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2003 Jaguar XJ Series Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
Also in the 2003 Jaguar XJ Series Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
2003 Jaguar XJ Series Review
Jaguar's flagship sedans get two new option packages for a shortened 2003 season, the last for their vintage-1994 design. Redesigned 2004 XJs bow next spring. Two body lengths continue for '03. For more rear leg room, the Vanden Plas and Super V8 models add five inches to the wheelbase of the XJ8, XJ Sport, and XJR models. All have a 5-speed automatic transmission, antiskid/traction control, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, rear-obstacle detection, and front side airbags. They use a 4.0-liter V8. It has 280 hp in the XJ8, XJ Sport, and Vanden Plas. A 358-hp supercharged version goes in the sporty XJR and top-line Super V8. Standard wheel sizes are 16-inches for XJ8 and Vanden Plas, 17 for Super V8, and 18 for XJ Sport and XJR. XJ Sport and XJR also include sport seats and body-color exterior trim. The Super V8 features a softer version of the XJR's sport-oriented computer-controlled suspension, as well as a navigation system that costs extra in other XJs. For 2003, the base XJ8 offers a new Sovereign package with heated front/rear seats, premium 320-watt audio, and extra leather-and-wood interior trim. Exclusive to XJR is a new R1 Performance option with uprated Brembo-brand brakes and special wheels.
Competition
With wide price ranges and numerous body configurations, this diverse segment has two clear Best Buy choices--the refined Lexus LS 430 and the unique Audi A6. The LS 430 can't be beat for comfort and features at around $55,000, while the A6 earns Best Buy status for its blend of space, performance, design sophistication, powertrain choices, and workmanship at prices below those of most rivals.
We Recommend the Acura RL--a steal at around $45,000 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. If you are looking for something a bit more sporting, we Recommend BMW 5-Series. If your taste ranges more toward the luxury end, then take a look at the roomy Cadillac DeVille.
We Recommend the Acura RL--a steal at around $45,000 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. If you are looking for something a bit more sporting, we Recommend BMW 5-Series. If your taste ranges more toward the luxury end, then take a look at the roomy Cadillac DeVille.
News
The upcoming 2004 XJ maintains the familiar basic look of Jaguar's big sedan, but with more rounded contours and slightly altered proportions. A new aluminum-intensive body/chassis structure slices up to 440 pounds from curb weight while improving rigidity by a claimed 60 percent. The '04 comes in just one size instead of two, but most external dimensions exceed those of the old long-wheelbase models. For example, the '04 grows 1.5 inches in wheelbase (to 119.4) but is 2.7 inches shorter overall (an even 200). It's also 2.7 inches wider and 4.3 inches taller, substantial gains that should mean much better head and leg room.
Like the 2003 S-Type sedans and 2-dr XKs, the new XJs come with Jaguar's latest 4.2-liter V8 and 6-speed automatic transmission. There will be at least two models: a normal 294-hp version, possibly badged "Classic," and a sporty 390-hp supercharged XJR. A high-lux Vanden Plas may also return, but we can't confirm it just now.
We can, however, confirm major features. Besides expected luxury-class conveniences, all 2004 XJs come with Jaguar's Dynamic Stability Control antiskid/traction system, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes with full-power emergency assist, and a new air-spring suspension with Jaguar's "CATS" electronically variable shock-absorber damping. Also standard are an electronically activated parking brake (as on '03 S-Types), power tilt/telescope steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, and Jaguar's Adaptive Restraint Technology System (ARTS) with ultrasonic occupant-position sensors, side airbags and curtain side airbags. Options will include Jaguar's Adaptive Cruise Control that automatically maintains a safe following distance, a navigation system with available voice activation, and an automatic climate system with four-zone temperature control. Also optional is a new "multimedia" entertainment setup that allows simultaneous use of up to three audio, video and video-game channels and includes two small rear-facing LCD screens in the front head restraints.
Pricing for the 2004 XJs won't be announced until just before sales begin. Keep checking back with us for more information on Jaguar's all-new flagship sedans.
Like the 2003 S-Type sedans and 2-dr XKs, the new XJs come with Jaguar's latest 4.2-liter V8 and 6-speed automatic transmission. There will be at least two models: a normal 294-hp version, possibly badged "Classic," and a sporty 390-hp supercharged XJR. A high-lux Vanden Plas may also return, but we can't confirm it just now.
We can, however, confirm major features. Besides expected luxury-class conveniences, all 2004 XJs come with Jaguar's Dynamic Stability Control antiskid/traction system, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes with full-power emergency assist, and a new air-spring suspension with Jaguar's "CATS" electronically variable shock-absorber damping. Also standard are an electronically activated parking brake (as on '03 S-Types), power tilt/telescope steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, and Jaguar's Adaptive Restraint Technology System (ARTS) with ultrasonic occupant-position sensors, side airbags and curtain side airbags. Options will include Jaguar's Adaptive Cruise Control that automatically maintains a safe following distance, a navigation system with available voice activation, and an automatic climate system with four-zone temperature control. Also optional is a new "multimedia" entertainment setup that allows simultaneous use of up to three audio, video and video-game channels and includes two small rear-facing LCD screens in the front head restraints.
