2018 Jaguar XE Review

Name: 2018 Jaguar XE Review
Brand: Jaguar
Price: 20998 USD

(43)

2018 Jaguar XE 20d R-Sport Sedan Exterior Shown

7.0/10 Expert Rating

+128

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Jaguar XE model years

Jaguar XE for Sale

Jaguar XE types

Sedan
Diesel

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byDan Frio^{Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.}

Pros

Speed and acceleration from 340-/380-hp V6 engine is exhilarating
Impressive fuel economy with optional diesel engine
Exhibits sharp handling and steering performance around turns

Cons

Quality of interior materials and assembly doesn't stack up to rivals
Backseat is relatively cramped
Auto stop-start system is abrupt and unrefined

What’s new

For 2018, the Jaguar XE gets an upgraded four-cylinder engine and new driver assistance features. There's also a new top-trim S model with a supercharged V6 engine and a limited-run Portfolio model loaded with Jaguar's latest entertainment and connected technology.

Vehicle overview

Jaguar has a storied pedigree, of course. Yet its efforts at building a competitive small luxury sedan have largely floundered until now. The 2018 Jaguar XE muscles its way into garages that once hosted other European stalwarts, doing it through a combination of style, performance and modern technology.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Jaguar XE 25t 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.93 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$196/mo

$170/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Key to this success is a varied engine lineup. There's a punchy four-cylinder gas engine, a fuel-sipping diesel four-cylinder, and a supercharged V6 available in 340-horsepower and 380-hp configurations. Pair any of these with the XE's exemplary handling and steering, and you have a clear formula for a fun-to-drive small luxury sport sedan.

There's more to this Jag than high-octane antics, though. The XE also offers much of the latest in-car tech and connectivity (including a large touchscreen interface, a digital instrument/gauge cluster and smartphone app integration) as well as a full suite of driver assistance and aids.

About the only disappointment we can level at the XE is the mediocre quality of its cabin materials and its relatively cramped backseat. But if you can live with an interior that's subpar for the class yet still pretty nice, and you don't plan to shuttle around too many friends, the XE is among the most fun and responsive sedans you can find in this group.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.0 / 10

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2018 Jaguar XE 25t R-Sport (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 8-speed automatic | AWD).

Scorecard

Overall	7.0 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	6.5
Utility	6.5
Technology	6.5

Driving

7.5

While its thrust and braking are workaday, the XE's fundamental chassis has good bones. It's too bad that this sport model has all-season tires, which cap the fun. Nevertheless, its all-wheel drive is largely invisible from behind the wheel, affording traction without spoiling the steering.

Acceleration

6.5

Acceleration is undramatic and effective. There's good response in most situations but some lag if you stand on it after a throttle-off situation. At full whack, it pulls with reasonable authority and minimal fuss. It hits 60 mph in 7.5 seconds in our testing, slightly below average for the class.

Braking

7.0

Braking modulation is good around town — a touch of softness at the top of the pedal travel transitions into a reassuringly firm pedal. Pedal effort is consistent in harder-than-average traffic stops. Stops from 60 mph consumed a lengthy 134 feet in our testing, and the car wriggled slightly.

Steering

7.5

Its quick, well-weighted steering doesn't exhibit a lot of feel. It's well-matched to the handling, making the XE feel lively in moderately spirited driving. The driven front wheels in this AWD model don't unduly spoil the steering.

Handling

8.0

Handling is nimble and tidy, even if the ultimate grip isn't outstanding. There's more chassis than tire here — it's well-balanced yet predictable. Stability control is noticeable but subtle and doesn't ruin the plot. Odd that this sport model has such conservative (all-season) tires.

Drivability

7.5

Overall, it's a pleasant driving experience. The eight-speed auto's shifts are smooth but not especially quick. In general, it is well-behaved, though it doesn't always make the right decisions in spirited driving. Adaptive cruise settings aren't retained after the car's turned off, though it will remember if it's on or off.

Comfort

8.0

Don't go thinking that the R-Sport billing will ruin the ride quality. In fact, the ride is appropriately firm but never, ever harsh. It's the highlight of the XE's comfort, though its seats and well-balanced noise levels don't disappoint. While effective, its climate control layout isn't the best.

Seat comfort

8.0

The seats offer very good comfort and support for long trips. The power lumbar support initially feels a bit too generous, but that sensation quickly fades. The foam is on the firm side, and the lower bolsters are fairly modest but are prominent on the seatback. It's only missing extendable lower thigh support.

