Jaguar XJ Review (2010-2019)

Jaguar has a long history of building luxury cars and the XJ took pride of place at the top of its four-door range for decades. The first of the XJs arrived in 1968 but this fourth-generation variant – known as X351 – was announced in 2009 and landed in dealerships in 2010. It was a dramatically different car to its predecessor, with a sleek, low roofline, more aggressive styling, and a panoramic glass roof.

Engines spanned a frugal 3.0-litre diesel V6 to a supercharged 5.0-litre petrol V8, all of which initially featured rear-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive versions were also offered.

Inside, the XJ had a real luxury car feel. Fine veneers, leathers, and metal finishes delivered a cosseting and charming cabin, and one that exuded far more character than alternatives such as the BMW 7 Series.

It’s easy to get comfortable in the front of the XJ, thanks to a wide array of electric seat and steering column adjustments – although that low-slung, coupe-like roofline makes the back seat a little snugger than that of rivals.

A solution was available in the form of the long wheelbase model, which added an extra 120mm of space for rear passengers and, for a time, was the choice of a couple of UK prime ministers and the royal family.

The XJ’s boot can handle 520 litres of luggage, so it’s bigger than that of the Audi A8 and the BMW 7 Series but smaller than the Mercedes S-Class’s boot.

Even the entry-level 3.0-litre diesel serves up 275hp and 443lb ft of torque, which can propel it from 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds. New buyers who went for the 510hp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 could go quicker still, as the then range-topping Jaguar could sprint from 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds.

A supercharged 3.0-litre V6 arrived in 2012, followed by a new eight-speed automatic transmission for the 2013 model year and, in the same, year the high-performance XJR. Jaguar would continue to roll out technical and equipment revisions until production of the XJ drew to a close in July 2019.

Most gratifying, though, is the XJ’s ride and handling. Its slick, accurate steering, allied with a composed and capable chassis, makes it a treat to drive – and far more engaging than rival luxury saloons of the same era, including the Audi A8. The penalty is a slightly compromised ride. The XJ doesn’t glide down the road in as unruffled a manner as a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Trim levels initially included Luxury, Premium Luxury and Portfolio, all of which came stacked with kit. Even the standard early Luxury model came with a plethora of kit, including a panoramic roof, electrically adjustable leather seats, heated seats, quad-zone climate control, a touchscreen infotainment system with satnav, and cruise control. These often make for the best buy, lest you really want extra kit and luxury features.

The basic specification changed over time, though, with new features such as a DAB radio and an upgraded sound system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on later cars.

Options included active differential control, air suspension, a 12.3-inch high-definition instrument panel, and high-end sound audio upgrades, such as a 1200-watt Bowers & Wilkins system.

Few will buy a Jaguar XJ and expect it to be inexpensive to run but, in any case, the costs might not be as high as expected. For starters, many of the diesel models fall into the less expensive annual tax bands, with some of the earlier models dipping as low as £165 a year. You will pay more for later variants, however, with prices rising up to £475 – and the high CO2 outputs of the V8s land many in the £580 tax band.

When the new tax rules were introduced on 1 April 2017, however, the baseline for annual VED dropped significantly and now sits at £150. Emissions and list price could vary the rate significantly for five years, though, so check the details of the specific car you’re interested in to avoid any surprises.

Fuel costs can be manageable, too. The diesel variants have claimed averages upwards of 35mpg and, in the real world, owners report economy figures in that range and beyond. The petrol V6 and V8 operations are predictably thirstier but the V6s can nudge into the 30mpg range if driven cautiously.

You might even eke up to 30mpg out of the supercharged V8s, especially on longer and more sedate cruises. If efficiency is crucial and range isn’t an issue, though, you could perhaps look at an alternative such as a used all-electric Tesla Model S.

Jaguar does offer a range of service plans that can help keep maintenance costs in check. Usefully, you can enter your vehicle details – or the details of a prospective purchase – on Jaguar’s servicing pages and it will generate options that are suitable for your application.

On a 2018 XJ 3.0-litre diesel, for example, we were quoted £1,450 for a three-year service plan based on 10,000 miles a year. That’s a sensible-sounding £480 a year and, if required, you can pay in monthly instalments. Servicing is otherwise required every 16,000 miles or 12 months.

Diesel versions also have a timing belt and a drive belt for the high-pressure fuel pump and it’s an easy four-figure job to get it all changed. The front belt needs to be changed every 112,000 miles and the rear belt 150,000 miles. This used to be every ten years but intervals in later models were revised down to every seven years, so it’s probably best to consult your dealer and change it sooner.

It is also worth bearing in mind the cost of consumables such as tyres and brakes, especially if you’re looking at older XJs. A set of tyres could easily cost north of £600, excluding fitting, which could smart if you weren’t prepared for it.

A new XJ would benefit from a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which is on a par with that offered by BMW and Mercedes-Benz – and better than the 60,000-mile alternative offered by Audi.

Warranty extensions are available as well, for Jaguars still within that original three-year manufacturer’s warranty period, which could be worth considering if you’re going to keep your XJ for a while.

Hopefully, you shouldn’t need to rely on it too much – as the Jaguar XJ fares better than many premium competitors in the reliability stakes. Similarly, the brand often does well when it comes to customer satisfaction.

These are complex and equipment-laden cars, though, so it’s worth setting aside some money to cover any unexpected failures. That way, at least, you’ll be able to enjoy the car in earnest and not suffer a flush of fear every time you start it up. If reliability is a concern, though, you could consider a durable Lexus LS.

When it comes to buying a used XJ, aside from the usual checks and making sure it’s been serviced as per the routine suggested in the hand book, try to ascertain how it’s been used. A car that’s simply sat on the motorway, even if it’s got far higher miles, will have had an easier life than one that’s been used for lots of short around-town trips.

There have also been several recalls on XJs, so you need to check the details of any car you’re considering buying against the government’s vehicle recall site.

Jaguar offers an approved used car scheme, called Jaguar Approved, and each car offered through it is given a 165-point inspect. Each is then resold with a minimum of 12 months’ breakdown cover and warranty, which could help minimise fuss.