Jaguar XE 25t, Track Test

If a tail-happy, rear-wheel drive sports sedan is the object of your desire, then look no further than the Jaguar XE. It guarantees to put a smile on your face that will be very difficult to wipe off. What makes the XE stand apart is its chassis. It’s truly the ‘sultan of swing’ when it comes to taking corners. The Jaguar provides impressive driving dynamics, as it has great body control – even when the tail decides to get all adventurous. All this is possible thanks to the new light weight chassis, which is 75% aluminium. This actually makes the XE feel light and agile, especially at the BIC. The electrically assisted steering is perfectly weighed and provides decent feedback.

The XE excels in the ride department too – as it remains sporty, but at the same time makes your daily commute very comfortable as it neutralises any potholes in the road. The double wishbones at the front, and multi-link set-up at the rear, allow the XE to hug the road while also cushioning the blow if you happen to encounter road undulations at high speed.

The XE’s 2-litre petrol engine churns out 237bhp and sprints all the way to the redline without any lag whatsoever. The acceleration is smooth and feels punchy, even under 2,000rpm. And it’s very refined, even at slow speeds. The ZF 8-speed transmission has such precise gear ratios that this sports sedan responds instantly, even if you’re just chugging along in slow traffic.

Jaguars tend to make you feel special and pampered when you’re seated in the cabin. Now, even though the XE’s dual-tone interiors are easy on the eyes, the quality levels can’t match its German rivals. It more than makes up for that, though, with a sporty attitude and excellent driving dynamics that can actually rival a certain Bavarian manufacturer – which, in itself, is a pretty big statement. Unfortunately, the XE loses crucial points in terms of space, quality and value for money – as it’s one of the most expensive sedans in its segment. Of course, all of that is immaterial once you tap into the 237 ponies and 340 Nm of torque that the XE develops.

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