Jaguar XE - TopCarNews

Jaguar XE (2015 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Jaguar XE is a medium-sized premium saloon and is the entry-level saloon in the Jaguar range. Unveiled in Autumn 2014, it first hit UK roads in Summer 2015. It is built here in the UK at Jaguar’s Castle Bromwich factory in the Midlands.

The XE was given a major overhaul and facelift in early 2019, with improved specification and a lower price. This update has been given plenty of positive reviews from the UK motoring media, and the XE’s overall Expert Rating of 74% (as of December 2021) currently puts it right in the ballpark of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4.

The Jaguar XE has received particular praise for its driving dynamics and (from 2019) much-improved interior. Criticisms have been directed at its cramped rear cabin space compared to rivals, and it is generally regarded as still below the overall standards set by the class-leading BMW 3 Series.

Reliability doesn’t seem to have improved as part of the 2019 update. In the 2020 What Car? reliability survey, the XE ranked 11th out of 19 executive cars. In the same survey for 2021, it had fallen to 15th out of 17 cars.

autos, cars, jaguar, jaguar xe, jaguar xe

Key specifications

Body style: Mid-sized saloonEngines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £30,210 on-road

Launched: Summer 2015Last updated: Spring 2019
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic S“The Jaguar XE has undergone a mid-life revamp that ticks boxes on all fronts. Jaguar has clearly listened to complaints and set out to answer its critics.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: P250Score: 8 / 10“The updated XE really feels like a desirable product on every front. If you want to buy a slice of what will soon become a chapter in Jaguar’s history, there are few models out there as good as this.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“The Jaguar XE is a small saloon that delivers a fine balance between performance, efficiency and luxury.”
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Model reviewed: Reims EditionScore: 9 / 10“Still, it doesn’t change the fact that the XE remains one of the best four-door execs in its class, and the cosmetic upgrades added here represent great value for money.”
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Model reviewed: P300 R-Dynamic S AWDScore: 9 / 10“You could argue that the revised and much-improved Jaguar XE has become the car it always should have been. Either way, with its excellent new cabin and effectively redesigned exterior, the XE really is now good enough to compete head-on with the very best from its German competitors in this class.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: SV Project 8 TouringScore: 8 / 10“And with just 15 examples planned, it’ll certainly have exclusivity on its side.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 9 / 10“Jaguar has been brave enough to make a car capable of taking on the established players at their own game.”
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Model reviewed: HSE R-Dynamic 300Score: 8 / 10“3 Series chaser now has greatly improved looks and equipment, and is better in other ways too.”
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Model reviewed: P300 R-DynamicScore: 7 / 10“The new Jaguar XE gets more soft-touch materials, more expensive veneers, a new centre console design, a new steering wheel, a digital instrument binnacle, and (as an option) a double-deck ‘Touch Pro Duo’ infotainment setup closely related to the one on the i-Pace and the Range Rover Velar and Evoque.”
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Model reviewed: XE 20t automatic R-SportScore: 8 / 10“Even with a downsized four-cylinder in its lowest state of tune, the Jaguar XE continues to deliver dynamics better than any rival.”
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Car

Model reviewed: SV Project 8Score: 8 / 10“I hope it’s a success, and that its success encourages SVO to produce more extrovert machines in its likeness.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 8 / 10“Has Jaguar succeeded in improving the appeal of the XE? Yes, it’s sharper-looking and offers better interior quality than before. Dynamically it’s up there with the best, and it’s no longer the rolling disappointment it used to be inside.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 8.6 / 10“The Jaguar XE is a stylish and affordable small executive car that’s one of the best in its class.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Jaguar XE is a sporty saloon car that’s fun to drive and comes with a premium interior but its back seats are very cramped and alternatives come with a much broader choice of engines.”
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Daily Mail

Model reviewed: (range review)“Clearly, it’s not a sports car but it does impart sportiness – and a subtle Jaguar growl, or should that be a purr– to the brand which features a leaping cat as its symbol.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: D180 HSE R-Dynamic AWDScore: 8 / 10“Jaguar’s small saloon finally shines in a congested market. Chassis quality from ride to dynamics is exemplary, and its style is sharper than ever inside and out.”
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Model reviewed: SV Project 8Score: 9 / 10“Jaguar’s XE SV Project 8 takes a rather extreme approach to the supersaloon recipe than most, but has an equally extreme price tag to match.”
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Model reviewed: P300 R-Dynamics S AWDScore: 8 / 10“Mid-life makeover for Jaguar’s 3 Series rival means sharper style, classier cabin, more tech and a stronger, keener value package.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 8 / 10“The Jaguar XE chassis is one of the best but it lacks sparkle in other areas.”
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Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“Ubiquity in the premium class plays to the Jaguar XE’s favour, as people looking for a sporting, enjoyable to drive alternative to the 3 Series, A4 and C-Class are well served by Jaguar’s stylish XE. It’s a good choice if you dare to be different, and enjoy your driving.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 8 / 10“With attractive styling, a satisfying drive and – from 2019 – a much-improved interior, the Jaguar XE is a strong competitor to the likes of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“Great to drive and characterful, usefully improved by minor facelift”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: (range review)“The facelifted Jaguar XE delivers the Audi, BMW and Mercedes competitor it should have been all along. So would I buy an XE? Probably not. The 3 Series is still top dog in my book. And if I wanted something different, something not German, I’d go Volvo S60 for the interior alone.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: S P300 AWD 2.0-litre petrol automaticScore: 8 / 10“Baby Jag grows up thanks to a plusher interior and sportier styling.”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic R-DynamicScore: 8 / 10“There was never much wrong with the way the Jaguar XE drove, but this revision has made huge strides in cabin quality, facia appearance and driver interfaces. If you like driving, there’s not much out there to touch this car – and now you don’t have to sacrifice anything like as much as you used to.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“Comfy and quiet yet brilliant to drive. The handling-nerd’s car in this class.”
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What Car?

Score: 8 / 10“The Jaguar XE is wonderful to drive and well equipped, even if rivals have it licked for interior quality and practicality. Go for the D180 diesel if you’re a company car driver or worried about fuel costs, while the P250 petrol is a better choice is you’re buying privately and do below average miles.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: (range review)“Jaguar is rightly proud of the XE – it serves up charisma and a driving experience that’s somewhat lacking in its German rivals. However, if practicality and comfort are of greater concern, the more commodious Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4 should be considered.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2015

92%

ADULT OCCUPANT

82%

CHILD OCCUPANT

81%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

82%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

More safety recognition

Euro NCAP rated the Jaguar XE as Safest Large Family Car of 2015

Eco rating

Independent emissions and efficiency ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Jaguar XE has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP. As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic.

If the XE is selected for assessment, we will publish the results here.

Security rating

Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research

Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Pass

Date: 2019

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Jaguar XE has received

2016

UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Executive Car
Auto Express Awards – Compact Executive Car of the Year
BusinessCar Awards – Business Car of the Year
SME Company Car of the Year Awards – Company Car of the Year + Best Large Company Car

2015

Fleet World Awards – Best New Car
Auto Express Awards – Compact Executive Car of the Year
Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best Executive Car
Diesel Car Awards – Best Large Car
Telegraph Awards – Car of the Year + Best Business Car
Festival Automobile International – Most Beautiful Car of 2014

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