Facelifted Jaguar XE Revealed

Martin Pretorius

The premium-brand automotive marketplace is a tough nut to crack, even for established premium brands. Jaguar’s XE is a prime example of this problem: it is just as lovely to drive as it is to behold, yet it’s gone largely unnoticed in a market segment dominated by the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C Class. Jaguar has renewed hope for this model, however, because a freshly updated new range has been revealed in the UK. Will this be enough to woo buyers from the German showrooms?

One almost feels sorry for the Jaguar XE, especially in South Africa’s status-driven compact executive sedan market segment. Here is a car with all the dynamic attributes to justify setting it at the top of its class, with a range of up-to-date engines and decent equipment levels, and yet it still remains a bit player against the German “Big Three”. 

The XE isn’t the only car with this problem, of course, (the Alfa Giulia, Lexus IS and Volvo S60 also fight for the same scraps), but it seems like a particularly sad case when a car this good struggle to find buyers. But now, a newly-revealed facelift aims to put the smallest Jaguar saloon on the path towards greater success, hoping to finally realise this under-rated sedan’s true potential.

What’s new, then?

Exterior changes are comparatively minor, with the usual “new lights and bumper” treatment being applied. Subtle they may be, but the upgrades do lend the XE a more-assertive appearance, especially with the enlarged air intakes in the front bumper. 

New full-LED headlights also create a new visual signature, but maintain continuity with the outgoing model’s appearance as well. The rear end receives similar changes, with slim-line LED tail lamp clusters and a bumper design which now emphasises the car’s width. It’s really more of the same on the outside, then – but that’s not a bad thing, because the XE has always been a very pretty car.

The big changes happen in the cabin

Ever since its international launch in late-2014, the Jaguar XE has been criticised for its slightly less-than-premium cabin. It was by no means uninviting, but the on-board technology and minor trim piece quality just hasn’t been up there with the best in its class. You had soft-touch material on the dash- and door tops, but hard, scratchy plastic almost everywhere below elbow-level.

These concerns have now been comprehensively addressed, with higher-quality materials employed all over. Meanwhile, the electronic interfaces are now all based upon Jaguar’s Touch Pro Duo infotainment- and climate control system, as seen in the new I-Pace. Going on the photos in the press release, these updates immediately lifts the XE’s cabin to the level it needs to be, to compete with the dominant Germans.

Other tech highlights include a new interior mirror, which employs the ClearSight wide-angle rear-view camera to give a more-complete view behind the car, as well as a wireless charging pad. Finally, the rotary-type gear selector dial makes way for a pistol-grip gear lever, as used in the F-Type sports car, and the new steering wheel uses capacitive touch switches for its built-in controls.

Any other improvements to the standard equipment?

XE’s entry-level specification now features an automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels, electric leather seats, all-LED headlights and tail-lights with an updated light signature, front and rear park aid, rear camera and lane keep assist. Customers can select from S, SE and HSE trim levels, with each also available in sporty R-Dynamic guise. 

A range of option packs provide even greater personalisation: 

Dynamic Handling Pack: Configurable Dynamics, Adaptive Dynamics, 350mm front Brakes, Coloured Brake Calipers, Bootlid Spoiler.

Cold Climate Pack: Heated Windscreen, Heated Steering Wheel, Headlight Washers

Technology Pack: Head-Up Display, Solar Windscreen, Touch Pro Duo, Interactive Driver Display, Wireless Charging, ClearSight Interior rear-view mirror

Convenience Pack: Gesture-control Bootlid, Keyless Entry, Electric Steering Column Adjustment, Additional Power Sockets

Premium Interior Upgrade Pack: Illuminated Treadplates, Bright Pedals, Configurable Ambient Lighting

Largely unchanged mechanicals

Seeing as the XE already benefits from Jaguar’s latest engines, the outgoing model’s oily bits carry over as-is. For the South African market, the lower end of the range will be covered by Jaguar’s Ingenium petrol engines, with power outputs of either 184 kW and 221 kW. Power go to the rear wheels through an 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. 

Higher-powered variants will appear at a later stage, and will likely include the supercharged V6 petrol, good for 280 kW. Let’s hope that magnificent 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel also makes its way into the XE, this time around. The updated Jaguar XE will arrive in South Africa midway through 2019, when pricing for the new range will also be announced.