The Jaguar XE is sold with one of three different engine choices, determining trim. Each of those can be broken down into three or four sub-trims. The base engine available on the 25t trim is a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder making 240 hp. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic. Jaguar claims that the base engine is able to hustle the car to 60 mph in around 6.5 seconds.
Though Jaguar have not released fuel economy estimates yet, the 20d trim should feature the most efficient engine in the XE Lineup. It's a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo, but this time it runs off of diesel, rather than gasoline, which should boost mileage considerably. It is once again mated to an 8-speed automatic, but unlike the 25t, the 20d is available with all-wheel drive. Power is rated at 180 hp and 318 lb-ft of torque.
At the top of the lineup is the 35t, featuring a 3.0L supercharged V6 that is shared with the F-Type sports car. The engine makes 340 hp, enough to get the XE to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, while power is once again sent to the rear wheels via an 8 speed automatic. Like the 20d, all-wheel drive in an option on the 35t.
25t models are available in Base XE, Premium and Prestige sub-trims, while the 35t is available in Premium, Prestige and R-Sport flavors. The 20d can be had at any of the four available trim levels.
The base XE trim may be spartan compared to the rest, but being a luxury car, it still features items such as rain sensing wipers, power exterior mirrors, a large power operated sunroof, dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Premium trim adds nicer alloy wheels, a memory function for the front seats, a rearview camera, a Meridian 11-speaker sound system, an automatic garage door opener, power folding and dimming side mirrors and a 40:20:40 split folding rear seat.
Prestige trim ups the ante with heated front seats, taurus leather seating surfaces, a heated steering wheel, additional adjustments for the front seats, navigation, keyless entry and additional interior lighting.
The top of the line R-Sport includes upgraded leather seats with contrasting stitching, an R-Sport body kit, vastly increasing the aggressiveness of the exterior styling, adaptive xenon headlights, a blind spot monitoring system, a lane keep assist function, rear cross traffic detection, as well as various front and rear parking sensors. The R-Sport also comes with SiriusXM satellite radio and a 3-month subscription.
Options include a 14-speaker Meridian sound system, heated rear seats, a rear sunshade, a power trunk lid, a 10.2-inch screen in the center console to house the navigation system, in car Wi-Fi and a heads-up display.
Luxury In A Relatively Small Package
Available Diesel Drivetrain
Available All-wheel Drive
Less Expensive Than Most German Rivals
Well-appointed Interior.
The Jaguar XE is a brand new car from Jaguar, slotting into the compact sports sedan segment and providing an entry level vehicle for the Jaguar lineup. The XE may be the smallest sedan in the Jaguar lineup, but with less size and weight to lug around, the XE offers high levels of handling and acceleration along with what promises to be surprising fuel economy when properly equipped. The XE is still a Jaguar however, and can be fitted with all sorts of luxury items, from 14-speaker sound systems to a heads up display that projects onto the windshield.
The Jaguar XE is by far the least expensive car in the Jaguar lineup, opening up a whole new segment of buyers for the company. With a base price of under $35,000 the Jaguar XE competes with the BMW 3-Series, the Acura TLX and the Audi A4 all of which are priced in the same general ballpark. The Jaguar has clean, but aggressive styling and the kind of old-world charm that its competition can only dream of.