Best cars & vans

Jaguar XE - best executive cars

A facelift in 2019 keeps the Jaguar XE a highly competitive car in its segment with brilliant handling and a smart interior

Jaguar XE - front

The Jaguar XE was our Compact Executive Car of the Year in 2015, 2016 and 2017 - no mean feat considering its rivals included the Alfa Romeo Guilia, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4

It won thanks to its class-leading handling, but now Jaguar has given the XE a refresh for 2019 to ensure it stays competitive against the new BMW 3 Series

On the outside there’s a more aggressive front and rear end, while the headlights have had a small re-style. The interior benefits from a new steering wheel and high-quality materials, but it’s still slightly below its German rivals in terms of fit and finish. 

The refresh of the XE’s infotainment is a welcome addition. Jaguar’s Touch Pro Duo system (lifted from the I-Pace) is a £400 option and it gives you a 10.2-inch touchscreen and second touchscreen situated slightly lower on the centre console. This set-up feels nice to use with a mix of rotary dials and touchscreen useability, plus there’s now Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as standard. 

The biggest selling point of the Jaguar XE is the way it drives. The engines aren’t quite the best in class but the 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel goes from 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds while offering decent fuel economy - and, in R-Dynamic S trim, it’s our pick of the range. There are more powerful petrol options with 247bhp and 296bhp, with the former getting rear-wheel and the more powerful motor getting four-wheel drive. The rear-wheel drive set up works best as it highlights the suppleness of the chassis and the overall sense of balance. 

An eight-speed automatic is the only gearbox option so if you’re dead-set on a manual, you’ll have to look elsewhere. The ZF ‘box is an excellent unit though, snappy when you’re using the paddles and effortlessly smooth when in full auto.

Best executive cars to buy 2019

  1. BMW 3 Series
  2. BMW 5 Series
  3. Mercedes C-Class
  4. Alfa Romeo Guilia
  5. Volvo S90
  6. Mercedes E-Class
  7. Jaguar XE
  8. Audi A6
  9. Jaguar XF
  10. Tesla Model 3

Recommended

Fashion designer cars: when haute couture and automotive collide
Land Rover Defender by Paul Smith
Features

Fashion designer cars: when haute couture and automotive collide

From Lamborghini to Land Rover, car makers are always keen to work with fashion houses and style icons, producing some interesting results
19 Sep 2023
Used Jaguar XE (Mk1, 2015-date) review
Used Jaguar XE - front
Used car tests

Used Jaguar XE (Mk1, 2015-date) review

A full used buyer’s guide on the Jaguar XE covering the XE Mk1 (2015-date)
2 Jun 2023
Top 10 best rear-wheel-drive cars 2023
Best rear-wheel-drive cars - header image
Best cars & vans

Top 10 best rear-wheel-drive cars 2023

Rear-wheel drive is supposed to be the drivetrain layout that delivers the most fun. Here are 10 cars that do exactly that
13 Jan 2023

Most Popular

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’
Opinion - Fiat Scudo
Opinion

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’

With some huge savings to be had, Mike Rutherford thinks a van could be the perfect vehicle
3 Dec 2023
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month
Skoda Superb Estate - front tracking
News

Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month

The Superb is one of our favourite estates and our Deal of the Day for Monday 4 December
4 Dec 2023