2019 Jaguar XE

Pros: Excellent balance of ride quality and handling prowess; wide selection of upholstery and trim choices; spirited acceleration with supercharged V6

Cons: Rear-seat room is tight; limited trunk space and small-items storage; so-so rear visibility

CG Says: The 2019 Jaguar XE adds new 300 Sport and Landmark models. Both add unique trim to the R-Sport model. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality are now available. Jaguar re-entered the premium-compact car field for 2017 with the XE sport sedan. The base engine is turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder available in 247-horsepower and a 296-hp versions. A supercharged 3.0-liter V6 is rated at 380 hp. There is also an 180-hp turbodiesel 2.0-liter four. The XE comes in rear- and all-wheel drive form, and all engines use an 8-speed automatic transmission. XE uses Jaguar’s aluminum-intensive body structure to save weight for better fuel economy and driving dynamics. Available safety and technology features include adaptive shock absorbers, autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and a head-up display that shows both speed and navigation readings on the lower part of the windshield. The XE was Jaguar’s first compact car in almost a decade, and it’s a compelling entry in the segment. The XE offers a distinctive luxury/performance character, a good selection of available powertrains and trim options, and a suitably athletic driving personality—all at prices that are very competitive with its primary rivals, the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4.