2017 Jaguar XE

The XE is an all-new luxury sports sedan for Jaguar that's available with a turbocharged inline-four, supercharged V-6, or a four-cylinder turbodiesel.

Vehicle Summary

Filling a very important gap in Jaguar's lineup, the XE serves as the brand's entry-level luxury sports sedan, slotting below the midsize XF. The XE starts at just under $36,000, making it the most affordable Jaguar to date. Multiple trim levels are available, including a base model, XE Premium, XE Prestige, and XE R-Sport.

Overview

In developing the 2017 Jaguar XE, the automaker targeted the BMW 3 Series, the long-running benchmark in the compact luxury sedan segment. 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. Sitting on top of the engine lineup is a 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 providing 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. A 2.0-liter turbodiesel is offered as well, and is rated at 180 hp and 318 lb-ft. All engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, though the supercharged V-6 and turbodiesel can be paired with an all-wheel drive option. The EPA has yet to test the diesel engine, though both the gas-powered four and six-cylinder powertrains (in rear-drive form) are rated at 21/30 mpg city/highway. Choose the six-cylinder with all-wheel drive and the ratings drop to 20/29 mpg.

Safety

The 2017 Jaguar XE has not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. That said, the XE is available with a long list of advanced driver assistance and safety technology including adaptive cruise control, automatic parallel and perpendicular parking, and a blind spot monitoring system. Also available is a forward collision prevention system with emergency braking, which is necessary to quality for the IIHS Top Safety Pick + award.

What We Think

In a back-to-back comparison with the BMW 3 Series, we praised the 2017 XE for its sharp and balanced handling characteristics rivaling its German competitor. "The Jag feels lighter and considerably more nimble than the BMW," we noted in the comparison that included a BMW 335i and a Jaguar XE S with the supercharged V-6 (the 335i has since been replaced by a 340i model). "The steering is lighter and more precise, and the chassis feels more responsive."

Although we would've preferred more originality with the exterior design, the sheetmetal does feature a few interesting lines and curves. The interior is more pleasing to see in person thanks to rich leather, contrast stitching, detailed craftsmanship, and a restrained, yet premium design. The supercharged V-6 feels much stronger than its ratings suggest, while the turbodiesel returns favorable fuel economy numbers along with decent performance. The infotainment system, however, isn't as responsive or intuitive as BMW's iDrive, but we do appreciate the supportive front seats.

Cool Fact

Almost 75 percent of the 2017 Jaguar XE is constructed from lightweight aluminum, including its suspension components and most body panels.

Key Competitors

• BMW 3 Series
• Lexus IS
• Audi A4
• Cadillac ATS
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class