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2020 Jaguar XE Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

2020 Jaguar XE Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons: S vs R-Dynamic S

What 2020 Jaguar XE Trim Level Should you Buy? What is the Difference Between Trims?

Jaguar has been a top name in the luxury auto segment for years now, and it is still making news with its innovative and sporty designs. For the most part, it has a lot of hits, but there have been some misses, too.

So, where does the 2020 Jaguar XE stand?

Well, it sits in the middle of the pack, which is not something you would expect from a Jag. But the cramped rear seat, finicky engine start-stop feature, and sluggish infotainment system put a damper on the XE's attractiveness. These just are not things that many luxury automakers get wrong, so it is a bit alarming that Jag has these issues on the XE. Oh, and the diesel engines have been taken out of the line-up, which is an extra bummer for those of you who are looking for something a little more fuel efficient.

Of course, there are some good things about owning the refreshed 2020 Jaguar XE. For starters, the cargo area is larger than average for this segment, so you can fit quite a lot of items back there. Groceries? No problem, get several weeks' worth and put them in! Also, the ride quality is nice and plush, always giving you the impression that, yes, this is a luxury vehicle. And, finally, steering and handling are incredibly precise on the XE, making it pretty fun to drive.

How much you enjoy the XE really does boil down to which trim level you decide to get. There are only two options available, which at least makes your choice somewhat easy. You can stick with the base XE S or upgrade to the more powerful XE R-Dynamic S. To help you make your selection, we will pit these two trim levels against one another and, at the end of this trim level comparison review, declare which one we think is going to be the best fit for the average driver. So hang tight and stick with us until the conclusion.

 

Compare the 2020 Jaguar XE S vs XE R-Dynamic S Trims. What is the difference?

The 2020 Jaguar XE has two trims, as stated above: the XE S and the XE R-Dynamic S. The biggest difference between them is power. They have about a $7,000 difference between there starting MSRPs, which does seem like a lot when you first look at the price tags. But, considering what comes on each one, it might not seem more reasonable.

The XE S comes with a standard 2.0-L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that is able to generate 247 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. It can get from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds, which is a decent enough time for this segment. It gets an EPA estimated 28 mpg combined (with 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway). Rear-wheel drive is standard, but you can opt for all-wheel drive.

On the XE R-Dynamic S, you get a more powerful 2.0-L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that has no problem mustering up 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It leaves the XE S in the dust as it can get from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 5.4 seconds. Of course, the compromise here is the fuel economy, as the R-Dynamic S gets a combined 25 mpg (with 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway). Also, all-wheel drive is standard on this trim level.

On the outside, these vehicles are fairly similar, but the R-Dynamic S builds upon the S's standard features. The S comes with premium LED headlights with signature daytime running lights and automatic high beam assist. It also has the typical S badging, heating on the side mirrors, variable intermittent wipers and rain-sensing windshield wipers, one-touch up/down and anti-trap functionality on the power windows, and a heated rear window. On top of all that, the S gets treated to a "follow me home" light and illumination as you approach the vehicle. Signature tail lights, an acoustic laminated windshield (which reduces the amount of noise that gets inside of the cabin), and solar attenuation on the windshield (which protects you from harmful UV rays) all come equipped as well.

The R-Dynamic S gets the unique R-Dynamic treatment: R-Dynamic side sills, a badge, a bumper, and rear valance. Oh, it also gets a P300 badge and larger 350mm front brakes. The R-Dynamic S swaps out the S's 18-inch 15-spoke gloss sparkle silver finish wheels for 18-inch 10 split-spoke gloss black diamond turned finished wheels. Both get a spare wheel and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Okay, so there are a few differences on the outside, but what about the interior? The S has a lot for being a base trim. It gets ambient interior lighting, dual sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, and an overhead lighting console for even more visibility when you need it. The dual-zone automatic climate control system works well at pumping air through the whole cabin and keeps it at just the right temperature. In the cargo area, you get luggage tie-downs to help you secure your items. Also, there is an auto-dimming rear view mirror in the front. The R-Dynamic has all of that, of course, but it also gets chic satin chrome gear shift paddles.

