2017 Jaguar XJ Review

We like the long-wheelbase XJL Portfolio because of the 5 extra inches of space allocated entirely to rear seat legroom. The base supercharged V6 engine has plenty of power for daily use and is much more efficient than either of the optional V8 engines. The XJL comes very nicely equipped, so the onl...

Acceleration is always smooth and confident thanks to the tractable engine and the quiet decisiveness of the eight-speed transmission. The engine's auto stop-start transition isn't where it needs to be in terms of smoothness, but it can be disabled.

The base engine, a 340-horsepower supercharged 3.0-liter V6, never feels sluggish, even with 4,400 pounds of Jaguar to lug around. It allows the XJ to execute passing maneuvers with ease and sprint from zero to 60 mph in only 5.4 seconds, a solid showing for any sedan.

The XJL's brake pedal doesn't provide the feel or feedback we'd expect of a dynamic luxury sedan. Despite this numbness, it delivered surprisingly good results in our simulated panic-stop test from 60 mph, with a distance of 111 feet. This is a shorter than average for the segment.

Steering weight is surprisingly light for such a large luxury sedan. Those looking for firmer, European-style steering may find it too feathery.

Ample grip, all-wheel-drive traction and modest body roll deliver confident handling on twisty roads that's likely beyond what most will expect from a luxury sedan. That said, competitors in this space continue to push the envelope and offer sharper response characteristics.

Acceleration is always smooth and confident thanks to the tractable engine and the quiet decisiveness of the eight-speed transmission. The engine's auto stop-start transition isn't where it needs to be in terms of smoothness, but it can be disabled.

Although others have surpassed it in this area, the XJL is still extremely comfortable. It comes with standard dual-pane side glass, four-zone climate control, soft-close doors, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, and one of the quietest cabins around.

The front seats offer good adjustability with four-way power lumbar and a massaging function, but they may be narrow for some frames. The rear seats gain 5 inches in legroom over the standard-wheelbase XJ; optional premium rear seating adds niceties such as power reclining and electric sunshades.

The standard adaptive, self-leveling suspension on the XJL is comfortable for the most part, but on poorly maintained roads it can feel busier than you'd expect. The Supercharged and XJR variants get a specially tuned, stiffer suspension, which would exacerbate this condition.

The XJL is exceptionally quiet at any speed with wind and road noise distant and dispersed. It in fact isolates you from the outside world so well that the sounds of the seat cooler fans are much more noticeable.

Four-zone climate control means all the people onboard can have it their way. All controls have physical buttons for easy, straightforward temperature and fan-speed adjustment, and all seats come with heating and cooling functions.

Rated from the backseat alone, the XJL's interior would be excellent, but ergonomic woes affect its score. The premium rear seat package, which includes power seats, dual 10-inch screens, laptop tables, electric shades and winged headrests, adds considerable luxury points.

Despite recent updates, the infotainment touchscreen interface still falls behind some newer systems. The graphics are attractive, but functionality is average. Also, the many mirror-finish surfaces throw off glare when it's sunny out and can be distracting.

Large soft-close doors require only a light tough, and access to all seats is excellent. The sloping roofline, often a problem with such highly styled sedans, may only be an issue for tall occupants. Keyless entry with pushbutton ignition is also standard.

The XJ is large enough inside to qualify as a short limousine. There's ample room for rear passengers, but front occupants may feel a little cozy due to the high center console and the way the dash wraps around like a cockpit. There's plenty of headroom both front and rear for average-height adults.

The forward view is especially good thanks to slender front windshield pillars and a long sloping roof. There is a sizable rear three-quarter blind spot, but blind-spot monitoring, a rearview camera, and front and rear parking sonar are standard and alleviate this foible.

Excellent paint and leather, but other aspects come up a little short. The interior appears impressive at first glance, but a closer inspection reveals seat cross-stitching that doesn't look as clean as it should, and the use of plastic parts is a little too liberal for a vehicle of this ilk.

There's good small item storage front and rear, thanks to the center armrest bins and a large glovebox, but the XJ's shallow trunk is slightly smaller than those of most competitors.

A large glovebox and medium-sized center console bins front and rear provide decent storage options, though the door pockets are narrow and not made for water bottles. Both front and rear cupholders have an anti-tip design and a pass-through to accommodate cups with handles.

The XJ's long-but-shallow trunk has a total carrying capacity of 15.2 cubic feet, which puts it on the lower side of average for the class. The rear seats are fixed in place and don't fold to expand the trunk, which is a common in this class of car.