Now, let’s talk about a Jaguar. It’s an ordinary Jag and nothing special. After all, the XJR575 and XE SV Project 8 are the special Jags. This one is the Jaguar XE. If it’s just a run-of-the-mill car, why am I talking about it? There are few reason behind it. The XE made the world look away from the 3 Series as the sporty four-door sedan. It established Jaguar as the default choice for those looking for driver-oriented, dynamically-sorted cars. However, this XE is the updated version of the original car. What has changed in this car over the previous model? Do the new bits make it any better than the old car?
Jaguar XE – Photo Gallery
What’s new about the Jaguar XE?
To anyone who ever got to drive it, the Jaguar XE felt a sporty car to them. I am yet to encounter a single person who says the XE is not a car meant to be driven and enjoyed. The problem with that notion was the last car’s sort-of dual personality. A sporty car has no need for chrome and other embellishments that take away from its sportiness. So, that was the first order of business for Jaguar with the new XE.
The new Jaguar XE gets a new front bumper. It loses the chrome elements and instead goes all mesh-y up front. The new bumper retains its three element design – two side air intakes and a central air dam. However, these elements now feel like they are all one unit that have been separated by a thin wall of plastic.
That cohesiveness is something the old car missed out on. The grille up front has lost its chrome. Rounding up the changes on the front are the new sleeker headlamps. Overall, the front end of the Jaguar XE looks sharper than ever before.
The Jaguar XE gains two new wheel designs. Both have 5 twin-spoke design but are unique and look great. In fact, they accentuate the car’s sporty appeal. The side air vents have also been given the all-black treatment in the R-Dynamic model.
At the rear, Jaguar has subtly redone the LED signature on the taillamps. The turn signals are animated now and the taillights are slimmer, Jaguar says. The rear bumper has been redone to make it look sportier than before, especially in the R-Dynamic model. It makes the car look angry from behind but doesn’t look as nice as it should. Ah well, can’t have it all, right?
The big change on the new Jaguar XE is on the inside. New to the car is a dual-tone interior colour scheme that makes the cabin feel spacious and airy. Don’t worry, Jaguar has retained the all-black interior too. The door cards have new angled grab handles and Jaguar claims the stowage area has been increased too.
But those things won’t catch your eye as quickly as the new steering wheel. Retaining its three-spoke design, the new wheel has reduced button count and is shared with the all-electric I-Pace.
This brings me to the next new bit of the new XE – the digital display for the driver. Measuring 12.3 inches, it has been integrated with the infotainment unit and the head-up display. Moreover, it can be reconfigured to suit different needs like a full-screen navigation display.
Then comes the car’s centre console, which sees the biggest change over the outgoing car. Jaguar has fitted the new XE with the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system. It essentially brings together two touchscreen displays that share duties.
The upper screen acts as the infotainment screen while the lower one can be used to adjust, say, the air-conditioning in the car . The lower display features rotary controllers to ensure operating the air-conditioning is easy even when the driver is focussed on the road ahead. By the way, the 10-inch infotainment unit features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Take note, BMW.
Below the Touch Pro Duo screens sits a wireless charging station for smartphones. New on the Jaguar XE is the F-Type-derived JaguarDrive toggle switch to switch between various driving modes. Lastly, Jaguar has chucked its rotary gear selector in the favour of the F-Type-derived SportShift stick selector. Not to forget the ClearSight interior rear view mirror which receives feed from the wide-angle rear-facing camera in the shark fin. Crazy on tech is what the new Jaguar XE is.
The new Jaguar XE comes with one petrol and one diesel engine which are available in various states of tune. The car can be had with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. What you’ll have to make do with is the presence of the 8-speed automatic gearbox from ZF. No manual on offer here. Like I said earlier, can’t have everything.
What we can have is simplicity and the Jaguar XE delivers it. The XE’s new model designations pertain to the engine’s output. For instance, if you opt for P180 model, you know the engine in the XE makes 180HP power. Now, does that P actually stand for Power or for Performance?
Is the Jaguar XE worth consideration?
The answer to this question depends on your views on the Jaguar XE. The German Big Three have been leading the luxury sedan space for so long now that considering Jaguar as a plausible alternative may seem like a stretch to many.
I look at this question a bit differently. If you like to drive yourself anywhere and everywhere, are willing to try something new, and are bored of Germans, this is the car to go with. Outside of an A4, park another car next to the XE and the Jaguar just kills it with its presence.
The Jaguar XE was always criticized for its lack of creature comforts and tech when compared to the Germans. I don’t think those criticisms are valid anymore.
A proper road test will reveal more about the effectiveness and cohesiveness of the updates made to the new XE. On paper however, they look promising and should make this a modern car worth opting for.
Also, since Ian Callum is with Jaguar no more, you should consider it for the sake of it being designed by one of the best modern car designers around. That’s something even the Germans can’t say for their products.
For what it is, the Jaguar XE is a product that you should definitely consider and take for a spin the next time you are looking for a car. I know I would, if I had the money.
Jaguar XE – Specs at a Glance
| Specifications | Jaguar XE Petrol | Jaguar XE Diesel |
| Price | GBP 33,915 onward (approx Rs 29.01 lakh at current exchange rate) | GBP 34,555 onward (approx Rs 29.56 lakh at current exchange rate) |
| Engine | DOHC, 16-valve, turbocharged, inline four-cylinder 2.0-litre Ingenium Petrol | DOHC, 16-valve, turbocharged, inline four-cylinder 2.0-litre Ingenium Diesel |
| Power | 250HP/300HP | 180HP |
| Torque | 365Nm/400Nm | 430Nm |
| Transmission | ZF 8HP45 8-speed automatic | ZF 8HP45 8-speed automatic |
| Front Suspension | Independent, double wishbone type | Independent, double wishbone type |
| Rear Suspension | Independent, Integral Link | Independent, Integral Link |
| Front Brakes | 325mm brake discs/350mm brake discs | 325mm brake discs |
| Rear Brakes | 325mm brake discs | 325mm brake discs |
| Length | 4,678mm | 4,678mm |
| Width | 2,075mm | 2,075mm |
| Height | 1,416mm/1,425mm | 1,416mm/1,425mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,835mm | 2,835mm |
| Fuel Consumption | 13.69 – 14.92 kmpl | 19.23 – 20.40 kmpl |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 63 litres | 56 litres |
Specs pertaining to MY 2020 Jaguar XE
