Used 2009 Jaguar XJ

Jaguar’s rolling showcase and largest, most luxurious sedan, the XJ, touts the company’s latest achievements in engineering, technology and luxury. Wrapped in a lightweight all-aluminum body, the 2009 Jaguar XJ is surprisingly agile for its size, yet remarkably solid. Offered in a variety of trims, including two stretched wheelbase versions and the legendary performance cat, the XJR, the XJ is without question the finest Jaguar product to date. Faced with radically new designs emerging from Audi, BMW and Lexus, Jaguar’s strategy to stick with its traditional styling may prove problematic. With sales still not as robust as Jaguar would like, it may be possible to wrangle a good deal on a new XJ.

Power for the normally-aspirated XJ8, XJ8L and Vanden Plas models comes from a refined 4.2-liter V8 of 300 horsepower, while the XJR, Portfolio and Super V8 receive an additional 100 horsepower in the form of a supercharged V8 engine. The XJ rides on a remarkably capable chassis, highlighted by an adaptive rear air suspension; the XJ is solid, secure and serene, with great higher-speed control and an appropriately smooth ride that’s completely in character with this car’s image. Statement-making 18- and 19-inch alloy wheels look smart, and the XJR and Super V8 get even more aggressive 20-inch wheels and tires that further upgrade ultimate handling but also somewhat diminish the luxurious, soft ride of the base XJ.

The XJ’s wide front seats provide excellent lower thigh and back support and include a four-way power lumbar support. In the rear, you’ll find a vastly larger passenger space than in previous generation XJs, with ample head and legroom for six-footers. The handsome dash incorporates three circular gauges surrounded by an expansive use of burl wood trim. We found the dash-mounted ignition slot is placed fairly low, allowing dangling keys to brush annoyingly atop the driver’s right leg. The wide center stack plays host to the LCD navigation screen as well as functions for the climate control and audio systems. XJR models offer a set of advanced sport seats and a Satin American Walnut trim option replacing the traditional Burl Walnut.

If you place this generation XJ next to any previous XJ sedan, the differences immediately become apparent. Gone are the low roof and side sills, top-loading fuel fillers and narrow midsection. The current XJ shuns all of these traits in favor of a much taller design that vastly increases interior volume in all directions, most noticeably in the area of rear-seat headroom. The design also gives the XJ one of the largest trunks ever offered on any Jaguar model. The XJ retains such signature styling cues as the curvaceous hood, four round headlamps, tapered rear end. Sadly, the hood-mounted Jaguar emblem, affectionately known as the "leaper, has been rendered extinct.

DVD Monitors
The Vanden Plas, XJR and Super V8 offer twin rear-seat DVD monitors built into the backs of the front-seat headrests.

Power Rear Seat
The Super V8’s power rear seat adjusts for the ultimate in chauffeured luxury.

The XJ8 features a ZF six-speed automatic transmission, automatic headlamp control, heated front seats, memory feature for the driver’s seat, adjustable pedals and steering column, power glass moonroof, Reverse Park Control, Front Park Control, DVD navigation, 320-watt Alpine Premium audio with AM/FM/CD stereo with CD, side-curtain airbags, front side-impact airbags, stability control, traction control, xenon headlamps and 19-inch alloy wheels. The Vanden Plas has a longer wheelbase and adds climate controlled front seats and rear picnic tray tables. The XJR and Super V8 receive a supercharged V8 engine, Brembo disc brakes and 20-inch Z-rated tires, and the Super V8 adds a power-adjustable rear bench seat and twin rear DVD entertainment screens; the twin DVD screens are optionally available on the Vanden Plas and XJR.

Options include a Warm Climate Package that adds four-zone air conditioning and manual rear side sunblinds, and the Multimedia Package that adds dual rear monitors, DVD player and rear armrest controls. Stand alone options include SIRIUS Satellite Radio, a heated wood and leather steering wheel, 19-inch custom alloy wheels and special order paint and interior trim.

More stately sedan than speedster, the XJ8 is powered by a standard 4.2-liter V8 that will be more than sufficient for most owners’ needs. This smooth and powerful engine has just the right mix of growl at the tailpipe to let others know what’s under the hood. The six-speed ZF transmission is a brilliant piece of work that helps the big Jaguar achieve fuel economy ratings comparable to a V6-powered sedan. Buyers who opt for the XJR or Super V8 receive a supercharged version of the engine. Rated at 400 horsepower, it delivers acceleration and performance completely in keeping with the expectations for a world-class high-performance sedan.

4.2-liter V8
300 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
310 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/25

4.2-liter V8 Supercharged
400 horsepower @ 6100 rpm
413 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22