Skip advert
Advertisement

2019 Jaguar XE SV Project 8 review – interior and tech

Jaguar's XE SV Project 8 takes a rather extreme approach to the supersaloon recipe than most, but has an equally extreme price tag to match

Evo rating
RRP
from £149,995
  • Performance, poise and ability on track, usable on road, bombastic soundtrack
  • Cup 2 tyres struggle in the wet, a few levels above the usual saloon price point

The Project 8’s interior ambience changes somewhat depending on whether you opt for the Track Pack or not. If you do, then the rear bench makes way for a roll-cage, and the standard reclining buckets are replaced with fixed-back items with four-point harnesses.

This does seem slightly incongruous when staring at you from the other direction is a near-standard interpretation of the regular Jaguar XE dashboard. In common with some of Jaguar’s other high-end performance models, this does breed an environment that doesn’t quite match up with the price tag, though objectively and in isolation the XE’s cabin is perfectly reasonable.

Advertisement - Article continues below

One welcome touch is the Alcantara steering wheel rim, while Jaguar’s infotainment system is improving all the time, and the digital instrument cluster ahead of you is clear enough for quick driving. Minor controls are sensibly arranged and physical buttons still handle the heating and ventilation.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 review - the 340bhp V6 sports car you never knew you needed
Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 corner rear
Reviews

Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 review - the 340bhp V6 sports car you never knew you needed

By putting a 340bhp Jaguar V6 in Mazda's MX-5 specialist Rocketeer has created one of 2026's unexpected driving hits.
22 May 2026
Theon Design Porsche 911 review – twice a GT3 RS's price, but twice the car?
Theon Design Porsche 911
Reviews

Theon Design Porsche 911 review – twice a GT3 RS's price, but twice the car?

Theon Design's latest Porsche 911 restomod calls back classic racers and costs twice as much as the best new 911. We drive it to see if it's worth it
21 May 2026
Volkswagen Golf GTI review – once the definitive hot hatch, is it still one of the best?
Golf GTI
In-depth reviews

Volkswagen Golf GTI review – once the definitive hot hatch, is it still one of the best?

The latest Golf GTI is fast, capable and easy to live with, now with improved if not perfected HMI and driving dynamics
19 May 2026