It’s always difficult to hand back a car that’s been with me through thick and thin.

The Jaguar XE has proven to be a totally dependable tool on its time on our long-term fleet

From just one day after it arrived and taking it on the WLTP Challenge to achieve just under 70mpg (68.80mpg) average fuel economy, to taking it to Normandy on holiday and, latterly, getting me through the Covid-19 pandemic, the Jaguar has proven to be a totally dependable tool that can turn its hand to any situation with style.

Initial misgivings about its relatively cramped interior (compared to the competition) faded into insignificance, and its comfort levels always impressed thanks to cossetting seats that allowed for pain-free long stints behind the wheel. Not only that, but despite its German rivals’ stellar achievements, the smallest Jaguar still ranks as one of the best-in-class to drive.

That a neighbour enquired about purchasing it, whilst it sat pretty on the drive after a wash, is testament to the enduring appeal of its coupé silhouette despite the sea of SUV fashionistas.

Luxury and looks aren’t the Jaguar’s only strengths though, with its 2.0-litre diesel rewarding with a total average fuel consumption over the 4,000 miles driven during our tenure, equating to around 56mpg; well above the official figure.

P11d (BiK): £34,330 (30%) MPG/CO2: 48.3mpg/148g/km Test MPG: 56mpg