2019 Jaguar XJ

In a market dominated by full-size German luxury sedans, the Jaguar XJ has to do a lot to stand out in the USA. But, despite the stiff competition, the British sedan manages to hold its own. With a choice of two engines, including a 470-horsepower supercharged V8, and two drivetrains, the Jag performs well, even if it can't quite beat rivals' 60 mph benchmark times. However, in a class that glamorizes frivolous spending, the XJ is remarkably good value, with a starting price of $76,000, competitive fuel economy, a long list of standard features, and surprisingly good utility. Still, the Audi A8 is better-rounded, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is more refined. But with striking styling that lends itself to more old-world charm, a well-appointed interior, athletic handling that is rare for the segment, the Jaguar XJ still has a lot of appeal, and 50 years on from the original XJ, the big cat provides buyers with a left-field alternative to the mainstream luxo-barges.

The base-model XJ R-Sport is surprisingly well-priced for the amount of value it brings to the table, with a base price of $75,400. Utilizing the same base engine, the XJL Portfolio (LWB) will cost you $84,500 MSRP, while the XJ50 will set you back $87,500. Adding all-wheel-drive to any of the V6 trims adds a further $2,900. Stepping up to the more powerful V8, the XJ Supercharged starts at $93,000, with the long-wheelbase model upping the price to $96,300. Topping the non-R range is the V8-powered XJ50, sporting an asking price of $99,300. Prices quoted for the Jaguar XJ exclude tax, registration, licensing, and Jaguar's $995 handling fee.

While not as refined as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the 2020 Jaguar XJ is a more than capable large sedan. How much pleasure you take from driving it can depend largely on the power of the engine you choose to equip, but even the starter V6 is an adequate performer, delivering ample acceleration to make cruising around town a breeze. The lightness of the steering adds to this sense of ease, not engaging the driver much or providing any real degree of feedback, but it allows the large vehicle to maneuver with ease in relatively cramped spaces, and is a godsend when trying to park the behemoth. Similarly, the brakes perform well, stopping the sedan is around 110 ft from 60 mph, but they are a bit too stiff and uncommunicative.

The steering complements the Jag's surprisingly light handling dynamics. The broad wheels grip the road well as it takes turns, while the body rolls just enough to deliver a thrill without hindering driver confidence. Despite the luxury nature of the sedan, the XJ is athletic and offers a great deal of drivability. The active differential and re-tuned suspension that come with the Supercharged trims ensure that none of this enjoyment is lost despite the more aggressive acceleration and higher speeds.

The plush interior of the large luxury sedan complements the perfectly balanced suspension to deliver a ride that borders on excellence, with only the largest of road imperfections causing any real discomfort.

There is no doubt in our minds that the Jaguar XJ is a good car, an excellent one even. But, it competes in a segment where excellence is the norm, and only truly peerless cars stand out.

The Jag handles extremely well for a car its size, often feeling smaller than it is, which is further enhanced by the way the cabin wraps around the driver to deliver an experience akin to a much sportier vehicle. However, the powertrain isn't as refined as in some top competitors that get better performance figures without sacrificing on handling. The interior sports a toned-down style that is reminiscent of simpler times, but sadly the infotainment seems to have followed the same trend, despite recent updates. While the graphics are good, the touchscreen can be clunky to navigate and the voice controls are unrefined. The seats can't be faulted, however, delivering the opulent comfort we expect from a sedan in this price bracket.

Nevertheless, the Jaguar XJ is a car that fails to deliver the all-round experience that we expect from a true luxury sedan. If you're looking at a car in this segment, you're probably not hunting for a bargain. While they can be considerably more expensive, you'd be better off considering an S-Class Mercedes or a Porsche Panamera.

If you are going to be transporting more than two passengers on the regular, then we strongly advise you to opt for a long-wheelbase model for the extra rear legroom. The Portfolio is the cheapest option within this category and comes extremely well-appointed with leather seats, as well as almost all the comfort and safety features available even the top-most trims, such as 14-way power front seats, quad-zone climate control, and front and rear parking assist. It is also eligible for the Premium Rear Seat Package if you want to really spoil your back-seat passengers.

There are certainly areas where the Jaguar XJ is superior to the Audi A8, namely trunk space and the availability of more than one engine, thanks to the big, characterful supercharged V8. Nevertheless, the A8's powertrain is exceptionally refined, although the Jaguar's chassis offers brilliant driving dynamics that make it one of the best driver's cars in an often-forgotten segment. The tech features available in the Audi are top-notch, though, with some of the most advanced self-driving technology available and loads of standard safety. With almost identical price tags and fuel economy, it really comes down to which is the better all-around luxury sedan. And in this regard, the Audi A8 pulls slightly ahead of the Jaguar XJ - a better quality interior, more tech, and more luxury being the final nails in the coffin of the aging Jag.

The XF is a more affordable sibling to the premium-level XJ, with a price starting at $51,100. But at that price, it also occupies a smaller mid-sized segment and makes certain sacrifices as a result. It continues to add value by delivering significantly better fuel economy with the supercharged V6 getting 20/29/23 mpg while the standard turbocharged 247-hp four-cylinder gets 25/34/28 mpg. The smaller sedan also manages to provide more trunk space as it doesn't put as much focus on luxury and rear-seat space. Being smaller and more maneuverable, the XF makes more sense as a town car with higher levels of utility, and is worth a test drive based on this alone. But if you want luxury, then there really is no comparison here, as the XJ is leagues ahead in terms of opulence and overall comfort.