Picking the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Over a Jaguar XE Actually Makes Sense
It’s easy to get drawn in by a luxury brand’s prestige — but if you’re willing to overlook the badge, you might just stumble upon a comparable vehicle at a drastically lower price point. Although the Jaguar XE is sleek and luxurious, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata may actually be the better buy (and not just because the Hyundai comes in at nearly half the cost of the XE). Here’s everything you need to know about these two vehicles, according to Kelley Blue Book.
What can you expect from the Hyundai Sonata?
Starting at approximately $24,575, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata has a brand new style and plenty of advanced features. It comes with a 2.5-liter I4 that gets 191 hp, although it also offers both a 1.6-liter turbo and a 2.0 hybrid option. This sedan gets good fuel economy: 28 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway for a combined 32 miles per gallon.
The Sonata is practically overflowing with high-tech features, including adaptive cruise control, Remote Smart Parking, and a digital key. It also has a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA. And every new Hyundai, the Sonata included, comes with an impressive 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
However, while it offers an abundant suite of standard safety features, the Sonata does not have all-wheel drive. Kelley Blue Book also notes that the new design may not appeal to everyone.
Pros and cons of the Jaguar XE
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Like the 2020 Hyundai Sonata, the 2020 Jaguar XE has a fresh new style. It starts at approximately $40,950, and it comes with a 2.0-liter turbo I4 engine that gets 247 hp — slightly higher than the Sonata. However, the XE lags when it comes to fuel economy. It gets 25 miles per gallon in the city, 34 miles per gallon on the highway, and 28 miles per gallon combined.
The XE has an updated infotainment system with a 10-inch top touchscreen, which, according to Jaguar, is designed to reduce distracted driving. Kelley Blue Book describes this system as fairly easy to use. As with the Sonata, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both come standard.
Other standard features include lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking. The XE also offers a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty, which is impressive for the class.
However, the Jaguar XE does have some issues with reliability. Kelley Blue Book also notes that the luxury vehicle may struggle to hold its resale value.
How the 2020 Hyundai Sonata holds its own against a luxury brand
While the 2020 Hyundai Sonata is clearly in a different league from the Jaguar XE, it actually offers comparable levels of comfort and performance at a much more affordable price. Kelley Blue Book describes the Sonata as “one of the coolest cars on the road,” stating that even the most basic trims are packed with features that rival luxury brands like Jaguar. In fact, the 2020 Sonata won the KBB Best Tech Award.
Both vehicles offer classy amenities as well as excellent technology. But while the XE does have more powerful engines and AWD capabilities, its only other major advantage is the prestige that comes from the Jaguar name.
Despite its lower price point, the Sonata actually has more standard safety features than the XE. Its technology is also slightly more advanced, and it provides more cabin space and an incredible warranty. Although this vehicle may lag behind the XE when it comes to power, it more than makes up for it in its comfort, its abundance of features, and, of course, its price tag.
