Overview

The Jaguar XE has been around since 2015, and this svelte saloon has its work cut out maintaining its place on buyers’ shopping lists. The best of the opposition is a moving target, and crushingly capable. But just because it’s getting on a bit, don’t think the XE doesn’t have a trick or two up its sleeve.

Compared with the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the XE is a sleek, driver-focused offering that stands out from the crowd. It’s smaller than those cars, and boasts an almost Coupe-like profile. And that’s what’s needed for some in a world that’s rapidly eschewing saloons in favour of in-vogue SUVs.

Luckily for Jaguar, its range is littered with SUVs – the F-Pace, E-Pace and all-electric I-Pace are also available – but the XE soldier ons, selling far fewer than its maker had hoped. But does that mean you shouldn’t look at the XE when choosing your next car? That’s down to your priorities, and whether you want to buy a driver-focused saloon in favour of something newer, less entertaining and more rounded.

The model range looks is straightforward: you get a choice of the standard XE and R-Dynamic body variations (different bumpers are the main visual differentiator), and each of those comes in S, SE and HSE flavours. This mirrors what its main rivals are doing with M-Sport, S Line and AMG Line options.

If you’re considering buying one, it’s worth knowing that Jaguar’s boss Thierry Bolloré confirmed that the model range would be completely replaced by an all-electric line-up by 2025. That means this XE will be the last of its line, and could well end up being the last small saloon that Jaguar builds.

Over the next few pages we’ll be scoring the Jaguar XE in 10 key areas to give it a score out of five. They’ll take into account the driving experience, how pleasant the interior is, the practicality on offer and what it’ll cost you.