Jaguar XE Review

You could be forgiven for thinking that the Jaguar XE is the company's first foray into the compact luxury sport sedan segment, so forgetful were its earlier efforts in this class. The XE, however, is a totally different animal. Jaguar has gotten so much right with the XE that it will leave a strong impression on anyone who experiences it. Going straight at the German status quo entries in this segment, the Jaguar XE meets or exceeds its rivals in many key areas.

Opinions on the XE's exterior design are bound to be favorable thanks to tasteful styling cues and ideal proportions. It's not just a looker, either: There is considerable substance under the sleek skin. Jaguar offers a wide range of spirited engines (even a turbodiesel) in its entry-level sedan, and the XE boasts a fantastic suspension that strikes a perfect balance between athletic handling and a comfortable ride. Throw in plenty of user-friendly high-tech features and you end up with one well-rounded sport sedan. Minor quibbles include interior materials that lag behind those of its chief rivals and a small back seat. All told, those shopping this segment will find a lot to like in the fun-to-drive Jaguar XE.

Current Jaguar XE
The Jaguar XE compact luxury sport sedan is offered in six trim levels: base XE, Premium, Prestige, Portfolio, R-Sport and S. Key features on the base XE include a sunroof, dual-zone climate control and an 8-inch touchscreen technology interface. The Premium trim includes driver-seat memory settings, a rearview camera and an upgraded sound system. The Prestige further adds leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, and a navigation system. The R-Sport adds, among other amenities, adaptive xenon headlights, larger wheels and upgraded upholstery. Similarly equipped to the R-Sport, the S also features the most powerful engine available in the XE along with all-wheel drive. The Portfolio is essentially an S loaded up with even more features, such as in-car Wi-Fi, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats.

Depending on the trim level selected, one of four engine options is available. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 247 horsepower (25t) while the step up from there is a 296-hp version (30t) of the same four-cylinder engine. A supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with 380 hp (35t) is the highest horsepower option, while the 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder (20d) is the most fuel-efficient. Combined fuel economy estimates range from around 23 mpg for the supercharged V6 with AWD to 36 mpg for the turbodiesel-four.

In reviews, the Jaguar XE impressed Edmunds' editors with its sharp handling, strong acceleration (with the supercharged V6), high fuel economy (with the turbodiesel engine) and comfortable ride. The few downsides include a smallish back seat, a sometimes abrupt auto stop-start feature and an interior that, although generally well designed, is still subpar in terms of materials quality compared to competitors.

Used Jaguar XE Models
The Jaguar XE debuted for the 2017 model year. Changes the following year included a small bump in the turbocharged base engine's output from 240 to 247 hp, along with the option of a more powerful 296-hp version of the same engine. The supercharged V6 was also bumped to 380 hp, and new trim levels were added.

Read the most recent 2018 Jaguar XE review.

If you are looking for older years, visit our used Jaguar XE page.

Our expert team of auto researchers have reviewed the Jaguar XE and compiled a list of inventory for you to shop local listings, and lease a Jaguar XE .