Jaguar XE: Jalopnik's Buyer's Guide
The Jaguar XE is an exciting entry-level sports sedan that makes the Germans look dull. It's also Jaguar's biggest weapon to crank up the their global sales volumes. What do you need to know before you buy an XE? Don't worry, we'll tell you everything right here in our Buyer's Guide.
Jaguar put lots of money on the line to develop the new XE. It's not just some tatted-up version of an old platform. No, it's sitting on all-new bones. And not just any bones, these are some lightweight bones, as Jag threw lots of aluminum into this architecture.
Make no mistake, despite what Jaguar might say about whether or not they're going toe-to-toe with the 3-Series, the XE is gunning for volume. Jag is trying to break into the mainstream by offering an entry-level luxury sports sedan that not only offers tons of powertrain, infotainment, comfort and safety options, but also looks damn fine doing it. Yes, Jaguar is bringing some British flair to a German-dominated segment.
What’s New About The 2017 Jaguar XE
The Jaguar XE is the first application of Jaguar's all-new iQ[Al] platform, which will find its way to a whole slew of future Jaguar products. The new car gets three powertrain options: a 340 horsepower V6, a 180 horsepower diesel and a 240 horsepower 2.0-liter gas engine. The diesel and the V6 can be had in all-wheel drive form, and all models come with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Acceleration times range from 7.5 seconds to 60 MPH for the diesel to 6.5 seconds for the gas inline-four to 5.1 seconds for the V6.
The Ian Callum-designed four-door beauty starts at a reasonable $34,900 and is filled with new safety and infotainment options. Expect to see XEs at your local showroom sometime in the spring of 2016 as a 2017 model year.
Which One We’d Buy
The Jaguar XE comes in three models: 25t (2.0-liter turbo gas), 20d (2.0-liter turbodiesel), and 35t (3.0-liter supercharged gas). The diesel can be configured in four trims (XE, XE Premium, XE Prestige and XE R-Sport), the 25t models come in three trims (XE, XE Premium, XE Prestige), and the 35t models get only Premium, Prestige and R-Sport trims.
All diesel and supercharged V6 trims get all-wheel drive as a $2,500 option, while the four-cylinder gas XE sends power only to the rear wheels.
The 25t starts at $34,900, the 20d starts at $36,400 and the 35t costs $41,700. The base XE trims get standard features like: ten-way power seats, power sunroof, hill launch assist, rain sensing wipers, 18-inch alloy wheels, two-zone climate control, auto-dimming mirror, eight-inch touchscreen for infotainment system and leatherette seats.
Jump to Premium for $2,600, and you'll add driver seat and outside mirror memory, rearview camera, Meridian 380W 11-speaker sound system, auto-dimming and power-folding outside mirrors and folding rear seat.
Prestige models cost another $3,900, but brings leather seats, heated front seats and steering wheel, Jaguar InControl Apps, four-way front lumbar support, power steering column adjustment, interior mood lighting, keyless entry and Navigation.
Spend $3,600 to bump up to R-Sport on the diesel or V6, and you get an R-Sport body kit, unique R-Sport bumpers and exterior trim, adaptive xenon headlamps with LED signature lighting, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Condition Monitoring, Blind Spot Monitor with Closing Vehicle Sensing, Reverse Traffic Detection, front and rear parking aids, satellite radio and Autonomous Emergency Braking.
We haven't driven an XE, but poking through the online configurator, we like the look of the Prestige V6 model. It gets us the nice cushy leather heated seats, and comes in at $46,595 after destination, which isn't bad compared to rivals like the 3 Series and C-Class.
Important Facts At A Glance:
MSRP: $34,900 – $41,700 Top Speed: 155 MPH [3.0L, 2.0L gas]
Acceleration: ~5.0 to 60 [3.0L, AWD]
MPG: NA
Engines: 2.0L turbo I4, 2.0L turbodiesel I4, 3.0L Supercharged V6
Max Horsepower/Torque: 340 hp/332 lb-ft
Curb Weight: ~3250 pounds IIHS Rating: NA
Transmissions: 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain Layout: Front engine, RWD/AWD
Photo credit: JaguarArticle last updated: Feb 25, 2016