2017 Audi Q7 - Review

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►Edited by : Shahen Tharammal

► PRICE : 

Audi Q7 3.0 TFSI quattro® Premium $54,800

Audi Q7 3.0 TFSI quattro® Premium Plus $58,800

Audi Q7 3.0 TFSI quattro® Prestige $64,300

The all-new 2017 Audi Q7 is one of the most luxurious and fun-to-drive midsize SUVs you can buy, though it also has a premium price tag. According to our analysis of professional reviews and data, the Q7 comes with a muscular V6 engine that's well-complemented by its automatic transmission, delivering power as soon as you hit the accelerator. Despite its large size, the Q7 is nimble around corners, with precise steering and strong brakes to help you enjoy twisty roads.

Inside, you'll find high-end materials, comfortable seats, and lots of high-tech features to keep you informed, entertained, and safe. The first two rows of seats offer generous room for adults and are comfortable for long drives. The third row is cramped, though, which is typical for 3-row SUVs. Many rivals offer more cargo room than the Q7, so you may want to look elsewhere if you need to do lots of hauling.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)

EXTERIOR

Design-wise, the all-new Q7 proves that Audi can use more than just a few nips and tucks while redesigning a vehicle. The SUV’s body lines are now sharper, blending more squared-off surfaces front to rear. At the same time, the Q7 blends in with the rest of the Audi lineup, featuring headlamps, a singleframe grille and massive bumper intakes similar to those seen on many 2015 model year updates. On the other hand, the Q7’s huge grille connects to the headlights for a unique appearance.

Changes are more subdued around back, where the new Q7 boasts a similar tailgate and a nearly identical bumper. Still, there are a lot of new features, including reshaped, narrower taillights and trapezoidal exhaust pipes. On the sides, the Q7’s trademark character line has been repositioned closer to the sills, while the waistline has been redesigned for a crisper look.

If you find the all-new Q7 less bulky, then you eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. The rebuilt SUV is 1.5 inches shorter and 0.6 inches narrower, while its height remained virtually unchanged. More importantly, the new Q7 is a lot lighter, with certain trims weighing up to 716 pounds less when compared to the previous model. That’s a massive 26-percent drop from the first-gen Q7’s curb weight. Impressive! Most of the weight was dropped from the chassis, which is 220 pounds lighter, and the body structure, which weights 156 pounds less thanks to a new design.

Customers get to choose between 11 exterior colors, four of which are new. An S line exterior package changes the standard bumpers, air inlets, side sills, roof spoiler the diffuser with sportier units, while the grille gets a dark gray, high-gloss finish instead of the standard high-gloss black.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)

INTERIOR

Although the new Q7 is shorter and narrower, the cabin is actually longer and offers more head room and boasts an additional 0.8 inches between the first and second row of seats. Head room has increased by 1.6 inches up front and 0.9 inches in the second row. Cargo capacity has also increased. The seven-seat version offers 10.4 cubic feet of storage room that increases to 27.2 with the third-row seats folded. The five-seat comes with 31.4 cubic feet, which increases to 73.3 cubes with the second row folded flat.

Design-wise, the redesigned interior is a massive departure compared to the first-generation’s cabin. Gone is the bulky center stack with its ancient A/C vents, knobs and display, now replaced by a taller center console. As a result, the A/C controls have been repositioned to the same level as the instrument cluster, while the display now resides on the dashboard. The latter also features a unitary design that stretches from the driver’s to the passenger’s side. A brand-new, three-spoke steering wheel replaces the previous unit, while the instrument cluster is all digital.

Naturally, the new Q7’s cabin is packed with the finest materials we can expect from an automaker such as Audi. The seats can be wrapped in either Cricket or Valcona leather combined with Alcantara and there are seven different color combos to choose from. The high-grade leather is complemented by a host of aluminum and wood trims, including Beaufort walnut.

