2000 Jaguar XJ Sedan: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Jaguar's flagship sedan gains a supercharged ultra-luxury model and an optional satellite navigation system for 2000. Joining the XJ8, XJ8L, luxury-oriented Vanden Plas, and high-performance XJR, is the Vanden Plas Supercharged model. All are 4-door sedans that seat five, but the XJ8L and Vanden Plas models have a 4.9-inch longer wheelbase than the XJ8 and XJR. The XJ8, XJ8L, and Vanden Plas have a 290-horsepower 4.0-liter V8. XJR and the Vanden Plas Supercharged add a supercharger for 370 hp. A 5-speed automatic is the only transmission. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and front side airbags are standard. The standard traction control system now modulates throttle and brakes, instead of just varying throttle to maintain grip. (This was optional on '99 XJs, standard on the XJR.) The Vanden Plas Supercharged model has 17-inch wheels, the XJR 18s, and the other models 16s. The Vanden Plas Supercharged model also comes with Jaguar's Computer Active Technology Suspension (computer-controlled shock absorbers).

Jaguar's new satellite navigation system is operated from a touch-screen display mounted in the dash and uses CD-ROMs to provide mapping for various regions. It's optional on all models. Also new for 2000 are rain-sensing windshield wipers. Newly standard on the XJR and optional on the other models is a 320-watt Alpine stereo. New interior/exterior color combinations are available for 2000, and the XJR gets redesigned alloy wheels.

COMPETITION

This diverse segment offers the widest price range. It covers everything from the $33,000 Saab 9-5 to the $128,000 Mercedes-Benz SL500. Obviously our Best Buys are somewhere in between. We think that the Acura RL is a steal at $42,000 fully equipped. Though it is a front-drive V6 in a field of V8 rear-drive models, it has a great ride, plenty of power, and is quite luxurious. In the same vein, the more-expensive Lexus LS 400 continues to impress, excelling in every way except for handling.

If you are looking for something a bit more sporting we recommend the BMW 5-Series, Jaguar S-Type, or Lexus GS 300/400. If your taste ranges more toward the luxury end, then take a look at the new Cadillac DeVille or Mercedes-Benz CLK.