Long-term test review: Jaguar XE ~ station of gear

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3 Dec, 2015 11:45am James Batchelor

First report: We fly flag as top compact exec joins fleet.

Mileage: 3,020
Fuel economy: 47.0mpg

Forget Porsche turbocharging its new 911s, or even Range Rover lopping the roof off the Evoque for the Convertible version; it’s the Jaguar XE that’s caused the biggest stir this year. Not only has Jag finally built a car that can kick BMW, Mercedes and Audi into touch in the company car stakes, it’s produced a package we’d all buy on merit rather than for its British roots.

• Jaguar XE 2015 review

Earlier this year, we gave the XE five stars on its road test debut, plus it waltzed out of the Auto Express New Car Awards with the Compact Executive Car of the Year crown. More recently, we’ve been happily surprised that the XE has held on to its class title in the face of challenges from the excellent, revised BMW 3 Series, plus the new Audi A4, which moves the game on for interior quality. The Jag takes key ingredients from its rivals and adds a dollop of style, sex appeal and a real wow factor. It’s only narrowly ahead, but it’s ahead nonetheless.

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In fact, Jaguar dealers claim it’s the car’s ‘must-have’ element that’s drawing buyers in, as I discovered when I picked up the newest addition to the Auto Express fleet from Guy Salmon Jaguar in Thames Ditton, London. Sales executive Claudio De Freitas told me the new Jag is attracting a lot of customers, with a fair number of X-Type owners trading up to the newcomer. Yet it’s also tempting younger people who’ve never considered a Jaguar before.

The brand is offering a large number of personalisation options for the XE in an attempt to capture as many buyers as it can – from business users to private buyers after a distinctive saloon. And while I was ogling an F-Type, Claudio was readying the brochure and upholstery charts so I could choose my perfect XE.

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There’s a vast number of exterior, leather and wheel choices on offer, but I selected what I consider the best combination: the racy R Sport with Bluefire metallic paint (£620), smart 18-inch five-spoke Star alloys and a black and blue leather interior.

• Best executive cars to buy right now.

We’ve kept things simple on the options list, too, specifying the Cold Climate Pack (heated screen, steering wheel and washer jets for £525), Parking Pack (front and rear sensors and rear camera for £530) 10x10- way Electric Front Seats (£765) and Wi-Fi hotspot (£300). Also included on our car is Jag’s InControl Secure tracker (£510), as you can never be sure what’ll happen.

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Under the bonnet is the Wolverhampton-built 178bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel with a slick eight-speed auto. Jag claims 67.3mpg economy, yet I’ve struggled to better 47mpg. It’s still early days, though, and as I swung out of the dealer into the world of Jag ownership, I couldn’t wait to start piling on the miles.

Insurance quote (below) provided by AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old living in Banbury, Oxon, with three points.

We’ve been itching to spend more time with the Jaguar XE. It’s easily one of the most impressive new models to be launched this year, and it’s shone so far in individual and group tests. Now is our chance to see whether the XE is a great car to live with. So far, so good.

Model: Jaguar XE 2.0d R Sport
On fleet since: October 2015
Price new: £34,775
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 178bhp
CO2/Tax: 111g/km/£20

Options: Bluefire metallic paint (£620), 18-inch alloys, leather, etched aluminium veneers, ambient interior lighting (all no cost), Cold Climate Pack (£525), Parking Pack (£530), 10x10-way Electric Front Seats (£765), Wi-Fi hotspot (£300), InControl Secure (£510)
Insurance group/quote: Group: 27/Quote: £562
Mileage/MPG: 3,020/47.0mpg
Any problems?: None so far

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