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Due to their initially similar appearance, the Jaguar XE and the Jaguar XF are heavily compared and have been since the XE was first introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 2014. Prior to that, the XF was the large saloon in the Jaguar line up that was known for its quality and the iconic wood finishes.
These are similar cars for different purposes and knowing exactly what you need from your saloon makes all the difference when choosing between the two luxury cars. Do you want the feeling of sports performance or copious amounts of space for you and your passengers?
Let us walk you through the key differences between these two models to make your journey to your new Jaguar easier.
Both models are designed with very specific style intentions. The XE is more compact and is designed to be the perfect balance of sports car performance with modern dynamics whilst the XF focuses on being a larger, more traditional Jaguar saloon car with a longer wheelbase and more interior space.
The overall design of both the Jaguar XE and the Jaguar XF follows the instantly recognisable style of the Jaguar brand. Both feature the central grill with Jaguar badge and the brand's signature J shaped LED headlights which gives them the iconic family resemblance. The R Dynamic adds the model's exterior kit and the Sport adds the 30o sport badge.
Both models have 18 inch diamond cut alloy wheels as standard, but that's where the similarity ends. The XF has a dark grey contrast across the five spokes and the option to upgrade to as large as 20 inches with a number of differing styles and colours to suit your look. The XE alloys are multispoke with a black contrast finish and interestingly gives you the option to downsize to 17 inch alloys or upgrade to 19 inches, again in several styles and colours.
The colour options available are also different, with each model having one option that isn't available on the other. The XE offers a Caldera Red solid paint whilst the XF offers a metallic British Racing Green, arguably a colour synonymous with Jaguar itself. The Jaguar XE also boasts dual tailpipes with 75mm finishers to complete the sports car aesthetic.
Being the larger of the two, the Jaguar XF obviously has the larger measurements. However just because the XE is designed a slightly more compact car, it doesn't mean that all of the space is necessarily removed for any passengers.
Looking at the dimensions of both cars, the Jaguar XF is 284mm longer and 14mm wider than the Jaguar XE which gives a considerable amount of extra interior space to the XF, including 20mm of headroom in the front seats alone. This is mirrored in the rear seats of the car where the XF has an additional 68mm of rear legroom for passengers, ideal for taller passengers with longer legs and eliminates worries about squashed passengers.
Both models provide the driver and front passenger with 12 way heated leather electric seats and only have a single millimeter difference in legroom. However they have key differences even here; the XE has sports seats with additional support to match it's sportier appearance but the XF has an additional 20mm of headroom. This is a crucial consideration for any buyer.
The Jaguar XE definitely gets it's sportier feel from its positioning too. It's closer to the ground, with 12mm less ground clearance than the XF, and has a feel like being in a cockpit rather than a car.
The Jaguar XF has an additional 216 litres of space in the boot when compared to the Jaguar XE but has a restricted amount of access thanks to the smaller boot lid that the saloon body type has. This does mean that both models will struggle to have some larger items fitted into the space, worth noting if you plan to utilise all 1120 litres of cargo space.
The XF also has a Sportbrake model which has another 233 litres of cargo space, an excellent option for those who need to prioritise the capacity of the car. It also has the larger boot opening, ideal for collecting furniture or cramming everyone's bikes in for a trip.
Jaguar prides itself on innovation, particularly with technology like the Jaguar InControl, so that you can "link your vehicle’s cabin seamlessly and securely with your world". Both the Jaguar XF and the Jaguar XE are packed to the ceiling with incredible Jaguar technologies but there are still some differences.
Both models offer the same engines: the D200 diesel engine, P250 petrol engine, and the P300 petrol engine, all with automatic transmission. The Jaguar XF has an additional option of all wheel drive with the D200 engine whilst the Jaguar XE is rear wheel drive only unless you opt for the more expensive P300 engine. The AWD XF offers a superior traction control system, allowing it to continue to give a sports car feel whilst providing comfort.
If you're looking for the model with the sharpest acceleration you'll be looking for the Jaguar XE. In every engine option it's the quicker of the two models to reach 60mph, not that the Jaguar XF is particularly slow, and gives the torque that you would expect of sports car performance whilst being bundled into a sporty sedan.
This is largely thanks to some of the dynamic features such as all surface progress control, dynamic stability control and torque vectoring by braking which all contribute to better handling and performance and is paired with the XE model having a lighter weight by over 100kg.
The Jaguar XF has the larger screen of the two models. It sits at 11.4 inches compared to the XE screen at 10 inches and both come equipped with Pivi Pro, the latest in technology from Jaguar for their infotainment system, with an online pack with data plan.
The Jaguar XE does have the option to upgrade to Touch Pro Duo, giving a second 10 inch screen so that you can use and interact with multiple functions of the vehicle simultaneously. Currently the only other car in the Jaguar range that can also have this feature is the all electric I-Pace.
Both models then share a range of standard features like cruise control, keyless entry and start, emergency brake assist, and wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, for a seamless driving experience.
The Jaguar XE has squarer centre console with chrome trim and a lever for the automatic transmission that's more shaped like a traditional gearstick, playing into the sports car feel. The Jaguar XF interior has a metal band that runs across the dashboard which can be upgraded to a number of wood finishes for a more traditional Jaguar style.
The Jaguar XE and the Jaguar XF are priced differently, with the XE coming in cheaper at every trim level, but the differences aren't too vast. At entry level R Dynamic S you've got a difference of £2895 which you could easily spend on adding on your own preferences and changing paint colours.
Considering the wide range of standard features on both models it really is the additional space that adds to the cost of the Jaguar XF when you're comparing like for like, so it's important to consider if that's important to you before deciding between the models.
The Jaguar XE vs XF debate will continue as long as both models are part of the Jaguar line up but the key is knowing which model suits your needs best.
The Jaguar XE offers a great sporty feeling saloon with a lot of great options to enhance your drive whilst the Jaguar XF gives you and your passengers more room to travel in impeccable style, even before you consider the XF Sportbrake.
The good news is that you can expect a high quality and high power drive with excellent handling from both models so you don't have to make any compromises for power and handling by choosing one over the other.
