2016 #Jaguar XF Gets Nicer Curves [Auto Styling News]

The Jaguar XF was never an ugly duckling by any stretch. But it's clearly outgrown a bit of an early, somewhat awkward phase to become a true beauty.

This is the second generation of the car, which was totally new in 2009, and had a mild refreshing in 2011. Previous exteriors for the XF (2009-2011) actually looked far more generic and arguably less beautiful than this iteration. Or to be blunt, if you squinted at the '09 model, you might have seen bits and pieces of other cars, cobbled together. And it was jarring. Have a look:

The 2009 XF - or is it a Lexus? Or a Volvo? Or a BMW?

It had a clearly Volvo-like grille, seemingly had borrowed 1990s-era rounded Chrysler parts bin headlights, had a side that overly-resembled a Lexus, and even sported a BMW-style "Hofmeister kink" rear-quarter window. These companies must have been VERY flattered by all the imitation.

Much like the early KIAs and Hyundais, this first edition of the model seemed so unsure of itself, that it looked like it had stolen visual cues from other cars. Yes, it's odd comparing Jags to these "lesser" vehicles, but since Jaguar left England, it's looked like the dog's breakfast; this model in particular. And it's a well-deserved criticism.

Thankfully, this 2016 model actually seems far more evolved, and has a bit of its own DNA now, and its identity crisis seems like it's over.

The headlights - which were refreshed in 2011 - look even less bulgy, less round, and over all, more beautiful and sleeker. They are available in an all-LED version featuring daytime running lights. I like the new lower bumper work on the front as well, which looks racy.

The front section extends forward, as if the Jaguar is about to pounce. With the grille jutting out in this way, it gives the entire car a distinctive feel.

The grille itself is more upright, and wider than before, which is far more elegant and erases any comparison with the Volvo's grille. To add this feature, the entire grille and headlamp area of the hood is clearly and visibly chopped off from the rest of the hood in a separate piece of sheet metal. (This shows up more in white and lighter colors, it seems. Darker colors, like this examples here, don't reflect it as much.)

Some reviewers have noted that in an accident, that piece, if it alone is damaged, would be far cheaper to replace. But if you can afford the $57k to $65k price tag of the regular or Premium edition of the XF, then perhaps that's not as much of an issue as if you were forced to pay $2,000 to replace the bumper of a Hyundai.

The side seems much less of a Lexus-thief than before, and a bit more rounded, especially at the rear, which is a hint at tradition. The leaping Jag - missing from some earlier models, to the consternation of longtime Jag buyers - is good to see as a fixture on this XF, as it was before.

The wheelbase has actually been stretched in  this model, giving it more interior room, though the entire car is shorter by less than an inch. That interior, it goes without saying, is sumptuous, with wood and leather galore, great leg-room (thanks to that wheelbase stretch) and many technical bells and whistles - though perhaps too many as pricey "add-on" packages. $300 for an in-car Wi-Fi package is certainly affordable, but when Chevy is offering it for free in a $25k car, it's hard to see why it's an add-on HERE.

The BMW hat tip on the side window also is thankfully gone, with a luscious curved rear panel window in its place, assuring us that yes,  this is a Jaguar. The side vent behind the front wheel is more elegant, and smaller, metallic, and completely horizontal, replacing the earlier one, which was paint-colored, clunky and entirely vertical.

The rear features a dual exhaust, gorgeous lamps and the leaping Jaguar, which adds character and tradition. Though one must say that the overall design looks a bit Toyota-like. A rounder rear window would go a long way towards making this a more traditional Jaguar look, from behind at least.

Overall, the XF has grown up, and has grown into a personality of its own, rather than imitating others. That's a good sign for those who are longtime admirers of the prancing Jag, and may even convince more of them to plunk down 57-65 large for a true luxury car.