2004 Jaguar XJ

Body style(s): 4-door sedan

Notes

    Jaguar's iconic XJ saloon was redesigned for 2004, the first redesign in nine years. The new car rode an aluminum monocoque chassis, only the second major production sedan (after the Audi A8) to utilize such an architecture. The weight-saving benefits of aluminum construction meant that the new XJ was lighter than its predecessors, despite being much larger. Wheelbase grew by over six inches, and overall length by three, yet the 2004 XJ8 was nearly 200 pounds lighter than a 2003. Interior room grew even more, thanks to improved packaging. Front seats gained five cubic feet; the rear compartment grew by nine. Even the trunk benefitted, growing from 12.7 to 16.6 cubic feet. Thus, the EPA classed the standard XJ8 as a full-size car in 2004, the first Jaguar so classed since the introduction of the car class system. Headroom was improved by a new domed roof, which provided the easiest way to distinguish the new car from its antecedents -- the styling remained classic Jaguar to such an extent that many consumers were unaware that the car was all-new. A comparison to Mercedes-Benz's S-Class bears consideration: the long-wheelbase S430 was not quite three inches longer than the XJ8, but had a smaller cabin, smaller trunk, and weighed 350 pounds more. Its fuel economy was close to the XJ's, but its acceleration to 60 mph took more than a second longer, and the XJ8 could out-turn it on the skidpad by 0.03 g (which is more significant than it sounds). New 4.2-liter engines, coupled with ZF 6-speed transmissions, drove the redesigned sedans. Along with improvements to acceleration and handling, fuel economy improved as well: the XJ8's highway fuel consumption of 28 miles per gallon topped its class, and the bigger fuel tank improved cruising range even further. Inside, the XJ8 was a classic British luxury car: wood and leather everywhere, creating an ambience that few of its competitors could match. Somehow, the A8 and the S-Class felt cold and distant in comparison. Three models were introduced for 2004: the base XJ8, the luxurious Vanden Plas, and the sporty XJR. The XJ8 included dual-zone climate control, 12-way front seats, a moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, and adjustable pedals (a surprisingly uncommon feature in the top-flight sedan market). The Vanden Plas added xenon headlamps, heated seats (with 16-way{!} adjustments up front), and an Alpine sound system with a 6-disc CD changer. The XJR was all about the engine: a 390 horsepower supercharged V8 that could keep up with an S55 AMG despite that car's 100-horse advantage. A heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, and massive 19-inch wheels completed the XJR package. The improvements added $3000 to the price of an XJ8 or XJR, but the Vanden Plas retained its 2003 pricing. Long-wheelbase models returned for 2005 (although they seemed slightly superfluous: the '04 SWB Vanden Plas was roomier than the long-wheelbase 2003 model), becoming the largest cars in their class.

Series: 2004-current

design

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Other vehicles

Jaguar XJ sedan.


Jaguar XJ sedan.


Jaguar XJ Vanden Plas sedan (note chrome mirror caps).


Jaguar XJ Vanden Plas sedan.


Jaguar XJR sedan (note mesh grille) [photo by Scott Jacobs, courtesy Edmunds.com].


Jaguar XJR sedan [photo by Scott Jacobs, courtesy Edmunds.com].