Ride comfort

9.0

There's a very nice ride and handling trade-off. Ride quality is fluid even on bumpy roads at a quickish pace. The car absorbs speed bumps quite nicely and recovers well. The ride is pleasant, capable and sharp enough but never harsh in any way. Note that R-Sport models have the standard suspension calibration found on all XE models.

Noise & vibration

7.5

The content of noise is well-balanced among road-, wind- and engine-borne sources. It's neither the loudest nor the quietest in its class, but this balance makes it pleasant to live with. There's noticeable engine vibration at idle. Once underway, it's smooth.

Climate control

7.0

Climate control is effective, with an odd layout. Its two rows of buttons all look and feel the same. Some climate functions reside in the seat control screen. Fan noise is higher than expected. Our tester came equipped with heated and cooled front seats, which is nice.

Interior

6.5

The interior is a mixed bag. Though the cabin has solid front headroom, this is a small cabin that feels even more so due to the sweep of the dashboard. The driving position is quite good, but visibility could be better. None of its shortcomings are deal-breakers, but competitors are more consistent.

Ease of use

6.0

The main controls are well-placed, and the chunky steering wheel buttons are intuitive and easy to use. But the arrangement of controls on the door are counterintuitive — seat memory controls are where window switches are expected to be — and the row of various buttons at the base of the shifter is confounding.

Getting in/getting out

7.0

Entering or exiting is pretty typical for this kind of car save for a few minor observations. The sill is easy to navigate, and the seat poses little hindrance. But the door opening is pinched somewhat by a protruding HVAC vent and the raked windshield pillar. Backseat access is not ideal, owing to a narrow door opening at the sill.

Driving position

8.0

The steering wheel is sized right, and the seat has a long range of height adjustment. Fore-aft seat travel is good, too — tall people will have no problem fitting up front, but anyone sitting behind them won't be happy. The steering wheel's tilt range is average, and its reach range is above average.

Roominess

5.5

This is not a large cabin, though the low center console helps make it feel airier. Front space isn't an issue, even with the panoramic sunroof, but the door armrests are weirdly sloped, making your elbow prone to slipping off. Rear headroom is tight, 6-footers will graze the headliner, and kneeroom is marginal.

Visibility

6.5

Visibility is below class standard. The cowl is a bit high, and the side mirrors and front pillars form wide blockages, especially on the passenger side. The rear pillars and headrests are large; and a tall hat shelf and high beltline are obstructive in some way. Avoid the heated windshield, too, unless you don't mind peering through glass filled with small squiggly lines.

Quality

6.0

A design-led execution that trades off some functionality and is let down by materials. The dash sweep induces some perceived confinement, the plastics on the door panels and console sides are disappointing, and the fit could be better. Some buttons creak, which doesn't help either.

Utility

6.5

Its trunk is reasonably deep with a low liftover height, but the cabin storage is skimpy. The nooks it has are small, and the door pockets are suitable for maps only. Car seat anchors are very prominent, however, though the limited backseat space may be an issue for packaging the car seat.

Small-item storage

6.0

In-cabin storage is not that great. Front occupants get narrow front door pockets with no bottle storage, an average glovebox, a little nook at the base of the console, and a small console bin. Small door pockets are the only rear storage.

Cargo space

7.5

While the trunk is deep and larger than average at 14.7 cubic feet, its opening is on the small side. It has a power-operated lid and fairly low liftover height. A 40/20/40-split folding back seat is a nice feature to enhance its usefulness.

Child safety seat accommodation

8.0

Very well-labeled lower anchors under plastic lids and upper tether points allow a child seat to be situated in any of the three rear seating positions. The lack of space in back is the limitation, not the prominence or accessibility of the anchors.

Technology

6.5

The XE's optional upgraded navigation system interface is a fast, feature-laden and worthwhile improvement over the standard one if you're not a smartphone nav user. The smartphone integration can be clunky. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto would be a prime solution for this.

Audio & navigation

7.5

Audio and navigation system is logical to operate, with good graphics. Our test car had the optional 10-inch Touch Pro system, with quick responses and pinch/zoom functionality. But there's no radio tuning knob, so you must use the tiny arrows on the screen. The optional 825-watt Meridian system delivers good sound quality.

Smartphone integration

5.5

Interface is nice and easy to navigate, but the system fails to provide consistent control to a smartphone. Songs are missing, commands are nonresponsive, and sometimes songs are repeated. It's better to initiate playback from the device. Bluetooth would not connect. There are two USBs and four 12-volt outlets.

