Enviable driving thanks to top quality, exceptional handling, and notable fuel economy, reports Malcolm Bobbitt.

Brought to you by Lloyd Motors.

When Jaguar last plunged into the mid-size prestige saloon market it produced the perfectly capable but often criticised Ford-based X-Type.

There are no such issues with the new XE, which rivals like-sized offerings from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The family resemblance with Coventry-based Jaguar’s XF and XJ models is clearly evident from whatever angle the XE is viewed.

Inside the car the theme continues with discreetly adventurous styling and satisfying levels of comfort.

It’s here where Jaguar’s sporting heritage is to the fore with as perfect a driving position as you’ll find with its nicely confined feel and promise of exhilarating motoring.

Passengers are cosseted in superbly supportive leather-clad seats but leg room in the rear compartment is somewhat impeded compared with that in competing German cars.

Boot space is adequate rather than impressive but at least it’s easy to load bulky items through the wide opening. Under the bonnet, Jaguar’s new 2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine is the ideal accompaniment to the XE test car, particularly in R-Sport guise which gives the saloon its intrepid energy.

Mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the performance of the remarkably hushed and smooth engine is far more responsive than might otherwise be anticipated - making this a true driver’s car.

an agile and athletic sports saloon, the R-Sport is pleasantly economical averaging a real world 58mpg, which isn’t far away from Jaguar’s claimed 67.3mpg attained under laboratory conditions.

Chassis set-up is exemplary and even with the firmer sports springing the XE’s suspension absorbs the worst surfaces without affecting passengers’ comfort.

Whatever the road conditions, weather and driving style, the Jaguar’s traditional rear-wheel drive layout always feels wholly confident, such is the tenacious grip. Particularly impressive is the steering, which has just the right amount of weight at low speeds and when rapidly navigating through bends.

The car’s handling over a test route taking in several Lake District passes feels beautifully balanced and more than rivals that of a 3 Series, A4 or C-Class.

Well-equipped with a raft of standard fit features, the R-Sport additionally comes with a dedicated body styling kit to give the XE an even more enhanced personality.

Overall, it’s a car that exudes quality and that alone makes it difficult to fault.

Vital Statistics

THE TEST CAR XE R-Sport 2.0 180PS, 1,999cc four-cylinder diesel, eight-speed automatic transmission.

DIMENSIONS

Overall length 4,672mm, width 1,967mm (2,075 across mirrors), height 1,416mm.

FUEL ECONOMY

67.3mpg (official figure); 58mpg on test.

CO² EMISSIONS

111g/km (VED band C, £zero 1st year/£30 standard rates. PRICE £34,775; test car with options £38,210 OTR (XE range starts at £26,990)

TOP SPEED 140mph

IN BRIEF

The XE raises the standard in the luxury executive car market. Exceptional handling, notable fuel economy and top quality combine to give an enviable driving experience.

• Test car supplied by Jaguar. Local dealership: Lloyd Jaguar, Rosehill, Carlisle, tel: 01228 888000

http://www.lloyd.carlisle.jaguar.co.uk/

• The Jaguar XE photographed at the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. Photography by Phil Rigby