Jaguar XE 2015-2019 Prestige

Introduction:

Jaguar is a name that few people might not have heard of. This company, ladies and gentlemen, has carved its name in history, with models that make for a one-of-a-kind experience. Luxury and style permeate the cosmetics of the vehicle, while its mechanical facet has been well-tightened for a lasting drive experience. This variant, Pure, is the entry level trim, but we're sure that when we delve into its facets one by one, people out there with a sceptical outlook would change their view.

Pros:

1. Breathtaking exterior looks, no other way to put it.

2. A wide array of comfort and convenience features within it, and who wouldn't like that?

Cons:

1. Legroom at the second row could have been improved slightly, in our opinion.

2. For the Indian model, performance specs do slack mildly, and this could dismay buyers.

Stand-out Features:

1. The presence of a wide range of techno aids to boost safety would be viewed as a strong advantage to most of today's buyers.

Overall:

This vehicle comes with a pretty impressive layout, and we know for one that most people would prefer this model over other luxury cars such as Mercedes and BMW. Well, we don't fault your judgement in that. The exterior of the car has been lavished with chrome applications, gloss black design labels, and many other subtle elements that do push up its overall appeal. At the front, the black radiator grille comes along with a chrome surround, and this hikes the car's appeal in our eyes. Meanwhile, as you step into the cabin, you feel a refined air hit you from the pleasant layout of the interior. The wooden inlays, leather dressing and plush appliques together render the space more attractive than people usually expect a vehicle's inside to be. Its performance, in our opinion, does fall short, but what the car lacks in some faces, it more than makes up for in plenty others.

Exteriors:

We're usually reserve our good votes with a car's looks, but in this case, we just had to admit it. This machine, people, is a spectacle. The sharp look, the low and slender shape, the sleek body lines and flawless metallic glazing together imbue this vehicle with a powerful, aesthetic look. This is the kind of appearance that you can't spot on everyday cars here in India, which tread on a more conservative down-to-earth finishing. At the front, the streamlined design of the bonnet adds to the graceful, athletic poise, while the sleek headlamps add to the bold stature of the front. The wide grille and the large air opening at the bottom together stir a more harmonious vision, and we thought it as marvellous. The subtle body lines on the hood, together with the perfected curvatures, make for a more plush exterior quality. We admired the way the metallic skin of the hood cloaks around the wheel arches, giving a more strong and pronounced look. There's no doubt that there's a bold, masculine flavour in the look, and we loved the way the company balanced it with a feminine touch. The slick design of the alloy wheels add fervour to the look, and if you're the younger, more thrill-seeking type, then this is sure to get you pumped. Clean lines sweep through the door sides, and we relished the way they integrate into the image perfectly. The streamlined design of the machine leaves its roof-line sliding down towards the boot gently. The rear has some muscle to it, and we thought this blended into the overall look perfectly. The headlamp clusters spread over from the side of the boot into the tail-gate, with a clean, slim shape that we thought was exhilarating.

Interiors:

The cabin is reasonably spacious, no doubt, but if you're used to larger luxury vehicles, then you might feel slightly confined in here. The front row provides loads of space for you to stretch your legs and lay back, while the second row could have improved in this area slightly. The interior colour combination does get your approval at first, but after spending some time within, you start to feel a dry spell in the ambience. By the centre of the board, the 8-inch multimedia colour Touch-screen acts as an interface for many facilities including Bluetooth and radio, and this is sure to throw sparks into your ride experience. Numerous other comfort and convenience facilities have been incorporated into the bottom side of the console, and we thought the overall arrangement was pretty neat. Despite being a base variant, this trim comes with a ton-load of facilities, and we ourselves hadn't expected this. A lane departure warning, a USB and Aux-In facilities, electric windows at the front and rear, a two zone climate control, a heated rear windscreen and many more functions together make the ride as comfortable as people could want it. At the corner, the steering wheel inherits the classic, sporty design that most vehicles today bear. The pouncing car emblem has been branded at the centre in a shiny furbishing, and this does add a remotely distinctive touch to the entire place. Coming to the seats, we found them more comfy than most other cars we had found. The fine leather upholstery adds a more enriched element to the feel, while the sound ergonomic structure relieves you of discomfort and strain.

Performance:

For this trim, there is a 2.0-litre i4 petrol engine that displaces a decent 1999cc. It comes along with a turbocharger for strengthened performance capacities, and we thought that its specifications could've done better – a power of 197bhp at 5500rpm, along with a torque of 320Nm at 1750rpm. It could disappoint the Indian auto-base that the version released abroad has a significantly more powerful engine. Altogether, this model launches to a top speed of 237kmph, and races from 0 to 100kmph within just 7.7 seconds. The engine is geared along with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and this relieves you of the hassle of shifting.

Ride and Handling:

Aside from strong discs and a robust suspension arrangement, the model comes with many advanced aid programs that help to cement control and stability. What delighted us was how the vehicle's stability program help tie into its various drive facets and fortify harmony in all sides. Foremost is the Torque Vectoring program, which efficiently channels the engine power without allowing disarray in control. A hill launch assist comes to your aid when ploughing up difficult, sloping terrain. We could feel the presence of the Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control programs help to contain and ease the drive. Aside from this, there is a JaguarDrive Control facility, which comes in three varying modes for the most convenient drive benefit – Eco, Dynamic, Normal and Rain Ice Snow modes. The electric power assisted steering helps to boost the steering response, and we had little trouble with the overall handling.

Safety:

Most brands of the day don't compromise in this facet, and from a manufacturer like this, you'd be right in expecting the best. Aside from the aid programs mentioned earlier, the vehicle comes along with airbags, an emergency brake assist, an electric parking brake that comes along with a drive-away release, power operated child locks, partial LED tail-lamps, cruise control and a speed limiter for the most well-ground safety elements possible. We've got to admit, you're hard to fall short of peace of mind in this vehicle, with its intense safety parameters.

Verdict:

This model is a definite sizzler, and few people would deny it. Despite being a base variant, this trim does come with a massive list of features and this more than compensates for the few things that it does lack. However, if you're out there for a gushing engine and strong performance, this might let you down. And the price range is sure to add some itch to the overall appeal. Let's frame it like this: This machine is for people looking for a illustrious looking vehicle with some real style and comfort. For most others, especially those with a pinched wallet, the model is probably not your best choice.