Starting at the price segment of $35,725, the Jaguar XE is a looker and it mesmerizes you into its charm the moment you lay your eyes on this car. The Top trim costs a hefty $56,500 but it is value for money as it offers pretty good features and intuitive tech suite. Jaguar seems to know what it’s doing by attracting its first-time buyers with the sporty engine and elegant looks which its target customers will really appreciate.
The new Jaguar XE is available in 6 trims ranging from $35,725 to $56,500 with significant changes along the line. All the variants of Jaguar XE can be ordered in both rear or all-wheel-drive but the later can be expected to be more common in the market. All the trims are powered by Jaguar’s 2.0 L Turbocharged Engine with Diesel option also available, except the Jaguar XE S which is powered by a 380 hp Supercharged V6 engine.
| Trims |
XE |
XE Premium |
XE Prestige |
XE R-Sport |
XE S |
XE Portfolio |
| Starting MSRP |
$35,725 |
$38,325 |
$42,225 |
$45,825 |
$52,275 |
$56,500 |
| Features |
- 17” alloy wheels
- All Surface Progress Control
- Jaguar Sound System with HD Radio
- Electric tilt & slide glass moonroof
|
- 18” or 19” alloy wheels (30t only)
- Auto-dimming and power-folding exterior door mirrors
- Driver seat and exterior mirror memory
- Rear-folding seat (40:20:40 split)
- Meridian 380W Sound System with 11 speakers
|
- Grained leather seats with contrast stitch
- Heated front seats and heated steering wheel
- 4-way front seat power lumbar support
- Power steering column adjustment
|
- Leather Seats
- ‘R-Sport’ body kit
- Adaptive Xenon headlights with LED signature daytime running lights
- Auto High Beam Assist
- Lane Keep Assist
- Driver Condition Monitor
- Blind Spot Monitor with Closing Vehicle Sensing
- Reverse Traffic Detection
- Emergency Braking
|
- 19-Inch Alloy Wheels
- 18-way Suede Grained Leather Seats
- ’S’ body kit
- Adaptive Dynamics with Configurable Dynamics
- Bright Metal Pedals
|
- 19-Inch Alloy Wheels
- 18-way perforated Windsor Leather seats
- Yulong White Exterior
- Sienna Tan interior
|
We Recommend
The best buying option would be the Jaguar XE R Sport. Even though it is priced just in between the base and the top end trim. Jaguar XE R Sport variant has all the features one would require for practical purposes. You do lose a little on the comfort and more on the premium interiors as compared to the XE Portfolio but saving $10,000 seems to be worth the pain. However, for those who prefer speed over luxury, Jaguar XE S is for you as the Supercharged V6 engine is a much better performer than the Turbocharged Ingenium engine found in XE Portfolio.
“Drivers who enjoy the thrill of a sports sedan will appreciate the 2018 Jaguar XE. The standard turbocharged engine is lively and fuel-efficient. Three other engines, including a fuel-sipping turbodiesel and a brawny supercharged V6, are also available. Handling is on point and favors athleticism, though it’s still composed for comfortable daily driving.” – Cars.usnews
Engine and Transmission
Jaguar has really outdone itself in the XE with its new and improved Turbocharged Ingenium engine. The V6 Supercharged engine found in XE S trim also gets the upgraded 380 hp variant. The company is also giving the consumers the option of a Diesel engine. All the powertrains are paired with either 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission.
| Models |
2018 Jaguar XE |
2018 Audi A4 |
2018 BMW 3-Series |
2018 Mercedes-Benz C Class |
| Starting MSRP |
$35,725 |
$36,000 |
$39,900 |
$40,250 |
| Engine Type |
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 |
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 |
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 |
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 |
| Power (hp) |
247 |
190 |
180 |
241 |
| Torque (lb-ft) |
269 |
236 |
200 |
273 |
Just like its rivals, the Jaguar XE comes with 2.0 L Turbocharged Inline 4 cylinder engine but the XE leads in term of horsepower output measured at 247 hp while Audi A4 and BMW 3 series clock in at around 190 hp. Torque too is on the higher side in this segment at 269 lb-ft only being surpassed by Mercedes Benz C Class at 273 lb.-ft.
Acceleration
Thanks to its refreshed Ingenium engine, the Jaguar XE leaves the competition in the dust with 0-60mph time being just 6.0 seconds. The Jaguar XE with a zesty V6 takes 5.1 seconds to reach 60 MPH which is seriously quick. Tap that pedal and you will experience pure racing lust from this beast.
| Model |
2018 Jaguar XE |
2018 Audi A4 |
2018 BMW 3-Series |
2018 Mercedes-Benz C Class |
| 0-60 MPH |
6.0 seconds |
6.8 seconds |
7.1 seconds |
6.2 seconds |
| Quarter Mile |
14.7 seconds |
15.2 seconds |
15.7 seconds |
14.7 seconds |
| Engine Displacement |
2.0L |
2.0L |
2.0L |
2.0L |
The XE destroys every rival when it comes to acceleration. In comparison, only Mercedes-Benz C Class comes close to XE with 0-60 MPH speed of 6.2 seconds. The Audi A4 and BMW 3-series take 6.8 seconds and 7.1 seconds to reach 60 MPH from the standstill, losing out pretty badly to the Jaguar XE.