There’s also a brand-new air conditioning system that uses fewer buttons and controls, with most options displayed on the TFT screen. The MMI system is also new, featuring intelligent suggestions for different tasks, including searching for specific song titles or navigation destinations. As far as entertainment goes, the Q7 comes with one or optionally two 10.1-inch tablets as rear seat monitors. The tablet is powered by NVIDIA Tegra 4 processors, is temperature-resistant and connected to the MMI navigation. What’s more, it provides access to the radio, media, navigation and several car functions via WiFi.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)

SPECIFICATION

► Year:2017

► Make:Audi

► Model:Q7

► Price:$ 54800

► Engine:V6

► Horsepower @ RPM:333

► Torque @ RPM:324

► Displacement:3.0 L

► 0-60 time:6.1 sec. (Est.)

► Top Speed:155 mph (Est.)

FEATURES

While the 2017 Audi Q7 appears, at first blush, to knock all of the basics of a luxury SUV out of the park, there’s a whole other side to this Audi: it’s a high-tech wonderland. From the consumer-geek side of Audi's newest Multi-Media Interface (MMI) to the engineer-in-a-white-coat aspect of the driver assistance systems, the new Q7 places Audi back among the head of the class when it comes to in-car tech.

That's why we give it a 10. There's no sensual stone left unturned in this luxury SUV.

While Audi hasn’t finalized all of the assistance systems that will be available for American consumption, the Q7’s smorgasbord is ample. It offers everything from adaptive cruise control and stop-and-go traffic jam assist, to a “predictive efficiency assistant” that reads the terrain (drawing on its navigation data, even when route guidance isn’t being used) to suggest slowing down in advance of sharp turns, low speed limits, or other reasons to lighten up on the throttle and save some fuel.

There’s also a lane-keeping system, collision avoidance, left-turn assist monitoring, as well as a city assistance package that includes low-speed lane-change assistance and blind-spot monitoring, a rear "Pre Sense" collision system which takes proactive measures if it senses an impending rear-end collision, cross-traffic assist, and a new trailer maneuvering assist, which takes the steering control and places it on the MMI knob—much like the system Ford recently announced in the new F-150.

Other high-tech features available in the new Q7 include a parking assistance package, which bundles automatic parallel and perpendicular parking and departure, using surround-view cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors, which can also be used by the driver for precise views when parking manually.

A night vision option uses long-range infrared cameras to detect objects up to 984 feet away, as well as detecting people and larger animals at distances up to 328 feet, highlighting the people or animals with yellow markings on the display screen.

The Q7 is offered in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige models. While surfaces and trims get upgraded on those upper-level models, stepping up to them isn't something you'd do as much for the additional features as for the potential options. For instance, some of the best tech features (like the Adaptive Chassis package and its four-wheel steering and adaptive suspension), and the 23-speaker, 1,920-watt Bang & Olufsen BeoCore sound system, are only available on the Prestige. But option up a Q7 Prestige with those items plus the Luxury Package with its power-closing doors and contour seats, plus a few other extras, and you can end up pushing the price toward $85,000—quite a distance from the $56,000 base price for a Q7 Premium 3.0T. (SEE ALL PHOTOS)

DRIVETRAIN

Despite a curb weight of almost 5,000 pounds, the 2017 Audi Q7 is surprisingly maneuverable and nimble. Especially if the optional adaptive air suspension and four-wheel steering are specified, the Q7 drives as if it's actually a size smaller, like Audi's Q5. Even without the Adaptive Chassis option, though, the Q7 is sure-footed around turns and instills driver confidence thanks to strong, consistent brakes. This athleticism doesn't come at the expense of ride quality, either. Rough pavement is effortlessly smoothed over and the cabin remains blissfully quiet. Accelerating to highway speeds or passing is easy thanks to the strong V6 and responsive eight-speed transmission.

Just as significant as what the driver can draw from the Q7 is what the car can do on its own. Combining existing technologies like lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, forward-looking cameras and navigation information, the Q7 can help drivers considerably during congested freeway commutes or vast, unpopulated highway stretches by doing much of the driving on its own.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)

STYLING

The 2017 Audi Q7 is a seven-passenger full-size SUV that is available in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige.

