2017 Jaguar XE

To test how well Jaguar has managed to build its new 2017 XE, we have provided an in-depth review below, complete with comparisons from the best in the segment cars, which are the Audi A4, the BMW 3-Series, and the Mercedes-Benz C Class.

The Jaguar XE is available in multiple trims and variants. There is the base variant, which $34,900, and has the less powerful budget engines, with both a gasoline and a diesel option. All the other trims add more equipment along with more horsepower to the mix. In increasing order of luxuries, there is the XE Premium trim, then the XE Prestige, the XE R-Sport, and the XE First Edition.

We recommend

The base model XE is by no means a bad car, it is actually a genuinely nice car for a great price. For that money, you get all the necessary standard equipment, while the engines are very economical yet punchy.

For the people who aren’t bothered much by the price tags on their toys, just go ahead and buy the 340 horsepower V6 powered XE First Edition. The go-faster parts on this variant, combined with the higher power output make it a good urban commuter and a better track tool.

 To that end, the XE features a sport-tuned suspension and a variety of powertrains. A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four serves as the base engine and is rated at 240 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque. -TheMotorTrend

Engine and Transmission

There are three engine options available for the Jaguar XE, the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 240 horsepower, an extremely frugal inline-four turbodiesel with a whopping 318 pound-feet of torque, and a stirring supercharged V6 with 340 horsepower.

The Turbodiesel and V6 petrol engine options are available with all-wheel drive, while rear-wheel drive can be had for all the three engines. The power is sent to them via an 8-speed automatic gearbox, same for all engine options. There is no manual, which is a slight disappointment, as it could have helped add character to the car.

All the competitors in this segment offer the same formula for their base models, i.e., they all sport a 2 liter turbocharged inline-4. The power figures, however, vary quite a lot for each. The BMW 3-series base models only put out 180 horsepower, while Audi A4 manages 190 HP for the same. Mercedes makes one horsepower more than the Jag, at 241 HP, which makes it the most powerful here.

Acceleration

Jaguar brand has been synonymous with fast cars that handle great. The XE upholds that legacy, being every bit as fast as the fastest cars out there. Even the least powerful base engine does a great job pulling the car, reaching from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The quarter-mile run is completed in only 16.6 seconds, which is great for an entry-level model.

The less powerful competitors take longer to reach the 60 mph mark, understandably, while the slightly more powerful Mercedes also is slightly slower. This is a little surprising, but then again, the Merc is a little heavier than the Jag. The quarter-mile run is a different story though. All the other cars here are faster than the Jag, with a margin of at least a second.

Braking

Jaguar XE sports a pair of Disc brakes on both ends, front and back. The braking figures are fine, although they aren’t particularly impressive. The pedal feel isn’t too bad either, although there is about an inch of travel before the brakes respond to your call.

All the cars in this comparison come fitted with disc brakes on all corners, although only the A4 shows some impressive braking performance. The 3-series BMW is just as lackluster with its deceleration as the Jag, while the C-Class posts even poorer braking figures.

Ride and Handling

Handling is one of the strongest suits of the XE, with outstanding body control and minimum body roll. The ride quality doesn’t suffer much for the handling though, and there is plenty of grip for the standard tires, although the summer tires are noticeably better. The steering is also electric instead of hydraulic, which robs it of a lot of feedback.

As for handling, the BMW offers the best driving experience of all the cars here. It beats the Jag in the corners and the steering has different modes to adjust the feel as per the driver’s convenience. The Merc and the Audi are much more comfort-oriented, and prefer ride quality over handling.

The more powerful a car, the thirstier it is, especially in the case of the XE. Its higher power output sacrifices fuel efficiency, although it still manages quite impressive figures. It can manage 21 miles in the city and 30 miles on the highway, on a gallon of fuel each. This brings the average efficiency to about 24 miles per gallon.

Audi surprises with the A4, which manages magical fuel efficiency figures of 27 mpg and 37 mpg in the city and on the highway respectively. Even the BMW and the Mercedes manage better economy than the Jag.

The front seats are grippy where it counts, forgiving where they need to be, covered in leather in most cases. -TheCarConnection

Seating and Comfort

The Jaguar has a nice amount of space inside the cabin, especially in the front. The rear seats are a bit cramped, although they still do fine by its class standards. The cabin feels quite roomy and the seat fabric is very plush, making you feel comfortable the moment you enter inside.

