Driven: 2017 Jaguar XE Portfolio Review – Ingenium
After testing the new Jaguar XE Portfolio for 7 days with the latest Ingenium engine. Here is what we make of this impressive executive saloon car.
What Is The 2017 Jaguar XE Portfolio all About?
You might remember the Jaguar XE was famously launched back in 2015 by being helicopter-lifted over the streets of London, showing the car off in a unique and memorable way.
The XE is now the entry-level Jaguar that is chasing the market sector currently owned by the Germans, with the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. The XE is currently available in 5 trim levels in the UK; the SE, Prestige, R-Sport, Portfolio, and S. The car we have on test is the more premium Portfolio trim level.
The exterior design of the XE, even in Portfolio spec, is very eye catching, even in the Ammonite Grey colour we have here. The car looks very sophisticated and has the perfect look for a business saloon. To suit those looks if you are going to be doing plenty of miles for business XE is available with the latest Ingenium engine from Jaguar offering solid efficiency and performance figures.
The Jaguar XE that we had on test was powered by a Ingenium 4 cylinder 2.0 litre turbo-diesel engine. This creates 180 PS and 430 Nm of torque. This power goes through an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The car will get from 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds and will do a top speed of 140 mph. The most outstanding statistic about this car is that Jaguar say it will do a combined economy figure of 65 mpg, whilst only creating 111 g/km of CO2. On paper this looks to be a very impressive engine for sure.
How Does It Drive?
Being at the premium end of the trim level, the car has a keyless entry system; you can enter the car simply with the key in your pocket. The moment you get inside the XE you will notice that the driving position is very low, which wasn’t what I expected. The good side to this is that it creates a kind of sporty cabin feel, making you feel all wrapped up inside. You can start the car with the touch of a button, leaving the key safely in your pocket, this means no messing around.
Moving off in the car, the Jaguar provides a fantastic first driving impression. The Jaguar demonstrates an almost unbelievable smoothness to its ride quality, which far exceeds the expectations for the class of car. But the car laps up the potholes in the road and irons out all the creases and divots, resulting in a smooth ride from the off.
Initially, the 180 PS diesel engine Ingenium felt a bit reserved on its power delivery, but really it does have plenty of power, you just have to work the accelerator a little harder to make the most out of it. The 2.0 litre engine Ingenium matched with the smooth ratio 8-speed automatic gearbox works especially well moving the car along at great pace. The XE has a variety of drive modes using the JaguarDrive Control system. The driving modes available are Normal, Eco, Dynamic or Rain/Ice/Snow modes, each subtly changing the steering and throttle mapping. This means that you can adapt how the car works to suit your mood.
The fuel economy of the car is incredible for the size of it. In fact, the car can’t be far off rivalling city cars for miles-per-gallon performance. On the motorway, cruising at 70 mph, I have seen excess of 80 mpg figures shown on the instant readout. Even with a week of testing and over 400 miles covered, I only got through 3/4 of a tank a diesel. The XE has proven itself to be a very efficient car which could be key to its success in the business end of the market, not to mention the low CO2 figures bringing the ownership cost of the car down even further.
Technology is at the forefront of the XE with but one of my favourite features was Autonomous Emergency Braking, giving you peace of mind that if you fail to spot something in your way then the car, in the right conditions, can auto-brake and avoid the collision for you. Another noteworthy bit of kit is the head up display that is a £1,020 option on the car. But I have to say it is very good, it shows the current speed limit, your speed and the sat nav instructions, so you never have to take your eyes off the road.
What Is It Like Inside?
Inside the Jaguar XE in portfolio trim the moment you get in this feels like a premium car for sure. The light Oyster Taurus leather large sunroof straight away makes the interior of the car seem huge and provide a strong element of quality to the interior. The dashboard layout is simplified and easy on the eyes. At night, all the buttons and dials are lit with a unique light blue colour creating a stylish interior look.
The steering wheel and dial setup are not too dissimilar from what you would experience in other Jaguar models and are of course one of the big features that remind you that you are sitting in a Jaguar.
The XE’s entertainment system is very well designed. The unit has an 8 inch touch-screen and offers great functionality with good graphics. The system does offer some impressive visual representations of how efficiently you are driving the car. Not only does this information look fancy but it is also great to educate the driver on how they can get the most out of their fuel economy.
Experience
Buying a Jaguar is always an emotional decision. Being an economy-focused business saloon does take away some of that excitement over a V8 petrol engine for sure, but it’s not all gone. The Jaguar’s look, specifically from the front, will certainly turn heads and will encourage purchases where other brands may look a little boring.
The diesel Ingenium engine and gentle 8-speed automatic gearbox performs well with regards to speed and economy, but this Jaguar can still bite and has enough performance to keep you satisfied without costing you at the pumps.
Verdict
With the 2.0 litre Ingenium diesel engine I can see this car being a fantastic competitor in the company car market. It ticks all the right boxes in relation to mpg and CO2 emissions but also meets the driver’s needs, providing a brilliant level of ride quality and making travelling the country just that little bit easier. The Portfolio trim level will certainly encourage some older or more business-focused buyers into the driving seat also. Overall it is a solid package.
Verdict
2017 Jaguar XE Portfolio
- Price: £46,886
- Engine: 2.0-litre Diesel Ingenium
- Power: 180 PS
- Torque: 43o Nm
- Transmission: 8 Speed Auto
- 0-62mph: 7.4 Seconds
- Top speed: 140 mph
- Weight: 1,435kg
- Economy: 65 mpg
- CO2: 111 g/km
Author: Paul Hadley