Pricing for the 2004 XJs won't be announced until just before sales begin. Keep checking back with us for more information on Jaguar's all-new flagship sedans.
2003 Jaguar XJ Series Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Ride | Fuel economy |
| Acceleration | Cargo space |
| Quietness | |
| Exterior finish | |
| Interior materials | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Even with the base V8, these 2-ton sedans move with authority, aided by a quick, positive automatic transmission. Supercharged versions are hot rods; test XJR did 0-60 mph in just 5.7 sec.
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas | XJR | Class Average |
| 7 | 6 | 8 | 6.5 |
Even with the base V8, these 2-ton sedans move with authority, aided by a quick, positive automatic transmission. Supercharged versions are hot rods; test XJR did 0-60 mph in just 5.7 sec.
Fuel Economy
Test XJ8 averaged 18.5 mpg, including lots of highway driving. Test Vanden Plas averaged 15.5 mpg with more city travel. Test XJRs averaged around 13 mpg. All require premium fuel.
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas | XJR | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 2 | 4.1 |
Test XJ8 averaged 18.5 mpg, including lots of highway driving. Test Vanden Plas averaged 15.5 mpg with more city travel. Test XJRs averaged around 13 mpg. All require premium fuel.
Ride Quality
Except XJR, these Jaguars are cushy and compliant, upset by only the biggest bumps and pavement heaves. Rough rail tracks can induce slight body shudder. With bigger tires and stiffer suspension, XJR suffers some jittery wheel patter and thump on blemished surfaces.
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas | XJR | Class Average |
| 10 | 10 | 8 | 8.2 |
Except XJR, these Jaguars are cushy and compliant, upset by only the biggest bumps and pavement heaves. Rough rail tracks can induce slight body shudder. With bigger tires and stiffer suspension, XJR suffers some jittery wheel patter and thump on blemished surfaces.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Steering precise if slightly dull, and must be guided back to center after turns. Mediocre crosswind stability. In corners, XJR stays flat and grippy, but other models show marked body lean before taking a set and powering through.
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas | XJR | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 8 | 6.6 |
Steering precise if slightly dull, and must be guided back to center after turns. Mediocre crosswind stability. In corners, XJR stays flat and grippy, but other models show marked body lean before taking a set and powering through.
Quietness
Quiet cats all, with minimal wind and road noise. Some supercharger moan evident at full throttle in models so equipped. Blower fan rather loud except on lowest settings.
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas | XJR | Class Average |
| 9 | 9 | 7 | 7.8 |
Quiet cats all, with minimal wind and road noise. Some supercharger moan evident at full throttle in models so equipped. Blower fan rather loud except on lowest settings.
Controls
Gauges unobstructed, but some controls not well-placed and/or labeled. Odd "J-gate" transmission selector allows manual shifts, but lever action lacks feel. Navigation system not that easy to use. Stitched leather, burnished wood creates a clubby British air inside, but like-priced Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus models exhibit slightly greater attention to assembly details.
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas | XJR | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5.7 |
Gauges unobstructed, but some controls not well-placed and/or labeled. Odd "J-gate" transmission selector allows manual shifts, but lever action lacks feel. Navigation system not that easy to use. Stitched leather, burnished wood creates a clubby British air inside, but like-priced Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus models exhibit slightly greater attention to assembly details.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Seats arm-chair comfortable, but low-roof styling means minimal head clearance for 6-footers and compromised positioning for large drivers. Long, narrow front footwells feel confining. Center console can't open with cupholders in use.
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas | XJR | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 8.1 |
Seats arm-chair comfortable, but low-roof styling means minimal head clearance for 6-footers and compromised positioning for large drivers. Long, narrow front footwells feel confining. Center console can't open with cupholders in use.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Head room also tight here, even though seat cushion is too low for comfort. Leg space limited except in long models. Entry/exit demands crouching, again due to low-roof styling. Vanden Plas features classy fold-down wood writing tables, but no model has rear cupholders.
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas | XJR | Class Average |
| 5 | 7 | 5 | 7.6 |
Head room also tight here, even though seat cushion is too low for comfort. Leg space limited except in long models. Entry/exit demands crouching, again due to low-roof styling. Vanden Plas features classy fold-down wood writing tables, but no model has rear cupholders.
Cargo Room
Tail styling limits trunk height enough to make cargo volume subpar for the class. At least the hold has a regular shape and low load sill.
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas | XJR | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 4.8 |
Tail styling limits trunk height enough to make cargo volume subpar for the class. At least the hold has a regular shape and low load sill.
