Hold fire on that Beemer buy
The new Jaguar XE gives BMW and Mercedes a run for their money.
"I'm thinking of buying a new Jaguar. What do you reckon?" This is something people never ask me, says Jeremy Clarkson in The Sunday Times. They ask about BMWs and Mercedes all the time. But the Jag has "dropped off the businessman's radar completely". The reason is not hard to find. The only reason you'd have a Jag over its superb rivals is for the character. But the days when Jags had that are as long gone as Arthur Daley himself. Jags were once "caddish and wonderful", driven by "charmers and chancers". Now, they have all the character of "a man's washbag".
For all that, though, the new Jaguar XE is "extremely comfortable" and "fabulous" to drive, says Clarkson. It also has a refinement far beyond anything you could find in its German rivals and is extremely good-looking. It's a "minx with windscreen wipers" and a "better buy than anything BMW, Audi or Mercedes will sell you for the same money".
Last time Jaguar "had a crack at the big German three", it failed to impress, largely because it was little more than a re-badged Ford Mondeo, says Chris Knapman in The Daily Telegraph. But you should really take a close look at the all-new XE before signing on the dotted line for any rival. It easily soaks up the worst of British roads, making it a very comfortable car for long journeys, and the interior is on a par with its German rivals.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
It's fun to drive too: it's "sure to put a smile on your face" and handles as well as any car in its class quite something when you consider the standards set by the Germans. The Jaguar XE is our 2015 Compact Executive Car of the Year, says AutoExpress. It "offers a fine balance between performance, efficiency and luxury", and it looks "stunning".
Price: £33,740Engine: 1,999cc, 4 cylinders, petrol, turbochargedTop speed: 155mph0-62mph: 6.9 secondsPower: 237bhp at 5,500rpmTorque: 251 lb ft at 1,750rpm
-
FTSE 100 hits record highs – why is it rising and will we see more gains?
Advice UK equities have been described as unloved for a long time but as the FTSE 100 hits new highs, we explain if now is the time to buy British.
By Marc Shoffman Published
-
How to invest in copper
It may be time to invest in copper as the red metal appears poised for a big jump. Dominic Frisby looks at what should investors should buy
By Dominic Frisby Published