Review: Meet the XE Sedan, the entry-level Jaguar
Downsizing the Jag.
Downsizing can be a challenge, at least for some of us.Housing-wise, we tried it after the kids moved out and wound up with more square footage rather than less. Of course, we easily managed to fill the extra space with too much stuff. It’s much the same with cars. You’d think empty-nesters would be downsizing, but they seem to still be opting for SUVs, although now those cars might be compact instead of giant- size.The normal progression of the auto industry seems to be ever upwards. In the old days, before BMW began adding a new series every year, its marketing philosophy was to have drivers start out in the 3 Series and, with good financial fortunes, move up to the 5 Series or 7 Series.That was fine for BMW, but Jaguar, for example, didn’t have that variety with its high-end offerings. Nor did the company have an SUV.Until now.Enter the XE, a smaller luxury sedan, and hopefully a new jumping-in point for the brand.We picked up our XE at Logan Airport when returning from an overseas flight.The immediate thought, perhaps unfairly, was “How did Jag shrink the XJ and can we find where they cut the corners?”Did they compromise on power?Did they spoil the legendary Jaguar ride?Did they go with lesser quality throughout?The answers were no, no, and a little bit.We found the XE to be certifiably a Jaguar in our automotive version of DNA testing.The 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 produced 340 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque and had a most Jaguar-like response to the throttle. It’s also available with a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and a 2-liter diesel that’s already been proven in other countries.Power in our XE went to the two rear wheels (all-wheel-drive is available) via an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Handling and ride were terrific. For decades, Jaguar has been known for its mastery of the suspension system—combining refined and sport-tuned long before those terms were regularly applied to one vehicle. Point of fact: “Rides like a Jag” is one of Mrs. G’s standards of approval.The optional Adaptive Dynamics package, which our XE had, further lets the driver choose how the vehicle responds by cycling through Normal, Eco, and Dynamic selections for engine, transmission, and suspension settings.On the outside, the XE’s styling cues all said not only Jag but had you asking, “Is that an XJ?” The proportions and perspective were just right.Our quibbles were more inside the cabin.The XE’s interior feels snug, not surprising because it’s basically on the compact-midsize line. Head and legroom, especially in the rear, can be termed only adequate.Moving to the controls department: The infotainment system is based on a touch screen system. Ours had the optional 10.2-inch screen. The capacitive touch system worked as well as any we’ve used, but it still means having to make several touch selections—either with steering wheel controls or by touching the screen—instead of one simple command to make simple changes.We’d have loved the option of being able to mix satellite radio presets in with radio favorites on a screen so one touch would let you make that selection instead of having to go to source and then favorites and then your station.Because so much can be done on the screen, the number of buttons on the dash was pleasantly small; however, they weren’t done in normal Jag style and quality—a significant disappointment. Looking at the price tag, we had sticker shock, because the price seemed low—$45,600 plus $995 destination charge for a bottom line of $46,595—which would have made this a tremendous bang-for-the-buck vehicle.Going onto Jaguar’s “build your car” option, we found that our vehicle had a long list of options with N/C (no charge) next to them. However, there’s still no way we would have gotten out of a dealer’s showroom with that bottom line.Instead, the Vision package would have added $2,400. That includes LED driving lights and Xenon headlamps, intelligent high beam assist, power headlight washing, blind spot monitoring, reverse traffic alert, and both front and rear parking assist.Next, the Technology package (upgrading the standard 8-inch screen to the 10.2-inch version) adds $2,700. The SSD-based navigation was quick and the upgraded audio system was definitely luxury-car quality.The Adaptive Dynamics suspension option added $1,000, dark sapphire metallic paint another $550, satellite radio $350, a so-so head-up display $990, ebony interior trim $300, and 18-inch Radiance, 15-spoke black wheels another $1,000. That boosted the price to $55,885.New England buyers likely also would want to add AWD (another $2,500).Neither Mrs. G nor I ever have been known for packing lightly. The answer to “Should I take this or maybe that?” usually is “Take them both and maybe something else as well.” In other words, there’s no point in stuffing a gym bag when there’s room for a steamer trunk. One of our first surprises was that both of our suitcases, admittedly on the large (but not largest) size, wouldn’t quite fit in the trunk together at the airport. However, it did take a big load of groceries later that day.That led to the rear seat and the discovery that leg and headroom were OK but (as expected) less than in the XJ.So that’s how we found out where and how they “shrunk” the XJ.2017 Jaguar XE 35t PrestigeTHE BASICSPrice, base/as tested (with destination):$46,595/$55,885. Fuel economy, EPA estimated: 21 city/30 highway/24 combined. Fuel economy, Globe observed: 26.1. Drivetrain: 3.0-liter supercharged V-6, 8-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive. Body: 4-door sedan. THE SPECIFICSHorsepower: 340. Torque: 332 lb.-ft. Overall length: 183.9 in. Wheelbase: 111.6 in. Height: 55.7 in. Width: 77.4 in. Curb weight: 3,605 lbs.THE GOODPerformance, styling, handling.THE BADSome less-than-Jag-style switches and controls; price can escalate quickly by adding desirable options.ALSO CONSIDER Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac ATS, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class.Bill Griffith can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @MrAutoWriter.
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