We’re reporting from Kiara Equestrian Club in Damansara Heights, at the launch of the all-new Jaguar XE. The XE marks the Coventry marque’s re-entry into the compact executive segment, since the discontinuation of the aged X-Type. It’s taken a while for Jag to get its cats in a row (ahem) to set up this XE, and we feel that it was time well spent.

At launch, JLR Malaysia is offering three variants of the XE, those being the Prestige, the R-Sport, and the S. The former two are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine in 200ps and 240ps states of tune respectively, while the XE-S is propelled by a 3.0-litre 340ps V6 supercharged unit that is also found in the F-Type sports car. All three variants are assigned the brilliant 8-speed automatic transmission that we’ve come to expect from Jaguar.

From the get go, the XE is an arresting thing to look at. While the Germans take more conservative approaches to their offerings, Jaguar has gone all out to ensure that it’s a truly an incredible sight. With its powerful haunches, sculpted bonnet, and F-Type inspired rear lights, it looks as athletic as the animal the firm named itself after. The standard-fit 17″ alloy wheels are beautiful to behold, but the optional items for both the Prestige and the R-Sport definitely add that little more dynamism.

Where the exterior is arresting, the interior is inviting. Its tri-level design lends to a cockpit like feel, which wraps around you and makes you feel right at home. Where Jaguars of old have been accused of feeling like a gentleman’s pub, the new XE will never leave you mistaken for being in anything other than a brand-new luxury sedan. Taking centre stage above the rotary gear selector is the InControl Touch infotainment system, which is new to the brand. More intuitive than ever before, it controls most of the XE’s functions, with very little needed in way of input to get to where you want to be.

A sculpted interior, fitted with snug sports seats are a requisite in Jaguars of today. They sell themselves on their agility on the road, “the art of performance,” as they put it. So the dynamic styling and sporty interior serves to hint at the abilities of the car on the road. The media were treated to a short drive to find out if the XE has been worth the wait.

Getting behind the wheel of the Prestige model, with its 200PS engine (with 20T designation), I felt immediately cocooned by gadgetry. The rotary control knob rose from the centre console, and the new 8″ touchscreen sprang to life. On the (very) brief drive, I managed to push the blown 4-cylinder powerplant as best I could, revealing an unobtrusive note that egged me on. The 8-speed automatic made for smooth progress, with nigh almost imperceptible changes up and down, with paddle shifters for when you want to take control. Steering was light but precise, with additional weight in ‘Dynamic’ mode and less in ‘Eco’ mode. The Jaguar DriveControl is new to the lineup too, allowing you to tailor your cat to the driving conditions you may be in.

The new lineup of Jaguars have always had a certain dynamism about them, and that’s most certainly true of the new XE. Though we’ve spotted some visibility issues (that sloping roofline comes at a price), it’s certainly not nearly enough to put me off an XE. As an owner of a compact luxury car myself, it’s almost paramount that these cars offer the appeal of their more well-heeled siblings, at a price point that’s more accessible. And from my brief time with the XE, it seems that Jaguar’s managed to achieve just that.

Some may be wondering why it’s taken them so long to re-enter the C-Segment market. With the runaway success of the XF, XJ, and F-Type, it can be perplexing as to why they’ve been so tardy to the party. But I reckon they’ve just taken a little more time to make sure that it’s just right, just special enough. And I can assure you, that the XE is certainly a special car indeed.

Stats:

Prices: RM340,000 – RM580,000

Engines: 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder (200PS & 240PS), 3.0-litre supercharged V6 (340PS)

Warranty: 5 years/150,000km warranty (2.0-litre models), 5 years/80,000km warranty (3.0-litre models), with free scheduled maintenance and 3-years roadside assistance across the range