Jaguar XE

Jaguar XE – Overview

Taking on the German collosi in their own game is brave (and a little mad) but the British marque has managed to make a sporty saloon that is the current favourite of automotive handling geeks. Sales figures don’t reflect this, but it is at the very least a moral victory and a promise that future saloons will have the same agility.

When it was first launched in 2015, the XE received much praise for its driving experience, thanks to a lightweight aluminium chassis. From here, Jaguar built a premium saloon with actual sporty credentials.

The saloon has been facelifted in 2019, and there are 4 petrol, and 2 diesel variants available globally. Malaysia only receives one: the XE R-Dynamic in rear-wheel drive. It is the halo car of the range, a spot it shares with its AWD twin that doesn’t come here officially.

Jaguar XE – Exterior

The refresh in 2019 brought changes that may seem insignicant, but the car has received a welcome dose of visual aggression as a result. There’s a new pair of LED headlights, with the familiar J-shaped DRLs, and the R-Dynamic has a set of conspicuously sculpted air inlets that really helps bring the front of the car to life.

At the rear the LED taillights feature new graphics, and a new bumper with two exhausts nicely integrated into the darkened diffuser that features a mesh-like finish. Finishing this facelift is a set of 18-inch alloys with a 5-spoke design.
There are a few options available too to personalize the XE R-Dynamic in Malaysia. 

There’s a Black Exterior Pack that will darken the grille, window surrounds and windows, and finish the side vents in black gloss. Aside from this, individual detailing options are available too. A rear bootlid spoiler can be had in body colour, the side mirrors can be finished in carbon fibre, gloss black, or chrome, and the side vents can be finished in gloss black or carbon fibre.  

Jaguar XE – Interior

Unlike the exterior, the updates to the interior are not subtle and brings welcome changes to a previously forgettable space. The front seats feature contrasting stitching, and there’s a pair of satin chrome paddles and R-Dynamic threadplates fo elevate this variant from its lesser siblings. The new steering wheel, gear selector (or Sportshift in Jag parlance) and JaguarDrive Control switch is lifted directly from the I-Pace.

In addition to these, the centre console has also been significantly overhauled. There’s a Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, and as the name suggests, it features two touchscreens. The one above is a 10-inch unit that accesses infotainment, navigation and media, while the lower 5.5-inch unit is primarily for climate control, with accompanying dynamic rotary dials. Forewards of the steering wheel is a large 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Options are available here too. A smartphone pack adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as wireless charging capability. The pack also adds Smart Settings, which uses AI to learn the preferences of individual drivers and will adjust settings for the seat, mirror, audio and climate accordingly.

Jaguar XE – Features

A sporty saloon it may be, but luxury is also a goal for the XE. There are a pair of 12-way electrically-adjustable front seats, and there are two 12 volt sockets available too. As mentioned, a smartphone pack adds all the extra connectivity options, and only the top R-Dynamic variant receives Touch Pro Duo. Sound comes from a system with 125 watts.
For the rear passengers, there’s also the option of a tablet holder attachment.

There’s a wealth of assistance systems here too. It has cruise control, Lane Keep Assist with Driver Condition Monitor, rear camera, Park Assist and 360o Parking Aid, Rear Traffic Monitor, and Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptice Speed Limiter. This host of systems is only missing automatic emergency braking, really.
The usual ones suite of passive safety systems are available, of course.

Jaguar XE – Powertrain

The only powertrain available to Malaysia, in R-Dynamic guise, is called the P300. It is a 2.0-litre Ingenium engine that produces 300 PS at 5,500 rpm, and 400 Nm between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. This powerplant is mated to a ZF 8HP45 8-speed automatic transmission, and all the power is channelled to the rear wheels. 0-100 km/h is over in 5.9 seconds, and it tops out at 250 km/h.

The other powertrains’ specifications are as such:

• XE S 2.0D RWD | 180 PS | 0-100 km/h in 8.1 s | top speed 228 km/h
• XE S 2.0D AWD | 180 PS | 0-100 km/h in 8.4 s | top speed 222 km/h
• XE S 2.0 RWD | 250 PS | 0-100 km/h in 6.5 s | top speed 250 km/h
• XE S 2.0 AWD | 250 PS | 0-100 km/h in 6.5 s | top speed 250 km/h
• XE S 2.0 RWD R-Dynamic | 300 PS | 0-100 km/h in 5.9 s | top speed 250 km/h
• XE S 2.0 AWD R-Dynamic | 300 PS | 0-100 km/h in 5.7 s | top speed 250 km/h

Jaguar XE – Driving Performance

Some reviewers say that the dynamics of the XE is ‘simply unmatched’. That is stratospheric praise to give in a segment with hard-hitters like C-Class and 3 Series. The XE rides better than the former, is more balanced than the latter, and throws in a delightfully old-fashioned steering feel to seal the deal.

The bulge in the R-Dynamic’s pants makes the XE an able competitor in straight lines too, but there are more powerful saloons out there. Buyers who choose the XE will no doubt do because of its superb agility.

Jaguar XE – Ride Comfort

It’s not just pure agility, however, as the car is remarkably comfortable, as a sports saloon needs to be. The standard fixed suspension setup of the car laughs at the complexity of electronically adjustable dampers and changeable ride heights, and shows that fundamentals like saving weight and suspension development are irreplaceable.

No matter how relentless the march of technology. Other markets do have optional adaptive dampers for the XE, but reviewers all agree that it is unnecessary.

Jaguar XE – Fuel Economy

Here are the fuel economy figures across the XE range.

• XE S 2.0D RWD | 180 PS | 4.9 l/100km or 20.4 km/l
• XE S 2.0D AWD | 180 PS | 5.2 l/100km or 19.2 l km/l
• XE S 2.0 RWD | 250 PS | 7.0 l/100km or 14.3 km/l
• XE S 2.0 AWD | 250 PS | 6.8 l/100km or 14.7 km/l
• XE S 2.0 RWD R-Dynamic | 300 PS | 6.7 l/100km or 14.9 km/l
• XE S 2.0 AWD R-Dynamic | 300 PS | 7.3 l/100km or 19.2 km/l

Jaguar XE – Conclusion

Even though the Jaguar XE is not the default sports saloon, the marque’s modern foray into this highly talented segment is commendable. Mature buyers who still prize dynamics above all else will love the way this car behaves under their hands.

Interior refinement and exterior appeal have both been elevated in this facelift. In these subjective terms, the XE is really close to its German rivals now, but in objective terms like its dynamism, it is the compact sports saloon to beat at this moment.