Driver aids

7.5

Our test car had the optional Driver Assistance package with adaptive cruise and blind-spot and park assist. The systems performed well without any false positives.

Voice control

6.5

The system will execute commands related to music and Bluetooth phone commands but nothing beyond that. The voice recognition works well and provides prompts to follow. There's no voice-programmable navigation, which is puzzling.

2018 Jaguar XE models

The 2018 Jaguar XE is available in base (XE), Premium, Prestige, Portfolio, R-Sport, and S trim levels. The first three trims introduce increasing degrees of luxury, sport and convenience, while the Portfolio is a technology showcase. The R-Sport and S models are high-performance centerpieces. Three engines are available across the lineup, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All are also available in rear- or all-wheel drive.

Base XE models start with a choice of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine (the 25t) or a turbocharged 2.0-liter, diesel-fueled four-cylinder engine (the 20d). The gas engine makes 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, while the diesel is good for 180 hp and 318 lb-ft of torque. Standard features on the base XE model include 17-inch wheels, a sunroof, power front seats, dual-zone climate control, simulated leather (Luxtec) upholstery, Bluetooth and an 8-inch touchscreen media interface. The base XE also features driver-selectable drive modes suited for rain, ice and snow conditions.

Premium trims are available with either four-cylinder engine or an optional supercharged 3.0-liter V6 (340 hp, 332 lb-ft of torque) and build on the base XE features with auto-dimming side mirrors, driver seat and mirror memory settings, a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, a rearview camera, and an upgraded 11-speaker Meridian sound system.

Prestige and R-Sport trims also get the choice of four-cylinder gas/diesel or V6 engines. Prestige upgrades include 18- or 19-inch wheels (depending on engine selection), keyless entry, leather upholstery, heated front seats with additional adjustment, power-adjustable steering column and heated steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, a navigation system, and Jaguar's InControl apps, which enables control of various smartphone apps through the touchscreen interface.

Moving up to the R-Sport includes features such as unique 19- or 20-inch wheels and exterior trim, adaptive xenon headlights (with LED accent lights), automatic high beams, upgraded leather upholstery and panel trim, and satellite radio. A host of driver assistance aids are also standard, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and intervention, automatic emergency braking, and front and rear parking sensors.

The S trim is equipped similarly to the R-Sport but only offers the supercharged V6 engine (with power increased to 380 hp) and all-wheel drive. Specific features include 19-inch wheels, upgraded front seats, enhanced leather upholstery, and upgraded aluminum and metal cabin accents.

The limited-run Portfolio model is equipped similarly to the S trim; it comes in only a tan interior-white exterior color combination and showcases Jaguar's technology offerings. Standard features include a navigation system, a 10-inch touchscreen interface, a 12.3-inch digital instrument/gauge display, a 3G Wi-Fi connection, a head-up display, a Meridian surround-sound system, customizable ambient interior lighting and a hands-free opening trunk. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and the R-Sport's driver assistance features are also standard.

Many of the additional features found on the upper trim levels can be ordered as options on the lower trims. A Driver Assistance package, available for R-Sport and S trims, enhances the standard driver aids with adaptive cruise control with traffic sign recognition and adaptive speed limiter, forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree parking camera system and an automated parking system. Certain XE variants can also be ordered with an adaptive suspension.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 Jaguar XE.

5 (51%)

4 (23%)

3 (9%)

2 (10%)

1 (7%)

4.0

43 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Do your research

Fairview, 11/01/2019

2017 Jaguar XE 35t Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

I usually find that I enjoy my purchases much more after I've done a tremendous amount of research on something. Whether it's a vacation, new piece of tech, or an automobile, research is the key to managing a healthy expectation vs. reality ratio. Many of the complaints that I've been reading about on here were easily avoidable if people did their research. Space - this is mentioned …

BMW and Audi Take Note

BrendonSF, 08/07/2016

2017 Jaguar XE 35t R-Sport 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

After months of research and serious consideration of the latest competitive offerings from Audi and BMW, I pulled the trigger on a V6 XE R-Sport two months ago. So far, no regrets. Jag has nailed the balance between athleticism and luxury, despite having 19" rims. The car is quiet and rides impressively well given the level of handling it offers. Styling, while subjective, is in my …

Love my new jag

SS, 09/28/2016

2017 Jaguar XE 25t Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Love my new XE, was really torn what to buy after having audi for years, never really liked handling in mercedes and aesthetics of bmw. Jag has all of that, beautiful acceleration, brakes and awesome looks. The interior is basic for such a fancy car, back seat is essentially for 2 people and trunk space is limited. But floor the gas pedal and let the cat purr.

