Used 2017 Jaguar XJ

Now in its fourth generation, the 2017 Jaguar XJ is an elegant and opulent full-size luxury sedan with supercharged V6 and V8 engines packing as much as 550 horsepower. Available with rear- or all-wheel drive (RWD, AWD), Jaguar’s flagship offers high levels of comfort and technology, including an all-aluminum body and structure to save weight. Last year Jaguar revamped its infotainment system with an improved touch screen and faster response. It also gave the XJ’s styling a mild but meaningful refresh, with new headlights and a revised grille. Thankfully the sedan’s unique black C-pillars and floating roof remain. The XJ is available in long- and short-wheelbase body styles and it’s a real alternative to the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Prices start around $75,000.

You can opt for a country-club-soft experience, but if you want a little more brutishness with your Britishness, the 550-horsepower XJR does nicely. Every XJ gets an 8-speed automatic transmission with manual-shifting control, and the supercharged V6 delivers better-than-acceptable acceleration with the combination. The standard 340-horsepower XJ R-Sport is more than lively enough for most buyers. Quicker, of course, are the V8-powered models, and the 550-horsepower XJR is particularly salacious with a deep V8 rumble and neck-snapping, tire-shredding acceleration. However, even the XJR delivers on Jaguar’s well-earned reputation for a comfortable ride. Although the ride is firmer in the XJR, it’s always comfortable thanks to the standard active-damping suspension. And the XJ is extremely adept at highway cruising. The only dynamic drawback is steering that’s on the light side, which is fine when parking, but we wish for more feedback on twisting roads.

Spacious and inviting, the interior of the 2017 Jaguar XJ is awash in soft leathers, real woods and an artistic use of chrome trim. Its leather-covered dash and door panels exude old-world luxury and craftsmanship, with an elegant analog clock and double stitching, but the modern shapes and switchgear are pure 21st century. It’s a wonderful and dynamic combination that never feels old-fashioned or stuffy. The seats are exceedingly comfortable, and the quilted leather upholstery gives them the look and feel of fine furniture. The Jag’s unique rotary shift knob rises dramatically when you start the car.

Jaguars have been beautiful since the 1950s. With its long flowing shape, fast backlight and broad shoulders the 2017 Jag XJ is one of the brand’s best-looking sedans ever. This car has presence. Fashion comes and goes, but style is forever, and the Jag’s athletically tasteful curves and understated elegance will prove timeless. Amazingly, the long-wheelbase models manage to add five inches to the overall length without marring the profile. Downsides include a trunk that’s on the small size for the class, and the low roofline means tall passengers have to watch their heads getting in the back seat.

SUPERCHARGED ENGINES
Unlike BMW, Mercedes and Audi that have added turbochargers to their engines for additional power, Jaguar’s supercharged powerplants are for the ages. The V6 and V8, both of which are shared with the brand’s F-Type sports car as well as the Range Rover, are smooth and addictively powerful.

INCONTROL INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
Jaguar’s new InControl infotainment system now includes all the latest features including swipe and pinch-to-zoom. Its dual-view technology allows you to view the audio system on the 8-inch touch screen, while the navigation maps are shown in place of the gauges on the huge screen ahead of the driver.

Standard on the 2017 Jaguar XJ are flagship-level amenities such as the InControl infotainment system that includes navigation, Apple CarPlay connectivity and onboard Wi-Fi, a leather-wrapped dash, digital LCD gauge cluster, dynamic suspension damping, blind-spot monitoring, and an extra-long panoramic moonroof. The so-called "base" audio system is a great-sounding 825-watt Meridian setup with hard-disk music storage. The XJL Portfolio model comes with a standard 4-zone climate-control system as well as heated and cooled front and rear seats. High-performance XJR models get sport seats, sport exhaust, a sport-tuned suspension, red brake calipers and lightweight 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Engine choices, all-wheel drive and long-wheelbase bodies top the list of choices confronting 2017 XJ buyers, but there’s more beyond that. Adaptive cruise control, a Parking Assist Package with front, side and rear sensors; a heated windshield, retractable rear-window shades and several seating options that range from massaging front seats to heated and cooled rear seats are available. Also available is a 4-zone climate-control system and an audio-system upgrade with 26 speakers. If you choose a Jaguar XJ with a supercharged V8 engine, you also get an active differential that puts the power to the ground better.

Whether you choose a long- or short-wheelbase Jaguar XJ, three engine choices confront you. Lower-end models get a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine that delivers a stout 340 horsepower and admirable low-end torque; it’s also the only XJ available with AWD. Mid-level XJ models get a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 putting out 470 horsepower, and if you upgrade to the fire-breathing XJR, you get an appropriately hotter version that puts out 550 horsepower. All 2017 XJ models deliver power through an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the steering wheel offering manual control when you want it. Fuel economy, especially with the V6 engine, is pretty good, even if it’s not class-leading.

3.0-liter supercharged V6 (XJ R-Sport, XJ R-Sport AWD, XJL Portfolio, XJL Portfolio AWD)
340 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
332 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27 mpg (standard-wheelbase models), 17/27 mpg (long-wheelbase models), 16/24 mpg (AWD)

5.0-liter supercharged V8 (XJ Supercharged, XJL Supercharged)
470 horsepower @ 6,000-6,500 rpm
424 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/23 mpg

5.0-liter supercharged V8 (XJR, XJR LWB)
550 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
502 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/23 mpg

Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.