1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Jaguar XJ Series. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Jaguar XJ Series.

1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 Review

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.

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.

1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Antilock brakes	Fuel economy

Ride	Price

Quietness

Acceleration

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.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

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:	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.

1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 Reliability

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

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.

1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1990
XJ6	$2,200-3,000	$1,600-2,100	$400-600

1991
XJ6	$2,400-3,100	$1,700-2,200	$500-600

1992
XJ6	$2,700-3,700	$2,000-2,800	$600-800

1993
XJ6	$3,100-4,000	$2,400-3,100	$700-1,000

1994
XJ12	$4,200-5,000	$3,400-4,100	$1,400-1,700
XJ6	$3,500-4,400	$2,800-3,500	$900-1,200

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.

1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 Specs & Safety

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	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	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.

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%. Side-impact 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%.

Built In: England

Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive

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Also in the 1990-1994 Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 Review:

Jaguar XJ6/XJ12

Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 Road Test

Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 Reliability

Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 Prices

Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 Specs & Safety

Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 Photos

Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 Full Review