Jaguar XE V6 S new car review

[Express]

Jaguar XE V6 S new car review



Jaguar's punchy sedan has plenty of performance, but its interior needs some work.



Toby Hagon
21 December, 2015




Jaguar's new range-topping XE S compact sedan has the X factor. Photos: Supplied
























In many ways Jaguar has been fighting the luxury onslaught with its hands tied behind its back. As rivals expand their already expansive model ranges and head into ever-cheaper territory – in turn stealing sales from mainstream brands – the British car maker hasn't even had the mid-sized sedan considered core to doing luxury business.

Until now. The XE is one of the most important Jaguars ever produced, and the brand's first serious tilt at the likes of the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. It will single-handedly more than double Jaguar's sales.

There's a range of four-cylinder engines in the XE – including two soon-to-be-replaced petrol engines and the new "Ingenium" diesel – as well as a supercharged V6 in the flagship S model. It's that V6 S we've tested here.



Jaguar's new small sedan is an enticing alternative to its German rivals. Photo: Supplied


What do you get?

The XE range starts at $60,400 (plus on-road costs) for a four-cylinder petrol model and rises all the way to this V6 S, at $104,200. In between is a more powerful petrol engine and a diesel, with varying trim levels, including Prestige, R-Sport and Portfolio. All come with some leather (lower grades have some fake leather mixed in), electric seats (with memory function for the driver's side; a plus if you're sharing the car with another driver), smart key entry and dual-zone automatic air-conditioning. The Meridian sound system is decent, too, and was recently updated with more power.

The V6 S adds things such as a subtle sports body kit, sports seats, sports suspension and unique 19-inch alloy wheels.

The safety story is also very strong, with standard auto emergency braking, blind spot warning, lane departure warning and full airbag coverage.

Even the servicing story is good. There are various five-year servicing plans, depending on the model; for the V6 costs $1500 and covers up to 130,000km of driving (it only needs servicing every 12 months or 26,000km).

Negatives are rare; digital radio costs extra, as does active cruise control. As with rivals, the spare tyre is a space saver. Oh, and the fact it's a big step up to the V6 S over the three petrol engine options – 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engines in the 20t and 25t and a 2.0-litre turbo diesel in the 20d.


What's inside?

From the outside the Jaguar XE is a model of design excellence, but from the inside it's less convincing. While there's a Jag-ness to its appearance – pulsing red start button, circular gear selector that raises when started, and nautical strip across the top of the dash – there are also too many cheap-looking plastics to ram home the luxury message. The speaker grilles, for example, are reminiscent of a 1990s mainstream car rather than a modern luxury one. And the deeper you dig the more you notice some harder, less welcoming finishes that jar with the leather-trimmed dash top and elegant carbon fibre used elsewhere. The leather stitching, too, isn't as laser-straight as it could be.

Sure, some may call it character – an important component of any luxury car - but at this end of the market buyers also appreciate excellence.

Vision isn't great; the rear window is quite high, reducing vision, and the pillars on either side of the windscreen (A pillars) are chunky, partially obscuring vision through a bend. And the speedo, which covers a range of 280km/h, is difficult to read; thankfully there's a far more useful digital speedo alongside the main unit.

Yet for its foibles, the XE still musters plenty of class and, importantly, looks and feels different to the German rivals it's predominantly competing with.

Seat comfort is great, too, especially up front. Those sitting on the outside of the rear seats are also well cossetted, although not exactly swimming in leg room. The middle seat is perched higher and very narrow, though.


Under the bonnet

Four-cylinder engines are the main game with the XE, but the 3.0-litre supercharged V6 in the S has hints of old school. With 250kW of power it sits in interesting territory among its competitors. Audi has the most direct rival in the form of the S4, while BMW has the 340i, which undercuts the Jag. Yet Mercedes forces those wanting extra go much further up the price scale to the C63 AMG.

Still, there's plenty to like with the supercharged V6 in the XE. Response is immediate – noticeably so compared with the latest breed of turbo engines - and strong, with a good lump of torque from low in the rev range. The 450Nm peak arrives at 4500rpm, but even below that it's hugely useful and does a great job of thrusting the Jag forward.

There's so much mid-rev urge that you rarely need to keep the accelerator pushed to the floor for long. But if you do you'll be rewarded with a seamless thrust before the transmission drops into the next of its eight gears.

Less endearing is the sound it makes. From the outside it's purposeful enough, but inside it sounds flat and uninspiring.

