The Jaguar XE is sold with one of three different engine choices. The base engine available on the 25t trim is a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder making 247 hp. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic. Jaguar claims that the base engine can hustle to 60 mph in under 6.5 seconds.
Though Jaguar has not released fuel economy estimates yet, the 20d trim features a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbodiesel, a relative rarity in the US. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic, but unlike the 25t, the 20d is available with all-wheel drive. Power is rated at 180 hp and 318 lb-feet of torque.
The 35t is at the top of the lineup, and features a 3.0L supercharged V6 that is shared with the F-Type sports car. The engine makes 380 hp, enough to get the XE to 60 mph in under 5 seconds, while power is once again sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic. Like the 20d, all-wheel drive in an option on the 35t.
25t models are available in Base XE, Premium and Prestige sub-trims, while the 35t is available in Premium, Prestige and R-Sport flavors. The 20d can be had at any of the four available trim levels.
The base XE trim may seem spartan when compared to the rest of the lineup, but being a Jaguar, it is still richly equipped and includes rain-sensing wipers, power exterior mirrors, a large power-operated sunroof, dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Premium trim adds nicer alloy wheels, a memory function for the front seats, a rearview camera, a Meridian 11-speaker sound system, an automatic garage door opener, power folding and dimming side mirrors and a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat.
Prestige trim ups the ante by adding heated front seats, "Taurus" leather seating surfaces, a heated steering wheel, additional adjustments for the front seats, navigation, keyless entry and additional interior lighting.
The top of the line R-Sport includes upgraded leather seats with contrasting stitching, an R-Sport body kit, vastly increasing the aggressiveness of the exterior styling, adaptive xenon headlights, a blind spot monitoring system, a lane keep assist function, rear cross traffic detection, as well as various front and rear parking sensors. The R-Sport also comes with SiriusXM satellite radio and a 3-month subscription.
Options include a 14-speaker Meridian sound system, heated rear seats, a rear sunshade, a power trunk lid, a 10.2-inch screen in the center console to house the navigation system, in car Wi-Fi and a heads-up display.
Luxury In A Relatively Small Package
Available Diesel Drivetrain
Available All-wheel Drive
Well-appointed Interior
The Jaguar XE returns for 2019 with a few additional features including a voice activated navigation system. It also gets a new "300 Sport" model which includes 19-inch wheels, sport seats with contrasting stitching and a dark satin grey grille.
The Jaguar XE is the least expensive car in the Jaguar lineup, potentially opening up a whole new segment of buyers for the company. With a base price of under $37,000 the Jaguar XE competes with the BMW 3-Series, the Acura TLX and the Audi A4 all of which are priced in the same general ballpark. The Jaguar has clean, but aggressive styling and the kind of old-world charm that its competition can only dream of.