The Jaguar XE is without doubt one of the best small executive cars on the road seeking to out-manoeuvre the usual German suspects in this sector – the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class – and become the favourite of company-car buyers and the upwardly mobile. The XE feels like a Jaguar should, with a lightweight aluminium structure and rear-wheel drive for better handling and driving characteristics.

All XE’s come well equipped. Inside, there’s wood, leather and brushed aluminium aplenty, and the introduction of a new InControl infotainment system that brings the XE level with its competitors. The feel you get sitting in the XE is of quality materials and a cocooned driving position, which is good because for older drivers this is what a Jaguar is all about and for younger drivers this is what they want a car to be all about. It really is a win-win.

 

Handling is top-notch, too. The lightweight largely aluminium construction comes into its own here and the XE also shares suspension components with the sporty F-Type. Even if you pick the Comfort suspension setup (you can also choose from Sport and Adaptive), the XE feels agile in the corners and it’s easy to feel why driving comparison to the BMW 3 Series are made so often.

The diesels are part of a new breed of lightweight, efficient engines called ‘Ingenium’. You can pick from a four-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel and petrol, with lots of power and also ducking below the 100g/km CO2 figure. The entry-level 161bhp 2.0-litre diesel model does hold onto gears a bit longer than perhaps it should, which blunts performance noticeably but it will still sit at low revs without labouring and is decently responsive beyond 2000rpm. The 177bhp diesel is worth the extra. It’s usefully quicker at all revs, and would be my pick of the XE engines. It’s also the only one that’s available with four-wheel drive. Petrol options include a couple of 2.0-litre turbos and a supercharged 3.0-litre V6. The higher-powered 2.0 has plenty of low-rev punch, and pulls strongly right through to beyond 5000rpm, while the V6 is entertainingly rapid.

Avoid the R-Sport versions come on lower, stiffer suspension than cheaper models and the XE is a wonderfully comfortable car. The ride is firm, but it’s supple enough to take the sting out of potholes in town and is wonderfully at home on the motorway. If sportier suspension is a must you can add optional adaptive shock absorbers, but the standard suspension is so good that I’d recommend you save your money. This is a plus over a BMW 3 Series, which needs optional adaptive suspension to deliver the best blend of ride and handling.

There’s plenty of adjustment to the steering position, and having an electrically adjusted backrest makes it easy to make small adjustments to the driving position. There’s plenty of seat support to keep you in place through corners, too, although it’s a shame that there’s no adjustable lumbar support as standard on any XE model. It’s an option on all versions, but requires the extra addition of full-electric seat adjustment on SE, Prestige and R-Sport trim levels, which adds up to a four-figure cost.

A head-up display, which beams key information such as speed and sat-nav directions onto the windscreen directly in front of you, is an option that could be worth it for high-mileage drivers. It’s clear and easy to get used to. The dashboard is clear and uncluttered and what few buttons are present are simple to use and within easy reach. The dash design could be more exciting but gimmicks have arguably been bypassed in the quest for everyday usability and funtionality.

The XE offers a good view of the road ahead, but seeing out of the back can be a challenge due to a fairly narrow rear window and broad, swooping pillars. All models do come with rear parking sensors to help when reversing.

Options include a heated windscreen, automatic parking (where the car steers for you) and a blindspot warning system. Every model is fitted with Jaguar’s InControl touchscreen system, which includes a big 8.0in screen and sat-nav. The system responds quickly and has logical menus, although the smaller icons can be fiddly to use on the move. Online connectivity is standard which allows the use of various apps, including music streaming and linking a calendar and email. Bluetooth handsfree and audio streaming is also included across the range, as is a USB socket, a digital radio, audio controls on the steering wheel, and voice control.

Interior quality isn’t something Jaguar has always been famous for, but the XE’s cabin is a smart affair. There are plenty of soft-touch materials in all the important areas and the dashboard feels solid, although some of the switches and buttons can feel a bit lightweight. Overall interior quality isn’t far behind what you’d expect of a BMW 3 Series.

The XE has almost exactly the same amount of space up front as a BMW 3 Series, which means that lanky adults should be able to get comfortable and there’s enough space between driver and passenger. Head room isn’t great, so long-bodied passengers may have to slouch to avoid feeling uncomfortably close to the roof. Rear leg room is merely okay, too. The door pockets are fairly small, but will hold a 500ml bottle.

The XE has a fairly small boot by class standards. It suffers the same problems as most saloons, with a narrow opening and a shallow loadbay, but it’s also not very wide, which will be a particular hindrance if you want to carry a big buggy or a set of golf clubs. It’ll be fine for normal everyday use, though.

Every XE is competitively priced, given the generous amount of standard equipment, and diesel engines have seriously low CO2 emissions, which helps make it a comparatively cheap company car. If you’re a low-mileage driver the 2.0-litre petrol’s are well worth consideration.

Service intervals are up to every two years or 21,000 miles, and fixed-price servicing plans are available that cover the XE for up to five years or 75,000 miles. All XE versions come with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition that shows the relevant speed limit on the dashboard. Front, side and curtain airbags (which cover the front and rear windows) are also standard and a blindspot monitoring system and adaptive cruise control are available as optional extras. It’s not surprising, then that the XE got the full five-star safety score from Euro NCAP with high scores across all categories.

So in a couple of words – Jaguar delivers. It’s not often a car comes along that can realistically challenge the BMW 3 Series’ long held dominance of the sector. The XE is remarkably comfortable and will cosset you when necessary for that long drive ahead but, unlike some rivals, manages to also feel agile and alert when you’re in the mood to drive quickly and yearn more driver involvement. Owners love this car and this is a car that will love you too – whatever your mood.

Elliott Spiteri.

Tested: Jaguar XE 2.0d R Sport 178bhp

0-60: 7.4 secs

Top speed:  140mph

C02: 111g/km

Economy: 67.3 mpg

Price : £28,295-£48,045

Verdict: 9/10