Why the Jaguar XE is Auto Express Compact Executive Car of the Year

The Jaguar XE has won the Auto Express Best Compact Executive Car of the Year award in 2016 and 2015. Here are the reasons why it’s been our award winner for two years running.

The XE is the new entry point into the world of Jaguar ownership. At just over 4.6 metres, it’s compact but has the presence of a much bigger car as it shares many key design hallmarks with  Jaguar’s larger saloon car models. The XE styling also borrows heavily from Jaguar’s flagship F-TYPE sports car with the dramatic J Blade running lights, front grille treatment and rear light clusters.

Each Jaguar saloon has its place in the range with the XE representing the sporting option. But with prices starting at just under £27,000,  it’s a sports saloon that is easily obtainable and has luxury built in. Satellite navigation, keyless start, a leather-covered steering wheel, dual-zone climate control and 17-inch alloy wheels are all standard features. Meanwhile, on the safety front, all models get Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

Modern luxury

The XE has a cabin you’ll want to spend many hours in. Like all Jaguars, the ‘Riva Hoop’ envelopes the driver and gives a cosseting experience – it’s a design cue taken from the famous Riva Italian speed boats which are known for their timeless style. Mid-level Prestige models come with sumptuous leather as standard, and all cars come with a modern and slick infotainment screen with intuitive touch and swipe functions.

With optional InControl Touch Pro this can be upgraded to a state-of-the-art 10.2-inch screen that offers pinch and zoom, gorgeous graphics, a predictive navigation system and 10GB of dedicated onboard media storage. No matter which system you go for, all Jaguar XEs have smartphone compatible apps to make life more comfortable behind the wheel.

• • Visit the Jaguar XE website
• • Request the brochure

Class-leading to drive

The Jaguar XE is among the best handling cars in the compact executive class. This is thanks to the way the XE is built – it has an immensely strong Lightweight Aluminium Architecture which means it’s light but also makes the car feel more agile. Another key reason why the XE is the best to drive in its class is its double wishbone front and integral-link rear suspension.

Using the same suspension technology as the Jaguar F-TYPE sports car, the XE offers unrivalled dynamism on the road. The optional adaptive dynamics system responds to road conditions and driving style, constantly tuning the damper settings to give the best blend of comfort and dynamic handling. The pin-point sharp electric steering adds to the feeling of involvement when you get behind the wheel.

Efficient

The aluminium architecture doesn’t just improve the way the XE drives, but also how it performs. The architecture’s inherent lightweight properties mean that the XE is as light as a feather on the road, improving the way the car handles and its efficiency. Jaguar has invested in brand new, state-of-the-art all-aluminium diesel engines that deliver excellent performance, fuel economy and CO2 emissions. The new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel engines return as much as 75mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 99g/km, making the XE an excellent company car choice.

Excellent service

The Jaguar XE doesn’t just make an excellent choice when buying either. Once you become a Jaguar owner you’ll be looked after by one of the best retailer networks in the UK. Jaguar retailers are regularly voted amongst the highest for their customer service in our Driver Power survey, giving you complete peace of mind.

Jaguar XE: Auto Express Compact Executive Car of the Year 2016

So with attributes like beautiful looks, a luxurious and hi-tech cabin, class-leading handling and comfort, efficient engines and a retailer network that’s one of the best in the UK, it’s easy to see why the Jaguar XE is our favourite compact executive car of the year for two years running.

Fuel consumption in mpg (L/100km): Urban 23.2-49.6 (12.2-5.7); Extra Urban 39.8-62.8 (7.1-4.5); Combined 31.7-57.7 (8.9-4.9). CO2 Emissions 209-129 g/km. Official EU Test Figures. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ.