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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2011 Jaguar XJ Series

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Overview

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2011 Jaguar XJ Series Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.2

The Jaguar XJ features one of the most iconic and enduring designs in the history of the automobile or anything else. Not unlike the poster child for evolutionary design change, the Porsche 911, the modern-day Jaguar XJ is instantly recognizable as a successor to the original. Until now. The sportier, more contemporary design direction that revealed itself in the latest Jaguar XK Coupe and Convertible, then the XF Sedan, has now been applied to Jaguar's flagship sedan. No longer old-fashioned and quirky, the Jaguar XJ is now a wholly relevant and viable option to any of today's modern flagships. There's a new cat on the block, and he moved into the house previously occupied by that eccentric, flamboyant old guy. We think he died.

You'll Like This Car If...

The 2011 Jaguar XJ has the stature, sheetmetal and driving dynamics to run with big dogs like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8, but separates itself from the crowd with a uniquely gorgeous interior.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Jaguar is still nagged by historically sub-par resale values and spotty reliability records, so the 2011 Jaguar XJ isn't among the category's smartest buys.

What's New for 2011

The 2011 Jaguar XJ is so thoroughly new that it's unrecognizable as a descendant of the previous generation - inside, outside and underneath.

Driving the XJ Series

Driving Impressions Relaxed road manners and a quiet cabin make the 2011 Jaguar XJ an ideal carrier of dignitaries and businesspeople, but they also make the XJ a pleasure to drive. The...

suspension's active damping system adjusts to varying road conditions, providing a sense of dynamism when cornering – while never forgetting its primary job is to protect occupants from road imperfections. The enthusiasts in us yearn for more steering feel, but the XJ's light steering efforts make this large sedan surprisingly easy to maneuver at lower speeds; however parking can still be a challenge due to sheer size. Our only major complaint is reserved for the brakes, which feature a light, overly-sensitive pedal that makes it difficult to stop smoothly. On the other hand, we have no complaints about acceleration. The base V8 engine offers plenty of power, but we would have a hard time not selecting one of the supercharged engine variants, which deliver an exhilarating growl and effortless acceleration when prodded.

Favorite Features

Bowers & Wilkins Sound System
We love a good sound system, and the 2011 Jaguar XJ offers something special in the audio department: a 1,200-watt Bowers & Wilkins system with 7.1 surround sound and 20 speakers. Sometimes luxury is loud.

LCD Gauge Cluster
In place of mono-tasking mechanical gauges, the 2011 Jaguar XJ features a 12.3-inch high-definition screen that displays a virtual speedometer, tachometer and information window with fuel and temperature gauges. The system will display messages and menus over the tachometer, and selecting the XJ's Dynamic drive mode gives the instruments a sporty red glow.

2011 Jaguar XJ Series Details

Interior

As elegant as it is outside, the 2011 Jaguar XJ is really defined by its distinctively styled, uniquely luxurious passenger cabin. It's a wholly contemporary luxury execution, but with a perfect dose of sport and heritage befitting the Jaguar name. Highlights include a prominent trim element that wraps from below the windshield to the rear doors, leather-wrapped upper dash, prominent center air vents, a full LCD "virtual" gauge cluster, panoramic moonroof and the now-familiar transmission selector knob that automatically rises from the center console when the engine is started.

Exterior

The 2011 Jaguar XJ is available in standard and long-wheelbase versions, with XJL models offering an additional five inches of legroom (but less parking-lot maneuverability). In between the strongly styled front end and more stately rear, XJ design highlights include a long, coupe-like roofline, front-fender adornments and a black-out treatment on the rear roof pillar that Jaguar says gives the impression of an exotic "floating" roof. We're not yet sure exactly what impression it gives us.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2011 Jaguar XJ features a full complement of the features we'd expect to find on a new flagship luxury sedan plus a few more, including a leather-wrapped dash, LCD gauge cluster, active suspension, blind-spot monitoring and a panoramic moonroof. The "base" audio system is a 14-speaker, 600-watt setup with hard-disk music storage, and the XJ offers full Bluetooth and iPod connectivity. The standard safety setup reads like a bowl of alphabet soup – ABS, DSC, CBC, EBD, ETC – and includes front, front side and two-row side-curtain airbags.

Optional Equipment

In addition to two supercharged engines and a long-wheelbase version, the 2011 Jaguar XJ list of upgrades includes adaptive cruise control, heated windshield, retractable rear window shades and several seating options that range from massaging front seats to heated and cooled rear seats. Supercharged models feature an active differential control to better put the increased power to the ground, while Supersport models include metallic foot pedals, semi-aniline leather and a leather headliner.

Under the Hood

One engine, three flavors. The 2011 Jaguar XJ lineup features three versions of a 5.0-liter V8, two of them supercharged. Each is mated to an adaptive six-speed automatic transmission that's easily manipulated via steering wheel-mounted paddles shifters. The energy ultimately makes its way to the rear wheels and delivers 5.4-, 4.9- and 4.7-second sprints to 60 mph, depending on engine choice.

5.0-liter V8
385 horsepower @ 6500 rpm
380 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/23 mpg (long wheelbase: 15/22 mpg)

Supercharged 5.0-liter V8
470 horsepower @ 6000-6500 rpm
424 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2500-5500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 mpg

Supercharged 5.0-liter V8
510 horsepower @ 6000-6500 rpm
461 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2500-5500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 mpg

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2011 Jaguar XJ Series Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.2

Out of 10

Based on 4 Ratings for the 2010 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.2/10

Quality

9.2/10
Reliability

8.8/10

Performance

9.0/10
Comfort

9.2/10

Styling

9.8/10

best auto ever purchased/driven

By D (VA) on Sunday, March 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 3,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "pleasure to drive, often receives compliments"

Cons: "bump head getting in and out"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Performance excellent (speed and gas performance) while extremely comfortable and fun to drive. Had for 9 months and no need to return for any problems. Once owned a 66 GTO muscle car wit 3/2's and this one is much quicker in sport mode. Noticed that Prince William also rides in one...."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Best vehicle owned

By Jake (CA) on Friday, February 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "(fast)Joy to drive,Head turner,Best Resale value"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"A pleasure to drive throttle response in excellent better interior than that of a Bentley or Maserati and it has best in class resale value so I am making a smarter investment than if I had bought a bentley or Mercedes S-Class which lose 30% of theyre value in 2 years while the Jag loses 15% over 2 years."

5 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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Best ultra luxury car in the world.

By A (Canada) on Sunday, January 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 13,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "heads turn,priced effectively,throttle response"

Cons: "No cons the car is perfect"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"A head turner better than the previous luxury cars I have owned such as Bentleys,AMG benzes etc the interior is gorgeous as is the exterior and its a pleasure to drive that 5.0 V8 in sport mode it makes the best exhaust noise better than that of the maserati quattroporte and it has best in class resale value so I am also being a smart consumer."

9 people out of 9 found this review helpful

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design errors compromise the car

By mike (NY) on Thursday, January 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 18,000

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 6/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 7/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 3

"the double moon roof is a constant rattle which apparently cannot be fixed although in the shop 4-5 times the car is too long and is difficult to park and maneuver.. although the interior is as nice as they come the electronic navigation and entertainment system is bulky and unresponsive at times..the design was new at the time but of course other car makers have copied and or done better..the mercedes CLS in designo mode after two more years should be a much better choice for handling and for reliability....the larger flagships of all makers are now really designed not for driving pleasure but to be driven around in....smaller is better"

3 people out of 11 found this review helpful

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See all 4 reviews