2020 Jaguar XE Review

Name: 2020 Jaguar XE Review
Brand: Jaguar
Price: 24998 USD

2020 Jaguar XE R-Dynamic S Sedan Exterior

+261

The Jaguar XE is a handsome sedan that makes style the priority. And though its ride and handling is excellent and calibrated for the real world, it's snug inside and it has a few cheap touches. Buyers may be drawn to the XE's base price, but it's easy to end up with an eye-watering MSRP for this compact entry-level luxury sedan and still be without options that are standard on other competitors.

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2020 Jaguar XE Review

byCalvin Kim^{Vehicle Test Engineer
Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at Edmunds.}

Pros

Sharp handling and steering performance
Surprisingly comfortable ride quality
Trunk capacity is larger than average

Cons

Back seat is relatively cramped
Engine auto stop-start system is abrupt and unrefined
Infotainment system is slow to respond

What's new

The XE gets a refresh for 2020
The V6 and diesel engines have been discontinued
Updated exterior styling and lighting
Improved interior materials, additional storage
New climate and infotainment systems with Apple/Android support
Part of the first Jaguar XE generation introduced for 2017

Overview

Jaguar's lineup is brimming with products these days, from coupes to all-electric SUVs. Perhaps lost among the expansion is the 2020 Jaguar XE. This small sedan isn't a big seller, but Jaguar has given it a variety of updates this year in the hopes of boosting its appeal.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Jaguar XE S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$185/mo

$176/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Last year, considering the four engines, eight trims and two drivetrains, you could have your XE in 32 different combinations. For the 2020 model year, Jaguar made the selection process easier by slimming down the iterations to just three: the XE S with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and the XE R-Dynamic S AWD. While we'll miss the variety provided by the previous diesel, V6 and V8 engines, the remaining turbocharged inline-four engine is sufficient enough for this class of car.

The XE's visuals also get an update. New front and rear fascias give the XE more detail and make it look bigger. There are many changes to the interior, too. A traditional-style gear-shift lever has replaced the previous rotary transmission knob, and the center console now features a touch-sensitive panel for the climate control. An updated infotainment system is also part of the interior upgrade for 2020.

Is it enough to warrant the purchase of an XE? Maybe. The car's poised and engaging handling, in particular, is among the best you'll find. But at the same time, it'll likely be worth your while to cross-shop some other top rivals including the BMW 3 Series, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the Genesis G70 and the Volvo V60.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Below Average

7.0

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the XE drive? Though the XE's fundamental chassis has good bones, its acceleration is ho-hum. Our S test car (with the 247-hp engine) hit 60 mph from a stop in a below segment-average 7.5 seconds. Braking performance isn't much better, though pedal feel is good and easy to modulate. Panic stops from 60 mph took a lengthy 134 feet and showed a bit of body wiggle during the process. We blame the all-season tires, which cap the fun, for the lackluster numbers.

The XE does offer nimble and tidy handling, even if ultimate grip isn't outstanding. There's more chassis than tire here — it's well-balanced yet predictable. Stability control is noticeable but subtle and doesn't ruin the plot. Odd that this sport-oriented test car of ours had such conservative (all-season) tires.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the XE? First and foremost, the XE is a luxury sedan, so don't go thinking that the car's sporty handling will ruin the ride quality. In fact, the ride is appropriately firm but never harsh. It's the highlight of the XE's comfort, though its seats are firm yet supportive, and the bolstering is appropriate. Even the level of interior noise is well-balanced between road, wind and engine sources.

The climate control system is effective, but the layout isn't intuitive. The touch-panel-based system, which is new for 2020 on the XE, requires you divert your attention to use it, but setting the temperature for the auto function is easy to do.

Interior

6.5/10

How’s the interior? From a usability perspective, the XE is a mixed bag. Though the cabin is small, it has solid front headroom, though rear passengers taller than 6 feet may protest. But the tall sweep of the dashboard makes it feel even smaller. The driving position is good, and all the adjustability in the seat and steering wheel is appropriate.

Visibility could be better, though: The dash and deck are high and limit your vertical field of view. Though none of its shortcomings are deal-breakers, competitors may not require as steep of a learning curve.

Technology

6.5/10

How’s the tech? The XE's interface is quick and feature-laden. The standard smartphone integration can be clunky and requires apps and subscriptions to work, though the 2020 XE comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, which takes over the otherwise crisp HD display.

Though they work well, many of the driver assist functions, such as blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, are optional. Though a rearview parking camera is standard, we recommend adding the surround-view camera to ease some of the visibility issues.

Storage

6.5/10

How’s the storage? The trunk is reasonably deep with a low liftover height, but cabin storage is skimpy. The nooks are small, and the door pockets are suitable for maps only. Car seat anchors are very prominent, but the limited backseat space will be a problem if you're trying to install a bulky rear-facing child safety seat.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the XE will get between 25 and 28 mpg in combined city/highway driving, depending on the configuration. Overall, these are average numbers for a small four-cylinder luxury sedan.

Value

7.0/10

Is the XE a good value? There's some value to be had here, but you have to be selective in deciding the trim level and when perusing the options list. The cabin is a bit of a letdown in perceived quality.

