Verdict
B
Luxury Saloon · UK · 1997-2019
Jaguar XJ
Jaguar XJ — spec data and generation history.
Years
1997-2019
Generations
3
Segment
Luxury Saloon
Jaguar's flagship saloon — three post-1996 generations: X308 (1997-2003) — last 'classic' XJ shape, 3.2 / 4.0 V8, XJR supercharged. X350/X358 (2003-2009) — first all-aluminium XJ, 3.0 V6 / 4.2 V8 / 4.2 V8 SC. X351 (2010-2019) — radical Ian Callum redesign, 3.0 V6 SC / 5.0 V8 SC / 3.0 TDV6 diesel. Discontinued 2019 with no direct replacement (the EV XJ was cancelled). The 'XJ' name returns 2026 as a new flagship EV (separate slug when launched).
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1997-2003
X308
→
XJR 4.0 SC — 370 bhp, 0-62 in 5.4s.
Verdict
B
BHP
370
0–60
5.4 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
18 mpg
Used
$2,500-$10,000
- + Last classic-shape XJ
- + 3.2 / 4.0 V8
- − Nikasil bore wear (early)
- − Supercharger nose bearing
2003-2009
X350
→
XJR 4.2 SC — 400 bhp, 0-62 in 5.0s.
Verdict
B
BHP
400
0–60
5.0 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
19 mpg
Used
$3,800-$15,000
- + First all-aluminium XJ
- + 3.0 V6 / 4.2 V8 / SC
- − Air suspension cost
- − Aluminium body repair specialist
2010-2019
X351
→
XJR575 5.0 SC — 567 bhp, 0-62 in 4.4s.
Verdict
A
BHP
567
0–60
4.4 s
Top
186 mph
MPG
19 mpg
Used
$18,000-$53,000
- + Ian Callum design
- + 3.0 V6 SC / 5.0 V8 SC
- − 8AT mechatronic
- − Touchscreen latency
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1997-2003 · X308
- Nikasil bore wear (early)
- XJR supercharger nose bearing
- Air suspension
- Cabin shows age
2003-2009 · X350
- Air suspension
- 6AT mechatronic
- Aluminium body repair specialist
- XJR collectability
2010-2019 · X351
- 8AT mechatronic
- Air suspension
- Touchscreen latency
- XJR575 collectability
Rivals
Mercedes S-Class · BMW 7 Series · Audi A8 · Bentley Flying Spur