Jaguar’s smallest sedan, positioned as a BMW 3 Series fighter, may not be the first rival one thinks of when contemplating a Bimmer purchase. It might not even happen at all, judging by the model’s U.S. sales. In 2018, half of the XE’s monthly tallies showed the little Jag at one-tenth the volume of its German competitor.
Well, Jaguar’s not giving up on the model just yet. In a bid to lure buyers into the XE, Jag addressed a few problems for the model’s 2020 refresh. You’ll notice there’s not much afoot with its exterior, as that wasn’t the main issue.
Sure, there’s a revamped front and rear bumper (larger lower openings endow it with a curled-lip look, plus added visual width), as well as a wider, mesh-filled grille and LED lighting fore and aft, but the biggest changes occur inside.
For 2020, the XE undergoes a significant interior remodelling, especially if you’re willing to opt for add-ons. To make its cabin (finally) match its price point, the automaker added standard leather upholstery, then dove into the JLR parts bin. Optional on the refreshed sedan is an InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system yanked from the I-Pace crossover. That system uses an upper 10-inch and lower 5.5-inch screen, eliminating various buttons, while a 12.3-inch driver display exists as another optional perk.
Another conversation-sparking option is a ClearSight digital rear view mirror shared with the revamped 2020 Range Rover Evoque.
Heading back outside, the entry-level XE tosses the 2019 model’s standard 17-inch wheels in favor of 18-inch hoops. Speaking of levels, the new XE loses several of them. After a simplification of its offerings, the XE line drops to just three trims: S, with either rear- or all-wheel drive, and R-Dynamic S, which only comes with four-wheel motivation. The 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder and supercharged 3.0-liter V6 disappear for 2020.
With engine offerings halved, a now familiar brace of turbocharged Ingenium 2.0-liter fours exist as your only power source (247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft for S, 296 hp and 295 lb-ft for R-Dynamic S), mating to an eight-speed automatic in either trim.
As for pricing, the bottom end sees a nudge upwards. After destination, a base XE S will set you back $40,895. Add all-wheel drive, and the price rises to $42,895. Springing for a R-Dynamic S means an floor price of $47,290.
[Images: Jaguar Land Rover]
I love the grille and headlights on these, then the rest just turns into ‘anycar’
Aside from creasing and scooping out the sides, what fair game is there anymore for a designer besides the front clip?
So, overwrought face attached to generic aero popcan with some crinkles.
There is plenty of opportunity to do something different. Fastbacks for example are a good start. Drawing on the design language of the F-Type is another one.
How would you make this sad little thing even *more* fastback?
By ditching the useless trunk lid for a hatch back?
Not sure why you’re even discussing this… seems like you have your mind made up about this “sad little thing”
“By ditching the useless trunk lid for a hatch back?”
CAFE and stylists would not allow that to change this car’s silhouette. Same look, just a different way of opening the back.
Then how do cars like the Stinger, A5/A7 Sportback, Tesla Model S etc exist?
Nobody buying them will ever have to sit in the back?
Dropping the V6 doesn’t sound like “a plan” in this segment, leaving the car with reduced available performance and worse sound. The problem was price. And still is. So I don’t think they accomplished much here.
From the pictures the interior does look better. It still needs about a $5K price cut though. That would put it more in line with stuff like the Q50 and S60, which is more appropriate to Jag’s place in the market.
More proof that Tata has no idea what to do with Jaguar. Is it a performance brand? Can’t do that with a 4 cylinder only lineup in this car. Is it a green brand? Is it entry luxury or more aspirational? Are you going to play up the British heritage or just rip off Korean designs?
Kind of hard to rip off Korean car designs, when all Korean car designs are ripped off themselves!
We rented (!) an uplevel model XE last year and I actually liked the car a lot (and I’m a dedicated Bimmerphile). But that rotary shifter was by far the worst thing about the car and was truly offensive in its operation. An absolute deal breaker.
When the interior on a Genesis G70 is nicer than the one on a Jag, that spells trouble. More chrome, more wood, more leather, Jaguar!
Exactly! What’s missing from the newest Jaguars is a main ingredient of their brand DNA, and that is a sumptuous interior. Where is the beautiful wood? Where is the supple leather?
Call me back when the lease is $299/month with $2000 down. I wouldn’t own one of these out of warranty because of both cost and a lack of parts down the road.
I just keep thinking X-type when I see this thing.
If you see it. I think I’ve seen one of these on the road since they’ve been out. ONE. I’m up to nine Alfa Romeos so far since that car’s release, eight of them Giulias that compete with this car.
Looks very similar to Ford Fusion Titanium or Lincoln MKZ depending on your perspective. Even engine is the same (my Fusion has 145 hp turbo 2.0L and AWD).
One can buy Fusion for less. With AWD it is not that important if it is FDW or RWD. Fusion has a rotary shift. Even though it may be annoying initially but you get used to it fast. It is slash box controlled by ECU anyway – if you turn off engine it switches to park automatically.
Already did.
These are too small for that pricing structure. Dropping the V6 is another bone headed choice.
New 2017s still on the lots in New England
I’ll take the 365bhp twin turbo V6 Kia Stinger GT Alex, for $40,000.
I think this is one of the most overlooked and underated cars in market. I until recently owned a 6-cyl supercharged XE S. Everyone complaining about BMW 3-series being soft and no more a drivers car should try this one out. I basically bought it because handling, steering feel etc reminded me so much about the E46 3-series I used to drive. Sure the interior space is limited and the interior materials are not top notch but this is so much more a drivers car than the current 3-series A4 and C-class.
Another diesel bites the dust [in the US].
I really don’t see why people are crying about the V6. Like the middle engine Germans I doubt the take rate was very high.
Unfortunately the Germans are the only companies that can do the same sausage different lengths thing. Jag needs to run through this gen of the XE/XF and then consolidate those two lines. Though to be totally honest I don’t see Jag surviving in the long term. It’s superfluous at this point, even if they fix everything.
I’m a fan of any driver’s car. The rotary shifter doesn’t bother me , my daily has one, and if it has paddles with a half way responsive tranny( the ZF is) it makes up for it.
As far as auto tranny only sports sedans, the IS350 even though it’s slower, would be higher on the list for me though
In regards to Arco’s comparison to the E46 , the ATS manual I test drove, felt very much like my old ZHP as well.
Why buy a 3-series clone when the original is still on sale as well?
Seriously, hasn’t BMW sued Jaguar yet for this blatant carbon-copy of a 3-series?
HelloWorld, you buy it because the XE is what the 3-series isn’t anymore. A drivers car that is not bloated oversized with soft suspension and uninspiring steering feel.
HelloWorld, you buy it because the XE is what the 3-series isn’t anymore. A drivers car that is not bloated oversized with soft suspension and uninspiring steering feel.