Ride and Handling
Jaguar is always known for its ride experience and this car is no exception to this. The steering on Jaguar XE feels well-weighted without being too light at higher speeds but at the same time being light and handy when the speeds are slow.
The suspension is typical Jaguar Sports suspension which feels a bit on the harsher side but gets the work done at the end of the day. The wheels also tend to lose some traction during heavy winters, nothing some new wheels can’t solve, but for rest of the year, cruising with this car won’t be a problem.
Braking
Braking is the most important aspect when it comes to safety. A seconds delay in braking can make all the difference between life and death. Jaguar XE has pretty decent 60-0 MPH braking distance of 123 feet. You get disc brakes on both front and rear wheels. The brake pedal feels a little smooshy when hit hard but for softer turns and curves, you won’t feel any such problem.
| Model |
2018 Jaguar XE |
2018 Audi A4 |
2018 BMW 3-Series |
2018 Mercedes-Benz C Class |
| Front Brake Dia (in) |
13.8 |
12.4 |
12.3 |
13 |
| Rear Brake Dia (in) |
12.8 |
11.8 |
11.8 |
11.8 |
| 60-0 MPH (feet) |
123 |
105 |
123 |
131 |
Audi A4 takes only 105 feet to come to halt from 60 MPH which is by far the best in comparison to its rivals. The 3-Series is at par with the Jaguar XE when it comes to 60-0 MPH time while the C Class has the least efficient braking because of the extra weight it carries.
The Jaguar XE manages to achieve an impressive fuel economy even after all this power is churned out from this beauty. The company claims an average MPG of 28 with lows touching the 25 MPG mark in the city and highway fuel economy being 34 MPG.
| Model |
2018 Jaguar XE |
2018 Audi A4 |
2018 BMW 3-Series |
2018 Mercedes-Benz C Class |
| City (MPG) |
25 |
27 |
24 |
24 |
| Highway (MPG) |
34 |
37 |
34 |
33 |
| Combined (MPG) |
28 |
31 |
27 |
27 |
Sure, Audi A4 gives you better economy at 31 MPG but Jaguar XE still manages to compete in Eco mode. The car easily gives a fuel economy near 40 MPG on the highway when driven on Eco mode. Now, that’s an impressive figure right there
“Modern, sophisticated and well-assembled, the interior of the new 2018 Jaguar XE mimics the design also used in the brand’s F-Pace SUV and XF sedan. Front passengers are treated to comfortable seats, and Jaguar uses a good mix of a touch-based screen and traditional buttons for audio and climate controls. It’s a very clean design, simple and intuitive to use. Unfortunately, the ambiance isn’t as inspired as the interior of the Mercedes C-Class or the Audi A4.”- KellyBlueBook
Seating and Comfort
Remember when we talked about the lesser length of the XE as compared to its rival cars, and how it would affect the seating, here are the statistics. The driver and passenger seats are well cushioned and provide great comfort. Even for the tall people, it won’t be a problem to drive the XE as the seats come with multiple adjustment capabilities.
| Model |
2018 Jaguar XE |
2018 Audi A4 |
2018 BMW 3-Series |
2018 Mercedes-Benz C Class |
| Passenger Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| Front Head Room (in) |
37.0 |
38.9 |
40.3 |
40.9 |
| Front Leg Room (in) |
41.5 |
41.3 |
42 |
41.7 |
| Front Shoulder Room (in) |
56.8 |
55.9 |
55.1 |
55.3 |
| Second Head Room (in) |
37.0 |
37.4 |
37.7 |
37.1 |
| Second Leg Room (in) |
35.0 |
35.7 |
35.1 |
35.2 |
| Second Shoulder Room (in) |
54.7 |
54.5 |
55.1 |
55 |
However, for the people in the rear, the seats don’t offer much comfort and also the legroom is pretty tight. Jaguar XE is comfortable for 5 passengers at a time but the main issue lies within the much lesser headroom which some of its rival cars are better at.
Infotainment System
The 2018 Jaguar XE provides an 8-inch bright touch screen panel as standard which just sits in the optimal position with easy access to the driver as well as the passengers. The on-screen buttons are pretty big making it easy to use for the driver. The infotainment freezes sometimes or lags to the touches which Jaguar needs to work at. Some of the standard infotainment features include:
- 8" touchscreen infotainment system
- USB/AUX connectivity
- 6-speaker Jaguar Sound system Audio
- Voice Recognition
Interior Features
- The ‘Wrap Dash’ makes you feel like wrapped in a comfortable cocoon of leather
- Dual Climate Control Zones
- Mood Lighting
- Herringbone perforation Windsor Leather seats
The XE Portfolio also comes with Sienna Tan Interior. Overall the dashboard design borrows the same philosophy as the exterior of the car – smooth, consistent and elegant.
