For the latest model year onward, Jaguar's XJ luxury sedan has an all-new look that ditches the retro styling of the previous model for a much more contemporary look. Priced from $72,500, the car rivals the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class lines.
The entry-level configuration comes with a naturally aspirated engine, which is also offered for $79,500 in XJL long-wheelbase guise. The XJ Supercharged carries a price of $87,500, and the XJL version adds $3,000 to the total, for a final price of $90,500. Lastly, the XJ Supersport and XJL Supersport models cost $112,000 and $115,000, respectively.
The tall front end, which no doubt was designed with European pedestrian safety standards in mind, is generally styled like the XF, although the grille juts out further from the fascia. From the side, the XJ takes a vastly different approach as the shape reaches the C-pillar, which does not sweep in the same vaguely Lexus style of the XF.
Out back, Lancia-esque tail lamps curve up the rear and the dramatically sloped rear window gives the car a four door coupe-style profile.
The XJ's interior has also been seriously re-worked. Taking little in the way of influence from the smaller XF, the new XJ features a unique, wrap-around dash, complete with plenty of wood and leather accents. A large LCD screen is front and center while rounded air vents give the XJ's cabin an air of sportiness.
A push button ignition and JaguarDrive Selector gear switch -- the same found in the XF -- bring the big cat up to speed with 21st century luxury motoring. Optional features include a 1,200-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system, hard drive-based audio and navigation systems and connectivity for external audio and video devices.
Technical features of the new XJ include an air suspension, Jaguar's continuously variable damping Adaptive Dynamics system and Active Differential Control.
The XJ is offered in three separate trim levels -- XJ, Supercharged and Supersport -- with each model available in long-wheelbase form. The base XJ is powered by a 385 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 while the mid-level Supercharged model adds a supercharger to boost horsepower to 470.
The customer order only Supersport model sits atop the XJ hierarchy, powered by a 510 horsepower version of Jaguar's supercharged 5.0-liter V8. All XJ models use a six-speed automatic transmission.
No matter the trim level, the XJ promises to be one serious sports sedan. Thanks to its light-weight aluminum construction -- Jaguar says the XJ is at least 300 pounds lighter than the competition -- even the base model XJ can scoot from 0-60 in 5.4 seconds. That figure drops to just 4.9 seconds for the Supercharged model, with the range-topping Supersport model making the same sprint in 4.7 seconds.
The base XJ tops out at 121 mph while the supercharged models have free reign all the way up to 155 mph.
Although fuel economy is rarely a concern with a vehicle of the XJ's ilk, the big cat manages a respectable 19 mpg average in base guise and a decent 18 mpg in supercharged form.
