Jaguar XE 2019 facelift spotted testing

Jaguar’s BMW 3 Series challenger will be updated next year, with mild hybrid powertrains on the cards

Jaguar is set to release a facelifted version of the XE next year, and prototypes have now been spotted hot-weather testing in Nevada, US. 

The current XE has been on sale since 2015 with only mild model year tweaks, so a more extensive revision programme is needed to help the car keep pace with new rivals such as the Audi A4, Alfa Romeo Giulia and upcoming BMW 3 Series. 

The 2019 XE will receive a series of revisions to the exterior design, with some inspiration taken from the styling of the recently launched I-Pace EV. Alongside this, we can expect improvements to the cabin, centring on boosting material quality and general fit and finish. 

Technology is also an area in which the XE is falling behind some key rivals, so alongside infotainment and connectivity upgrades, we’re likely to see the introduction of some semi-autonomous driving features.

Fitting in with Jaguar Land Rover’s intention to ensure every model will be offered with the option of electrification by 2020, it’s also expected that mild hybrid technology will make its way onto many of the 2019 XE’s engines, boosting efficiency for the four-cylinder petrol and diesel line-up. The recently introduced range-topper, the four-wheel-drive 300 Sport, is expected to carry over largely unchanged. 

Minor upgrades to improve refinement should feature, too, while tweaks to the suspension would ensure the XE balances ride comfort and handling with even more aplomb than the current car.

Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, but we could see the updated XE at the 2019 Geneva motor show prior to a sales debut in the latter half of next year.