VIDEO: So, What Do POTENTIAL Buyers Think Of The All-New Jaguar XE? Does The Fast Cat Have Claws?

Recently a lot o the UK-based publications had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the all-new Jaguar XE. For Jaguar, it's probably the most critical vehicle the company is launching in recent memory. Let's face it, the fast cat hasn't exactly been contributing to Jaguar Land Rover's recent success.

Cars like the XJ and XF aren't exactly moving a lot of units in volume. The XE is setting up to nibble marketshare from the likes of the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Lexus IS, Infiniti Q50, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

While the first reviews came back spitting a lot of love, we can never be entirely sure if it's a lot of British writers having a lovefest with a U.K.-built product. You know, giving a vote for the home team?

Now though there isn't any more hiding from the truth. That's because a U.K.-based publication, Whatcar?, decided to bring in a slew of its own readers that are perspective buyers to weigh in on the all-new Jag. Not only does this connect us to reality as buyers will bring up significant purchasing decision dealbreakers, it also allows us to see things we may have missed previously.

Tune in below and let's see what potential buyers are seeing and learning about the all-new XE.


The XE is Jaguar's rival for the likes of the Mercedes-Benz C Class, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. Does it have what it takes? What Car? readers put it to the test.

**The 2015 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) photo galleries are sponsored by Lexus.


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MDarringer - 1/31/2015 7:05:02 PM

+2 Boost

Beginning and end of the story: "While the first reviews came back spitting a lot of love, we can never be entirely sure if it's a lot of British writers having a lovefest with a U.K.-built product. You know, giving a vote for the home team?"

Fact #1: it will not be as good as the C Class for blingy styling or the competent road manners of the 3 Series.

Fact #2: It's still a year off for US sales according to Jaguar.

Fact #3: The projected price is about $10K too high to draw buyers.

runninglogan1 - 2/1/2015 12:34:34 AM

+2 Boost

EVERYONE is having a love fest with this car. Haven't read a single negative review including from the American press. All seem to agree that dynamically it's superior to the competition. Let the comparisons begin! Next year:(

MDarringer - 2/2/2015 6:53:11 PM

+1 Boost

@runninglogan1 the check from Jaguar in in the mail. You're batty in the noggin if you think Jaguar has the capacity to make a car that is dynamically superior to the C/3.

monopoly1 - 2/1/2015 12:37:15 AM

+3 Boost

The Jaguar XE's overall style is quite stunning, however the tacky designed interior door panels with the strange speaker location & gaudy shelf like configuration for the secondary switchgear is personally a complete deal breaker.

jeffgall - 2/1/2015 9:07:42 AM

0 Boost

Reserved, yet clean and sporty exterior. Wish Jaguar had gone closer to F-Type styling, but I like it. The interior is where Jaguar completely failed. Lincoln has a better interior. This is where consideration for my next car left the building.

gkearns56 - 2/1/2015 11:40:25 AM

+1 Boost

@jeffgall - I agree. The outside looks pretty good, but what is the deal with those weird seats (center area) with the arrow looking stitching. This reminds me of when GM use to put all that body CLADDY on the lower half of the Pontiac Grand Am - yikes.

mre30 - 2/1/2015 11:18:37 AM

+1 Boost

I think it hits all the buttons. If they can do a good lease in America, the XE's will fly off the lot.

The conquests will be people who are on their 6th 3-series or their 3rd A4 and want something different and European that's priced about the same that's not too "out there" (in contrast the XJ is too "out there" for 7-series or S-Class buyers).

I think if they get the pricing right, it will be a hit.

jeffgall - 2/1/2015 11:27:58 PM

0 Boost

I'm on my 4th Audi and I thought this might be an option, but am now turned off. The current A4 is better inside than this. Guess I'll have to wait for the Alpha competitor.

MDarringer - 2/2/2015 6:57:08 PM

+1 Boost

The pricing is slated to be on par with the Germans. It needs to be 15-20% less to get traction in the market. They can do sweet leases that ignore depreciation but that will be money losing for Jaguar because Jaguar's depreciation is precipitous so they could wind up with CPO models where the car will sell for a lot less than the price point to break even.