Standard features for the Premium trim include 19-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, automatic wipers, LED running lights and taillights, power-folding heated mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, front and rear parking sensors, frontal collision warnings with pedestrian detection and automatic braking, and a power liftgate.

On the inside, you get cruise control, selectable drive modes, three-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 7-inch color driver information display, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with wheel-mounted shift paddles, leather upholstery, heated eight-way power front seats (with driver four-way power lumbar), driver memory settings, 35/30/35-split second-row folding seats and 50/50-split power folding third-row seats. Standard tech features include a rearview camera, Audi's MMI infotainment system, a 7-inch central display, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a 10-speaker sound system with a CD player, HD and satellite radio, and two USB ports.

A navigation system option is available and is paired with voice control, a handwriting recognition controller pad, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, emergency telematics and smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Premium Plus includes the navigation system and adds keyless entry and ignition (with hands-free tailgate access), auto-dimming side mirrors, a power-adjustable steering wheel and interior ambient lighting. Options include the Vision package (LED headlights, a configurable gauge-cluster display and a surround-view camera system) and the Cold Weather package (four-zone automatic climate control, ventilated 12-way power front seats and manual rear window sunshades).

The Prestige includes the above listed Premium Plus options along with 20-inch wheels, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alerts, side exit warnings, a head-up display, additional interior lighting, a high-resolution 8.3-inch central display and a 19-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system.

All Q7 trims are eligible for the Cold weather package (heated steering wheel and rear seats), a tow hitch and a rear-seat entertainment system. Premium Plus and Prestige trims are eligible for the Driver Assistance package (traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, lane-departure intervention and adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist).

Options reserved solely for the Prestige trim include the Luxury package (18-way power front seats with massage functions, power door closers, a faux-suede headliner and upgraded leather upholstery), Adaptive Chassis package (all-wheel steering and an adaptive air suspension), a night vision camera and a 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)

ENGINE

While Audi admits a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline 4-cylinder and a 3.0-liter TDI turbodiesel are slated to put in an appearance at some future date, initially the new Q7 comes with the existing supercharged 3.0-liter gas-fired V6 that continues to make 333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a responsive, paddle-shiftable 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission teamed with Audi’s Quattro AWD system, the engine takes this handsome and notably lighter hauler from 0-60 mph in a claimed 5.7 seconds, gives it a stellar 7,700-pound towing capability, and earns 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway fuel economy numbers from the EPA compared to the 16/22 comparative stats of the previous-generation Q7 with the same powertrain. 

► 3.0-liter supercharged V6 

333 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm 

325 lb-ft of torque @ 2,900-5,300 rpm 

EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/25 mpg (8-speed automatic)

SAFETY

Standard safety features for the 2017 Q7 include antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera and frontal collision warning with automatic braking. Also included is Audi's Pre-Sense basic system that senses if the driver is attempting to avoid a collision and automatically tensions the seatbelts, primes the braking system and closes windows and the sunroof. Available Audi Connect services also include emergency assistance, automatic crash notification, remote door locking and curfew, speed and valet alerts.

The Prestige trim gets a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and intervention, and side exit alerts (notifies exiting occupants if a car or bicyclist is approaching from behind). Rear seat side airbags are optional on all Q7 trims.

In Edmunds brake testing, the Q7 Prestige with the Adaptive Chassis package came to a stop from 60 mph in 112 feet, which is a very good result for an SUV in this class.

FUEL ECONOMY

As we're still waiting for the arrival of the 2017 Audi Q7 in 2.0T form, and the TDI model likely won't return until next year, that leaves only a single powertrain combination for the U.S. at this point.

The 2017 Audi Q7 isn't leading in its efficiency, but there are some higher-mileage models on the way.

Official EPA ratings for the 3.0-liter supercharged V-6, paired with the 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are 19 mpg city, 25 highway, 21 combined.

