I read about the Jaguar XF’s passing resemblance to the Lexus GS 460 in Motor Trend, but I didn’t realize the extent of it until I saw this Le Blog Auto visual comparison:
Mind you, this is only a side profile comparison, the front and rears are entirely different, but the similarity in the photos is undeniable. It almost seems possible, were these made from clay, to start with a GS and with a tuck here and a nip there, end up with a XF.
You could stack up 100 different mid-sized sedans and see such similarities. The Lexus looks “bloated” compared to the XF, the windows are much taller, the arse end is “fat”, and the line down the side is much lower.
XF is overall much better looking, from any angle.
Hi there Ripside,
I’m not sure you could stack up 100 different sedans and see similarities this close. What sedans are you referring to?
(Another thing to note is that the size of these cars as shown may not be entirely correct, and the GS’ size may be overstated.)
both cars are about the same size in real life, but the GS is obviously higher
basically…yes the XF copied GS but it still looks like a girly car (no offense to your girlfriend, krew).
i would take the GS anyday
btw, i know they’re practically the same length.look at the shadows.
As a point of interest - the Jaguar Kensington Concept shown in the late 80’s was designed by Guigaro. Ford did not hire him to pen any new models for their Jaguar brand despite the effort made but it did not go to waste. Lexus stepped in and hired Guigaro to pen a new executive model. The result was the GS300 from which the model above has evolved after 2 life cycles. The first Lexus GS used very similar forms and style to the Jaguar Kensington concept he had done earlier. The original Kensington concept was rehashed more faithfully in the late 1990’s when it because the Daewoo Leganza, only sporting differing front and rear designs to the concept.
My theory is that Callum & co wanted to create a Jaguar which loooked as if the models hadn’t been in statis for 40 years and in doing so reviewed every design study and concept for how the brand could have evolved during that time. My feeling is that if this work was undertaken to generate ideas, it could easily have led to the design you see in the XF. The fact is that the XF is a Jaguar. The forms and design language are modern iterations of well established design cues from the brand dating back decades, the side window graphic from the 50’s, the front grille from the 60’s. Lexus is a 20 year old company who can only wish they has Jaguar’s history and cachet. So who’s actually copying who?
The XF is far more successful in what it sets out to do, its lower, leaner, sportier, has more character in its modernised versions of the classic Jag DLO’s and grilles and uses more interesting surfacing and head / tail light graphics / arrangements. As for the interior the Jag is in a different league. No contest, I vote for the Jaguar.
This was a great read, PDMC. I appreciate you taking the time to post it.
Hmmm… no problem. I didn’t really realise I was posting my ‘rant’ on a Lexus enthusiasts site at the time though! So I hope I didn’t overdo it!
I’m also just noticing all my typos and errors.. lol Pardon mine!
lol, not at all!
There’s always time for a nice story about heritage. Even more, I’ve always been interested in the connections between all the auto brands, both in business and design. Just visit all the European automakers’ history, and everyone is one BIG family.
Come back and slam Lexus any time!
I drive a GS so i vote GS all the way!!! I love my Lexus and wouldn’t drive any other car.