and well-rounded it might be, the I-Pace doesn’t bring any advancements in the EV field to the table. We won’t hold that against it though, as it still delivers everything one might expect from it. In other words, it’s got plenty of power and a competitive range.
One of the I-Pace’s biggest shortcomings isn’t related to the car itself, but to the incomplete charging network. The DC charging stations should recharge about 80 percent of its battery in around an hour and a half, but a 240-volt home network will require up to 13 hours for a full charge. This is inconvenient at best and Jaguar’s next order of business should be to invest in company-owned charging infrastructure. Atop of that, the entry-level I-Pace doesn’t exactly come cheap at $70,000.
The powertrain behind I-Pace’s 253 miles of range (improved by 19 miles for MY 2020) consists of a large 90-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and dual electric motors that power it. Each of the motors powers one of the axles and provides 197 ponies and 256 pound-feet of torque for a combined output of 394 ponies and 512 lb-ft. Despite weighing around 4,800 pounds, these figures mean the I-Pace is more than capable of accelerating to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.
Sadly, it’ll take more to draw the masses to the British brand with zero prior experience in the EV field. And the fact the I-Pace is still one of the coolest vehicles the company has to offer despite its drawbacks really speaks about the slump Jaguar has suddenly found itself in.
03. 2020 F-Type
The two-door, two-seat sports car might be one of the lowest-volume and least practical Jaguar cars, but it’s also one of the coolest. The facelifted 2020 Jaguar F-Type will be more of an evolution than revolution considering the sports car is receiving an expected mid-cycle facelift.
The new model sports an edgier look alongside offering a number of improvements on the inside as well. A new fully digital gauge cluster is accompanied by an all-new infotainment system. Both a coupe and convertible body styles remain on offer.
The outgoing models are priced from around $61,000 at the moment, but the facelifted F-Type is expected to receive a slight price hike. Expect all F-Types to slot in a region between $63,000 and $103,000. Moreover, a fully-electric F-Type is apparently in the works as well, but that model certainly won’t make it in time for MY 2020. What’s more, it probably won’t arrive prior to 2023 at the earliest.
The now-venerable Ford-patented 5.0L supercharged V8 engine remains the redesigned F-Type’s halo engine but it now develops 575 ponies and 516 lb-ft of torque which is on par with JLR’s SVR models. A 3.0L supercharged V6 with 380 ponies remains a middle-ground solution, while the entry-level spot remains reserved for a 296-horsepower 2.0L turbo four. An 8-speed automatic transmission pairs with all three, whereas only the base engine can be ordered with a rear-wheel drive.
The next-gen F-Type is expected to draw power from something dubbed “Project Jennifer” which is none other than a new BMW-sourced 4.4L twin-turbo V8 that can currently be found in the M5. Unlike the M5 wherein it’s capable of delivering up to 625 horsepower, the F-Type’s version will apparently be limited to 560 ponies. This, however, won’t happen prior to 2023 the way things stand at the moment.
The redesigned Jaguar F-Type will be made available sometime during 2020, possibly as an early 2021 model.
02. 2020 XE
It seems like the compact executive sedan hasn’t aged at all despite debuting in 2015. It’s stylish, it handles great, and offers as many powertrain options you can think of. Even better, the all-new 2020 Jaguar XE has undergone a makeover in British automaker’s attempt to stop the bleeding as sales have plummeted in 2018 and probably won’t fare much better in 2019 either.
The redesigned Jaguar XE looks even sharper than before although changes weren’t that radical to begin with considering there was really nothing wrong with the outgoing model’s meticulous exterior styling. Inside, on the other hand, the compact luxury sedan used to clearly showcase cost-cutting and impact it can have on a car. The facelifted XE is now much better appointed, sports the I-Pace’s Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, and adds new standard electronic safety systems alongside a redesigned steering wheel and center stack.
Price structure has been revised, and while the entry-level models start from around $40,000, the most expensive models are now only $47,000 due to a more powerful V6 engine being dropped.
Speaking of which, every 2020 Jaguar XE is now powered by a 2.0L turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine but that didn’t stop the company from offering two different tunes. The XE P250 models make 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, while the XE P300 units crank up 296 ponies and 295 lb-ft.
While the former comes in standard rear-wheel drive setup with optional all-wheel drive available for additional $2,000, the latter are only available in an all-wheel drive configuration. A ZF eight-speed automatic transmission is shared across the XE range.
01. 2020 XJ
The current generation of soon-to-be-phased-out Jaguar XJ made its debut in now-distant 2010, while the nameplate itself dates back to 1968 and represents the longest-running and oldest of all Jaguar vehicles currently on offer.
