In all black with the Santorini Black Jaguar XE R-Dynamic. 📸: Connie Peters
Black is my fave car color, hands down.
There is something glimmering and a bit dangerous about black. It sparkles, but can appear matte, it can fly under the radar, but also stand out amongst almost any crowd.
The 2020 Jaguar XE R-Dynamic in Santorini Black with the black wheels is especially sleek with the pop of red on the Jaguar badge on the grille. I can’t get enough of this combination.
Yes, the color gets a bad rep for always looking dirty (no different than a white car), but if you like washing your car, or having it washed regularly – this Santorini black is 100% worth it!
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The beauty of the red Jaguar badge on all-black. 📸: Connie Peters
A Zippy Luxury Sedan in an Itty Bitty Package
This car is simply a joy to drive and be inside. The driver cockpit offers easy access to everything you need.
I love the drive modes so much. It gives you a feeling of total control to change the suspension firmness, steering feel, and acceleration with the Sport mode. Drive modes available in the 2020 Jaguar XE: Rain/Ice/Snow (which I didn’t get to try out), Eco to soften things up and save on fuel, Sport for fun, and Dynamic to use the paddle shifters and control the gear shifting yourself.
The pep with the P300 R-Dynamic model is fantastic, the motor is 296 horsepower with 295 lb-feet of torque which isn’t overly aggressive, but definitely gets you merged on the highway quickly and confidently. I personally enjoy that quick acceleration at lights and get up to the speed limit!
This car is small, however – you get pep and fun and great handling, but you will not have a huge amount of space for family members inside if that’s what you’re looking for.
The black wheels just add to the essence of this punchy package. 📸: Connie Peters
What’s new for the 2020 Jaguar XE
The XE received several changes for this model year including exterior styling updates, a larger front grille, and included comforts like standard leather seats, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility which was optional in the past.
Standard LED headlights and upgraded interior materials add to the updated inclusions for 2020.
Newly optional this year is Jaguar’s latest InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system; it adds a second touchscreen that handles the climate-control system and other vehicle controls, as well as a digital gauge cluster, digital rearview mirror, and a wireless charging pad for your wireless device.
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The side profile is low and smooth. 📸: Connie Peters
Delivers Comfort and FUN for the Driver
This car would be ideal for a commute, a fun-to-drive alone car. The seats are beautiful and comfortable, with seat memory and 12-way adjustable driver’s seat with heating and beautiful leather with contrast stitching. The headrests display an embossed Jaguar badge as well, adding that touch of luxury. (The 12-way memory seating and heated seats are CAD $700.)
The Meridian sound system is CAD $350 additional but I thoroughly enjoyed putting it to the test as I love to listen to loud music when alone in the car – it’s definitely one my most favorite ways to spend time alone. Driving, alone, in the car with my favorite playlist blaring.
The Jaguar XE from the rear-end. 📸: Connie Peters
Technology is Abundant
There is no shortage of technology in the new Jaguar XE including a forward-facing camera which is fantastic for tight parking spaces and safety as well. It turns on when you’ve shifted back into Drive after being in Reverse and stays on until around 15km/hour 9-10 MPH.
The rear-view mirror magically turns into a camera at the touch of a button which makes seeing through a small sedan’s rear window so much easier, especially in the rain since there isn’t a rear wiper.
The 10″ Touch Pro Duo screens control everything from music, Apple CarPlay, navigation and vehicle settings between the two screens and I found it very user friendly and easy to use and find everything I needed.
Some extra luxurious touches of tech include heated door mirrors, headlight power washers, traffic sign recognition, a head-up display, even a 4G wireless hotspot and wireless charging.
The Technology pack which includes the smart rearview mirror, head-up display, 10″ touch pro dual screen, wireless charging is CAD $1540 (or US $1950 with different inclusions in the US).
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Safety in numbers
The Jaguar XE R-Dynamic comes standard with a tire pressure monitoring (spelled Tyre if you’re in the UK and on the car!), lane-keeping assist, rear traffic monitor, 360 parking aid/camera, park assist, traffic sign recognition, emergency braking, and adaptive cruise.
Blind-spot assist is an additional CAD $500.
Who the 2020 Jaguar XE is for
- Small families or family needing a second commuter/weekend fun drive
- Single in the city
- Couples with one child
- Empty Nesters looking for an adrenaline pick-me-up
Beautiful contrast stitching and Jaguar embossing inside. 📸: Connie Peters
What We Loved in this Car
- Camera rearview mirror
- Parking assist
- Head-up display
- 360-degree rearview camera
The beautiful driver cockpit in the Jaguar XE. 📸: Connie Peters
What Does All this Fun Cost?
The base Jaguar XE is CAD $49,900/ USD $39,900 and CAD $55,800/USD $46,295 for the R-Dynamic P300 as driven. The difference is with the Santorini Black color, Cold Climate Pack, 19″ black wheels, Technology Pack and 12-way Memory Seats + heated front seats are all-in, as driven this car is CAD $63,230 or $56,095 including delivery.
This car is a punchy drive in a beautiful package if the small size suits your lifestyle. I adored having this black beauty in my driveway for a week!
*The Jaguar XE R-Dynamic P300 was provided by Jaguar Land Rover Canada. All opinions are my own.
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