2018 Jaguar XE: The Ingenium Lineup Is Now Complete

Jaguar’s new XE compact sports sedan just launched in the United States last year, and already it is the recipient of several updates for 2018. The base 25t model gets an all-new inline-four plucked from Jaguar’s Ingenium powertrain family, while there’s now a range-topping XE S model with more horsepower than the previously top-dog XE 35t variant. Jaguar also added a new digital gauge cluster display and padded the options sheet with a few extra active-safety and convenience features.

The 25t’s new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-banger replaces the XE’s older 2.0-liter turbo four, a holdover from Jaguar’s days as a Ford property. The new Ingenium engine family, from which the XE 20d’s turbo-diesel inline-four also hails, is an entirely in-house Jaguar design. The gasoline 2.0-liter makes 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, bumps of 7 hp and 18 lb-ft over the first-year XE 25t’s old Ford engine. The 25t still comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission (like all other XEs in the U.S.), and buyers must choose between rear-wheel drive or, for $2500 extra, all-wheel drive.

Among V-6–powered XE models, the 340-hp 35t is topped by the new 380-hp S model—no surprise, given that the XF, F-Pace, and F-type models already offer the S’s higher-output supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 on similar S trims. There’s also a new 35t Portfolio trim level that comes standard with features including heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, and a Meridian sound system. The XE 20d’s 180-hp turbo-diesel inline-four chugs on unchanged for 2018.

Other minor updates include a newly available hands-free power trunklid that opens in response to under-bumper footsie and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster display on models equipped with the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system. The XE’s surround-camera parking option nets a few new functions, including forward cross-traffic detection and additional parking guidance.

Compared with the 2017 model, the 2018 Jaguar XE 25t’s base price is $825 higher, at $36,720, with prices rising commensurately for the Premium, Prestige, and R-Sport trim levels. The diesel-powered XE 20d is $825 dearer as well, priced at $38,220, and the XE 35t opens at $43,520. The freshly minted XE S costs $53,270. Look for all of the 2018 models to arrive at dealerships in May.