2020 Jaguar XE Road Test and Review

As Jaguar edges deeper into the mainstream, the British luxury brand is attempting to distance itself from the notion that its cars are only for fringe consumers. The company says its F-Type sports car will interest Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette buyers, its E-Pace crossover will appeal to BMW X2 and Audi Q3 shoppers, and its F-Pace crossover will wrangle BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLE customers. In short, Jaguar wants its vehicles to not just pull at your heartstrings — they should also make sense.

Until now, the Jaguar XE compact sport sedan has fallen a bit shy of this goal, due largely to lackluster interior quality compared to rivals like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. For the 2020 model year, Jaguar says it’s addressed the XE’s shortcomings to make it as convenient as it is handsome. Let’s see if the company pulled it off.

While not an all-new generation, the 2020 model year brings the most significant changes to the XE since its U.S. market introduction in 2016. Gone are the XE’s available 2.0-liter turbodiesel and 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine options, leaving only the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in two levels of output. A new Dynamic Handling package compensates for the lack of V6 power with larger brakes, a rear spoiler, adjustable dampers, and reconfigurable drive modes.

To bring the XE in line with other new models, Jaguar tweaked its exterior design. New LED headlights and taillights, a larger mesh grille, and R-Dynamic specific fasciae round out the changes. Inside, material quality and storage has been improved. There’s also a new steering wheel shared with the I-Pace, and a new shifter borrowed from the F-Type.

Though Jaguar lacks extensive compact sport sedan pedigree, its sophomore design effort (following the X-Type) has been a thorough success. The 2016 XE was both attractive and fierce — the perfect foil to Germany’s conservative alternatives. The 2020 update doesn’t mess with the styling foundation much, but careful touches improve an already alluring cat.

Like the all-electric I-Pace, the XE now features standard LED headlight and taillights for a sharper signature. The front bumper and rear diffuser have been remodeled, making a particularly strong statement on R-Dynamic trims. Unique wheel designs ranging from 18 to 20 inches enhance the XE’s profile. More cohesively beautiful than any other sport sedan on sale, the refreshed XE still deals painful blows to 3 Series owners who are forced to play the “what-if” game in the parking lot.

Though the XE’s design has always been a treat for the eyes, its interior has thus far been less satisfying. Thankfully, much has been remedied for 2020. Leather seating is now standard (with an available upgrade to Windsor leather surfaces), interior storage has been improved thanks to redesigned door panels and armrests, and new soft-touch materials outfit most surfaces not covered in cowhide. The finished product is plush and inviting — at least for front-seat passengers. Unfortunately, the XE’s rear quarters remain as tight as before, meaning full-size adults won’t be lining up to sit in the back.

If you don’t plan to regularly host co-workers, or can keep travel to just a few minutes, the XE’s cabin is accommodating. Of particular note is the XE’s extensive driver seat adjustability, allowing virtually any body type to find a comfortable position. Paired with available 16-way power-adjustable, heated and cooled front seats, the XE should make any commute cozy.

Enhancing the XE’s cabin appeal is a new roster of convenience and safety goodies. Jaguar Land Rover’s TouchPro Duo system is now available, featuring a 5.5-inch display beneath a 10-inch infotainment screen. Climate control and certain vehicle settings can be configured on the lower monitor, while navigation, media, and other controls are found on the upper display.

Though some twin-screen systems can be confusing, Jaguar’s iteration (which includes a pair of digital dials for quick manipulation) is remarkably intuitive. To keep information in driver peripheries, the XE features a digital gauge cluster with reconfigurable center tiles and an available head-up display. Comprehensive steering wheel controls further reduce distraction. Despite Jaguar’s efforts to keep attention on the road ahead, distractions can and will happen. Fortunately, the XE comes standard with a speed limiter, backup camera, lane-keeping assist, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. For additional assistance, buyers can add blind-spot monitoring, a rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera, parking sensors, a digital rearview mirror, adaptive cruise control, and high-speed emergency braking.

