Item: 2020 Jaguar XE
Rating: 3.2
Author: Justin Cupler

Overview

Those looking for a European luxury sport compact sedan that stands apart from the usual crowd will want to look at the 2020 Jaguar XE. The XE looks great, is fun to drive, and is loaded with technology and new features, making it a worthy competitor to the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

What's New for 2020

The XE has been heavily refreshed for the 2020 model year with a new look, a more straightforward engine selection, and plenty of luxury and technology features to keep up with the competition.

Choosing Your Jaguar XE

The trim and engine options for the Jaguar XE is much simpler for the 2020 model year. There are now only two trim levels and two engine options.

P250 models have a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. It comes standard with rear-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available for $2,000 more. P300 models, which are only available with all-wheel drive, utilize an uprated version of the 2.0-liter turbo engine with 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

Both of these engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission with a gear selector that mirrors that of the Jaguar F-TYPE sports car. While the acceleration of the P250 models isn't anything to get excited about, P300 models do 0-60 mph in a 5.4 seconds, a respectable number for a sports sedan at its price point.

For 2020, all XE models receive standard 18-inch wheels, electric leather seats, LED headlights and taillights, front and rear park assist, and lane keeping assist. Additionally, Jaguar has spent a significant amount of time upgrading the interior of the XE, filling the cabin with premium materials and soft-touch surfaces to make it really feel like a luxury car.

Like any true luxury car, the XE offers a large variety of standalone options and packages that can take your car to the next level. If the standard seats aren't adjustable enough for you, Jaguar offers 16-way adjustable heated and cooled front seats for $1,500, as well as premium Windsor leather for $2,150.

You can also change out the headliner and trim materials for a price, as well as choose between two upgraded Meridian sound system options for $300 and $800, respectively. Other options include cabin air ionization, a cabin air quality sensor, heated rear seats, satellite radio, and power folding door mirrors.

The Park Pack ($600) includes park assist, a surround-view camera system, and a rear traffic monitor, while the Drive Pack ($1,700) bundles blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and high-speed automatic emergency braking. The Cold Climate Pack ($620) offers a heated windshield and steering wheel and headlight washers.

The Convenience Pack ($1,200) adds keyless entry, a power trunk lid, more power sockets, and an electrically adjustable steering column. The Dynamic Handling Pack ($1,615) configures the car for sportier driving alongside an adaptive suspension, bigger brakes with red brake calipers, and a trunk lid spoiler.

The Technology Pack ($1,950) includes a camera-based rearview monitor, wireless device charging, a head-up display. a second 5.5-inch touchscreen, and a larger 12.3-inch HD display that replaces the analog gauge cluster. The Connected Navigation Pack ($1,365) brings Jaguar's Connected Navigation Pro system, an adaptive speed limiter, and traffic sign recognition.

The interior and exterior can also be jazzed up with the Black Exterior Pack ($375), Premium Upgrade Interior Pack ($655), Car Care Pack ($55), Basic Rear Seat Convenience Pack ($299), Premium Rear Seat Convenience Pack ($499), Premium Interior Protection Pack ($399), and the Basic Interior Protection Pack ($349).

Most of the features in the packages can be selected à la carte as well.

Currently, there are just two trim levels:

S P250
The Jaguar XE S P250 has a starting price of $40,895 (all prices include a $995 destination fee). It's very well equipped with real leather, standard dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rear mirror, 12-way adjustable electric front seats, a 10.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning.

CarsDirect Tip

While the 2020 Jaguar XE does offer a compelling amount of standard equipment compared to BMW and Mercedes-Benz, you can still inflate the price quickly with all of the available options. Since the difference between the P250 and the P300 is only about 50 horsepower, we think the best bet is to stick with a base model and use the money saved on whatever option packs you want.

Get your price on a Jaguar XE »

William Kinton

Automotive Editor - July 15, 2019

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Expert Review

Pros

Decent base engine
Smooth ride quality
Standard auto emergency braking
Supports Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

Cons

Cramped rear seat
V6, diesel discontinued

Expert Rating

3.2

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Justin Cupler

Automotive Editor - July 17, 2019

Refreshed for the new model year. The 2020 Jaguar XE received a fresh look with its updated headlights and taillights, but it doesn’t stray far from its source material elsewhere. It also received an updated list of engine options that drops its V6 powerhouses and the thrifty diesel four-cylinder. On paper, losing these engines may seem counterproductive, but they were never the best part of this well-balanced sedan.

What’s always been the focus of the XE is its value, class-beating ride and handling, and classic styling. This is where it delivers the goods, but is this enough to lump it in with the elite in its class? Find out below.

Watered-down silhouette? The Jaguar XE is careful not to stray from the mold of the compact luxury sedan, resulting in a silhouette that looks like it could have been traced from a BMW designer’s sketchbook.

This is great for the typical luxury car buyer who’s become accustomed to this over the past decade, but it lacks any of the sharp Jaguar cues to pull in new buyers. Sure, its R-Dynamic trim adds a little extra in the style department, but it’s not enough to attract the younger crowd.

Inside, the XE is muted with a toned-down design that feels about 20 years behind its competitors. This simpler look caters to an older crowd that has tired of all the ambient lighting and gadgets and gizmos cluttering up today’s luxury sedans, but it does little to draw the attention of the up-and-coming younger buyers.

Surprisingly capable all-four-cylinder lineup. The Jaguar XE has dropped its wilder V6 engines and the thrifty diesel unit, which may disappoint some. That said, this line of four-cylinder engines performs admirably with the base unit pumping out 247 horsepower and delivering a 6.2-second 0-60 mph sprint.

