Used 2019 Jaguar XJ

Ignore the calendar, and the 2019 Jaguar XJ full-size luxury sedan is an impressive package. It comes in regular- or long-wheelbase form, offers V6 and V8 engines (both of which are supercharged), brings all the leather and wood a flagship sedan should have, yet also tops the range with a high-performance machine. The unstoppable march of time, however, means that all its rivals are newer and better equipped, with much fresher technology. As it stands, the main attractions of the 2019 XJ are its distinguished looks and distinct driving experience.

Not every Jaguar XJ buyer will want to sprint off the line and hit 60 mph in a mere 4.2 seconds, which is what the range-topping XJR575 calls another day at the office. The rest of us call it phenomenal. Yet this talent for speed and sinewy control finds its way into the least expensive versions as well. There’s a fundamental balance to the XJ, aided by its aluminum-intensive construction. It’s not a light car, but Jaguar’s engineers had sufficient leeway to distribute the weight to their advantage. This equilibrium allows the XJ to feel agile through the corners, yet it’s also stable on the highway. The standard self-leveling adaptive suspension contributes both comfort and precision. And even the base 340-horsepower supercharged V6 is lively. Ease off the throttle, though, and there’s still much to enjoy, from the quality of the leather to the burled-walnut trim to the excellent Meridian sound system.

Activate the ignition, and the XJ’s rotary shift knob rises from the base of the center console. That’s one little piece of theater that illustrates how Jaguar attends to detail. Even though this spacious cabin has fine leather on its sumptuously comfortable seats (that feel like pieces of quality furniture) and dashboard, real wood trim pieces, an analog clock, quilted upholstery and double stitching — all put together with traditional artisanship — it never seems old-fashioned, like it should be your grandfather’s car. Instead, the shapes are contemporary, while the switchgear feels substantial and 21st-century.

The current Jaguar XJ was one of the first designs from a company making a deliberate attempt to distance itself from the pastiche attempts that came before. Yet it still had to exude a recognizable “Jaguar-ness.” We’d say it was successful. The long, flowing silhouette still manages to retain its understated elegance and subtle athleticism even when five inches are added to accommodate the longer wheelbase. The XJR575 heightens the drama with hood vents and black 20-inch wheels that contrast against the red-painted brake calipers. Downsides are a trunk that’s average-to-small for the class (15.2 cubic feet) and the low roofline. Tall passengers must watch their heads when climbing into the back.

SUPERCHARGED ENGINES
In the quest for power and efficiency, most makers are turning to turbochargers. But superchargers have their own attributes. They enhance acceleration right from the lowest engine speed. Listen carefully (the XJ is a super-silent high-class conveyance, after all) and there’s also a subtly thrilling whoosh that turbochargers don’t have.

INCONTROL INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
Jaguar’s InControl infotainment system includes features like swipe and pinch-to-zoom controls, the kind of gestures we use with smartphones all the time. Dual-view technology allows the driver to monitor the audio section on the 10.2-inch screen, while navigation information can be shown on the 12.3-inch configurable instrument display.

Even the least expensive 2019 XJ (R-Sport trim) is far from basic. Among its standard equipment are a panoramic moonroof, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with automatic high beams, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery (including the dashboard), heated/ventilated front seats, navigation, digital LCD gauge cluster, adaptive suspension, power-closing doors, rain-sensing wipers, parking sensors front and rear, satellite radio, forward-collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, and a Meridian 825-watt/20-speaker audio system. Versions with a V8 have an active differential for superior traction. The XJL Portfolio enjoys quad-zone climate control along with heated/ventilated rear seats. The high-performance XJR575 has sport seats, sport exhaust and a sport-tuned suspension.

All-wheel drive is available with the V6. There’s also the decision of regular or long wheelbase. Ascending the 2019 XJ hierarchy brings more features. Differences in the new Jaguar XJ50 version are mainly cosmetic, with the addition of 20-inch alloy wheels. Adaptive cruise control is available, plus massaging seats, smartphone integration (often included as standard by other manufacturers), and a heated windshield. Long-wheelbase models offer a 1,300-watt/26-speaker Meridian audio upgrade, reclining rear seats, self-parking feature for parallel and perpendicular spaces, 360-degree camera system, and a power-rear sunshade.

At the lower XJ reaches is a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 developing a brisk 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. This can be hooked up to the standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) or the optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The first of two supercharged 5.0-liter V8s available goes into the mid-level variants, and generates 470 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is the sole setup with the XJ’s V8 engines. The top XJR575 car has a boosted version of this engine, resulting in a wonderfully excessive 575 horsepower and 517 lb-ft of torque. All XJ cars have an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters mounted just under the steering wheel.

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), 17/26 mpg (long wheelbase), 17/25 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 (XJR575 LWB)
575 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
517 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/23 mpg