1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Quietness
- Acceleration
- Antilock brakes
- Ride
Cons
- Fuel economy
- Price
Vehicle Highlights
In spring 1987, the British firm turned out its first new sedan in two decades. Offered in base or elegant Vanden Plas trim, complete with such traditional comforts as fold-down burl walnut picnic tables, the new models rode the same 113-inch wheelbase as before. However, the restyled 4-doors were 3.2 inches shorter, 9.3 inches wider, and 1.5 inches taller. By 1990, a 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and 4-speed automatic transmission was the only powertrain. In addition to the XJ6 and Vanden Plas, the lineup now included a Sovereign sedan and a Vanden Plas Majestic. all had motorized front shoulder belts, manual lap belts, and 4-wheel-disc antilock brakes.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Jaguar XJ6 Sovereign Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 9 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 46 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Jaguar XJ Series:
Only a few minor revisions marked the '91 models. No Majestic models were imported this year. The Sovereign sedan gained fog lights, while the Vanden Plas got new alloy wheels and a "fluted" grille.
1992 Jaguar XJ Series:
Changes were minimal for '92. Once again, base XJ6, Sovereign, and Vanden Plas sedans went on sale, along with a temporarily revived Vanden Plas Majestic sedan.
1993 Jaguar XJ Series:
A driver-side airbag went into 1993 sedans, which officially adopted the XJ6 designation, paving the way for later arrival of an XJ12 series. The midlevel Sovereign model was gone, leaving only a base XJ6 sedan and the XJ6 Vanden Plas.
1994 Jaguar XJ Series:
A passenger-side airbag was added in 1994, along with a 5-speed manual gearbox--available for the first time. An XJ12 sedan, powered by a V12 engine, also debuted.
Our road test for the 1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
The 6-cylinder engine is smooth as can be, and passing ability is fine. Despite the V12 version's power advantage, it's too heavy to show any benefits over the newer, much lighter 6-cylinder engine. A test XJ12 sedan did 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds, which was just 0.2-second quicker than an XJ6. Gas mileage was just about the same, too: in the dismal 15-mpg neighborhood. Sedans do uphold the Jaguar tradition of a velvet ride and quiet cruising. Twisty 2-lanes reveal capable handling, with only modest body lean. Brakes are terrific, with short and true stopping distances. But, passenger room isn't the best. Cozy cabins have been a Jaguar hallmark, so don't expect as much interior space as the outside dimensions might suggest. Also, the dashboard has small gauges and hard-to-understand controls.
Value for the Money
Though smooth and competent, Jaguars offer no tangible advantages over rivals in the same price class. In fact, they lag behind most luxury automobiles in performance and value.
Though smooth and competent, Jaguars offer no tangible advantages over rivals in the same price class. In fact, they lag behind most luxury automobiles in performance and value.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Jaguar XJ6 Sovereign Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 9 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 46 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Jaguar XJ Series includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Jaguar XJ Series .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Air conditioner:
The air conditioning may not work due to a defective switch on the main climate-control panel. (1990-91)
Dashboard lights:
The "check engine" light may come on when the car is started if it was previously shut off before the engine speed dropped below 1500 rpm. There is a repair that prevents it from recurring. (1993)
Engine misfire:
The engine may run on after the key is turned off due to a faulty isolation relay for the canister-purge valve. (1990)
Engine noise:
Valve springs have been known to break on the XJ6 sedan. (1990)
Radiator:
The radiator fan may not run, or may run with the key off, due to water entering the fan control module by wicking down the ground wire. (1990-94)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $920 |
| Alternator | $220 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,010 |
| Brakes | $230 |
| Exhaust System | $1,035 |
| Radiator | $800 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $900 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $705 |
| Universal Joints | $215 |
Our price chart for this generation Jaguar XJ Series details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1994 | |||
| XJ12 | $3,700-4,400 | $3,000-3,600 | $1,100-1,300 |
| XJ6 | $3,000-3,800 | $2,300-2,900 | $700-900 |
| 1993 | |||
| XJ6 | $2,700-3,500 | $2,000-2,600 | $600-800 |
| 1992 | |||
| XJ6 | $2,400-3,300 | $1,700-2,400 | $500-700 |
| 1991 | |||
| XJ6 | $2,200-3,000 | $1,600-2,100 | $400-600 |
| 1990 | |||
| XJ6 | $2,000-2,800 | $1,400-2,000 | $300-500 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Jaguar XJ Series include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 113.0 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 196.4 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 78.9 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 54.3 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 4075 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 12.2 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 23.2 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 36.6 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.7 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.5 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 33.1 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Through 1993, Jaguar sedans were powered by a 4.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine, making 223 horsepower--42 more than the 3.6-liter six that had powered earlier models. A V12 engine joined the inline 6-cylinder for 1994, developing 301 horsepower. All Jaguar sedans had a 4-speed automatic transmission, but the one used with the V12 engine was made by General Motors.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I6 | 4.0 / 243 | 223 | 278 | 4-speed automatic: 17/24 | 4-speed automatic: 18.5 |
| ohc V12 | 6.0 / 365 | 301 | 336 | 4-speed automatic: 12/16 | 4-speed automatic: 13.1 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: England
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Jaguar XJ Series include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1990:
Head of rear-caliper fixing bolt could break off.
1990-92:
Seatbelt motor winch may lock up so belt does not function or gets stuck along track.
1994 XJ12:
Hood liner can sag and interfere with the throttle linkage, causing high engine-idle speed.
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