Opt for the higher-powered four-pot, and the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine’s needle moves to 296 hp, which drops its sprint time to 5.4 seconds. The latter number puts it right in the mix with competitors like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3-Series, which sprint to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and 5.7 seconds, respectively, with their base four-cylinder engines.

The Jaguar XE’s powertrain isn’t all you’ll fall in love with. It also boasts an aluminum suspension that delivers a smooth ride, even with larger wheel options. Opt for the available adaptive dampers that Jag packages with performance brakes, driver-programmable drive modes, and more, and it becomes a capable handler that easily matches the 3-Series.

Premium features pad its value. The Jaguar XE may look classic, but its features scream that it's anything but old. Inside, buyers are treated to an array of standard goodies, including 12-way power front seats, leather seating, a leatherette dash, ambient lighting, and lots more.

The cherry on top is its infotainment system that includes a 10.3-inch touchscreen and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The touchscreen beats the C-Class' and Audi A4’s standard screen by 3.3 inches, and it beats the 3-Series’ standard touchscreen by 4.6 inches.

On the outside, the XE is equally well equipped with standard 18-inch wheels, a sunroof, LED headlights, automatic high beams, and more.

Looking for safety? The XE continues to pad its standard features list with rear parking sensors, lane keeping assist, and the all-important automatic emergency braking. The latter matches leaders in the class, like the 3-Series, A4, and C-Class.

2019 Kia Niro EV

Plenty of comfort up front. As with most compact luxury sedans, all the comfort is in the front seats. The Jaguar XE features supportive front seats with strong bolstering to hold you in place in the twisties without feeling too tight on your daily commute.

The issue that plagues the XE is the same that plagues most of this class: its tiny rear seat. The XE’s 35 inches of rear leg room falls short of the 3-Series and C-Class by 0.2 inches, and the A4 by 0.7 inches.

The XE also fails in trunk space with just 12.1 cubic feet, which comes up 0.6 cubic feet short of the C-Class, 0.9 cubes short of the A4, and a whopping 4.9 cubic feet short of the 3-Series.

Final thoughts. The 2020 Jaguar XE remains a great option for buyers looking for a luxury sedan that fits the typical mold but offers more features for their dollar, but there are also some serious trade-offs to opting for this Brit.

The XE excels with its wide range of standard features inside and out while also delivering outstanding value with a starting price of just $40,895 including destination. This makes it significantly cheaper than the 3-Series at $41,745 and C-Class at $42,395. The trade-off is an unexciting design inside and out, making it blend in with all of the other compact luxury sedans at the office.

The XE delivers in four-cylinder performance too thanks to a 5.3-second 60 mph sprint with its optional engine. Where it falls short of the leaders in its class is its lack of V6 or V8 options in 2020. This lack of cylinders will cause performance-focused buyers to almost immediately cross the XE off their lists.

Check prices for the 2020 Jaguar XE »

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Specs & Features

Highlights

Overall Crash Safety Rating

Not Available

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque

2.0L I-4 / 247 HP / 269 ft.lbs.

Transmission

8-spd Jaguar Sequential Shift w/OD

Drive Type

Rear-wheel

Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined

25 / 34 / 29 Mpg

Passenger Capacity

Bumper to Bumper Warranty

60 Months / 60,000 Miles

Mechanical Specs

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque	2.0L I-4 / 247 HP / 269 ft.lbs.
Drive Type	Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined	25 / 34 / 29 Mpg
Brakes	4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension	Double Wishbone
Rear Suspension	Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel	Compact Aluminum
Fuel Tank	16.6 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type	Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank	$63

Dimensions & Capabilities

Maximum Cargo Volume	14.5 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume	91 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length	184.2 "
Exterior Width	77.4 "
Exterior Height	55.7 "
Front Headroom	37.0 "
Rear Headroom	37.0 "
Front Legroom	41.5 "
Rear Legroom	35.0 "
Front Shoulder Room	56.8 "
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight	3,385 Lbs.
Wheel Base	112 "
Turning Radius	18.4 '

Exterior Features

Door Count	4 Doors
Wheels	18.0 " Silver Aluminum / 18.0 " Black Aluminum / 19.0 " Black Aluminum
Paint	Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors	Dual Heated, Power Remote Driver, Power Remote W/tilt Down Passenger / Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers	Body-colored
Grille Moldings	Black W/chrome Surround / Black
Rear Spoiler	Wing
Exhaust	Stainless Steel With Polished Tailpipe Finish

Interior Features

Seating

Passenger Capacity	5
Seat Trim	Leather
Front Seat Type	Bucket
Heated Front Seats	Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls	(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls	(8-way Power)
Front Armrests	(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests	Center
Rear Seats	40-20-40 Bench

Radio & Infotainment

Radio	Am/fm/hd, Clock, Seek-scan / Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan / Am/fm/hd, Seek-scan / Clock
Speakers	6 / 11 Meridian / 17 Meridian
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity

Convenience Features

Steering Wheel Type	Telescopic Tilt / Power Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control	Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control	With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof	Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror	Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window	Front And Rear
Tinted Windows	Light
Vanity Mirrors	Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry	Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets	2 / 4

Safety Features

Overall Crash Safety Rating	Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating	Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating	Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating	Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags	Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags	Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag	Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Front
Anti-Lock Brakes	4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning	Emergency Braking Forward Collision Mitigation / High Speed Emergency Braking Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor	Blind Spot Assist Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning	Lane Keep Assist Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert	Driver Condition Monitor Driver Attention
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams	Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors	Front And Rear
Security Systems	Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable	Immobilizer

Warranty

Bumper To Bumper Months Miles	60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Major Components Months	60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months	60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months	60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation	72 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months	60 Months / 60,000 Miles

Used 2020 Jaguar XE for Sale