2017 Jaguar XE Review

BMW’s popular 3 Series is essentially the Orange County Camry; well-heeled SoCal drivers probably buy more of these cars than Frappuccinos at Starbucks.

It’s safe to say this Bimmer is the standard-bearer in the luxury compact sports sedan class, a position it has held for longer than we can remember. But it’s hardly the only worthwhile offering in this rarified segment. Rivals like the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Cadillac ATS have chipped away at its hegemony and, in some instances, are even better than the BMW.

Further pressuring the vaunted 3 Series is a new challenger from a brand that’s not on many shoppers’ radar. The 2017 Jaguar XE promises to fuse style, luxury and dynamism in a uniquely British package, all while shielding buyers with best-in-segment warranty protection. We know that sounds like a tall order, but this car mostly delivers.

For years, the leaping-cat brand has lingered on the luxury sidelines, never having a broad enough product range to really compete, but this is finally changing. It now has five different models in its portfolio, something that people have taken notice of.

Its first crossover, the F-Pace, just launched and it’s already leading Jaguar’s sales resurgence. In fact, with 1,123 sold in the U.S. last month, it was the company’s most popular model.

SEE ALSO: 2017 Jaguar F-Pace S Review

Likewise, the XE is breaking new ground by pushing Jag into a segment it has never really competed in before, or at least not very well. From ceiling to sills, headlamps to tail lights, this car is good, right down to its core.

Like its primary adversaries, the XE offers customers a wide range of engines to choose from, specifically three. There’s a 240-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, a diesel with 180 ponies, and a range-topping 3.0-liter supercharged V6, which our test car was equipped with.

This engine is good for 340 horses and 332 lb-ft of twist. It’s smooth, responsive and reasonably efficient. According to the window sticker, it’s rated at 20 miles per gallon city and 29 on the highway. Combined, it should average 23 mpg.

Those figures compare quite nicely to its BMW rival, which also features a 3.0-liter force-fed six. The 340i xDrive offers a claimed 320 horsepower and an identical amount of torque.

In North America, the only transmission offered in the XE is a smooth and responsive eight-speed automatic, which is unfortunate. Not that this ZF gearbox is in any way disappointing, it’s just that we always appreciate the option of rifling through the ratios on our own.

Rear-wheel drive is standard with every powerplant, however, if you go with either the diesel or V6, you can get four-corner traction for greater driving confidence in adverse conditions.

XE 35t models kitted with swanky Prestige trim are loaded with features and amenities. Outside, there are heated, power-folding side-view mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, twin exhaust tips, and even an infrared reflective windshield to keep summer temperatures in check.

Focusing our attention inward, you get a standard power tilt and telescopic steering column, mood lighting plus an eight-inch touchscreen display with navigation.

The XE’s interior is comfortable and reasonably roomy, though it does feel a little narrow despite the car being slightly wider than a 3 Series. Headroom might be an issue for taller drivers and passengers. This Jag’s aft accommodations are class competitive, though a little more stretch-out room would be nice.

As for the rest of the cabin, it’s a nice place. The build quality is top-notch and most of the interface points are a snap to use. The climate control is dead simple, as is the rotary shifter that rises from the center console when the engine is started.

What’s not so impressive are some of the interior materials. For instance, the dashboard plastic would look more appropriate in a family sedan than a luxury vehicle — it’s not cheap, but neither is it opulent. Also, the power-window switches are placed in an awkward spot.

The company’s InControl Touch Pro infotainment system is fairly easy to figure out and its 10.2-inch widescreen display is nothing short of gorgeous. This optional goodie is part of the $2,700 technology package, which also includes an 825-Watt Meridian sound system.

Speaking of money, an entry-level 2017 Jaguar XE starts at a little more than $37,000 in the U.S. Our six-cylinder, all-wheel-drive Prestige model exited the company’s Solihull assembly plant with a price tag of $57,085, including $995 in delivery charges. Other extras included Rhodium Silver Metallic Paint ($550), a heads-up display ($990) and the Vision Package ($2,400).

Providing class-competitive dynamics is a technologically advanced double-wishbone front suspension. The rear suspenders are of the integral-link variety. Altogether, this car’s handling, steering feel and braking performance are all impressive, and the last item there is particularly important.

This is because the 340-horsepower V6 can provide some serious speed. It’s capable of propelling the XE to 60 miles an hour in as little as five seconds. Its overall demeanor is one of refined capability, though a little extra whine from the supercharger would be a nice addition.