#2020JaguarXE

Ever since Jaguar launched the XE a few years ago, I’ve held high hopes for it. As much as I, like most auto journalists, dig the BMW 3 Series, I’ve always pined for more compact luxury sport sedan competition.

Mercedes has the C-Class, sure, and Lexus’ IS has often been a solid challenger, especially in certain trims. But the more the merrier, I say, and this particular Jag had a chance at contention.

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.