Those wheels are the bomb!

 

Agreed, the XE is like the hidden gem of the automotive world.





The perfectly executed styling is what gets your attention, restrained but athletic and no stupid design gimmicks. Compared to how most car companies at the moment seem to be over-styling sedans to get buyer attention away from SUV's, Jaguar followed tradition with perfect proportions, the long hood/short deck profile and subtlety pumped wheel arches.









Then you drive the car, and it's the steering and agility that does for me. This is easily the lightest car in my fleet, sitting alongside two big and heavy Ford Falcon's, a Ford Mustang and two Ford Rangers. You certainly tell how light the car is on its feet. I only have the 2.0t with the Ford Ecoboost engine and 200hp, but combined with the light weight, its surprisingly fast. I would also say the short gearing in the gearbox is helping there too. And that gearbox is surely the best automatic in the business, enough ratios but not too many, no dual-clutch behavioral issues, fast shifting without compromising comfort.

And while many complain about the bland interior, I love the simplicity and cleanliness of the design.







It a great shame this XE doesn't sell in greater numbers. To me, I think it's what the BMW 3-Series used to be before they went and made it too big and too heavy.