We’re big fans of the Jaguar XE here at Auto Express. It’s currently our top compact executive car, trumping not only the new Audi A4, but long established rivals from BMW and Mercedes, too.
As it’s a company car favourite, most buyers will find themselves drawn to the punchy yet frugal diesels, while those after more performance will find the glorious 3.0-litre V6 an attractive proposition. But what about the more modest petrol engines? How does this lesser 237bhp 2.0-litre fare?
Available in plush Portfolio or racy R-Sport trim, the Ford-sourced unit comes paired with a slick-shifting eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard. However, compared to the fleet-friendly Ingenium diesel models, this petrol is disappointingly pricey to run.
Jaguar claims fuel efficiency of 37.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 179g/km – the 178bhp diesel will do 67.3mpg and emit just 111g/km. In comparison, the 249bhp Audi A4 S line TFSI averages 45.6mpg – despite the quattro all-wheel drive.
That’s not to say this XE feels off the pace in terms of performance. There’s plenty of shove from the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and it feels suitably rapid off the line. It’ll easily shift through multiple ratios when you put your foot down, too, accelerating quickly from 30-70mph.
Plus, of course, the XE remains great fun to drive. The steering is direct and full of feel, while the rear-driven chassis feels taut and compliant. The ride is similarly impressive, especially in more luxurious Portfolio specification. Granted, it may not look as mean as an M Sport BMW, but there’s an undeniable class about the XE.
On the motorway, our test car shook off several hundred miles without breaking a sweat, remaining quiet and composed for hours on end. The seats are supremely comfortable, which allowed us to arrive at our destination as fresh as when we set off.
That said, we can’t help but crave more drama from the muted four-cylinder. The supercharged V6 in the XE S is lifted straight from the F-Type, and while it’s £11,255 more expensive, it makes the standard saloon feel like a real four-door sports car.
Engine aside, this petrol Portfolio is unchanged inside and out, meaning it features the same sloping roofline and slightly compromised rear seats as the diesel, as well as a boot that does fall shy of the class leaders. Up front, however, the high-grade materials and standard sat-nav make it a stunning place to sit.
- Model: Jaguar XE Portfolio 2.0 i4 240PS
- Price: £33,740
- Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol
- Power: 237bhp
- Torque: 340Nm
- Transmission: Eight-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 6.9 seconds
- Top speed: 155mph
- Economy: 37.7mpg
- CO2: 179g/km
- On sale: Now
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