That's not segment-leading, in any way, but we've seen some evidence that real-world numbers are impressive. Over around 250 miles of pretty rapid twisty-road driving, over several vehicles, we saw an average around 20 mpg.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)

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►Edited by : Shahen Tharammal

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2017 Jaguar XE - Review

►Edited by : Shahen Tharammal

(View Full Photos)

► PRICE :

2.0L Turbocharged I-4, 240hp   $34,900

2.0L Turbocharged I-4, 180hp   $36,400

3.0L Supercharged V6, 340hp   $41,700

Every now and again, an upstart luxury sport sedan comes along to challenge the status quo. But the challenge is usually unsuccessful, simply because the established German players are so good at what they do. Nonetheless, we think a happier ending is in store for the all-new 2017 Jaguar XE. The venerable British carmaker has taken dead aim at the segment stalwarts, and the result is a fully competitive sedan with thrilling performance and head-turning style to boot.

The fact that the XE looks as good, if not better, than its rivals can be seen in photos. Where its inner beauty lies, however, is in the driving experience it provides. Its superlative balance between sharp, engaging handling and a comfortable, composed ride is among the absolute best in the entry-level sport sedan segment. This is a car that sets out to make a connection with the driver in a way that competitors have increasingly failed to do.

Another key to its success could be its diverse range of compelling engines. The most popular will likely be the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (240 horsepower), but there's also a fuel-sipping turbodiesel four (with a whopping 318 pound-feet of torque) and a stirring supercharged V6 (with 340 hp). The latter two are available with all-wheel drive.

Inside, the XE certainly isn't lacking on the feature content front, but its space and quality leave much to be desired. In particular, the cabin's materials and construction trail those of most competitors by a considerable margin. It feels closer to a Ford Fusion (an admittedly high-quality midsize sedan) than a Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

As such, we think the 2017 Jaguar XE is best suited to those who want to drive an engaging car and look great doing it. It's something fun, something different, and it stands out in a good way. However, there's no getting around the fact that its well-rounded German competitors will probably be a better fit for more car shoppers. These include the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. Taking a look at the Lexus IS or the Cadillac ATS (similar to the XE in many ways) is also a good idea. Inevitably, Jaguar finally has a car that competes in this group, and we think it's definitely worth a test drive.(View Full Photos)

EXTERIOR

Design-wise, the XE is everything we expected from a sports sedan aimed at the BMW 3er. It has a long hood, a short rear end and coupe-like roofline that is apparently inspired by the XF. Overall, the sedan’s lines are deeply sculpted, although the profile lines are rather soft. The front end is highlighted by narrow headlamps and the large grille, while prominent air dams — likely reserved only for the XE S — occupy most of the bumper.

Around back, the XE borrows yet again from the XF, especially in the taillight and bumper areas. That said, it’s more than obvious that Brits sacrificed the XF’s elegant lines in favor of a sportier appearance. The brand-new design comes with an impressive drag coefficient that sits at only 0.26.

The standard model rides on 17-inch wheels, but options include anything from 18- to 20-inch rollers. Various wheel designs are also available.

Just like the rest of the Jaguar lineup, the XE has been developed using stiff, bonded and riveted aluminum structures, an aerospace-inspired technology that leads to impressive weight loss. Designed around a new modular platform, the XE’s structure is mostly made of lightweight 6000-series aluminum. Specifically, 75 percent of the unibody is crafted from the lightweight metal, which enables it to deliver extraordinary torsional stiffness.

Additionally, the sedan also makes use of a new grade of high-strength aluminum that features a high level of recycled material. Dubbed RC 5754, the new material will expand across the Jaguar lineup by 2020.(View Full Photos)

INTERIOR

The compact’s cabin is clean to look at, but in doesn’t appear to lack the luxury needed to compete against its German rivals. Sure, it lacks the presence of the Mercedes Mercedes -Benz C-Class’ cockpit, but its driver-focused character becomes obvious once you look at the center console separating the front seats. Although sporty, the interior exudes a sense of high-quality thanks to its traditional wood veneers, aluminum and piano-black inserts and finishes.

The brand new XE is available with one of two brand-new infotainment systems – dubbed InControl Touch and InControl Touch Pro. InControl Touch has an eight-inch touchscreen and supports Bluetooth, audio streaming and Bluetooth connectivity. Navigation and voice control is also standard on the InControl Touch system.

