Jaguar's reinvention as a maker of luxury electric vehicles has caused considerable upset among sections of the brand's fanbase. That's not just because traditionalists are wary of EVs and unwilling to embrace the firm's new positioning but also because Jaguar's former line-ups always appealed to driving enthusiasts.
In its most recent guise, Jaguar's range was made up of generally excellent sports cars, saloons and SUVs that could rival any German competitor for quality, design and engineering - even if they weren't quite so commercially successful.
The XE was the entry model to this range, but also one of the best. It was intended to be the outright volume seller, but despite excellent dynamics and efficient powertrains, it couldn't entirely convince loyal C-Class, 3 Series and A4 buyers to post their cheques to Gaydon.
That was a real shame. At its launch in 2015, we preferred the warmed-up XE S model to BMW's 340i, and after our road test in a more casual spec, we put it straight to the top of the class with a four-and-a-half-star rating. All of which makes it especially remarkable that early, high-mileage cars can now be picked up for £3000.
Up your budget to £6000 and smart-looking Portfolio and R-Sport versions are in abundance, with modern-looking bi-xenon headlights and 17in or 18in alloys.
You will notice the upgrades inside, too. SE and Prestige are a little underwhelming, with some unbecoming materials for a Jaguar. The 8in infotainment screen feels antiquated now as well. But the optional 10in screen (and same-size driver's display) creates a more modern environment, while adding Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
More than £10,000 bags a post-2019-facelift car, with new LED lights and reprofiled bumpers, which greatly modernises the look. Material quality and tech are better too: a new steering wheel, customisable dials, buttons and more soft-touch plastics were all lifted from the I-Pace and leather became standard, as did the upgraded infotainment, 360deg parking sensors and reversing camera.
If you frequently carry tall people in the back, an XE probably isn't for you. The door openings are quite small and rear space is snug for six-footers. The boot is a good size, though, at 455 litres.
Where Jag's junior exec shines brightest is on the move. It's more comfortable than an equivalent 3 Series and quiet enough inside, and really comes alive on a twisty road. It's easy to drive because its controls and responses are entirely in tune with a driver's expectations.