Value within Class
Rival designs are much newer, but the aging XJs still shine for top-notch ride and refinement; potent, silky V8s; and evergreen British charm. Workmanship and reliability have become class-competitive under more than a decade of Ford Motor Co. ownership, but the redesigned and aluminum-intensive '04s promise better fuel economy, more interior space, and additional comfort with no loss of performance or Jaguar character.
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas | XJR | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5.3 |
Rival designs are much newer, but the aging XJs still shine for top-notch ride and refinement; potent, silky V8s; and evergreen British charm. Workmanship and reliability have become class-competitive under more than a decade of Ford Motor Co. ownership, but the redesigned and aluminum-intensive '04s promise better fuel economy, more interior space, and additional comfort with no loss of performance or Jaguar character.
Total Score
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas | XJR | Class Average |
| 55 | 56 | 51 | 64.7 |
Scores for all Premium Large Cars
| Low Score | 51 | |
| Average Score | 64 | |
| High Score | 80 |
2003 Jaguar XJ Series Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 04/10/2003
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| XJ8 4-door sedan | $56,330 | $51,261 | $665 |
|
|
|||
| Vanden Plas 4-door sedan | $68,330 | $62,181 | $665 |
|
|
|||
| Super V8 4-door sedan | $79,330 | $72,191 | $665 |
|
|
|||
| Sport 4-door sedan | $59,330 | $53,991 | $665 |
|
|
|||
| XJR 4-door sedan | $71,830 | $65,366 | $665 |
Price note: XJR and Super V8 retail price includes $1000 Gas-Guzzler tax.
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
XJ8
Powertrain
4.0-liter dohc V8 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, traction control.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid system, rear-obstacle-detection system.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power steering, power tilt/telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, air conditioning w/automatic climate control, leather upholstery, 12-way power front bucket seats w/power lumbar adjusters, center console, cupholders, memory system (driver seat, steering wheel, mirrors), wood interior trim, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, power sunroof, AM/FM/cassette w/6-disc CD changer, analog clock, tachometer, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator, automatic day/night rearview mirror, rear defogger, remote fuel-door and decklid releases, illuminated visor mirrors, universal garage-door opener, map lights, rain-sensing variable-intermittent wipers, automatic headlights, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, front and rear fog lights, full-size spare tire, 225/60ZR16 tires, alloy wheels.
Vanden Plas adds to XJ8:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, upgraded leather upholstery and wood interior trim, wood picnic trays on front seatbacks, Alpine sound system, lamb's-wool floormats, 4.9-inch longer wheelbase.
Super V8 adds to Vanden Plas:
Powertrain
4.0-liter dohc supercharged V8 engine.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Computer-controlled shock absorbers, 235/50ZR17 tires.
Sport adds to XJ8:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Front sport seats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Deletes: full-size spare tire.
Sport suspension, 255/40ZR18 tires.
XJR adds to Sport:
Powertrain
4.0-liter dohc supercharged V8 engine.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system, Alpine sound system, wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front and rear seats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Computer-controlled suspension.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
Sovereign Pkg.
|
||
|
XJ8
|
$750
|
$638
|
|
Heated front and rear seats, Alpine sound system, wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded wood interior trim, unique alloy wheels.
|
||
|
R1 Performance Milan and Brembo Pkg.
|
||
|
XJR
|
$1,500
|
$1,275
|
|
Upgraded brakes, special alloy wheels.
|
||
|
|
||
Comfort and Convenience Features |
||
|
Navigation system
|
||
|
Vanden Plas
|
$1,700
|
$1,445
|
|
Heated front and rear seats
|
||
|
XJ8, Sport
|
$500
|
$425
|
|
Alpine sound system
|
||
|
XJ8, Sport
|
$1,000
|
$850
|
|
|
||
2003 Jaguar XJ Series Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Jaguar XJ Series 4-door sedan | Jaguar XJ Series (V. Plas, Sup. V8) 4-dr sdn |
| Wheelbase, in. | 113.0 | 117.9 |
| Overall Length, in. | 197.8 | 202.7 |
| Overall Width, in. | 70.8 | 70.8 |
| Overall Height, in. | 52.7 | 52.7 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3995 | 4006 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 12.7 | 12.7 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 23.1 | 23.1 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.2 | 37.2 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.2 | 41.2 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.3 | 36.9 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 34.3 | 39.2 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc V8 | Supercharged dohc V8 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 4.0 /244 | 4.0 /244 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 280 @ 6100 | 358 @ 6150 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 277 @ 4250 | 372 @ 3600 |
| Availability | Standard | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
||
| 5-speed automatic | 17/24 | 16/22 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Jaguar XJ Series 4-door sedan | Jaguar XJ Series (V. Plas, Sup. V8) 4-dr sdn |
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%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | None/-- | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 4/50,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 6/unlimited | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 4/50,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | 4/50,000 | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
England
Drivewheels:
rear-wheel drive
Also in the 2003 Jaguar XJ Series Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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