InControl Touch Pro is far more advanced than the basic system, featuring a quad-core processor and high-speed solid state drive. Added to that, the system is connected to the vehicle with ultra-fast Ethernet networking cable. According to Jaguar the system is up to five times faster technology in competing models. The system is controlled by a 10.2-inch touchscreen that can be customized with widgets and custom home screens. It is also capable of multi-tasking like most smartphones, which means media can be streamed on half of the screen and navigation on the other half. The system is also equipped with dead-reckoning functionality that can analyze sensor data and accurately provide directions, even if GPS signal is lost during a commute.(View Full Photos)

SPECIFICATION

► Year:2017

► Make:Jaguar

► Model:XE

► Price:$ 34900

► Engine:V6

► Transmission:ZF 8HP45 8-speed automatic

► Horsepower @ RPM:340 @ 6500

► Torque @ RPM:332 @ 4500

► Displacement:3.0 L

► 0-60 time:4.9 sec.

► Top Speed:155 mph (Est.)

FEATURES

Jaguar sells the XE in trim packages based on powertrain choice—so first, you'll pick between gas and diesel, 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder, rear- and all-wheel drive.

We give the Jaguar XE an 8 out of 10, for its good options list, infotainment, and its warranty and service plan.

The gas-powered turbo-4 only comes in base, Premium, and Prestige trim, with rear-wheel drive. Diesel XEs come in either drivetrain configuration, and in all trim levels: base, Premium, Prestige, and R-Sport. V-6 models cannot be ordered in base trim.

Base prices start from $35,895 on a base gas-powered XE, to $37,395 for the diesel sedan, to $42,695 for the XE 35t; to a gulpworthy $52,695 for XE 35t R-Sport with all-wheel drive.

Base cars get 17-inch wheels; power features; cruise control; automatic climate control; eight-way power front seats; fixed rear seat; paddle shift controls; synthetic leather; sunroof; LED taillights; and keyless ignition. At this level, there's no rearview camera, no leather, no split-folding rear seat—but all cars come with Jaguar EliteCare, which offers bumper-to-bumper warranty and maintenance for 5 years or 60,000 miles. It's a serious reason to consider Jaguar above its luxury rivals.

► Jaguar XE option packages

Other features are bundled into those trim packages. Premium models get a folding rear seat; rearview camera; a 380-watt audio system with 11 speakers; and either 17- or 18-inch wheels, depending on whether they're fitted with or 4-cylinder or the 6-cylinder.

The Prestige package is the one we'd start with. It adds navigation with voice control; metallic trim; leather; power front seats; heated steering wheel; keyless entry; 18-inch wheels (4-cylinders); 19-inch wheels (V-6); and heated front seats.

The spicier R-Sport adds blind-spot monitors; parking sensors; forward-collision warnings with automatic emergency braking; lane-departure warnings with active lane control; satellite radio; automatic high beams; LED daytime running lights; sport seats; an R-Sport front and rear bumpers and side sills.

Notable options in packages include heated seats, steering wheel, and windshield (base and Premium); blind-spot monitors and parking sensors (Premium and Prestige); cooled front and heated rear seats and a power trunklid (Prestige and R-Sport); surround-view cameras, adaptive cruise, and parking assist (R-Sport); and InControl Touch Pro with 825-watt audio (Prestige and R-Sport).

Stand-alone options include that rearview camera; satellite radio; InControl Touch navigation; a head-up display; and adaptive driving modes.

► Jaguar XE infotainment and audio

Jaguar brings its latest InControl infotainment system to the XE in two flavors. There's a standard version with an 8.0-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth with audio streaming, and USB connectivity. InControl Pro ups the screen size to 10.2 inches and adds SD card navigation, mobile hotspot capability, and access via a remote app that lets drivers perform some functions from their smartphone, such as remote starting and locking or unlocking the vehicle.

InControl Pro is also able to stream audio directly from apps on a connected Android or Apple smartphone; Spotify is a new addition to the roster. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are not yet a part of the firmware, however.

