In recent years European cars have taken on a very distinctive character, featuring an abundance of black and beige leather and Germanic minimalist styling reminiscent of a dentist surgery. Not that there is anything wrong with that and judging by their popularity it is obviously working for them, however not everyone likes the spartan look, and that’s where the British Jaguar slots in. The Jaguar XJ is a purely classical design with flowing lines and not a muscular crease to be seen. A Jaguar attracts attention wherever it goes because it is a thing of timeless beauty. It is not the car that the nouveau rich aspire to – it is the car of the well-heeled established elite who know exactly who they are. The XJ is not full of gadgets, buttons and high technology like its other European rivals, but it is comfortable, handles beautifully and makes you feel like a million dollars. This year the Jaguar XJ series gains the Super V8 Portfolio model and a number of interior upgrades to keep the series fresh.
2009 Jaguar XJ Performance
There are six models of the 2009 XJ and they all feature the same 4.2-liter V8 engine. In the XJ8, XJ8 L and Vanden Plas this translates into 300hp with 310lb-ft of torque, and in the Supercharged XJR, Super V8 and Super V8 Portfolio, they generate 400hp and 415lb-ft of torque. Both feature a six-speed automatic transmission that shifts with impeccable smoothness, although by shifting up over-quickly it means that it has to downshift to compensate more often. Acceleration is mighty in both versions, but the Supercharged V8 is lightning fast, reaching 60mph in just 5.6 seconds, the standard V8 taking 6.8 seconds. The Supercharged V8’s power kicks in mid-range so it is there that you feel the thrust and hence its brilliance at highway cruising speeds.
Without all the high-tech bells and whistles of the Europeans, the Jaguar XJ manages to drive with remarkable alacrity and refinement. Handling in the XJ is responsive and surprisingly light given the size of the car, but this is largely due to the Jaguar’s aluminium chassis that lightens the load considerably and gives it more than 500lb advantage over the European competitors. The low-to-the-ground nature of the Jaguar also enhances the road grip, however there is a degree of body lean into the corners which serves as a reminder that this is much more of a cruising saloon than a racing car. And at cruising speed, the cabin is as quiet as anything else on the road.
There is a longer wheel-base model available in all but the base XJ8 and not only does it enhance inside space, but seems to result in an overall better weight balance. Fuel economy is not bad for a V8, turning in 16/25mpg city/highway for the 300hp, and 15/22mpg in the supercharged models.
2009 Jaguar XJ Interior and Features
With so many trim levels to choose from the choices are somewhat daunting, however despite some modern features, on the whole it seems like decades since Jaguar upgraded with XJ interior. Perhaps they think that the well-heeled folk who drive the XJ are all old-fashioned pipe-smoking grandfathers who like their cars to be styled on their wood-lined dens, but it seems unlikely that they make up the entire demographic. And it’s not because they don’t know how to create a modern interior – just look at the new XF with its sleek and (dare we say it) sexy interior. Nevertheless the seats are comfortable in a firm kind of way with 14-way adjustment, and there is plenty of head and legroom in the front and rear (more in the extended wheel-base version).
On the dash there are a multitude of buttons and knobs that don’t make a great deal of sense, and a vast expanse of wood accent that adds to the dated look. There is something that is supposed to be a J-shaped shift lever for manual gear changes, but does not seem to actually fulfil that role, being almost too stiff to manipulate. Other controls perform their given functions but do seem to have been thrown together at the last minute.
On the positive side, there are lots of standard features. On the XJ8 and XJ8 L (which is the extended version) this includes 19-inch wheels, navigation system, Bluetooth, park assist, adaptive suspension, power adjustable pedals, leather upholstery with heated front and rear seats and memory function, walnut trim, 12-speaker audio system and xenon headlamps. The Vanden Plas comes in extended wheel base and seems especially designed for the “older” generation with lambswool floor mats, picnic tables that fold from the rear seat and heated steering wheel with cooled seats. The supercharged performance-oriented XJR adds 20-inch wheels, upgraded brakes, adaptive cruise control and sports-tuned suspension and wood with leather steering wheel. The Super V8 adds DVD entertainment system for the rear passengers and 4-zone climate control, while the Super V8 Portfolio offers satellite radio and a different interior and exterior trim. Many of the features on the more luxurious models are options on the other XJs.
2009 Jaguar XJ Safety
The 2009 Jaguar XJ features the full range of safety features, including dynamic stability control, ABS, Brake Assist, and the Adaptive Restraint System that automatically detects the optimum airbag deployment required.
Safety features:
- Front seat side airbags, side-curtain airbags.
- ABS, Stability control and Brake Assist
- Front and rear obstacle detection
- Tire pressure monitor