Confirmed: 2021 Jaguar XE update dodges axe in Australia, so BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 still have another key rival

Jaguar has confirmed that it will release yet another XE facelift in Australia sometime early next year.

This dispels fears that the highly regarded but slow-selling mid-size sports sedan and British-built answer to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 might face the axe in this country, after Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) announced the XE’s demise in the North American market earlier this week.

According to JLR Australia spokesman James Scrimshaw, the XE will be revitalised with another round of changes that will keep it at the comfort and dynamic forefront of its premium segment.

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“We are very happy with the XE, and the 20MY updates have been well-received,” he told CarsGuide. “And we will be announcing the 21MY updates soon.”

While Mr Scrimshaw would not divulge what will change for locally bound model-year 2021 XEs, it is very likely that the R-Dynamic P300 sedan specification – powered by a 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium turbo-petrol engine – will live on.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) announced the XE’s demise in the North American market earlier this week.

So, what’s changed for the 2021 XE? Not too much on the outside, given that the Series II facelift was only announced last year.

However, inside, there are redesigned seats, a new steering wheel, JLR’s new Pivi Pro dual-sim multimedia system, an updated fob-free Activity Key watch, over-the-air update capabilities and improved cabin air filtration and ionisation.

Most of these are possible thanks to an electrical system upgrade with far-broader ability bandwidth. All and more are being rolled out across the JLR range as each model comes up for renewal.

Inside, there are redesigned seats, a new steering wheel and JLR’s new Pivi Pro dual-sim multimedia system.

Along with likely equipment upgrades, it is probable that the 2021 XE will cost substantially more than the existing model, which currently kicks off from $65,670 before on-road costs for the SE, and $71,940 in HSE guise.

Seeing as the larger, just-announced MY21 XF R-Dynamic HSE P300 AWD sedan is now $100,000-plus (it used to commence from $81,388), don’t be surprised to learn that the MY21 XE might start in the $80,000 region.

Questions remain, of course. Will the new all-wheel-drive option announced with the update and 2021 XF also make it on the Australian-bound XE?

Watch this space…