CNET Says Jaguar XE Appealing Alternative to German Rivals
The 2020 Jaguar XE receives high marks for its driving experience, though it lags behind its German competition in a few key areas.
CNET Roadshow auto journalist Andrew Krok rightly points out that, just a few years ago, Jaguar didn’t make an SUV. The storied British brand became legendary in large part due to beautiful sedans like the classic XJ6 and sporty coupes like the current F-Type. A lot of racing heritage doesn’t hurt either.
Things have changed, though.
Jaguar still makes sedans and coupes but marketplace demands have shifted the company’s focus to SUVs. “And now I’m having a hard time even seeing a single one of these sedans on the road anywhere,” says Roadshow, referring to the refreshed 2020 Jaguar XE P300 R Dynamic. The XE is built to take on its German competitors from BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. Another competitor is also the excellent Alfa Romeo Giulia. “But is stepping outside the usual triumvirate actually worth it?”
Overall Roadshow is impressed with the XE. “If there’s one quality of the Jaguar XE that outshines the rest, it’s the driving dynamics. The chassis is an absolute peach, working in conjunction with adaptive dampers to keep this thing as flat as a pancake when I’m chucking it into corners. Combine that with some of the most direct, responsive steering I’ve felt in a while… and Jaguar’s got a real stew cooking here.” Overall the XE is sporty like a BMW, avoiding the luxurious feel of a Mercedes.
Under the hood of the XE in the video is a 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder that pumps out 296 horsepower and 295 ft/lbs of torque. While the power is adequate, Roadshow does miss the 380 horsepower V6 that has gone missing from the XE lineup. The 4-cylinder lags behind other sports sedans like the Audi S4, BMW M340i and Mercedes AMG C43. Likewise, the XE’s 8-speed automatic receives some gripes due to its lack of sharpness. Roadshow also finds the brake pedal grabby, which makes it difficult to drive smoothly in town.
Roadshow is a fan of the XE’s sharp styling. The minor aesthetic changes for 2020 improve nicely upon the existing look. The headlights and taillights are slimmer and more contemporary looking. The model in the video also runs on larger 20-inch wheels and features blacked-out exterior trim. “It’s no more or less anonymous than your garden variety BMW or Mercedes… but it should stand out by sheer virtue of the there not being that many XEs on the road.”
The XE’s interior receives high marks as well thanks to the high quality feel and contours of interior materials. “The electric I-PACE’s steering wheel is a nice inclusion here and the F-Type’s normal shift lever is a welcome replacement for the rotary dial.” Roadshow does note that the optional $1,000 carbon fiber trim is a little on the immature side. The XE infotainment system is adequate though still a little clunky to use, lagging behind its competition. “One thing Jaguar has in common with its German competition is its equipment packaging,” says Roadshow. “My $43,000 XE P300 R Dynamic tester has nearly $20,000 of options tacked on. And that is a lot.” But they also point out that lagging U.S. sales is a good thing for buyers looking for a discount at their local Jaguar store.
Screengrabs: Road/Show / YouTube