Warming up the engine
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Unlike its X-Type predecessor, the Jaguar XE is a Jaguar through-and-through, and arguably all the better for it. That wasn’t enough to make the compact Jaguar executive saloon a sales-leader, but its talents got closer than ever to the likes of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which was no mean feat.
XE production has now wound down, but there’s a ready supply of quality used XEs still on the market, and they represent pretty good value, being great to drive and well-equipped for the money. Read on below to find out more about the XE, and whether it’s worthy of your attention.
We think the Jaguar XE is slightly underappreciated, given its talents. During its time on sale the vast majority of buyers flocked to cars like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes C-Class, but in some ways the XE actually bettered these German rivals, and in recent years it’s also been an absolute bargain, often costing several thousand pounds less than similar models from other brands - a price advantage that should continue on the used market.
The XE is definitely one of the most handsome cars in this class, and has one of the best chassis too - Jaguar knows how to tune a car for UK roads, and the XE has always paired fluid handling with a ride quality that makes the best of the UK’s increasingly crumbling roads. It’s at its best on smaller wheels, though even sportier models on large 20-inch alloys ride better than most.
The restrained interior design doesn’t have the wow factor of some, but it still feels upmarket, and interior and boot space are decent too - it’s just a shame Jaguar didn’t offer an estate version for even more room. Again to emphasise its value, equipment levels were always pretty good. Perhaps the only real area the Jag lagged the German equivalents was on its choice of engines - the predominantly four-cylinder lineup lacked prestige, and the four-pots were never quite as smooth as those in BMWs and Audis.
The three German models remain the go-to in this class, while cars like the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Lexus IS are left-field alternatives, the Alfa having an even sportier feel than the Jaguar. The Peugeot 508 is another looker with a quality feel too, but the Jaguar really does get you a lot for your money.
If fuel consumption isn’t a concern then we’d make a bee-line for the XE S sold prior to 2019, which came with a 3-litre supercharged V6 engine, the closest the XE really got (outside of the mad Project 8) to being a true sports saloon. The four-cylinder engines across the rest of the range don’t quite cut it for sound and emotion, though there’s no doubting they’re the more sensible choices if you cover big miles and want to keep costs down - later models are more refined than earlier ones.
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All trim levels are well-equipped, so unless some of the sportier trim lines appeal visually, or there’s a piece of equipment you cannot do without, we’d stick with R-Dynamic S trim and benefit from the best ride quality on the smaller wheels (though older SE and Prestige models get even smaller 17-inch wheels for an even more fluid ride).
The XE range has been reshuffled a few times over the years, with changes to both trim lines and engine options. The models you see below are as per the final few years of XE production, though keep an eye out for some of the older models too as they’re still well-equipped and the XE’s underlying strengths haven’t changed much.
The Jaguar XE’s dimensions are:
The Jaguar XE’s boot space is:
Prior to April 2017, XEs are taxed according to CO2 emissions, which makes diesels the cheapest and the V6 XE S the most expensive. After this 2017 date, everything attracts a flat rate currently set at £190 for non-hybrids and £10 less for hybrid models. The exception to this rule is anything that cost more than £40,000 brand new, which gets a surcharge which bumps tax up to a hefty £600 per year (£10 less for hybrids).
Among the most recent models the most affordable Jaguar XE to insure should be the D200 in R-Dynamic S trim, which starts at group 29, though some earlier diesels start in group 27. You’ll go up to group 33 for a 300 Sport, and group 35 for the old supercharged V6 XE S.
What is the most popular colour for Jaguar XE ?
What is the most popular gearbox for Jaguar XE ?
What is the most popular fuel type for Jaguar XE ?
What is the most popular engine for Jaguar XE ?
What is the average mileage for Jaguar XE ?
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How many Jaguar XE cars are available for sale?
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