Following the improvements it made to its Ingenium turbocharged four-cylinder last year, Jaguar is dropping alternative powertrains for the 2020 model year. Customers will only be able to choose the drivetrain layout — rear- or all-wheel drive — and output level. Base P250 XE models develop 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, while uprated P300 versions will produce 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. All P300 models are equipped with AWD, while P250 buyers can choose standard rear-drive or pay $2,000 more for AWD. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.

The absence of a V6-powered version to challenge cars like the BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG C43 is a small letdown, but Jaguar’s potent four-cylinder pulls the XE to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds (on P300 models) and doesn’t slouch in the mid-range.

Above all else, a cat should be light on its feet. To that end, Jaguar engineered the XE to be agile, engaging, and responsive when the road gets twisty. As standard, the XE is equipped with four drive modes (Comfort, Eco, Rain/Ice/Snow, and Dynamic). Adding the Dynamic Handling package brings adaptive suspension damping and allows the driver to independently adjust the steering, engine, and transmission response.

Dynamic is the most eager setting (with an exhaust note to match), but all modes demonstrate the XE’s communicative steering and flat cornering. The P300’s 350-mm front brakes scrub speed with confidence, and its eight-speed automatic knows just the right gear for any driving condition. At a relaxed pace, the XE is quiet and docile as any luxury sport sedan. And though firm, the ride never becomes harsh (even with our tester’s 20-inch wheels and narrow tire sidewalls).

The entry-level 2020 Jaguar XE P250 S starts at $40,895 (including destination) while the more potent P300 R-Dynamic S model will set you back $47,290. Prices can rise fast. White and black are the only non-cost exterior paint colors; Caldera Red is a $300 charge, metallic coats tack on $610, and premium metallic gray or silver command an extra $1,325. To put gloss black on the XE’s exterior trim, budget an additional $375. To upgrade standard 18-inch wheels to 19-inch designs, Jaguar asks $900, while 20-inchers (only available on R-Dynamic S models) cost $1,700.

12-way power grained leather front seats are standard, but for extra adjustability, memory functionality, and seat heating and ventilation, Jaguar asks $1,500. Windsor leather in black, white, red, or tan is a $650 premium. Three metallic trims are standard, but you can choose wood veneer ($200) or carbon fiber inlays ($1,100) as well. Audiophiles have their pick of Meridian ($350) or Meridian surround sound systems ($800), while technophiles can bundle a head-up display, digital gauge cluster, navigation, wireless device charging, and Touch Pro Duo’s second screen for $3,315. Adaptive safety tech comes in parking ($600) or driving ($1,700) packages. Tick enough boxes and the XE can reach $60,000.

Highs:
- Alluring exterior design
- Comfortable cabin overflowing with user-friendly technology
- Ideal calibration of efficiency and thrust from the turbo four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic
- Near limitless adjustability of the driving position

Lows:
- Cramped rear legroom for full-size adults
- No V6-powered iteration to rival BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG C43

The 2020 Jaguar XE has no shortage of sport sedan competition, but with its four-cylinder-only packaging, it directly challenges the BMW 330i ($41,745), Mercedes-Benz C300 ($42,395), and Audi A4 ($40,195). All-wheel drive is available on each of the XE’s rivals for a fee, but if you don’t choose it for your Audi A4, you’ll be stuck with front-wheel drive and just 188 hp.

Power is a close contest between the volume versions of the 3 Series (252 hp), C-Class (255 hp), and A4 (252 hp), but the P300 XE has them all beat with 296 horses. Then again, if output is among your primary buying criteria, you’re better off with the 385-hp Mercedes-AMG C43. Fuel economy is another close contest, with the BMW 330i and front-drive Audi A4 tying at 30 combined mpg.

If vehicle purchase decisions were based purely on practicality, everyone would be driving a Toyota Camry or Honda Civic, but those with the means can layer “wants” on top of “needs.” A compact luxury sport sedan is a blending of the two charges in proper proportion.

Until now, the Jaguar XE has been weighed too heavily on style and performance — not enough on substance. And when shoppers could find these traits (to greater or lesser degrees) in competing models, the XE’s case was difficult to make. For 2020, the defense catches a big break in the form of the refreshed XE’s inviting cabin and class-leading technology. Combined with improved design and refined dynamics, the 2020 XE is as sensible as it is sensual.