Road test: Jaguar XE 2.0 Diesel 180 R-Sport

Dynamic Jaguar XE poised to shake up the executive class. By Mike Stone
Stylish ride: the new Jaguar XE 2.0 Diesel 180 R-Sport
Mike Stone19 June 2015

A lot of fingers are crossed at Jaguar. The company’s all-new XE model, which is taking on BMW’s 3 Series, Mercedes C Class and Audi A4, represents a £2 billion investment, and is probably the most important car Jaguar has ever made.

The XE, which has a 75 per cent aluminium body, has a choice of diesel and petrol engines from two to three litres, with outputs of 163 to 340PS, and comes in five trim levels. Much the same size as its opposition, the XE looks all Jaguar at the front, with an aggressive and streamlined look. Rear styling is more conservative, and from a distance it could pass for the BMW or the Audi. The neat and elegant interior looks a bit funereal, with its largely charcoal shades, but can be specced as colourfully and stylishly as the owner wishes.

At the car’s launch, we tried the probable best seller 180PS diesel engine, which works much better with the eight-speed auto box than the six-speed manual. The ride is excellent, thanks to Jaguar’s new Integral Link rear suspension, which will find its way into other new models.

The flagship three-litre V6 uses the same engine as the F-Type and proved impressively grippy during track testing.

It also shares the F-Type’s engaging exhaust snarl when you are pushing on, although it is quietly civilised when you are not.

The cabin is comfortable, although rear leg and shoulder room is no more than adequate and access is a bit limited because of the wide central door pillar, which also reduces visibility when you pull out of junctions.

All in all, it’s a very good package, which rides, handles and goes easily well enough to worry the opposition.

Jaguar XE 2.0 Diesel 180 R-Sport

Price: £33,025 Top speed: 142mph 0-60mph: 7.4 secs MPG: 67.3 Emissions: 109g/km

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