While it was no match for the German competition formed by the BMW M3 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG, the Jaguar offered a good balance between luxury, performance, and price.
Jaguar developed the XE as a direct competitor for the BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The carmaker offered it with gasoline and diesel engines, with rear- or all-wheel-drive. It was a premium compact sedan that had something for anyone, but there was the last piece to complete the puzzle: a sport version. And that was the XE300: the last piece of the puzzle.

From the exterior, the XE 300 Sport didn’t look too much different than its siblings. It didn’t feature any screaming for attention wings, or massive spoilers—only a small badge on the mesh-grille at the front and a slightly different front bumper. A small lip-spoiler was added on the trunk lid, but that was available for the rest of the range from the options list.

The interior featured sport-bucket seats with the XE Sport lettering embroiled on the headrests. Its black leather with contrast stitching was fitted as standard, an option that was not available for the rest of the range. But from the exterior, it was hard to notice that.

While the exterior tried to fly under the radar, the drivetrain was a different story. Jaguar dropped the inline-four Ingenium gasoline engine. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter provided 300 hp, which were sent in all four corners via an 8-speed automatic transmission. That said, it offered plenty of performance and grip on loose surfaces, especially for a daily driver.

Four years after being introduced as the first Jaguar to sport the XE moniker, the entry level sedan has received a mid cycle facelift that features a revamped design, a more luxurious cabin and a ton of technology features that improve the model on every level.
With some of the new design motifs being inspired by the F-Type sports car, the facelifted Jaguar XE appears wider and lower than before, with larger front apertures, bold graphics and muscular forms eluding to the car’s increased performance and improved aerodynamics. The front end features a redesigned bumper and new LED headlights with a more aggressive ‘J’ blade daytime running light signature.

The XE’s rear also features a new design for the bumper and slimmer full LED tail lights that have an updated signature graphics. All the design modifications enforce the visual width of the car, giving the XE a more planted appearance.

The redesigned interior features extensive use of soft-touch materials, premium veneers and all-new door trims that improve usability and practicality as much as they look good. Shared with the F-Type, the JaguarDrive Control Switch and SportShift gear selector for automatic models give the car a more high-tech feel, while the new steering wheel, shared with the all-electric I-PACE, features hidden-until-lit graphics and tactile switches for intuitive control of key functions.

In 2014, Jaguar unveiled a new generation XE performance sedan, following to go on sale in 2015 with the XE S version coming as top trim level.
The Jaguar XE is the first model made using Jaguar Land Rover’s new modular architecture, set to bring new standards for driving dynamics in the midsize segment. Visually, the new architecture enabled the car to have a shorter front overhang and a longer rear one, placing the cabin in a more laid-back position toward the end, giving the car a more coupe-ish shape. The strong hood creates a muscular appearance, further enhanced by the angry-shaped headlamps and the broad grille, while the rising waistline adds to the sense of movement and solid stance. Inside, the new XE offers more space for the occupants, while also cocooning them via a deep center console which creates a cockpit fell. The dash and controls are inspired by the F-Type model while twin-needle stitched fine leather, wood veneer, gloss black and textured aluminum trimmings help create a luxurious yet sporty environment.