Jaguar XE vs XF

If you’re after an executive saloon car, but don’t want to go down the obvious German route, you’ve probably considered either the jaguar XF or Jaguar XE. Both cars are classy, stylish and comfortable cruisers, however which one should you pick?

It can be a tough decision to make. The Jaguar XE is usually the more popular of the two, mainly thanks to its lower price tag and more sporty appearance. Read on to learn all the key differences between these cars to help you decide which is best.

Styling

The Jaguar XE and XF are pretty similar looking at a glance, which is no bad thing. Both cars look purposeful on the road and they’re pretty stylish. The Jaguar XE was recently updated with some slimmer LED lights and tweaked bumpers to keep it looking fresh, however both cars have been around for a while now, so they don’t look quite as modern as alternatives from BMW and Mercedes.

The current Jaguar XF has been around since 2015, however it’s aged pretty well and some subtle tweaks have helped to keep it looking youthful. The overall shape is fairly similar to the XE, although it is longer and wider giving it more presence on the road. If it’s a sporty look you’re after though, you’ll be better off with the XE.

Interior and tech

Both cabins are lifted by top-quality materials and impressive detailing. The driving position is low, and the window line is quite high, endowing the XE and XF with a sporty feel. All of the controls are logically laid out, so it’s very easy to get comfy.

There isn’t much in it tech wise between these two cars. The Jaguar XF comes with an 11.4-inch infotainment screen as standard, compared to a 10-inch unit in the XE. Both cars also get a digital drivers display, reversing camera and dual-zone climate control.

Space and practicality

Being the bigger of the two cars, the Jaguar XF offers the most interior space here, offering rear seat passengers 957mm of legroom and 970mm of headroom. Passengers in the XE will still be happy though, with 889mm of rear legroom and a touch more headroom at 971mm.

The biggest difference between these two cars is in the boot capacity. The Jaguar XF has 448-litres of space if you have the mild hybrid version, or 459-litres for the normal petrol model. By comparison, the XE has 356-litres in mild hybrid form, and 394-litres in the petrol models.

Driving

Jaguar has used as much aluminium as possible in the construction of each car, improving ride, handling, performance and fuel efficiency. The results are most apparent in the larger XF – like-for-like, the latest generation model weighs as much as 190kg less than its predecessor.

If anything, the XE is even better through the twisty bits. Its ride is marginally firmer than the XF’s, helping it to feel that little bit sharper. It could never be considered uncomfortable, but the optional adaptive dampers allow the driver to tweak the ride depending on their mood.

Whichever car you find yourself sat in, it will make for a refined, comfortable long distance cruiser. The aforementioned extra space in the XF makes it the more pleasant place to while away the miles, but road, wind and engine noise are well-suppressed in both.

Engines

Choosing between these two cars based on the engine options will be tricky, being that they share more or less the same units. Both are available with a choice of petrol and diesel power with mild hybrid assistance.

There is one diesel engine, a 2.0-litre four cylinder with 204hp which will return almost 60mpg in the smaller XE, and over 50mpg in the XF. You then have a choice of two petrol engines, both 2.0-litre four cylinders. The P250 puts out 250hp and will return 34mpg in the XE and 33mpg in the XF. The P300 is the most powerful option with 300hp. This model also comes with all-wheel-drive in both cars.

Safety and reliability

The Jaguar XE scored the maximum five stars in its Euro NCAP safety test back in 2015, as did the larger XF, so both cars will offer good protection if the worst should happen.

As for reliability, there are no horror stories to report with either of these cars. All Jaguar models also come with a three year warranty for added peace of mind.

Value for Money

Despite the increase in size, the raise in price from an XE to and XF isn’t quite as vast as you might expect. Comparing the D200 diesel model, the difference between the two is only £2,867. When you consider that even the basic XF includes a full leather interior, satellite navigation and 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, it seems to represent better value than the smaller car.

Verdict

Choosing between these two Jaguars is a very close-run contest. Both are great long-distance cruisers, and they’re well equipped as well.

The XE is more fun to drive, marginally faster and more economical, but the XF is slightly more comfortable, more spacious and arguably better value for money. There isn’t really a bad choice here, but if refinement is a priority, go for the bigger car. If you want to squeeze out that little extra bit of driving enjoyment from your daily commute, the XE is the one to have.

Save money on the Jaguar XE and XF

Once you’ve decided which of these cars is right for you, head over to carwow to get your ideal model for the best price. Simply configure your car and our network of trusted dealers will come back to you with their best prices, so no need for haggling or traipsing around showrooms.

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