While I found stuff to like and dislike about the XE is equal measure — adored the design, didn't care for the engine, liked the driving dynamics, struggled with the infotainment — I actually richly enjoyed the car.
The complete package was more than enough to overcome the assorted weaknesses. And that's a useful reminder that while a car might come off as disappointing on paper, whether it's a good or bad ride comes down to seat time. Behind the wheel of the Jag XE R-Dynamic, I was a happy pilot.
Overall, the R-Dynamic package adds enough tautness to the driving experience to put some serious "sport" into this sedan. Minus the V6, I'd say that the XE doesn't really rise to the same level as the Alfa Romeo Giulia, the Audi A4, or the BMW 3-Series. But it's competitive with the Mercedes C-Class, and that's sort of where it belongs: just enough performance, great style, less bling than the Merc.
My Jag tester was equipped with what I've come to expect these days in terms of driver-assist and safety features, ranging from cameras to lane-keep assist to emergency braking. Beyond cruise control, there wasn't anything that could be confused with semi-self-driving. All in all, the refreshed XE is predictable on this front; most premium vehicles now have all these features available.
Sometimes, a luxury car is less about objectivity and more about emotion. Jaguars make me feel cool, and that's probably why I like them. I, for one, looked forward to driving the XE. And with a price tag under $50,000, this dashing blend of style and performance is definitely worthy of consideration. And heck, it's also for drivers who want to be different. It's always been effortless to go German. Thank goodness that Jaguar is around to give us more choices.