In our experience, the InControl systems are pretty and have a lovely touch-and-swipe functionality, with smart ideas like star-based favorites accessible across the system. We've also experienced glitchy Bluetooth streaming, stiff radio toggles on the steering wheel, and thin and reedy sound from the Meridian sound systems. In the end, we give it credit for big displays and lots of functions; just double-step the smartphone systems and we'll be happy.(View Full Photos)

STYLING

The 2017 Jaguar XE is a small luxury sedan offered in four main trim levels: base, Premium, Prestige and R-Sport. Each can be paired with multiple engines, denoted in the model name by 25t (gasoline four-cylinder), 20d (diesel four-cylinder) or 35t (gasoline six-cylinder). Specifically, the base XE comes in 25t or 20d specification, while the Premium and Prestige are offered with all three engines, and the R-Sport comes in 20d or 35t form. Note too that every XE with the 35t engine includes a sport-tuned suspension, which is also included with the XE 20d R-Sport (rear-wheel-drive only).

The base XE starts with 17-inch wheels, three selectable drive modes (Normal, Eco and Dynamic), automatic wipers, automatic engine stop-start for conserving fuel at rest, an electronic parking brake, remote keyless entry, push-button start, a dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, eight-way power front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, the 8-inch InControl touchscreen, and a six-speaker audio system with HD radio, a USB media port and an auxiliary audio jack. A navigation system with InControl Apps is optional.

The Premium adds different 17-inch wheels (or 18-inch wheels if you get the XE 35t), power-folding and auto-dimming side mirrors, driver memory settings, a rearview camera, a 40/20/40-split folding rear seatback and an 11-speaker Meridian audio system with a subwoofer.

Going with the Prestige further equips the XE with 18-inch wheels (19-inchers for the XE 35t), metal doorsill inserts, keyless entry and ignition, ambient interior lighting, a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel, heated front seats with four-way power lumbar adjustment, upgraded leather upholstery and the navigation system with InControl Apps.

Finally, there's the R-Sport with its own wheel designs (18-inch wheels for the XE 20d, 19s for the XE 35t), adaptive xenon headlights with washers, LED running lights, automatic high beams, a rear spoiler, distinctive exterior trim details, sport front seats, an imitation-leather-wrapped instrument panel, satellite radio and a number of safety technologies (see Safety section for details).

Some of the higher trims' standard features are offered on lower trims as options. Additionally, the Prestige and R-Sport trims offer Jaguar's Adaptive Dynamics (adaptive suspension dampers and adjustable drive settings), a Black Design package (gloss-black exterior trim), a Comfort and Convenience package (ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, power rear sunshade, power trunklid), a Driver Assistance package (adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with advanced automatic emergency braking, surround-view parking camera, automated parking system, traffic sign recognition) and a Technology Pack (mobile 3G Wi-Fi hot spot, CD/DVD player, the 10.2-inch InControl Pro touchscreen and a 17-speaker Meridian audio system).

Further standalone options include some of the items from the above packages plus 20-inch wheels, a head-up display, and a handful of special interior trim and veneer selections.(View Full Photos)

SUSPENSION

To enable the XE to become a suitable competitor for the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, Jaguar has developed a brand-new suspension for the sedan. On the rear, the XE is fitted with an integral-link suspension system that brings major improvements over the conventional, multi-link design, according to Jaguar Jaguar . Specifically, the system is tuned to provide better lateral and longitudinal stiffness, which will translate into sharper response and handling, and a more comfortable ride. With many of its components forged or hollow-cast in aluminum, the integral-link suspension is also lighter than a multi-link unit.

Up front, the XE gains a double-wishbone suspension based on the design implemented on the F-Type sports car. The unit is mounted to a subframe with aluminum towers and includes many components found in both the F-Type and the XFR sedan. Also made from cast and forged aluminum, the front suspension provides the XE with additional stiffness and XFR-like agility, while reducing overall weight.

