The Jaguar XE doesn’t fall short of strengths and matches its competition in almost every aspect. It comes across as a stellar all-rounder. It looks stylish, comes with a brilliant chassis and is very comfortable; the XE has something special about it that the other cars in this segment are lacking. At the rear, it may be a little tight on space for occupants, but by and large, the XE makes for a perfect prospect and comes equipped with a range of BS6 engines. There’s also a marginal step-up in the quality offered on this model.
It remains a very competitive product, thanks to it being tech-loaded, making it perhaps one of the best compact executive saloons on sale in India. It takes on rivals like Audi’s A4, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW’s 3-Series. The XE proved to be quite popular when it reached our shores in 2017. It is sold only in one body style: a four-door saloon. The XE delivers on the driving experience front as it is quick, and has a sharp steering and agile feel. The ride isn’t too firm either.
Design
There’s no denying the fact that the XE is one stylish looker. In its class, it is perhaps the nicest looking saloon. The LED headlamps are sleeker, and it boasts of DRLs that double up as dynamic turn indicators. The radiator grille is now bigger and a bit in-your-face, and the bonnet seems more pronounced. The front bumper too looks more aggressive. The Black Pack on the SE variant gets smoked-out chrome inserts on the front grille, fenders and the lining bordering the windows. Along the sides, not much has changed, but at the rear, the LED tail lamps have been refreshed while the rear bumper looks mildly re-shaped too. Those satin-grey wheels look quite stunning as well. Overall, the 2019 Jaguar XE has received a number of changes.
Specifications
In terms of dimensions, the XE is 4691mm in length, 1850mm in width and 1416mm in height. The throttle doesn’t respond as instantaneously as we’d have liked; you’ll have to step on the gas to see results. However, power delivery is very impressive and so is the excellent mid-range performance. At idle, it is very smooth, and the engine gets raspy as it picks up pace. The transmission, unfortunately, isn’t very seamless. You get various drive modes, like Rain, Ice and Snow that help the car launch in low-traction circumstances. The car handles remarkably well and feels really sharp and enthusiastic to turn. It also deals with bad roads without any hesitation.
The steering has a nice weight to it and the brakes bite very well. Mild vibrations can be felt on the steering when the lane-keep assist keeps the driver warned, and also makes steering adjustments when the car is found moving off its intended path. The XE is the sort of car the enthusiasts crave for, because of its balanced chassis, precise steering and strong brakes. In terms of specifications, it gets a 1999cc, 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 177bhp and 430Nm of torque, and a 1997cc, 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 247bhp and 365Nm of torque. Paired to all engines is an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. The engine is also BS6 compliant. Also, the base-spec trim weighs in at 1655kgs.
Mileage
The Jaguar XE has a fuel tank capacity of 56 litres. In terms of mileage, the automatic model is capable of returning 11kmpl by ARAI, for the 2.0-litre diesel model, in BS6 guise.
Interior
There are minor changes inside the cabin too, which seem to have added to its premium appeal. The climate control is touch-operable and gets backlit keys. The part around the gear-selector knob gets lacquered wood. The touch screen is huge, works smoothly and gets Android and Apple connectivity. It also comes with wireless charging. We love the fully digital instrument cluster that provides multiple screen options and is quite easy to use. The steering is refreshingly different and comes with touch-operable controls.
The design of the dashboard remains more or less the same with the Riva loop that runs along with the dashboard and into the doors. The seats are very comfortable, and the seating position for the driver is very sporty. The seats sport a memory function that remembers air-con temperature, mirror position, instrument cluster setting and the preset seat. Ingress and egress is a bit of a problem because the door cavity isn’t broad enough. The huge floor hump makes it a bit difficult for a third occupant to fit in, and the backrest isn’t particularly supportive.
Features
The top-of-the-line SE diesel variant comes equipped with a host of features that include navigation, cruise control, adjustable headlights, an 8-inch touchscreen unit with InControl Apps, audio AUX-IN, AM/FM radio, dynamic volume control, Bluetooth telephone connectivity and streaming, USB socket, adjustable driver’s seat and a leather multi-function steering wheel. In terms of safety, it is equipped with ABS with EBD, ESP, brake assist, multiple airbags, traction control and hill assist.
Colours
The Jaguar XE is available in a variety of shades like Fuji White, Firenze Red Metallic, Eiger Grey Metallic, Caldera Red, Portofino Blue Metallic and Santorini Black Metallic. Caldera Red is certainly a colour that is bound to be a favourite among young buyers. The paint quality and finish for all the shades are excellent.
Brochure
Feel free to step into a showroom or browse through the company’s website to know all the necessary details on the bike. It will help you with details that cover specifications, colours and accessory options.
Prices and Variants
The Jaguar XE is available in four variants: S diesel for ₹ 44.98 lakh, the S petrol for ₹ 44.98 lakh, the SE diesel for ₹ 46.33 lakh, and the SE petrol for ₹ 46.33 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). For further details and the on-road price of the car, you can head to autox.
There is a lot more information available on the Jaguar XE, along with detailed reviews of the same. You can tune into autox to know more about the brand, its models and news related to the product.