Jag’s elegant XJ is slightly underwhelming with a V6
EDITOR WES RAYNAL: I’m on record more than once regarding my Ian Callum design slappy-ness and I really like the big Jag sedans. I don’t apologize for it. I admire the sleek exterior and clearly British interior of the Jaguar XJ. There’s just an old-world/London club feel the Germans simply can’t (or won’t) match (I won’t even get into the Japanese or Cadillac).
The last few big Jag sedans I recall had the company’s spectacular supercharged V8. I got to say I was a little disappointed in this supercharged V6 -- but only a little. Get the tach needle swinging up beyond 3,500 rpm and there’s some scoot, but below that, the powertrain seems somewhat disinterested. All-wheel drive and its weight might have something to do with that, though the flipside of course is four-season traction. Once underway and up to speed, this car is as smooth as any of the V8s, with excellent steering response and a nice ride/handling balance.
My powertrain quibbles are minor, and the gorgeous comfortable interior and smooth operation make up for most of them.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR RORY CARROLL: If I were running a New York-based maker of luxury cars "global luxury brand that happens to sell cars" I'd be looking very closely at what Jaguar has done over the last several years. Few luxury carmakers were as dedicated and methodical in their efforts to completely self-destruct as the leaping cat brand was over the last 30-40 years, but none have been as effective as Jaguar (or corporate parent Tata) has been in executing the most harrowing maneuver in business: the turnaround.
Which brings me to the XJL. It’s a totally credible alternative to the A8L and BMW 7-series. Somehow it feels vaguely less refined than those cars as far as fit and finish, but that might just come down to differences in English and German philosophy, which are well documented and which are relevant to more than just the car industry. I’m not saying there are quality issues with the XJL, just that it doesn’t feel German. That’s probably what I like about it -- it proves that you don’t have to slavishly imitate the humorless ubermensch doctor-professors of the ’burgs and 'stadts to build a great luxury car.
On the road, the XJL has incredible presence, it’s something you sense even before you see it. And when you see someone slide from the back seat of an XJL, you almost assume they’re an interesting person. That’s not the case with some more obvious long-cars out there.
Inside, it’s wonderfully English and cozy, like one of those centuries-old bars in some little shepherd town -- though, due in large part to the expansive glass sections in the roof, it’s a lot more airy. In the back seat, there’s this once-common thing that no American automaker can seem to remember, space for an adult’s legs.
Our car has the 3.0 supercharged V6 with AWD. What would we call that spec? Poverty? Economy? Fleet? None of those really seem right. While the V-6 powered cars aren’t slow, they lack the dynamic flair of say, the supercharged V-8-endowed XJR, which offers astounding levels of power, noise and drama and which I heartily recommend. Still, as far as interior quality and comfort, there’s little to distinguish the 6-cylinder models from the 8-cylinder models, especially if you've checked the box for the oddly-named-but-super-snooty Portfolio package. I suppose that if you’re planning on letting someone else drive you around while you commit white-collar crimes from the back seat, there’s nothing wrong with ordering the six, then going nuts with the interior options.
The 2015 Jaguar XJL Portfolio comes in at a base price of $85,625 with our tester topping off at $89,950.
DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: Yes, it’s still a pretty car, and, yes, the interior is still a British feast of leather and wood, but the XJ is starting to feel a bit long in the tooth. I lay almost all the blame at the feet of JLR’s infotainment interface, a system that was dated when it came out and has not aged well, despite near-constant refinement by Jag. Though it’s the same setup as in our long-term F-Type R coupe, the small screen and dated graphics draw attention to themselves more when they’re surrounded by the larger, more elegant XJ interior.
And it is elegant -- thick carpets, leather-covered everything and the wide strip of wood that wraps around the door tops and onto the dashboard informs you this is most definitely not a German or Japanese luxury car. So does the powertrain, though, and not in the same endearing manner of cowhide and timber. The Jag V6 is coarse in this application; there’s no shortage of power, but against the 5.0-liter V8 (especially the supercharged version) the V6 will remind you that you settled every time you push the “start” button.
I get that Jag has to offer the smaller engine for CAFE regulations, and that’s fine. Just don’t buy it. If you love the XJ styling and want a long wheelbase Euro bruiser, get the V8. You’ll only spend a tiny bit more on fuel in real-world driving, and you’ll get the true Jaguar experience.
2015 Jaguar XJL Portfolio
Options: Semi-aniline trim package with illumination package including semi-aniline leather seats, leather headliner, lighted door sills and trunk plinth, illuminated air vents ($3,475); visibility package including adaptive front lighting, intelligent high beam ($850)
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