Spectacular Chassis In Search Of Interior Designer

Scott in PA, 11/15/2017

2018 Jaguar XE 25t 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

This car, even in base model form, drives exceptionally well. Too bad it is also reminiscent of my wife's old Lexus RX350...great chassis with an interior that made you want to get out of it as quickly as possible. The Good: Acceptable acceleration, excellent steering and braking. A little too much nose dive under severe braking, but everything else works so well it can be forgiven. …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Jaguar XE, so we've included reviews for other years of the XE since its last redesign.

See all 43 reviews of the Jaguar XE

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2018 Jaguar XE video

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 First Look

MARK TAKAHASHI: Mercedes-Benz has AMG, BMW has their M Division, MI6 has Q-Branch, Jaguar has SVO, Special Vehicle Operations. [ENGINE STARTS REVVING] This is their latest creation, Project 8, based loosely on an XE. It's not an XE, though. Underneath the hood is a five liter supercharge V8 that makes 592 horsepower. The goal is to put down a time at the norge Life. Up front, we've got all this madness to make it go fast and to keep it cool. So we have all these vents. And I like these lacy little cutouts here. It's almost like a MotoGP bike. We have an adjustable splitter here. There's a ton of carbon fiber, too. Now that's obviously to save weight, and they saved weight throughout the entire car. They shaved off sound insulation. They have a titanium exhaust from the midway back. Even the headlight had to be moved forward, so they can squeeze this giant wheel in there. The only thing that it shares with the XE, exterior wise, is the door panel here and the proof panel here. Everything else had to be completely reengineered, resculpted in order to fit all of these bits and pieces in here, especially the wheels. This has this massive wheel arch back here. I mean, it's gorgeous, it's smoothed out, it blends really well into the body, it's like the first year M Coupe, which I love. So it's got these really aggressive carbon fiber side skirts. And I love this detail here. No step. It's just like a fighter jet. We have this high mounted carbon fiber wing back here. Puts down 269 pounds of downforce at 186 miles per hour. That's impressive. But really, I think I'm in love with the exhaust because I heard this thing start up on the street, and it sounds even more aggressive than my favorite Jag, the F-TYPE R. [ENGINE REVVING] So besides an abundance of alcantara in the front seats, the interior of the XE is pretty much the same. The big kicker is the back seats. You can get a rear seat delete that puts a roll cage back there just in case you want to beat their time on the ring. Good luck. It's not going to happen. With this kind of performance, Jaguar's looking at a 200 mile an hour top speed, zero to 60 time 3.3 seconds-ish, and they're hoping to set a timer around the norge life in the low seven minute range. That's impressive. Don't think that this is just a one-off special project either. They're going to plan to make 300 of these worldwide, costing right around $190 to $200,000. That's a lot of money, sure. But don't be too surprised if some of these elements start showing up in other future Jaguars. They didn't completely write off the idea of an XE SVR variant. And most of these parts are actually built in-house at Jaguar. So the likelihood of these showing up, it's pretty high. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to see what's rolling through or Edmunds garage next. [MUSIC PLAYING]

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 First Look

Edmunds takes a first look at the Jaguar XE SV Project 8. Edmunds Senior Writer Mark Takahashi drools a little bit over the Jaguar XE SV Project 8. This is Jaguar's most extreme performance car whose reason for being is to put down a time at the Nordschleife in the low 7-minute range.…

2018 XE Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

25t

Base MSRP	$35,725
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$196/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the XE models:

Blind-Spot Assist: Warns you about approaching vehicles from up to 300 feet away that might enter your blind spot. Can apply corrective steering as well.
Pedestrian Detection: Uses a forward-facing camera to scan for pedestrians and engages automatic braking if a collision with pedestrian seems imminent.
Lane Keep Assist: Provides corrective steering if the driver veers too closely to lane markings on either side without the turn signal engaged.

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2018 Jaguar XE Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Jaguar XE 25t 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.93 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Scorecard

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Climate control

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Driving position

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Small-item storage

Cargo space

Child safety seat accommodation

Technology

Audio & navigation

Smartphone integration

Driver aids

Voice control

Which XE does Edmunds recommend?

2018 Jaguar XE models

Most helpful consumer reviews

Do your research

BMW and Audi Take Note

Love my new jag

Spectacular Chassis In Search Of Interior Designer

2018 Jaguar XE video

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 First Look

2018 XE Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Jaguar XE 25t 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.93 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}