Helping the brand-new suspension provide the necessary grip on slippery surfaces is Jaguar’s all-new All Surface Progress Control feature. Brand-new in its class according to the Brits, the technology works like a low-speed, cruise-control system and prevents the vehicle from skidding in slippery road conditions.(View Full Photos)

POWERTRAIN & EFFICIENCY

Power for the range-topping XE S comes from the 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 used throughout the Jaguar range. It excels in delivering its power, and it’s instantaneous, seamless, and strong all the way to the 7000-rpm redline. Given its 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, we predict a zero-to-60-mph run near the head of the pack at 4.7 seconds. The excellent ZF eight-speed automatic—also used by BMW and Audi—is another reminder that no automaker should waste the time or money trying to develop something quicker, smoother, or smarter, because it’s likely an impossible task.

The V-6 engine is neither as honeyed nor as musical as the Audi S4’s engine of similar configuration, displacement, and output. But even if the Jag engine doesn’t achieve the same level of polish, the NVH team has done an admirable job of burying the unpleasant sounds and vibrations behind insulation and bushings. At full throttle, the supercharger is barely audible and the engine plays a subtler variation of the six-cylinder F-type’s rasp.

The 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder is our first taste of Jaguar’s new Ingenium engine family, which will sever the final ties with Ford Motor Company once it’s been fully adopted. The characteristic diesel clatter is suppressed so well that the compression-ignition engine might be more refined than the V-6—at least relative to its peers. In the diesel, the eight forward gears do a fine job of keeping the engine parked in the window between the 317-lb-ft torque peak at 1750 rpm and the maximum power output of 180 horsepower at 4000 rpm.

Pirelli P7 Cinturato tires—which have compromised several BMW 3-series in our tests—dampen that wonderful steering feel found in the XE S, but the chassis motions are otherwise every bit as competent. Besides, the diesel has its own noble purpose. The EPA highway number should easily top 40 mpg, counteracting the thirst of an M3-fighting XE R-S performance model—not yet officially confirmed but we’ve heard it’s a go—for the purposes of corporate fuel-economy accounting.

The diesel’s aluminum block also will form the foundation for a gas-burning Ingenium four-cylinder. That turbocharged 2.0-liter will ultimately make up the bulk of U.S. sales, but we’ll have to wait about six months after the XE’s spring 2016 launch for its arrival. All-wheel drive will be optional with any engine, and we’re promised a six-speed manual for either of the four-cylinder engines, albeit only with rear-wheel drive.(View Full Photos)

ENGINE

Three engines are available for the 2017 Jaguar. The base powerplant is a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline 4-cylinder that makes 240 horsepower and is offered in RWD. A 2.0-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine is optional, and can be had with traction-enhancing AWD. It makes 60 less horsepower but generates tremendous torque: 318 lb-ft. The top performer for the 2017 model year is the XE 35t, which features a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 of 340 horsepower. Like the diesel, it can be had with RWD or AWD. Interestingly, a RWD V6 Jaguar XE has the same fuel economy ratings as a 4-cylinder gasoline model, but we found that the more powerful engine encouraged vigorous driving -- and thus diminished fuel economy. All engines are linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

► 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4

240 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm

251 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-4,000 rpm

EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30 mpg (automatic)

► 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 diesel

180 horsepower @ 4,000 rpm

318 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-2,500 rpm

EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

► 3.0-liter supercharged V6

340 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm

332 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm

EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30 mpg (RWD), 20/29 mpg (AWD)

SAFETY

Since neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has crash-tested the Jaguar XE, we're holding off on assigning it a safety score.

All XE sedans get the usual airbags and stability control.

The XE also offers a passel of active safety equipment in the name of accident prevention. A traction-control system uses sensors to apply power gently and precisely below 19 mph for smoother launches.

Other safety features will include adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitors, parking assist, a laser-projected head-up display, and an autonomous braking system that uses stereo cameras for obstacle detection. Most of these are only available on the most expensive XE R-Sport model.

However, the XE does not have a rearview camera in base trim cars. Outward vision is an issue: the view over the driver's shoulder is almost completely blocked by the wide B-pillar, and the rear glass is slim. 

We'll update this page when more data is available.(View Full Photos)

VIDEO

Video by : Motormouth Canada
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►Edited by : Shahen Tharammal

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