I can never wait to get behind the wheel of a Jaguar, any Jaguar because over the years I have learned that a Jaguar just tends to drive itself. All I have to do is sit back and look good. When they picked it up from me after one week of my driving the 2015 Jaguar XJL I had some serious separation anxiety.
Always chic inside and out, it’s sporty in a highbrow sort of way with one heck of a strong engine — that, in case looking good for you means kicking up some high speed as you go along.
Not one to be fussy, the 2015 Jaguar XJ is pretty much unchanged this year, but this full-size luxury sedan will no doubt please the refined driver who finds his way to this particular type of elegance and style.
Competition includes the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes S-Class lineup. However, let’s face it, there is only one Jaguar and if you like the moniker there can be no other.
The body style and trim options on this five-passenger Jaguar includes first of all choosing from a regular XJ or an XJL with a longer wheelbase. With the XJ you get a base, Supercharged and XJR model trim and with the XJL it is the Portfolio, Supercharged or XJR trim.
On the base XJ, expect a supercharged V6 engine with 19-inch wheels, adaptive suspension with a driver-adjustable steering and throttle as well as shift paddles and front and back parking sensors. With automatic wipers and bi-xenon headlights, there is also a rearview camera and auto-dimming mirrors with a stunning panoramic sunroof and the standard keyless ignition and entry.
With the extra options, you can add on a power trunk, heated eight-way power front seats and heated rear seats as well as driver seat memory and a power tilt-and-telescoping heated steering wheel. The technology includes an eight-inch touch screen, navigation, Bluetooth and audio connect as well as 14 speakers and digital music storage and USB connection.
There is a Front Seat Comfort package for the XJ and as the name implies it’s heated and air-conditioned seats with massage functions or, the Portfolio package will give you this and add a dual-zone automatic climate control in the back along with heated and air conditioned seats in the rear as well with leather upholstery.
If you go with the longer wheelbase on the XJ base, you have the XJL Portfolio and in fact, there will also be about four inches of more legroom with the XJL Portfolio package, which is pretty much the same as the standard XJL Portfolio. Also count in the rear mirrors inside for passengers and the manual sunshades.
On the XJL Portofolio, you will find the XJ option packages with some even more distinct packages to include for the ultra comfort lover like a Rear Seat package that will give you massaging rear seats, rear seat footrests and a folding rear center armrest too. The Premium Rear Seat package also adds an entertainment system in the backseat.
On the XJ Supercharged, that refers to the V8 engine on steroids and this will include active rear differential, 20-inch wheels and the Visibility package with 20 speakers. As well, the XJL Portofolio options can be had and the add on of a Sport or Speed Package tweaks the way the brakes are outfitted as well as a spoiler and sport seats that give you lots of options for comfort. Even better, you can get this one in the longer wheelbase too.
Just when you think you can have it all, then enter the XJR into the picture and choose from the regular and long-wheelbase with a high end V8 engine and some specific XJR goodies that include 20-inch wheels that are made just for this trim and include the Sport or Speed package here.
Under the hood,, the choices are clear with the XJ or XJL with the supercharged V6, 3.0 engine that gives you 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque on an eight-speed automatic rear-wheel drive, however the all-wheel drive can be had.
For the XJ Supercharged trim, the engine ups to a 5.0, V8 that screams 470 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque and the super performance comes with the XJR offering 550 horsepower and 502 pound feet of torque.
Safety on a vehicle like this includes antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front side and the side curtain airbags with active head restraints along with a rearview camera and a blind-spot warning. Extras come in the form of forward collision alert and brake assist.
So of course, with all these super sexy features you can bet the interior will be just as hard to say no to as well. You’re right, count on highbrow luxury with leather and lighting that sets the mood for an intellectual form of class that can only be achieved through the most prudent of touches.
Knobs, dials and instruments are easy to navigate with color functionality and appropriate touch screen interfaces with everything you need to control at your fingertips awaiting your command.
In the Jaguar XJL Supercharged I drove, the backseat was large and relaxing and consider this too, on the XJ the 15.2 cubic feet for the trunk will certainly please all around.
Of course getting behind the wheel is when the real pleasure sets in and like I said before, the Jaguar drives itself with a quiet approach to the road, but expect a great ride that you would expect with a nimbleness that still makes this 2015 Jaguar one of the last of the great class acts. Up it to the supercharged and, even so you still have a miles per gallon that is easy to live with all while appreciating what it really means to drive in style.
Should You Need to Know: You can opt for the regular or longer wheelbase with the XJ and when it comes to the longer wheelbase you are heading into limousine-style comfort with some fabulous upgrades - when you can even get a massage in the backseat you know you have found the real thing.
Miles Per Gallon: On the 2015 Jaguar XJL Supercharged I drove it came in at 15 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway.
Cost: For the 2015 Jaguar XJL Supercharged the price tag was $96,225.
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