Jaguar XE 2020 review
Content
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
- How practical is the interior space? 7/10
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What is it like to drive? 8/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10
- Verdict
- Would you prefer Jaguar Mercedes-Benz, Audi or BMW? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Mercedes-Benz has the C-Class, BMW has the 3 Series, Audi has the A4 and Jaguar has one that the Australians seem to have forgotten about - the XE.
Yes, the default setting when it comes to buying a prestige car is as strong as buying the same brand of milk every week.
The choice of milk is decent, but sometimes it can seem like there are only three brands, and we stop at the same one over and over again. It's the same with luxury cars.
But all milk is the same, I hear you say. And I tend to agree, and that's the difference, that the machines are very different, although they have the same purpose.
The latest version of the Jaguar XE has arrived in Australia and while it is very similar in size and shape to its German rivals, it has significant differences and a number of good reasons to add it to your shopping list.
I promise there will be no more mention of milk.
| Jaguar XE 2020: P300 R-Dynamic HSE | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 2.0 L turbo |
| fuel type | Premium unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 6.7l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $55,200 |
Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
This XE update is a sharper and wider take on the midsize sedan, with sleeker headlights and taillights and redesigned front and rear bumpers.
From the front, the XE looks low, wide and squat, the black mesh grille and the way it's surrounded by much larger air intakes look stiff, and Jaguar's trademark long, downward-curving hood looks great.
From the front, the XE looks low, wide and planted.
The rear of the car has also been greatly improved. Gone are those overly simple taillights, replaced by more refined pieces strongly reminiscent of the F-Type.
How much smaller is the XE than its older brother XF? Well, here are the dimensions. The XE is a mid-size car at 4678mm long (276mm shorter than the XF), 1416mm high (41mm shorter) and 13mm narrower at 2075mm wide (including mirrors).
The rear is very similar to the F-Type.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is almost the same length at 4686mm, while the BMW 3 Series is 31mm longer.
The interior of the XE has also been updated. There's a new steering wheel that has a more minimalist and cleaner design than the previous tiller, the rotary shifter has been replaced with a vertical trigger-grip device (another functional improvement), and there's a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
The entire interior uses new materials and finishes. Both classes have premium floor mats and aluminum trim around the center console.
On the SE, four types of two-tone leather upholstery can be listed as free options, and four more, which cost $1170 as standard, are available for free on the HSE.
Standard cabins in both classes feel luxurious and premium.
How practical is the interior space? 7/10
Midsize sedans have a tough time when it comes to practicality - they need to be small enough to be parked and piloted in the city, but big enough to comfortably carry at least four adults along with their luggage.
I am 191 cm tall and although there is plenty of room in front for me, the space behind my dive site is limited. Overhead seats in the second row also become cramped.
The small rear doors also made getting in and out difficult.
The luggage compartment is only 410 liters.
The luggage compartment is also not the best in the class - 410 liters. I am kind. See, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has a cargo volume of 434 liters, while the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 have a volume of 480 liters.
On the front, you'll find a USB and a 12-volt outlet, but if you need a wireless charger for your iPhone or Android device, you'll need to purchase one for $180.
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
There are two members in the Jaguar XE family: the R-Dynamic SE, which costs $65,670 before travel expenses, and the $71,940 R-Dynamic HSE. Both have the same engine, but the HSE has more standard features.
Both cars come standard with a 10.0-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights with automatic high beams and indicators, metal door sills with R-Dynamic logo, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, digital radio, satellite navigation . , proximity key with ignition button, reversing camera, Bluetooth and power front seats.
Both cars come standard with a 10.0-inch screen.
The R-Dynamic HSE trim adds more standard features such as a second touchscreen below the 10.0-inch display for climate control, replaces the SE's 125W six-speaker stereo with a 11W Meridian 380-speaker system, and adds adaptive cruise. -control. and electrically adjustable steering column.
The HSE class adds more standard features such as a second touch screen.
The only difference is that the SE has 18-inch alloy wheels while the HSE has 19-inch ones.
It's not a great price when it comes to standard features, and you'll have to opt for tempered glass, wireless charging, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera for both classes.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
The R-Dynamic SE and R-Dynamic HSE have one engine, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 221 kW/400 Nm. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The four-cylinder feels powerful, and all that torque comes in the low rev range (1500 rpm) for good off-trail acceleration. The gearbox is great too, shifting smoothly and decisively.
Both the R-Dynamic SE and R-Dynamic HSE are equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine.
It's a shame the V6 is no longer on offer, but 221kW is a lot more power than you'll get for the money in a BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
Jaguar says the XE will consume 6.9L/100km of premium unleaded petrol on open and city roads.
After spending time with it, the onboard computer reported an average of 8.7L/100km. Not bad, considering a test drive would be exhausting for a turbocharged four-cylinder.
What is it like to drive? 8/10
The launch took place on winding back roads winding off the coast in northern New South Wales, but I only drove a few corners before it became damn clear that the R-Dynamic HSE was dynamically talented. So impressive.
The HSE I tested was equipped with a $2090 "Dynamic Handling Pack" that adds larger (350mm) front brakes, adaptive dampers, and tweakable throttle, transmission, chassis, and steering settings.
The steering, which felt a bit heavy in the city, became the XE's secret weapon as the roads wound through the hills. Steering confidence cannot be underestimated, providing excellent feedback and precision.
This, combined with the XE's excellent handling and powerful four-cylinder engine, makes it dynamically stand out from the competition.
The R-Dynamic HSE can be equipped with the Dynamic Handling Pack.
A comfortable ride even on bumpy roads, but the smooth handling no matter how hard it was pushed into corners impressed me.
Of course, our test car had optional adaptive dampers installed, but given the job they did without delay, their response was impressive.
After that, I lowered myself into the seat of the red R-Dynamic SE that you can see in the pictures. Although it wasn't equipped with the handling package that the HSE had, the only real difference I could feel was comfort - the adaptive dampers were able to provide a quieter, smoother ride.
However, the handling was crisp and confident, and the steering gave me the same confidence as I did in the HSE.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
3 years / 100,000 km
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10
The Jaguar XE achieved the highest five-star ANCAP rating in testing in 2015. Both the R-Dynamic SE and R-Dynamic HSE come with AEB, lane keeping assist, rear cross traffic alert, traffic sign recognition and automatic parking.
The HSE added a blind spot assist system that will put you back in your lane if you're about to change lanes for someone else; and adaptive cruise control.
The low score is due to the need for optional safety equipment - the inclusion of advanced technology as standard is becoming the norm.
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10
The Jaguar XE is covered by a three-year 100,000 km warranty. Service is conditional (your XE will let you know when it needs an inspection), and there is a five-year, 130,000km service plan that costs $1750.
Here again, a low score, but that's because of the short warranty compared to the five-year coverage that has become an industry expectation, and while there's a service plan, there's no service pricing guide.
Verdict
The Jaguar XE is a dynamic, premium mid-size luxury sedan designed for those who care more about driving fun than cargo space and rear legroom.
The best place in the lineup is the entry-level R-Dynamic SE. Buy it and choose the processing package and you will still pay for the HSE costs.
The XE's forte is money for money, and you won't find more horsepower at this price point from competitors like the BMW 3 Series, Benz C-Class, or Audi A4.
Would you prefer Jaguar Mercedes-Benz, Audi or BMW? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
