The XE’s line-up of four-cylinder Ingenium engines actually don’t give it the lusty, engaging mechanical appeal that Jaguar’s conventional huge saloons of so many many years in the past had, however they do ship moderately refined, versatile and economical motoring within the case of the diesels, and a that bit extra urgency in case you go for the range-topping petrol.
Our P300 AWD Sport check automotive got here with a claimed 0-62mph of 5.9sec and, in dry check circumstances, fell narrowly however notably wanting reproducing that on the monitor (0-60mph: 6.3sec). Using a extra conventional torque-converter automated gearbox than not less than a few of its transverse-engined rivals, it doesn’t have a launch management mode and so – four-wheel drive or not – it doesn’t get off the road fairly as well as it would.
It’s inconvenient for Jaguar that the identical excuse can’t be used for roll-on acceleration. From 30mph to 70mph by means of the gears, the XE wanted 5.7sec (4.2sec for the Audi S3 Sportback in 2020). Kerb weight could also be a part of the issue right here, the XE being a deal heavier than so many compact premium choices regardless of its aluminium development. But the opposite unmissable truth is that the automotive’s range-topping petrol engine by no means actually fairly feels prefer it’s making all of its marketed 296bhp.
There’s a barely gravelly character to the two.0-litre turbocharged unit that makes for much less of an audible distinction with the once-saloon-default four-pot diesel than you would possibly count on. Jaguar’s explicit combustion management expertise makes this much less easy than some petrol engines, whereas it’s additionally rather less free-revving than some harder-working turbo petrol options – though turbo response is usually fairly good, and mid-range torque ample additionally.
The eight-speed ZF automated gearbox shifts easily in regular use, however just like the engine, it doesn’t appear to understand being hurried into service or labored onerous. It’s slightly sluggish to have interaction drive at occasions, is likewise a bit sluggish to alter ratios in paddle-shift handbook mode, and someway combines with the engine to present the XE’s efficiency a barely treacly really feel, as if there have been merely extra driveline friction than the norm for the automotive to beat.
However, most of this could solely be any impediment or disappointment for individuals who is likely to be drawn to the XE as some junior govt sport saloon. During regular day-to-day driving, the P300 powertrain works agreeably effectively, albeit maybe with the odd vaguely irritating second of gelatinous latency (though, as effectively come on to later, it isn’t probably the most gasoline environment friendly petrol engine of its type).The automotive’s controls are rigorously and progressively tuned, making the brake pedal progressive in its really feel, whereas the XE’s brakes themselves (in uprated kind, as examined) are pretty highly effective and resist fade effectively.
The XE’s diesel engines, in the meantime, have confirmed impressively refined and real-world economical on current acquaintance. While they could not make financially viable choices for many fleet automotive drivers in 2024, they need to nonetheless be effectively value contemplating for personal consumers with increased mileage in thoughts.