Cargo Volume
In terms of the trunk capacity, Jaguar XE easily beats the competition with its 15.9 square feet volume. In comparison, the Audi A4 and BMW 3 series only have 13 square feet trunk volume while the Mercedes Benz C class falls further behind.
| Model |
2018 Jaguar XE |
2018 Audi A4 |
2018 BMW 3-Series |
2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
| Trunk Volume (ft3) |
15.9 |
13 |
13 |
12.6 |
However, this huge trunk volume is limited by the narrow trunk opening given in the XE which is a big turn-off if you want to pack some big stuff.
“Some critics have called the XE’s design overly conservative. Some think Jaguar should have taken a few more chances with the XE’s shape. Our editor appreciate the sedan’s long hood, downward sloping roof and curtailed tail. We also applaud Jag for not inflicting a gaping grille on the XE, when such grilles have become all the rage. We also appreciate the delicate adornment of chrome.”- KellyBlueBook
Dimension and Weight
The 2018 Jaguar XE measures around 183.9 inches in length, 72.8 inches in breadth, and 55.8 inches in height. These dimensions make the XE slightly wider than the competition but it still is not as long as the Audi A4 and Mercedes C Class which measure 186.1 inches and 184.5 inches in length respectively. The Jaguar XE has a base curb weight of 3395 lbs and the wheelbase is set at 111.6 inches.
| Model |
2018 Jaguar XE |
2018 Audi A4 |
2018 BMW 3-Series |
2018 Mercedes-Benz C Class |
| Length (in) |
183.9 |
186.1 |
182.5 |
184.5 |
| Width (in) |
72.8 |
72.5 |
71.3 |
71.3 |
| Height (in) |
55.8 |
56.2 |
56.3 |
56.8 |
| Wheelbase (in) |
111.6 |
111 |
110.6 |
111.8 |
| Base Curb Weight (lbs) |
3395 |
3450 |
3295 |
3594 |
| Track Width, Front (in) |
62.8 |
61.9 |
60.3 |
61.5 |
| Track Width, Rear (in) |
62.4 |
61.2 |
61.9 |
60.9 |
Features
- 19-inch Sporty Alloy Wheels
- Adaptive Xenon headlights
- Jaguar’s Signature ‘J’ Blade Daytime Running lights
- Electric Tilt and Slide Moonroof
Safety has not been compromised in the 2018 Jaguar XE as you get the driver and front passenger airbags with passenger seat occupant detector, side airbags for both front and rear with full-length side window curtain airbags. The XE is one of the safest cars in this segment as Jaguar has equipped some serious safety features even in the base trim. The Crash test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS are not yet available. Some of the standard safety features include:
- Emergency Brake Assist
- Powered Child locks
- Seat Belt Reminder
- Airbags – driver and front passenger, with seat occupant detector for passenger
- Front side airbags
- Full-length side window curtain airbags
- Front-seat whiplash protection
- ISOFIX rear
Jaguar XE vs BMW 3 Series
For performance enthusiasts, Jaguar XE seems to be a more potent option than the BMW-3 series especially at the base price but if you go higher on the price ladder, BMW has a lot more to offer with huge cabin space and a more intuitive infotainment system than the XE. The added luxury features in BMW easily win over Jaguar’s beefier engine.
Jaguar XE vs Audi A4
In terms of performance of both Audi A4 and Jaguar XE stand shoulder to shoulder so you can’t go wrong with either of them but the lack of luxury in Jaguar XE shows up over and again which makes you switch to the Audi A4, whose interior feels far more worth the price you are paying. You also get minor improvements like a new infotainment system and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
Jaguar XE vs Mercedes Benz C Class
The new Mercedes Benz C Class may not be as fast as the Jaguar XE but what you get is one of the classiest cabins in the segment that screams premium all over. You also get additional safety features like Driver Drowsiness Monitoring system and the company’ signature Collision Prevention Assist.
The Jaguar XE brings everything you would want to the table but it still lacks something. The XE easily has the potential of being the perfect car in this segment if it wasn’t for one or two flaws and the flaws are such that cannot be overlooked at all. The car is one of the best performers in its segment but the transmission lag is a huge disappointment for an engine with such potential.
Moreover, the car is also easily one of the gorgeous cars in the market, both on the outside and inside but the lack of headroom and legroom is a bit disadvantaged. It has the largest trunk volume in its class but then again, the narrow trunk opening doesn’t do proper justice to the beefy cargo space.
Overall, Jaguar XE is almost the perfect sports sedan with a touch of elegance but considering others in competition is always an option.
