2020 Jaguar XE Review: Not Quite A Four-Door F-Type

If you're going to build a small luxury sedan, you'd better make it a damn good one. This is a segment filled with phenomenal vehicles like the BMW 3 Series, Alfa Romeo Giulia, and Genesis G70; and when the Jaguar XE came out, it was an impressive machine. However, the rest of the world has moved on, and now the Jaguar has to be an innovative and tech-friendly car with plenty of luxury and style. For 2020, one engine is available in two states of tune. The 2.0-liter turbo four-pot equipped to the base model sends 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft through the eight-speed automatic to the rear wheels. All-wheel-drive is an option on the base version, but the top R-Dynamic trim gets it as standard, along with a hike in output to 296 hp and 295 lb-ft. But with no V6 and aging tech, the XE is rapidly falling behind newer, more accomplished rivals.

What's the Price of the 2020 Jaguar XE?

Pricing on the Jaguar XE, or P250, starts at $39,900 MSRP, with the available all-wheel-drive system adding $2,000 to that price. This excludes a $995 destination charge. The R-Dynamic trim, also known as the P300, is only available with all-wheel-drive and starts at a base price of $46,295 before fees and taxes. Fully loaded with all available features, you can get the XE to over $68,000.

Handling and Driving Impressions

While rivals like the BMW 3 Series and Alfa Romeo Guilia exist, the current chassis setup on the Jaguar XE is simply not the best. However, that's not to say that the Jaguar is bad - it's just not quite as dynamic as those German and Italian powerhouses. The electric steering setup returns remarkable levels of feedback, something that even BMW has failed to consistently get right. The standard suspension setup is also adept at absorbing bumps and divots in the road while still keeping body roll to an absolute minimum. There is also an adaptive suspension setup available as part of a handling package, but the stock suspension tuning is absolutely brilliant. Even with all-wheel-drive, the XE resists the urge to nose-dive into understeer and handles impressively. Braking is also confidence-inspiring and easy to modulate. If you do opt for the aforementioned Dynamic Handling Pack, the front discs are increased to 13.7-inch rotors (standard on the R-Dynamic trim), thus further enhancing your stopping power. This package also allows you to play around with the throttle response, shift points, suspension, and steering setup. The news isn't all good, however, as tire noise intrudes on cabin serenity on some roads. The all-wheel-drive models are also a fraction less agile than they could be.

Verdict: Is the New 2020 Jaguar XE A Good Sedan?

The Jaguar XE offers a very different take on the small luxury sedan, with unique styling and an interesting interior. The 2.0-liter turbo engine fitted to the car delivers good performance, and the eight-speed automatic that is the only transmission option that's a good companion for it. However, the interior is still not up to scratch in comparison to its competition, with most materials still not truly fitting the luxury bill. It has its strengths, with good handling and a decent ride, but the small details that matter are simply not good enough. The trunk is awkwardly shaped and inconvenient to use, and features like ventilated front seats, adaptive headlights, and tri-zone climate control are missing from the car. You also have to pay extra for the useful options as part of packages, some of which require even more spending. In addition, the infotainment system is as quick and sharp as a member of The Rolling Stones after a heavy weekend. Stick with the BMW 3 Series or try out the Alfa Guilia. The British have got this car all wrong.

What Jaguar XE Model Should I Buy?

If your heart is set on this boorish British sedan, we'd opt for the base model. It doesn't make as much power as the top trim and it is equipped with rear-wheel-drive as standard, but adding weight to the XE does not benefit it. In addition, the more powerful engine makes little difference to acceleration, and with a lighter body and rear-wheel propulsion, handling will be more fun. We would, however, consider adding the Park Pack. This requires adding wireless charging, a head-up display, pro navigation, a 12.3-inch digital driver display, and the dual-screen infotainment system, but also gifts you a surround-view camera and automatic parking. With these additions, the base XE is still less than $45,000.

2020 Jaguar XE Comparisons

2020 Jaguar XE vs Jaguar XF Sedan

If you absolutely must have a British sedan with luxury aspirations, the XF is a much roomier and easier to live with companion. In addition to the option of a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with 380 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, the XF also boasts a 17.8 cubic-foot trunk and a far more comfortable interior with more space and a slightly more premium feel. It also has an even better ride and retains the option of a diesel engine configuration if you wish to optimize gas mileage. However, like the XE, its quality is not as great as that of German rivals and the fastest V6 supercharged model is not as quick as it should be. Overall, each of the Jaguar products has its own highs and lows, but we'd opt to minimize expense in this case and stick with the cheaper, more nimble, XE.

2020 Jaguar XE vs Audi A4 Sedan

The Audi A4 has a base price that is over $2,000 lower than that of the entry-level Jag XE. However, its 2.0-liter turbo four-pot produces just 188 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. It's also a front-wheel-drive car in base form, but this helps it have a larger trunk that is 0.9 cubic feet more voluminous than that of the Jag. Most importantly, however, the Audi feels far more solid and has a genuinely upscale interior. The infotainment system in the Audi is also far more responsive and offers standard satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and the option of an excellent Bang & Olufsen sound system - all while providing XE-rivaling real-world acceleration despite lower engine outputs. In addition, the A4 range as a whole has a much more fun chassis and the engine feels a lot more powerful than its rating suggests. Overall, the Audi A4 is simply a better car, and we'd much rather live with it every day than the Jaguar.