The full-size luxury sedan’s sales have been crippled by the car’s age and a seemingly universal drop in interest in sedans, as only 2,721 units found a new home in 2017 in the U.S. Needless to say, this figure has dropped even further in 2018 when Jaguar delivered only 1,579 XJ’s, and 2019 isn’t expected to be any kinder either. The good thing is, the British have actually decided to finally update their flagship sedan which is scheduled to arrive in 2020.
The only catch is that the next-gen Jaguar XJ won’t be something you’d expect from it – at least to some extent. Instead of a traditional internal-combustion full-size luxury sedan, the 2020 XJ will actually become a Tesla Model S-fighting all-electric 5-door. More traditional gasoline engines are expected to be offered at some capacity as well – probably at a later date.
The new car will be built on a new aluminum platform that promises weight savings and overall growth in proportions. Prices are still a point of speculation, but expect them to grow considerably compared to those of the outgoing models which start from around $76,000.
The next-gen Jaguar XJ EV will apparently sport a large battery pack, dual electric motors, and an all-wheel-drive system. This still hasn’t been confirmed, but the I-Pace’s system (which checks all the boxes) might be utilized in the flagship sedan as well. The problem is, the British are aiming for a 300-mile range and the aforementioned system only manages 253 miles in the comparably smaller and lighter crossover.
With that in mind, the company will likely opt for an even larger battery pack – probably like the one in the Tesla Model S 100D and P100D. There’s a lot of details which still haven’t been disclosed, and as time is passing by, it’s apparent that the British are either behind schedule or very shrewd in keeping the new Jaguar XJ under wraps. My two cents go on the former.
What’s Not in the New 2020 Jaguar Lineup
02. 2020 XF
Although the rest of the Jaguar sedan lineup is being updated for MY 2020, the intermediate XF has apparently pulled the shortest straw. Their mid-size sedan is carrying over mostly unchanged, but there’s at least a number of new standard features made available from the get-go (front and rear parking sensors, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto), as well as two new exterior colors: Portofino Blue and Eiger Grey. Also new for 2020 is the special Checkered Flag limited edition.
What’s more, some changes had already taken place in 2019 when the intermediate received a new, larger infotainment screen and a new trim dubbed the 300 Sport. Despite that, the Jaguar XF still lacks the necessary performance to compete with the best-in-class competitors.
It’s also devoid of a number of features otherwise standard with its competition and the fact the entry-level models start from north of $50,000 doesn’t really work in its favor. Especially considering it can get quite pricey when too many options boxes are ticked. The good thing is, the XF can also be had in the station wagon form, but the Sportbrake model doesn’t come for less than $65,000.
The Jaguar XF can be had with two different powertrains in three distinctive tunes. As is the case with most other Jags, the base models feature a 2.0L turbo four with 247 horsepower, but can also be ordered with a 296-horsepower version of the same mill. The above mentioned 300 Sport trim is exclusively offered with the uptuned version of the gasoline four banger and mostly adds visual upgrades, while the Checkered Flag edition does the same, only with a less powerful 4-cylinder.
Finally, the range-topping models make do with a 3.0L supercharged V6 that cranks up 380 ponies and 332 lb-ft of torque. Regardless of the engine of choice, all units are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and the choice between rear and all-wheel drive. The Sportbrake estate models, however, are offered with mandatory all-wheel drive and can’t be had with a downtuned 4-cylinder.
01. 2020 E-Pace
Starting from almost $40,000, the E-Pace is one of the most expensive ways of obtaining a subcompact crossover in the U.S. Needless to say, this doesn’t bode well for the petite crossover, and sales have so far reflected that. Fewer than 4,000 units have found their way to new owners during 2018 which is not exactly the result Brits have been looking for. Especially considering the wave of popularity that crossovers have been riding on in recent years.
The Jaguar E-Pace resembles its larger sibling but fails to provide any sort of practicality due to its petite size. It’s also suffering from some sub-par interior materials despite being only $5,000 or so less expensive than the larger and much more popular F-Type. However, the E-Pace rides and handles like a charm which is something we’ve come to rely upon when it comes to Jaguar.
Unlike its larger sibling, the E-Pace makes do with only one engine. A 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder can be obtained in both sets of tunes, however. The conventional models make 246 horsepower, while the R-Dynamic units generate 296 ponies. Both versions are paired with a contemporary 9-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system borrowed from the Range Rover Evoque.
While we salute the JLR’s in-house all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring, we have to say we’re disappointed with the ZF gearbox which often upshifts sooner than it should, leaving the E-Pace struggling to accelerate.
Overall, the Jaguar E-Pace is a fun small crossover with lots of qualities, but its competitors are simply more refined at this particular moment. Since the 2020-year model doesn’t bring any significant changes (only adds standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration alongside the special Checkered Flag edition), maybe it’s better to look elsewhere if you’re in the market for a vehicle in this class.
