The 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show is a slugfest of new sedan models. Alfa Romeo dropped its first mass production car on U.S. soil in several decades, while Jaguar introduced the 2017 model year XE sedan. It's not only the first compact executive car with all-wheel-drive but also the company's first diesel-powered model offered on these shores.
We're talking about a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot rated at 180 hp and 311 lb-ft in its U.S. market configuration. Designed to compete with the BMW 328d, the sports sedan claims it can reach 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and has a top speed of 120 mph, just like all the other XE models.
EPA numbers aren't going to be ready until early 2016, but we can tell you the price: $36,400 with rear-wheel-drive or $38,900 with AWD. The British company's new torque-on-demand system sends all the power to the rear axle under normal conditions and diverts some of it to the front when it senses wheel slip.
The cheapest 2017 Jaguar XE model is the 25t. Despite what you may think, it doesn't come with a 2.5-liter engine, but a turbocharged 2.0-liter that punches out 240 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. It's yours for $34,900, meaning the BMW 320i and Cadillac ATS are slightly cheaper. Still, the more expensive Mercedes C-Class and Lexus IS leave the XE with some room to wiggle.
At the top end of the model range, we find the $41,700 XE 35t. It's equipped with the same 3.0-liter supercharged engine as the basic F-Type. The weird thing is that both RWD and AWD ($44,200) models take the same 5.1 seconds to reach 60 mph.
Would you rather have this or a C450 AMG sedan? It's up to you, but know that a full-spec XE R-Sport costs $51,700 with AWD and a supercharger. She's not cheap, but the free-scheduled service and 24/7 roadside assistance for five years are deal makers for us. Jaguar's customer service program is among the best in the class, which is what you need for an advanced and very expensive piece of kit.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News