The Jaguar XE could be a great option if you’re looking for a premium-brand saloon that’s well-equipped, good to drive and comfortable. There are lots of versions to choose from and all of the available engines provide strong performance.
The Jaguar XE – sold in the UK since 2015 – is aimed at the kind of buyers who might choose an Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series. While those rival cars are available in saloon or estate form, the XE is only available as a saloon.
The XE has been updated many times over the years, most recently in 2019. New lights and bumpers gave it a sharper look on the outside and a redesigned dashboard and improved infotainment system gave it a more high-tech, high-quality appearance on the inside.
You can get an XE with a petrol or a diesel engine, some of which are focused on efficiency and others more on performance. There are models with a manual gearbox but automatics are much more common. The more cost-effective versions have rear-wheel drive while the higher-powered or higher-spec models are available with four-wheel drive (either as standard or as an option when new). There are more than a dozen trim levels, ranging from the merely well-equipped to the luxurious. R-Dynamic models have a sportier look.
Get into any XE model and you’ll find loads of features included as standard such as sat nav, Bluetooth and DAB radio in an infotainment system that, in many cases, can support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also air con, cruise control and parking sensors. Many models have electrically adjustable, heated front seats and leather upholstery, a powerful Meridian stereo and adaptive cruise control.
The infotainment system fitted to early XE models isn’t the best – the touchscreen can be slow to respond and the whole system seems a bit dated. It has since been upgraded many times and the latest version (which Jaguar calls Pivi Pro) is really user-friendly.
According to official figures, XE models with a petrol engine can give average fuel economy of 29mpg to 39mpg and diesels can give 46mpg to 58mpg. Those numbers are pretty good considering the performance some of the engines offer.
The official figures show carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of 162g/km to 204g/km with a petrol engine and 134g/km to 156g/km with a diesel. Annual Vehicle Excise Duty (car tax) is relatively low as a result, though bear in mind that some models that cost more than £40,000 when new will incur an extra annual charge until they’re six years old.
The XE costs much the same as key rivals such as the Audi A4 or the BMW 3 Series, so it’s decent value but costs more than non-premium brand alternatives such as the Peugeot 508 or the Volkswagen Passat.
In terms of their overall size, shape and cost there’s very little to separate the XE from rivals such as the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Volvo S60. The Jaguar stands out for being especially satisfying to drive, but it lags behind the others for back-seat and boot space and, unlike most of those cars, it doesn’t give you the option of hybrid power or an estate version.
There’s quite a long drop down into the front seats of the XE, but once you’re in there’s loads of room. Even if you’re well over six feet tall you should have all the headroom, legroom and shoulder room you need. Space in the back is tighter, especially if there’s someone particularly tall sitting in the front.
The boot is also on the small side, with a capacity of 356 litres. It’s oddly shaped and the opening is quite small, which can make it awkward to load. Still, a couple of large holdalls will slot in easily when you go on holiday. Some models have folding back seats, which significantly improves your options for using the space.
The XE is the smallest saloon car that Jaguar currently makes, although it’s actually a relatively large car in absolute terms. As of mid-2023, Jaguar’s biggest saloon is the XF; there’s also the XJ luxury car, which was made until 2019. Compared with Jaguar’s SUV models, the XE is a few inches shorter than the F-Pace.
Safety organisation Euro NCAP awarded a full five-star safety rating to the XE, giving it high marks in every area it assessed. Lots of driver-safety features are fitted including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, a speed limiter and traffic sign recognition.
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Jaguar XE
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