BEST USED COMPACT EXECUTIVE CAR JAGUAR XE

OUR PICK Jaguar XE 20155 (65) 2.0d 180 Auto Prestige, 21k miles, £17,995 THE Jaguar XE shot straight to the top of its class when it launched in 2015, and that’s exactly where it has remained, winning the Best Compact Executive Car crown at our New Car Awards in 2016 and 2017, too.

So the fact that you can buy one for around £16,000 on the used market is great news if you want to save some money, but still feel like you’ve treated yourself to something special. Even better, you can get into the most well rounded used model in the range, a 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel Prestige with less than 25,000 miles, for just under £18,000, which is a great buy.

The XE is a compact but premium family saloon that drives sweetly, looks superb and in this guise claims 67.3mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 109g/km.

Cars at the cheaper end of the market are still good value, but you might have to make a few compromises at this price, such as settling for a cheaper and less desirable manual model.

We’d go for a car with the 178bhp Ingenium diesel, and make sure it has sat-nav fitted. However, whichever version you choose, involving handling and a decent level of practicality are guaranteed. The XE’S quick steering and grippy chassis mean it’s alert, but “The Jaguar XE is a compact but premium family saloon that drives sweetly and looks superb” the ride is supple enough to ensure the car settles into everyday driving with ease. Heated seats are a great option if you can find one with them fitted, along with parking sensors and a reversing camera. Many models will still be under warranty given the XE’S age, which is another bonus with a used example.

As it’s still relatively new, there are few highmileage XES around, so forecourts aren’t yet full of cars that have covered huge distances – a common problem with small executive models, which are often used for long commutes and business travel.