Wildcard

7.0/10

The XE's nimble, tidy handling is its standout dynamic trait. While effective, the standard four-cylinder is joyless and the eight-speed transmission isn't as quick-shifting as the transmissions in some rival sedans. For the money, go for the high-power four-cylinder engine and skip some of this car's options.

The base engine is fine but not exceptional versus other fours. But the XE is stylish, and the ride and handling is excellent.

Which XE does Edmunds recommend?

To make the most of the XE experience, we think the R-Dynamic S is the one to go with. In addition to its more satisfying engine power, it adds larger brakes, unique wheels, and more aggressive exterior and interior body and trim parts. Even the seats are upgraded with more upper-body bolstering and contrast stitching.

2020 Jaguar XE models

The 2020 Jaguar XE is a five-seat, four-door compact luxury sedan, and it comes in two trim levels. The S model is well-equipped with a modern infotainment system and power leather seats. Although rear-wheel drive is standard, the S can also be equipped with all-wheel drive. For more power, choose the R-Dynamic S. Available only in all-wheel drive, the R-Dynamic S has more power and unique interior and exterior pieces.

The Jaguar XE S comes with a turbocharged engine (Jag calls it the P250) that produces 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque and sends power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Optionally, you can equip the S with an all-wheel-drive system that still retains the XE's rear-drive sporty nature by keeping the torque distribution to the rear until it's needed.

Standard feature highlights for the S include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, power-adjustable seats and leather upholstery. Standard safety features are front collision mitigation, lane keeping assist, and front and rear parking sensors.

Opt for the XE R-Dynamic S and you'll get a more powerful engine (the P300) that puts out 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It uses the same eight-speed automatic transmission as the S, and all-wheel drive is standard. Other changes include larger brakes, sport seats, different front and rear fascias, and unique trim parts to distinguish the two models.

Both models feature a myriad of options, in packages and stand-alone. The Drive Pack, for example, has adaptive cruise control, high-speed emergency braking and blind-spot warning, while a Technology Pack includes a rearview mirror camera, dual-touchscreen displays, wireless phone charging pad, a head-up display, and a digital gauge cluster display. Some notable stand-alone options include a premium audio system and even some assist features such as a surround-view camera and blind-spot assist. The R-Dynamic S can also be upgraded with adaptive suspension dampers.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#6 out of 26 among Luxury Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Jaguar XE from 2008-2022.}

$622/yr

vs. $554/yr
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.55x/yr

vs. 1.57x/yr
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

11.6%

vs. 11.1%
for Average Luxury Compact Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Jaguar XE.

5 (55%)

4 (23%)

3 (7%)

2 (9%)

1 (6%)

4.1

51 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 51 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Do your research

Fairview, 11/01/2019

2017 Jaguar XE 35t Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

I usually find that I enjoy my purchases much more after I've done a tremendous amount of research on something. Whether it's a vacation, new piece of tech, or an automobile, research is the key to managing a healthy expectation vs. reality ratio. Many of the complaints that I've been reading about on here were easily avoidable if people did their research. Space - this is mentioned …

Love my new jag

SS, 09/28/2016

2017 Jaguar XE 25t Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Love my new XE, was really torn what to buy after having audi for years, never really liked handling in mercedes and aesthetics of bmw. Jag has all of that, beautiful acceleration, brakes and awesome looks. The interior is basic for such a fancy car, back seat is essentially for 2 people and trunk space is limited. But floor the gas pedal and let the cat purr.

BMW and Audi Take Note

BrendonSF, 08/07/2016

2017 Jaguar XE 35t R-Sport 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

After months of research and serious consideration of the latest competitive offerings from Audi and BMW, I pulled the trigger on a V6 XE R-Sport two months ago. So far, no regrets. Jag has nailed the balance between athleticism and luxury, despite having 19" rims. The car is quiet and rides impressively well given the level of handling it offers. Styling, while subjective, is in my …

Spectacular Chassis In Search Of Interior Designer

Scott in PA, 11/15/2017

2018 Jaguar XE 25t 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

This car, even in base model form, drives exceptionally well. Too bad it is also reminiscent of my wife's old Lexus RX350...great chassis with an interior that made you want to get out of it as quickly as possible. The Good: Acceptable acceleration, excellent steering and braking. A little too much nose dive under severe braking, but everything else works so well it can be forgiven. …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Jaguar XE, so we've included reviews for other years of the XE since its last redesign.

See all 51 reviews of the Jaguar XE

Write a vehicle review

2020 XE Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$39,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$185/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the XE models:

Blind-Spot Assist: Warns you about approaching vehicles from up to 300 feet away that might enter your blind spot. Can apply corrective steering as well.
Pedestrian Detection: Uses a forward-facing camera to scan for pedestrians and engages automatic braking if a collision with a pedestrian seems imminent.
Lane Keep Assist: Provides corrective steering if the driver veers too closely to lane markings on either side without the turn signal engaged.

2020 Jaguar XE Review

2020 Jaguar XE Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Jaguar XE S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which XE does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Jaguar XE models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Do your research

Love my new jag

BMW and Audi Take Note

Spectacular Chassis In Search Of Interior Designer

2020 XE Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Jaguar XE S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}