Fuel consumption, too, is on the wrong side of spectacular. Claimed use is 8.1 litres per 100km, but we found it used more like 13L/100km in predominantly suburban duties.


On the road

Jaguars have traditionally focused heavily on pampering the driver rather than the rest of the occupants, and it's no different with the XE. Steering is light yet accurate and predictably fluid. The suspension is taut and ready for action, without being uncomfortable.

Don't be fooled by the fancy red brake calipers on the S, though; the stoppers are the same size as those on other XEs. They're adequate, but will eventually overheat with extended punishment.

Still, it all adds up to an athletic and obedient machine. There's a brilliant blend of comfort and control.

The V6 S also has adjustable dynamics, where at the push of a button the dampers can be stiffened or softened. The alterations (which also include steering and throttle changes) are subtle, though, with the most notable change to the way the transmission holds gears and reacts to accelerator inputs.

However the V6 adds about 130kg over its four-cylinder petrol equivalent, and most of it over the nose (despite its aluminium body it's not particularly lightweight, tipping the scales at almost 1.7 tonnes). So once you ramp up the pace it's the front-end that's the first to run wide, albeit in a controlled manner – and at a high threshold.

Overall, though, the XE gets better with speed. Its occasionally firm low speed ride matures into a more sinuous affair at higher speeds. It's superbly controlled over bumps that might otherwise fluster a sporty sedan, settling rapidly and confidently – all the while doing a good job of shielding occupants from the harder knocks. The body control is beautiful, too, ensuring you can concentrate on the corners rather than how the suspension is coping with everything being thrown at it.


Verdict

As far as a brisk, sporty four-door goes the XE is a wonderful addition to the breed – and well and truly takes the fight to the established players. Punchy engine, hugely capable dynamics and a fluidity to its progress that gets better with speed. In many ways it's stepped into the territory once occupied by BMW with the 3-Series that was once the class benchmark.

Yet the lighter, more agile four-cylinder variants are the sweet spot in the XE range. Sure, the V6 S is faster, but the four-pots feel more athletic and engaging, and all for less money.

Not that any XE is perfect; the interior, in particular, needs the same care and attention devoted to the driving dynamics and exterior aesthetics. Then it'd be getting tantalising close…


Drive rating

Value: 7/10

Performance: 8/10

Economy: 3/10

Safety: 9/10

Handling: 9/10

Comfort: 7/10

Connectivity: 6/10

Space: 7/10

Servicing costs: 7/10

Resale value: 6/10

Overall rating: 7/10


Pros
•Excellent dynamics with beautiful body control
• strong engine
•Lots of active safety gear

Cons
•Interior lacks flair and attention to detail of rivals
•Tight back seat




Price and Specifications


2015 Jaguar XE V6 S

Price: $104,200, plus on-road and dealer costs

Country of origin: England

Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol

Power: 250kW at 6500rpm

Torque: 450Nm at 4500rpm

Fuel use: 8.1L/100km

CO2 emissions: 194g/km

Transmission: 8-speed auto, rear-wheel-drive

Weight: 1665kg

Safety: 7 airbags; stability control


The Competitors


BMW 340i

Price: $89,900

Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol; 340kW/450Nm; 8-speed auto; rear-drive

Fuel use/CO2 emissions: 6.8L/100km, 159g/km

Safety: 6 airbags; stability control

Pros: Slick engine and transmission; respectable value

Cons: Misses out on full auto emergency braking

Our score: Not tested


Lexus IS350 Sports Luxury

Price: $82,500

Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol; 233kW/378Nm; 8-speed auto; rear-drive

Fuel use/CO2 emissions: 9.7L/100km, 225g/km

Safety: 8 airbags; stability control

Pros: Strong performance; well equipped; cornering nous

Cons: Lacks torque down low; tight rear seat; can be thirsty

Our score: 6/10


Audi S4

Price: $107,300

Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol; 245kW/440Nm; 7-speed auto; four-wheel drive

Fuel use/CO2 emissions: 8.1L/100km, 190g/km

Safety: 8 airbags; stability control

Pros: Crisp looks, inside and out; punchy supercharged V6

Cons: Starting to date and new generation A4 due in 2016

Our score: Not rated

http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-revi...20-gls8gn.html

[mik]

looks alright , reminds me a bit of our current falcon at the back, on their criticism of the interior , there does seem to be a lot of dark plastic, who stole the wood grain ? not much eye candy in the cabin, though it probably functions well..