Introduction
The Jaguar XJ is a full-size luxury sedan, the maker's flagship model, introduced in 1968. It's an official car of the British Royal Family and of Her Majesty's Government. Available trim levels include the base XJ with RWD or AWD, XJL with either drive option, XJ or XJL Supercharged, XJ or XJL Supersport, and XJL Ultimate. (The L stands for Long, referring to the wheelbase.) The Jaguar XJ's main competitors include the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Porsche Panamera, and the Lexus LS 460.
Exterior Features
The Jaguar XJ is available with a 119-inch wheelbase or, in the XJL configuration, a 124-inch wheelbase. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels are standard on all XJ models, as are bi-function xenon headlights, power-folding heated exterior mirrors, and a panoramic sunroof. Other standard features include front and rear park-assist sensors, rearview camera, power trunk lid, keyless ignition, and automatic wipers. The Supercharged trim level adds 20-inch wheels and adaptive headlights with automatic high beams. The Supersport adds high-performance tires.
Interior Features
The Jaguar XJ is a 5-seater, except for the Ultimate trim, which seats four. Interior features on the base XJ include bond grain leather upholstery; power-adjustable 3-stage heated front seats with 2-position memory; soft grain leather heated front and rear seats; soft grain leather upper dashboard fascia, door-top rolls, and center armrest; power-adjustable front seats with 3-position driver memory; burl walnut veneers; dual-zone automatic climate control; and a Meridian 380-watt, 12-channel audio system with 14 speakers, including two subwoofers. The XJL adds active-ventilated heated and cooled front and rear seats; soft grain leather interior trim with contrast stitching, piping and embossed leaper on the headrests; a suedecloth headliner; 4-zone automatic climate control; manual rear side-window sunblinds; figured ebony wood veneers; and illuminated rear vanity mirrors. The Supercharged version adds a power rear-window sunblind, upgraded sound system, rich oak veneers, and rear-seat business trays in the longer wheelbase. Supersport includes semi-aniline leather seats with front-seat massage; rear seats with recline, massage and adjustable lumbar; upgraded leather trim; leather headliner; a range of special interior trim choices; and a rear-seat entertainment system, among other enhancements. The Ultimate offers two individual rear seats in semi-aniline leather, heated and cooled, with recline, massage, and 4-way lumbar adjust; rear-console power passenger table with toughened smoked glass; a full partition leather-trimmed center console with Phosphor Blue accent lighting and storage areas; illuminated center chiller box with beverage presenter, and other enhancements.
Optional Features
Most of the features offered as standard equipment on the upper trim levels are available as packaged and individual options on the lower trims. The Sport and Speed package removes the top-speed limiter and adds a front-bumper aero splitter and rear spoiler with integrated brake light. The engine and transmission calibrations are modified and tire pressures changed to allow the XJR to reach a claimed top speed of 174 mph, which of course will be displayed on an upgraded speedometer.
Under the Hood
The 2013 Jaguar XJ adds a new 8-speed automatic transmission (standard on all trim levels) and a new base engine: a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that generates 340 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque. It works with an automatic stop/start technology for better fuel efficiency. The XJL with RWD employs a 5.0-liter V-8 engine that delivers 385 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque, while the Supercharged trim features a 470-horsepower version of that V-8 engine that produces 424 lb.-ft of torque. On the Supersport and the Ultimate, this engine has been enhanced to produce 510 horsepower and 461 lb.-ft. of torque. The Supercharged trim also includes Adaptive Dynamics, and Active Differential, and Jaguar's proprietary High-performance Braking System.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2013 Jaguar XJ are:
- XJ with V-6 engine and RWD: 18/28/21 mpg (city/highway/combined)
- XJ with V-6 engine and AWD: 16/24/19 mpg
- XJ with base V-8 engine and RWD: 16/25/19 mpg
- XJ with either V-8 engine and AWD: 15/23/18 mpg
(The longer wheelbase will result in slightly lower gas mileage.)
Safety
Standard safety features of note on the 2013 Jaguar XJ include anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, front side-impact air bags, and side curtain air bags. Many other safety features are standard on upper trim levels, or optional on lower trims. Doors can be set for single-point or multi-point entry, unlocking just the driver's door first or all four doors at once. Doors can be set to lock automatically when the car reaches a pre-set speed. A security alarm and engine immobilizer are standard.
As of this writing, the 2013 Jaguar XJ has not yet been tested for crashworthiness by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Technology
The Jaguar XJ Instinctive AWD system employs an active power transfer control technology that enhances traction, the automaker says. The drivetrain features a built-in rear-wheel bias and an electronically controlled "Torque on Demand" coupling. The system can be switched to Normal, Winter, or Dynamic modes. Winter mode helps maintain traction on snowy, wet roads by changing the default front/rear torque split to 30/70 percent (increasing to 50/50 if necessary). The new V-6 engine uses a 10.5:1 compression ratio, made possible in part by electronically managed boost control and an air-to-water intercooler.