The comfort in the cabin is hurt a little by the ride quality, which can feel a bit harsh over the rough patches. Over the better roads, you won’t even feel a thing.

The Audi A4 has the best interiors and ride quality in this class without a doubt. The Mercedes runs a close second, and to the untrained eye, the difference won’t even be visible. The BMW has great interiors, but ride quality brings the comfort levels significantly down.

Infotainment system

All the different trims of the Jaguar XE come loaded with a version of Jaguar’s InControl Touch infotainment system. You can either have the standard InControl Touch, or the premium, larger, navigation-equipped InControl Touch Pro. The standard features of the infotainment system are as follows:

• 8.0-inch touch screen display (10.2-inch for the InControl Touch Pro)
• 17 speaker Meridian audio system
• 3G data connectivity (Optional)
• Wi-Fi hotspot (Optional)
• AUX and USB Input
• Bluetooth connectivity

Cargo Capacity

The Jaguar XE offers best in class Cargo space, a mediocre capacity of 14.7 liters. That would be enough to hold luggage for one person, or two if you push it. For more carrying capacity, you will have to put your luggage on the rear seats, which means seating capacity goes down.

The competition offers even poorer space in the trunk, and it is apparent that these cars weren’t built for the occasional weekend family trip. They were designed for the urban sprawl, which means they must be able to manage groceries, which they easily do (obviously).

Although we would’ve preferred more originality with the exterior design, the sheetmetal does feature a few interesting lines and curves.  -MotorTrend

Dimensions and Weight

The XE is an entry level mid-size saloon car, and as such it has the dimensions of mid-size saloon car. The length is just a smidge below 184 inches, and the width is just below 73 inches. It isn’t a drag to negotiate traffic in this, but the long wheelbase does make it a bit more effort than not.

It is also a fair bit heavy, although not by much. The weight certainly hurts its performance and fuel economy though, but handling is spared from its effects. The curb weight, i.e., the weight of the car with all the fluids and a tank full of gas, is 3350 pounds, which sits in the middle of this segment.

The BMW 3-series is the only car that manages to be lighter than the Jag, although even then it isn’t particularly light. The other two are significantly heavier, and the Audi is also significantly larger in dimensions too.

Exterior Features

Some features on the exterior include:

• All LED headlights (DRLs are optional)
• Cornering Headlamps (optional)
• An upright, open, meshed Front grille
• Alloy wheels in different sizes

The Jaguar XE comes loaded with plenty of safety features, the most significant of which are listed below.

• 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 Audi A4

Traditionally, Audi’s have been the first choice for people who are looking for an understated car, one that offers great luxury, but can still easily blend with the other cars in the parking lot. It is very conservative in its design, as opposed to the Jaguar, which has bold curves and sleek lines, and which begs for the onlookers to keep their eyes glued on it. If you want your ride to draw attention, the Audi isn’t for you.

Jaguar XE vs BMW 3-Series

The best budget driver’s car has changed a lot in the recent years, and has also become significantly soft, or dare I say, accommodating. The older BMWs were much focused angry cars, which when driven enthusiastically, would see the passengers lose their lunches in a not-very-nice way.

The BMWs of today are much easier to live with and is quite close to the Jaguar in terms of ride and handling. The biggest deciding factor here would be your choice of brand, between German and British Engineering.

Jaguar XE vs Mercedes-Benz C Class

The Mercedes is the most recognizable brand in the world and would probably be on the top of every car enthusiasts list. Their entry-level C-class never feels like a cut-price E-class, even though it should, which is a testament to their build quality.

The biggest draw away from the 3-point star is the price, which is significantly more than the XE, which if you think about it, defeats the purpose of being an entry level car.

Infused with Tata money, Jaguar has been turning out some pretty great cars, well-built and fun to drive. The 2017 XE is a pristine example of what the Jaguar brand has to offer, complete with all the equipment and engine options.

The Jaguar XE is a great car overall, one that can handle all the challenges of the urban environment, and with the V6 performance version, you can even attack the race track and give even the much more expensive performance cars a run for their money.