Jaguar XE sedan will become a cooler cat in 2020

Jaguar’s XE sedan will be refreshed for the 2020 model year with what the British outfit calls “significant updates.” Major exterior changes include more aggressive look and stance with new bumpers, a new grille design, and new all-LED headlights and taillights. The interior is updated as well, with premium veneers, standard leather seating, and an abundance of soft-touch materials.

New tech includes an optional InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system and 12.3-inch interactive driver display, first seen on the all-electric I-PACE station wagon. The optional Smart Settings system uses artificial intelligence to learn drivers’ preferences and adjusts seating, mirrors, audio, and climate control settings before you start the car. The R-Dynamic S model is distinguished by aircraft winglet-inspired surfaces on the front bumper, dark mesh detailing on the rear valance, and alternative wheel styles.

Two gasoline versions of Jaguar’s turbocharged four-cylinder Ingenium engine family gasoline engines will be available, a 247-horsepower and 296-hp version, badged slightly optimistically as P250 and P300. In P300 R-Dynamic S AWD trim, the XE will accelerate from 0–60 mph in 5.4 seconds.

That means Jaguar is not only dropping its four-cylinder turbodiesel here in the States, but the 380-hp supercharged V-6 that previously powered the top-spec XE S is also gone. According to Car and Driver, Jaguar will not insert its new hybrid, supercharged, and turbocharged Ingenium straight-six into the refreshed XE for the U.S. market.

As the platform hasn’t changed, the aluminum superstructure and major chassis components have been carried over. The P250 models can now be equipped with optional all-wheel drive, which is standard on the P300.

To make the entry-level XE more attractive, Jaguar is adding 18-inch aluminum wheels, electric leather seats, the new LED lights, front and rear park aid, lane keep assist, and a backup camera standard equipment.

MSRP will range from $39,900 for the S (P250) rear-wheel-drive model, to $46,295 for the R-Dynamic S (P300) all-wheel-drive version.

“The new Jaguar XE is all about building on the undeniable sporting proportions of the original car,” says Ian Callum, Jaguar’s Director of Design. “We’ve given the car much bolder graphics and more visual width; planting it in a way which really illustrates its dynamic intent. The new XE is a wonderfully complete package with a very purposeful exterior matched to a beautifully crafted, sporty interior.”

The XE faces stiff competition in the compact luxury segment, with strong offerings from the new BMW 3 Series to the redesigned Volvo S60. Even at this point older offerings like the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class remain popular, which could in part explain Jaguar’s decision to somewhat simplify the XE’s footprint and not spread itself too thin.