When Jaguar launched the XE at the end of 2014, it was a surprisingly fun newcomer in the dynamic D-segment.
You could say it's the successor to the X-Type that once was, but that was a front-wheel drive car whilst this is a small rear-wheel drive car.
It was clearly aiming for the BMW 3-series, but it didn't take long before Alfa Romeo launched the sporty Giulia.
It was a good looking car, because the nose clearly resembled the XF which wasn't an insult at all.
You did notice the quality wasn't as good as the 3-series, but the Giulia was nimbler in its turn.
Jaguar has now facelifted the XE and they've gone beyond just upgrading the exterior.
Still, I think the front and back have improved. It's more stylish now, a less cheap impression.
And they didn't only tackle the exterior, because the biggest change was updating the interior.
The measurements have remained the same, so the rear seat still is cramped and the luggage space is relatively small.
Even though the space in the back hasn't improved, but the rest of the cockpit has been improved.
By quite a distance, the interior is the biggest leap ahead in the facelifted XE.
Of course, it shares a lot of similarities with the I-Pace. The new dual-screen multimedia system, the gear lever from the F-Type,
so it doesn't have a turning knob anymore. As a whole, the cabin has been lifted to a higher level.
Because of that, the XE now leaps ahead of the Alfa Giulia, which scores pretty mediocre actually. Just like the pre-facelift XE.
However, the BMW 3- and 4-series are still playing in a different league.
For the facelift, Jaguar has simplified the engine range. You can now choose between three engines: two 2.0-litre petrol versions,
producing 250 and 300 horsepower respectively and another with 180 horsepower.
I've tried the diesel as well. It's quite loud, but it's pretty quick. That's probably going to be an important version for the Netherlands.
In this segment, diesel still is relatively popular, even though it's not in other segments.
When it comes to petrol versions, the 250 is going to be the most popular version. The engine is decent and pretty quick,
but you should be able to expect that with 250 horsepower. If I think of the BMW 330i, which produces the same amount of power,
it feels a lot quicker, despite producing the same amount of power. If you look at the prices, the difference isn't too big either.
The XE 250 starts at €57.000, which is pretty steep. They didn't alter the chassis a lot, but they've done a lot to the steering.
That's a lot nicer now. It's lighter, more direct, and that makes it feel like it's a newer car.
Because of that, you're able to precisely place the XE. That makes it more dynamic... I mean, it already was dynamic with double wishbones,
but it's still more dynamic than the current 3-series, which still winks at comfort.
If I compare it with the Alfa Giulia, it's much sharper and much more of a drivers car, but the XE offers more quietness.
The Giulia is a lot fierier, because of the Ferrari-genes. That's alright if you want that, but the XE fills the gap inbetween the 3-series and Giulia.
It's a small market however. It's quite busy in the premium D-segment and the XE already is pretty dated in 2019.
However, when it comes to multimedia systems, Jaguar is pretty up-to-date. They don't really try when it comes to safety systems though,
they're trailing the German brands by quite a distance. That's not different in the new XE, but it doesn't feel as cheap anymore.
It always was a little disappointing when you got in, and that's gone now. Also, when you get in the front, you won't notice the cramped rear seat.
Also, the steering is so incredibly pleasant. If you take two corners, you immediately know it's been designed by people who know what dynamic is.
People who care for dynamic driving, should really try the XE.
Something I don't like in the XE is the automatic gearbox, because it should react quicker. Especially because it's a...
gearbox which is being used by BMW as well. It just goes to show what developing software and testing mean for a gearbox,
because it's so much better in the 3-series than in here.