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Jaguar XE S Review: Supercharged V6 makes glorious soundtrack to your driving

Jaguar XE S
The Jaguar XE S - taking on the BMW 3 Series

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29 November 2015

What is it?

The Jaguar XE S is the quickest and most powerful version of the compact exec you can currently buy

It’s powered by the F-Type’s 335bhp 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine, making it good for a 5.1 second sprint from 0-62mph. But priced at £44,320 means you have to fork out for the performance, even though it’s a big saving on the sports car.

As you’d expect with a model that sits at the top of the pecking order, it’s packed with kit, which includes adaptive dampers, eight-inch touchscreen, DAB radio and keyless go all as standard.

Jaguar will introduce a fully blown BMW M3 rival in the near future when the British manufacturer’s Special Operation Division (SVO) gets its hands on the XE.

What’s hot?

  • Even in the standard 2.0-litre diesel model, the XE feels alert and responsive. Fitted with the 3.0-litre supercharged V6, the XE S now has the performance to match its sporting credentials.
  • The engine sounds glorious. It doesn’t have the howl and crackles from the exhaust as the F-Type but there’s a deep bellow at low revs which builds as you gain speed.
  • Accelerate hard and the XE S will hit 62mph in 5.1 seconds – top speed is 155mph.
  • The standard eight-speed automatic gearbox works seamlessly with the V6 engine. It flicks between ratios at exactly the right moment, helping you maintain momentum. But you an also flick up and down the ratios yourself with the steering wheel-mounted paddles.
  • Even on 20-inch alloys wheels the ride in the XE S is very impressive. It’s thanks to the adaptive dampers which are constantly monitoring the cars movements on the road and adjusting themselves to keep the car in tune with the surface.
  • The handling and steering are also both excellent you could even say best in class. There’s real precision to the XE S when you turn in as it reacts the tiniest of driver inputs.
  • But ease off and it’s a perfectly comfortable cruiser. It’s hushed at high speeds, comfortable around town and no more difficult to drive than the standard version.

What’s not?

  • It’s quite expensive, both to buy and to run. At over £44,000 and CO2 emissions of 194g/km means a 40% tax payer will be stumping up some £6k annually on company car tax, due to a BIK rating of 33%.
  •  The interior is a lovely place to sit, but perhaps doesn’t quite match the cabin quality of the new Audi S4. Another gripe is the infotainment system which is a little slow and clunky to operate.

Verdict…

The 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine in the XE S is a great match for a car with real poise and precision. Its sounds glorious and the extra firepower unlock the XE’s sporting credentials.

But take it easy and XE S is just as easy to live with day to day as a standard model, with a composed ride and light controls. What you will notice, however, are the high running costs – this sort of luxury and performance doesn’t come cheap.

The Low Down for the Jaguar XE S review…..

Doors and body style 5-door
Engine/gearbox: 3.0 supercharged V6 eight-speed auto
CO2 Emissions: 194g/km
Economy: 34.9mpg
Power/torque: 335PS/4500Nm
0-62mph/top speed: 5.1secs/155mph
Insurance group: 35

…..and what it costs

P11D Value £44,320
Monthly Business Car Lease ex VAT (10k miles pa, 3+35 payments, non-maintained) From £N/A  (3yrs/30,000 miles)
Road tax (VED) £265
Company Car Tax Bands 2015/16 to 2016/18 33%, 35%, 37%
Benefit in kind 2015/16 to 2017/18 £14,626, £15,512, £16,398
Annual fuel benefit (20%) £1,459
Annual fuel benefit (40%) £2,917
Annual/monthly company car tax (20%) £2,925/£243
Annual/monthly company car tax (40%) £5,850/£487
Figures correct at time of posting 23.11.2015

 

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