Mildly-updated aesthetics keep things looking fresh, too.
Jaguar has moved to drastically reduce its offerings of XE compact saloons, dropping all but 2 trim levels and 1 engine from the local lineup. This has meant the culling of 11 variants and two engines, which unfortunately means no more supercharged V6 for us. Boo.
The MY20 XE also features blind-and-you’ll-miss-it aesthetic tweaks, like slimmer headlights & lower front bumper, as well as new LED taillights & a more intricate rear bumper. The cabin is claimed to have improved materials throughout, as well as a proper gear lever and the Touch Pro Duo infotainment screen that we’ve seen previously in the Jaguar I-Pace and various Land Rover products.
The XE will be available in Australia only as an SE or HSE, with the R-Dynamic styling pack thrown on for good measure. Both are powered by the same 221kW 2.0-litre Ingenium engine, sending power to the rear via an 8-speed automatic.
The SE comes as standard with bits like 18-inch alloys, leather upholstery with electrically-adjustable front seats, back-up camera, 360º parking sensors, DAB+ digital radio, smartphone mirroring, and lane-departure warning.
Step into a plusher HSE and you gain 19-inch alloys, a Meridian audio system, the TouchPro Duo infotainment system, highway-speed AEB, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, 18-way adjustable front seats (with driver’s side memory) and an electrically-adjustable steering column.
There are several options packs available for the XE, making it easier to make your small Jag yours. You can opt for the Dynamic Handling Pack for $2090 which adds the adaptive dynamics system, upgraded brakes and coloured callipers, as well as a boot-lid spoiler.
There’s also the Technology Pack ($2160 on the SE and $1710 on the HSE) which throws in a heads-up display, a tinted windscreen, digital dials, Qi wireless smartphone charging, and a rear-view camera in the place of the standard rear-view mirror. And on SE models, the Technology Pack also adds TouchPro Duo.
Splurge $1050 on an SE or $750 on an HSE, and you can get the Convenience Pack. That’ll add electric boot opening, keyless entry & go, and a handful of USB ports to the cabin. But the Premium Interior Upgrade Pack ($1010) will add niceties like LED-backlit sill plates, aluminium-capped pedals, and ambient lighting that can be configured to display an array of colours.
The MY20 Jaguar XE is available to order today, with prices starting at $65,570 for the SE R-Dynamic, and $71,490 for the HSE R-Dynamic.
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