Jaguar XJ Road Test

Jaguar XJ

The Bluetooth mobile telephone integration worked well and it was easy to pair with our mobile phones. Unlike some systems this is a proper in car telephone rather than a simple Bluetooth headset replication, it will also upload phone books and last number redial lists every time the phone is connected.

Our test car was fitted with the optional rear DVD multimedia system with 6.5” TFT screens in the rear of each of the front head restraints. The controls are mounted in the arm rest between the rear seats and it is possible for either rear occupant to independently watch TV or listen to a CD via their own headphone jack, whilst the front passengers can select their sound source, listening back via the speaker system. It would have been nice if the DVD player slot was located in the car rather than the boot as you may wish to change DVD’s on the move. The six disc CD auto-changer is mounted in boot, along with the Navigation DVD.

The XJ is a well crafted car and the build quality is on par with the best of the Germanic offerings, it is only really let down by the switch gear which feels out of place in a vehicle of this class.

Jaguar's reliability and customer service it is up there with the best of the Japanese cars, even Lexus are worried. So you should not suffer from any major problems.

It is possibly time for a totally new Jaguar XJ and we say this with reservation as we love it but the XJ is feeling at little dated, when compared to the best of the competition. We understand that a new XJ may only be a few years away and in the meantime we celebrate the XJ as a triumph of British motoring.

There is no doubt in our mind that the Jaguar XJ Sovereign is a contemporary ‘classic’ - it 'cocks a hoop' at the German competition, which maybe technically more competent but simple lack ‘soul'. The only marques that might just out class you are Bentley or Rolls Royce but are they not a little ostentatious these days?

We did enjoy watching the endless Mercedes-Benz and BMW drivers whizzing by on the motorway trying not to look in, whilst rushing to their next appointment - sat in the XJ the world passes by you.

Jaguar although foreign owned still sums up everything that is best about British cars, it needs more investment but it is a great car to own and drive and therefore it comes highly recommended.

Jaguar XJ