Jaguar XE S | Spotted
Jaguar was forced to cull the V6-powered XE last year. That's a shame...
The Jaguar XE S never found the amount of fans it really deserved. Supercharged V6 power, a sorted chassis and handsome looks, it was far more than just a leftfield choice to the BMW 3 Series. It was a proper Jaguar and for a while seemed to be the only enjoyably fast XE the firm appeared willing to make (save for the ultra low volume Project 8, which it priced for no mere mortal to buy). But against better established competition it sold too few examples and was replaced with the 2.0-litre-powered P300 last year.
The more efficient four-pot is no slouch, reduces mass over the nose and comes twinned with all-wheel-drive, making the car seem potent enough. But it simply isn't as evocative as a well-balanced V6 driving the rear wheels - espeacially when the smaller engine suffered a significant power deficit compared to the silky supercharged unit.
Early cars got 340hp and 332lb ft of torque, which was quick enough – although Jag saw fit to lift power to 380hp with the 2017 facelift. The constant though was the engine's character, embellished by supercharger throttle response and mellow vocals. Where rivals relied on twin-scroll turbocharging to provide dual-stage boost, Jaguar's motor builds more progressively - and sweetly. It is as satisfying to operate as it is to hear – and capable enough to deliver a 5.1 second 0-62mph time.
But it's the chassis which really gives the XE its edge. At 1,665kg, the aluminium-based S is no featherweight, but it’s use of aluminium suspension components helps it deal with road imperfections and cambers very confidently. The rear-drive, eight-speed auto XE S has never needed overly firm spring and damper rates to achieve its composure; instead, good body control, crisp steering and a sweet balance made sure of it. Combined with the personality of that engine, the car is very rewarding to drive.
It's very easy to live with in normal use, too. True enough, its rivals have sharper cabins and better infotainment - but the XE delivers a sufficiently high calibre of both to seem convincing in isolation. For the money you'll pay for one now, its residuals dented by only modest popularity and a host of alternatives, it probably over delivers. Certainly there is nothing the same age from its segment which steers better, because the XE earned that accolade at full price.
Today’s Spotted, a 19,000-mile, 2016 example, is up for just under £24k. Sure, it isn't quite as economical as the XE its maker will sell you today or as capable in the wet - but it's a better sounding, smoother sort of Jaguar with torque and talent to spare. It's also one of the most underappreciated performance saloons of the last ten years and is not much more than half price. Let's hope it finds the fan it deserves.
SPECIFICATION | JAGUAR XE S
Engine: 2,995cc, supercharged V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 340@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 332@4,500rpm
MPG: 34.9
CO2: 194g/km
First registered: 2016
Recorded mileage: 19,000
Price new: £44,865
Yours for: £23,895
If I was doing few miles I'd be tempted, the 340i makes a compelling alternative though, but is obviously more common and won't handle as well. Maybe the XE S is the type of car that you'll drive just for the joy of it? used to do this with my z4 coupe, never done that with my big diesel barge.
Drave one of these for a few days and found the detail design very poor with the dash in particular being horrid with that daft lip under the screen, the interior a let down and the dynamics not that brilliant. Like the x-type before I've always felt this is a car overhyped by the UK press at launch that everyone is supposed to love, but actually really rather hum-drum.
For some reason left me remembering a Holden Commodore as was quite comfy and the six quite smooth - but ultimately very dull - actually think the Holden was better suited to its task (I was in Autralia so made sense there).
Put simply - the Jag may as well be badged a Ford and that is the price point it deserves.
Also may have just been the one I drove - but don't fit a sunroof if it is almost unusable over 50mph.
Not bad looking per se, but not nice at all.
Up until the B-pilar, it's good looking and from there on it seems the designer went to the pub instead and let the intern finish it.
Interior is the same thing, it's ok but the center air vents make it look like a VW Polo.
Chassis and engine makes for a very good car otherwise!
The 3 series was the target. It had been the lead medium sports saloon for decades because it appeared at least, to do everything it was asked of, really well. This included design, engineering, perceived quality and performance.
So, I was disappointed when the XE came out with an interior like that. Jaguar knew very well they had to get everything spot on to compete, yet knowing this, they signed it off as it was. No excuses about funding issues either. Tata was and remains willing and supportive of the brand. It was sadly, what skill there was at the time, which ultimately fell short.
I may be in the market for this segment in the near future and I know that for me, it will be the Italian and German brands that attract me most.
Engine is so linear (but disappointingly quiet in the XF) and therefore can pile on the pace without really noticing it. I has an uncanny ability to isolate you from everything but be communicative through the key bits, the steering and seat. Can easily correct slides etc as you know exactly what the car is doing.
Hoping the XE S would be similar but just be a little more playful.
Although he's looking at getting something more exciting now. It's served him well of over 50,000mi.
The rear is a little cramped but the front is nice and I think it's reasonably well screwed together , not any worse than my 1 series (F2x), granted the F30 is a direct rival but there's not much difference in interior quality between F2X and F3X.
Is it as nice as an Audi interior? No. But it's certainly not a Dacia :-)
The only thing I'd say is some of the trip computer bits on the dash are confusing to use (even for a techno geek like me!)
The jag is really comfortable, rides well and does handle really well for a "normal" saloon car.
I guess that's where cars like this Jag tempt, but as noted above, it's competing with the 340i and S4.
Is it me or does £24k still seem expensive? I know it's fairly low miles and quite rare, but still.. I think the rarity would have been the initial asking price - wow! But I suppose one up from this is the Project 7 (or 8, I get confused - not the F Type, the XE) so theres value in a way there i suppose.
I agree the rear is a bit of a let down compared to the rest of it. I don't agree on the interior being bad, but I guess its subjective. I prefer it to the dull 3 series.
I was looking at a m140i originally, but struggled to find one with a decent spec. The nice thing with the xe s is that they are well kitted out as standard.
Good stereo, adaptive suspension, parking sensirs and camera, blind spot monitoring, auto dipping headlights, cruise control, heated leather, electric seats, etc etc
The engine is lovely. Good sound without being too intrusive or fake and with the supercharger whine!
It also has a split personality. Dynamic mode really wakes it up!!!!
It's genuinely one of the best small saloons I've ever driven. Happy to smoothly and quietly pootle around, cosseting you from the outside world.
And then when you want to have more fun, as already said, switch it to dynamic mode and it completely changes character. Louder, angrier, firmer and more 'poised' if you like.
Knowing the market well I made a dealer a good offer on a used one they had just got in, they would not budge and were quite rude. Bought an ISF instead the next day. Noticed the dealer listing the car for 1k less than I offered them last time I saw it!
Doent maybe feel as special as the F but I would say the jag was easier to have fun with at lower speeds.
My dads one
Has carbon splitter and diffuser.
Twin exhaust made up for it (dpf and scr still in place).
Remap (was really hard to get sorted but my guy got it done)
H&R lowering springs.
Front windows are not tinted. Just how it looks in this pic.
He wanted an XE-S but think he wants an M4 now.
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