Sports sedan supremacy

The new generation BMW 3 Series and the refreshed Jaguar XE go head to head fighting for the title of the best sports sedan as we put them through a comprehensive set of tests

- Dhruv Saxena

For years, the BMW 3 Series has been widely regarded as the best sports sedan on sale. However, back in 2015 when the Jaguar XE arrived, for a brief moment that title seemed under threat because the XE was and is still that good. Now, there’s an all-new generation of the 3er on sale which we already know is bigger, more feature-rich and better to drive than it has ever been. The Jaguar XE too has been given a midlife update so we thought we’d bring the two together to find out if the 3 Series has managed to increase its lead over the XE or has Jaguar managed to close in on it.

EXTERIORS

The Jaguar XE was already a looker and the revisions brought about by the facelift have only made things better. The nose especially with its sharper headlamps looks more aggressive than ever and goes quite well with the sporty demeanour of the Jaguar XE. Changes to the rear are a bit more subtle. While original’s tail lamps appeared a tad oversized, the ones on the facelift are sleeker and have a revised LED signature as well. Our test car came finished in the solid Caldera Red exterior shade along with the optional Black Pack that brings with it a gloss black finish for the grille, window surrounds and side vents available only on the top-of-the-line SE trim. The only thing that can help improve things visually is a set of lower profile wheels as the 17 inchers look a bit un-sporty.