New for 2017
The XE is a completely new model, and the first small Jaguar sedan since the X-Type of the early 2000s.
Top of the Food Chain
The small sports sedan segment is a very competitive group, but it’s been missing one big name until now: Jaguar. That will change soon, because the 2017 Jaguar XE is set to hit U.S. shores soon. With a stylish exterior, lightweight aluminum body, and powerful yet efficient engines, it’s got its claws out.
Powertrains and Performance
With a wide range of engines available, it’s hard to imagine a car that better balances performance and fuel economy than the Jaguar XE.
On the performance side, the 2017 Jaguar XE-S will be offered with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6. Already used in several other Jaguar models, it produces 340 horsepower, 332 pound-feet of torque, and a terrific sound. It will also do 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, and reach an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is the new 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine, which produces 180 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. It’s the first of Jaguar’s new line of Ingenium engines, which are designed to emphasize efficiency.
Official EPA fuel-economy figures won’t be available until closer to the XE’s U.S. launch, but Jaguar says the diesel is its most efficient model ever.
Further powertrain details will also have to wait, but you can expect a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder as well, plus six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmission options. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the XE, with all-wheel drive optional.
Features and Trims
The 2017 Jaguar XE will only be available as a four-door sedan. Jag isn’t ready to talk pricing yet, but expect the XE to cost about the same as other similarly-sized luxury sedans like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
In Europe Jaguar is offering the XE in five trim levels, although the number of trim levels and specific content for the U.S. is subject to change.
Certain key features are likely to carry over either as standard or optional equipment. The XE is currently on sale in Europe with standard 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, and an eight-inch capacitive touchscreen for Jaguar’s new InControl infotainment system.
There will also be plenty of ways to upgrade your XE, including optional Taurus leather seating, aluminum interior trim, ambient lighting, and a rear spoiler.
Exterior/Interior
The 2017 Jaguar XE’s exterior design incorporates elements from the handsome XF and XJ, and even a few references to the classic Mk II—one of the first cars to fit the modern sports sedan template.
With scowling headlights, a bold grille, and muscular hood line, the XE has a very memorable face. It’s complemented by classic proportions that push the wheels to the corners and the cabin rearward. That shape also has a drag coefficient of 0.26, which Jaguar says makes the XE its most aerodynamic production model ever.
There’s more to the XE’s exterior than its good looks, though. The body is 75 percent aluminum, reducing weight to improve both fuel economy and performance. That should make the XE among the lightest cars in its class. Much of the body is made from recycled material, to boot.
Jaguar has used aluminum before in cars like the XJ sedan and F-Type sports car, but the represents its largest-scale use of the lightweight material to date.
The interior is just as sporty as the exterior. The dashboard features a lot of rounded shapes to create a more cockpit-like feel, and the seats are mounted low like they would be in a sports car. Automatic-equipped models also get Jaguar’s rotary gear selector, which rises from its slot in the center console when the car is started.
The XE also comes standard with an eight-inch touchscreen, and will be available with Jaguar’s new InControl system. That includes features like navigation and audio, as well as an app suite for added connectivity.
Safety
When it arrives in the U.S., the Jaguar XE will include a long list of standard safety features, such as anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, and an array of airbags. It will also be available with a front-mounted stereo camera, automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring features.
Bottom Line
The 2017 Jaguar XE will make a compelling choice in the highly competitive small sports dean segment. It can’t get here soon enough.
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Image: Jaguar (European model shown)