It also gets major upgrades when it comes to seating. The S has some nice seats, though. The front seats are 12-way power-adjustable with 2-way manual headrests, and the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats have three headrests and a center console. The steering wheel is done in soft grain leather, and the gloss black trim finisher looks super sleek. The S also has a light oyster morzine headliner, ebony grained leather seats, metal treadplates with the Jag script, luxtec instrument panel topper, and premium carpet mats.

With the R-Dynamic S, you get the added benefit of having its branding on the leather steering wheel. Not to mention, there are the ebony leather grained sport seats, contrast stitching on the luxtec instrument panel topper, and meshed aluminum trim finisher. Seriously, just take a quick peek around, and you will see the R-Dynamic badge slapped everywhere. That lets you know you are riding in true Jag style.

When it comes to the driving dynamics, the features are exactly the same. Both trim levels have Hill Launch Assist, JagDrive Control, Torque Vectoring By Braking, Dynamic Stability Control, All Surface Progress Control, speed proportional steering, and Electric Power Assisted Steering. Both trims also come with a rear view camera, emergency braking, lane keep assist and a driver condition monitor, cruise control with a speed limiter, and front and rear parking assist. Other safety features include a push button start, a brake pad wear indicator, an electric parking brake, passive front head restraints, and a seat belt reminder.

Basically all of the convenience features are the same as well. On the XE S and XE R-Dynamic S, you get treated to two front cupholders that have a cover, an overhead storage area for sunglasses, storage space on the inside of all four doors, a locking glovebox, a shopping bag hook in the cargo area, and a center console up front with an armrest on it. Both vehicles do have a stellar sound system, and there is a 10-inch Touch Pro infotainment system with smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The downfall here is that the smartphone app integration system is clunky and forces you into a lot of subscriptions just so that you can use its features.

There are a lot of driver aids that get left as options. Adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring (which are part of the Drive Pack) can be added on and are really effective at what they are meant to do. Also, since both trim levels are designed with a few visibility issues, adding the surround-view camera on might be a good idea. The rear-view camera does help, but not as much as the surround-view camera. If you opt to add the Technology Pack, you will get two touchscreen displays, a head-up display (which is really helpful at keeping your eyes on the road), a wireless charging pad, and a digital gauge cluster display.

Also, if the standard sound system is not living up to your expectations, you can get a stand-alone premium audio system. Other stand-alone features that you can equip include blind spot assist and the surround-view camera. The XE R-Dynamic S can also be given adaptive suspension dampers, which work well at smoothing out the vehicle's already-comfy ride quality even more. It is probably a feature that most people will want to add on if they are going to buy the XE R-Dynamic S trim level.

2020 Jaguar XE: Which Trim to Choose?

Both of the 2020 Jaguar XE's trim levels are decent vehicles for this segment, but they fall a bit short of some of their competitors. Having a wonky infotainment system with smartphone app integration that requires multiple subscriptions does not place the XE at the head of the pack. In fact, it is a big, glaring downside that might deter some buyers from choosing either trim level.

However, there are some good things going on with both the S and R-Dynamic S trim levels. Regardless of which one you choose, you will get something that oozes power with its strong performance. The base 2.0-L that is equipped on the S gets a good amount of get-up-and-go power. The R-Dynamic S's beefed-up version of the 2.0-L turbo engine makes this vehicle even quicker on its feet. And that is why the R-Dynamic S is our pick for the best trim level choice on the 2020 Jaguar XE line-up.

The R-Dynamic S is more expensive than the base S trim level, but it includes a lot of things in that price tag that make it worth the purchase. With all-wheel drive being standard, you get a feel for the security this vehicle provides, especially when you have to drive in a lot of inclement weather. The optional adaptive suspension system is a fantastic addition to the R-Dynamic S as it gives the vehicle an even greater amount of ride comfort.

If you go for the R-Dynamic S trim, consider getting the surround-view camera added on so that you can have improved visibility on the outside of the vehicle. You will likely also want to upgrade with some of the other driver assist functions. Even without the upgrades, the R-Dynamic S trim has a more athletic appeal, inside and out. Its original wheel design is nothing short of eye-catching, and the body has a leaner, meaner look to it. And the bigger brakes are truly exceptional and perform better than the standard, smaller ones that come on the S trim.

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