This is the Jaguar XJ – a massive executive saloon aimed at suit-wearing office types
and celebrities or politicians that like to be chauffeured around. And when I say massive,
I do mean massive, this thing is huge, it's over 1..2..3..4..5 metres long. And this is just the SWB model,
the LWB is a bit bigger, it's about here. So, as it sits under the umbrella of executive saloons,
you’ve got some pretty high expectations, there's luxury of course, there's a high performance engine, there's top-notch
technology and an overall sense of automotive superiority. And that means this XJ goes up
against the BMW 7 Series, the Mercedes S-Class and the Audi A8.
But should you have a Jag instead?
Jump inside this R-Sport model and you are
instantly hit with an array of overtly luxurious features, the thick smell of high-quality
leather being one of them, and that of leather is plastered all over the
dashboard but it feels more like couch cushions than it does a mere trim.
You also get this huge centre console which is decorated with loads of chrome and this materialising gear selector,
and this leads up to the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system and this has everything from
Bluetooth to 360 degree cameras and a heated seat hub to a TV… yes, a TV.
The sat-nav you get is not just you're average sat-nav either, it works more like Google, so if you
after an Italian restaurant, you just type in Italian and it comes up with
the most relevant details. This sat-nav, along with other features, can also flood
the TFT screen behind the steering wheel so you don’t have to take your eyes off the
road as much as you might in other cars.
For me though, it’s the little things that make it and yes, they may be a tad superfluous, but I love them all the same
like these A pillars that feel like soft rolled-up towels, you've got this automatic glovebox, these
electrically adjusting head rests and this nice analogue clock in the dashboard. It's nice, isn't it?
So this is where executive saloons are just a bit different. First off you’ve got these lovely leather
seats that sit ever so slightly reclined – and you can’t actually adjust these but after
sitting in them I doubt you’ll find the need to. You’ve also got this massive arm
rest which doubles up as a desk for your Filofax, and there’s also storage here and two cup holders.
These rear seats are cooled and heated, and you can control that down here or have your driver do it up front,
same goes for the air-conditioning. And from a space point of view, there is loads
of it – bearing in mind the LWB model actually offers more legroom.
One thing I will say though, is that headroom is a bit better in its German rivals. And, you can sit 3 back here,
3 abreast very easily, but you want to make the most of the
XJ's luxurious practicality. Make the most of this armrest,
then you want to sit 2 instead of 3.
So suitcases and golf bags are most likely
to adorn the XJ’s boot, and there is enough space for both, due to this nice wide
opening and the fact you can push stuff nice and deep into the boot. Yes, it might be nice if it wasa bit deeper – and
maybe the seats folded down, but luxury is the magic word here, not practicality.
So, I want to start our on the road section as a passenger and just talk about what comforts
like in the back of the XJ. Now, the combination of these nice seats and the tinted windows,
and the lack of noise back here does make taking a nap very easy and very tempting. You can also
have your own personal sunvisor open or closed if you want to make it a bit cosier. And I must say, that sitting back here, the cabin up front
does look incredibly smart. But even with all of these little luxurious
feautres, you can tell that there is a hint of firmness in the ride. Especially when you go over bumps,
big or small. So the question is, why didn't Jag just angle it towards comfort?
Well, that’s where driving pleasure comes in
See, when you’re not flicking through the pages of the financial times in the back seat, the
XJ is a car that can be driven, well, like a Jag sports car. Don’t get me wrong, it’s
not testing to drive, I mean drive it around town or on the motorway and it really does just drive
itself, with it's light and precise steering making the sheer size of the car less intimidating.
But if you do want to take it on some twisty roads, then you can whack it into Dynamic
mode – thanks to Jag’s Adaptive Dynamics system – and make the most of its weightier
steering, its enhanced throttle response and, like I said before, the slightly stiffer, sportier
ride. And suddenly, that somewhat yacht-like feel that some may experience from the size of the XJ, just dissolves.
Some greater feedback from the steering would be nice, but for quick spurts of spirited
driving, the Jag XJ clearly has got a lot going for it. And the way it just masks its big physique
through winding roads like this is just so impressive. And I haven’t even mentioned the engine
yet, which is a 3.0-litre V6 diesel mated to a very smooth eight-speed automatic
gearbox. This produces 296bhp, 700Nm of torque, a top speed of 155mph and a zero to 60 time of just 5.9
seconds. You’re unlikely to explore all this power on a daily basis, but
its good to know its there when it comes to the likes of motorway overtaking.
So, luxury is going to cost you – this 3.0-litre V6 R-Sport model costs around £71,000
and upwards – now equivalent models from BMW, Mercedes and Audi -
pretty much cost the same. Especially when you start to add stuff like optional kit, with anything from £62,000 to £75,000.
Now when it comes to fuel economy Jag claims around high 40s. Now, we've been getting closer to about 35mpg.
So, why go for the Jag and not of it's German rivals?
Well, if you are purely after luxury, space and comfort, then by all means, go for one of the Germanic saloons.
The S-Class, the 7 Series, the A8, all brilliant cars.
The Jag however does still offer impressive comfort and luxury, but there's just something so
involving about it's drive that it makes you think yeah, why go for all work and no play when you simply
don’t have to. Yeah, the ride is firm, but it really does pay off.
Plus, there is just something about owning a Jag and not a German saloon… I don’t
know, maybe it’s just cause I’m British. But would you go Jag, or German? Let us know
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