Top 3 Jaguar XE trims head to head: here’s our winner.
Top 3 Jaguar XE trims head to head: here’s our winner.
By Martin Pretorius
The Jaguar XE has a variety of trim levels and optional extras to enable a fair measure of personalisation, and a selection of engines for different power requirements. Let’s take a look at three trim levels, and figure out which one offers the best combination.
Since its arrival on local shores back in 2015, the Jaguar XE has struggled to make much of a dent in the sustained strong sales of its three principal competitors (the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and the Mercedes C-Class). But don’t let its relative lack of popularity fool you: The Jaguar XE is an extremely handsome, seriously desirable, and very capable car. It also has a variety of trim levels and optional extras to enable a fair measure of personalisation, and a selection of engines for different power requirements.
For the purpose of this exercise, we’ve isolated the “25t” derivatives, to maintain power parity between the variants. “25t” specification denotes a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, good for 184 kW and 365 Nm of torque, and the power gets sent to the rear wheels through an 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox in each case. 0 – 100 km/h sprints are dispatched in a claimed 6.5 seconds with a limited top speed of 250 km/h and a claimed average consumption of 6.3 litres/100 km.
Prestige
The Prestige trim level marks the entry point to the XE range, which means that it’s shod with 17-inch wheels and comparatively skinny 205/55R17 tyres. Standard equipment is quite comprehensive, in spite of its “base model” status, with leather upholstery, partial electric adjustment for the driver’s seat (reclining), a touchscreen multimedia system, steering wheel controls, automatic climate control, cruise control, pushbutton engine start/stop (but remote-controlled central locking), and xenon headlights all featuring on the spec sheet. Not bad value, especially considering that this is the entry-level XE, with a retail price of R 717 536.
R-Sport
With its price jump of almost R20 000, the R-Sport doesn’t add too much to the standard specification, except that it looks even better, thanks to standard 18-inch alloy wheels, a black radiator grille, and R-Sport body kit. Inside, you’ll find lovely sports seats, again trimmed in leather, but this time with contrasting stitching for a sportier appearance. At its price of R 736 736, it represents a nice visual upgrade over the Prestige variant for not too much of a price premium.
Portfolio
This is the top level of the standard XE variants, and places a greater emphasis on luxury features and premium ambience. The perforated leather seats now feature 10-way electric adjustment, and the aluminium trim finishers are now embossed instead of etched (R-Sport) or brushed (Prestige). However, because the Portfolio has a greater focus on luxury, it comes with 17-inch wheels with seven split spokes. 18-, 19- and 20-inch wheels are optional, but they won’t ride as comfortably. Portfolio trim does command a substantial price premium, however, and its list price of R 789 736 is more than R 50 000 dearer than the R-Sport variant.
As has become the norm in the premium market segments, you’ll have to pay extra for the really nice things. Adaptive bi-xenon headlights (R 6 400) are optional on all derivatives except the Portfolio, while none of them carry such niceties as a panoramic sunroof (R 21 200), adaptive cruise control, navigation and Meridian audio system upgrade (up to R 32 000), head-up display (R 19 100), heated seats and steering wheel (R 13 400), Blind Spot Monitoring (part of the R39 800 Road Technology Pack) or parking sensors and rear-view camera (up to R 21 900, if you include parking assistance as well). All of these options (and a whole lot more) are available on almost all trim levels, which means that you could get a loaded Prestige for about the same money as a basic Portfolio.
Which one is best?
Looking at it from a pure value-for-money perspective, the R-Sport trim appears to be the most appealing. It looks decidedly more upmarket than a basic Prestige and doesn’t break the bank in the process of looking better, yet it doesn’t command the Portfolio's hefty price premium. Our advice would be to get a R-Sport, and add the parking sensors, panoramic roof, and Road Technology Pack – which will get you a well-equipped XE 25t with most of the appearance- and functionality upgrades without costing way too much.