2004 Jaguar XJ Series: Road Test
2004 Jaguar XJ Series ▼
- MSRP: $59,330 - $74,330
- Invoice: $53,991 - $67,641
Explore
Features & Specifications
Related to Jaguar XJ Series
Previous Year's Reviews
View Another Vehicle
Our road test for the 2004 Jaguar XJ Series includes a full evaluation of the 2004 Jaguar XJ Series from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2004 Jaguar XJ Series, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2004 Jaguar XJ Series help you decide if a 2004 Jaguar XJ Series is right for you.
Advertisement
ACCELERATION
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas w/nav. sys. | XJR | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 8 | 6.7 |
XJ8 feels as lively as XJR off the line, but XJR noticeably stronger above 40 mph. Both are fast enough for most any need: Test XJ8 ran 0-60 mph in 6.5 sec, an XJR in 5.6. New transmission a smooth operator, but somewhat slow to downshift in Drive; downshifts quicker in Sport mode.
FUEL ECONOMY
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas w/nav. sys. | XJR | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.2 |
Test Vanden Plas averaged 15 mpg in mostly city driving, test XJ8 18.3 with more highway miles. Test XJR averaged 18.8 in mostly highway driving. Both engines require premium fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas w/nav. sys. | XJR | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 | 8 | 8.2 |
Among world's smoothest-riding sedans. Composed over all but the worst surfaces, with a fine balance of impact absorption and highway comfort, though the ride can get floaty over high-speed dips. R models have more road feel, but are never nervous or busy.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas w/nav. sys. | XJR | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 8 | 6.8 |
Stiffer chassis and lighter weight help this big cat feel nimble than before. Good grip in turns with little body lean. Steering linear though somewhat light, with good road feel and great straightline tracking. Brakes strong, but some testers felt those on XJ8 and Vanden Plas were a bit mushy and grabby.
QUIETNESS
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas w/nav. sys. | XJR | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
Supercharged engine whirs faintly in rapid acceleration. Otherwise, cabin free of wind and road noise at all but very high speed.
CONTROLS
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas w/nav. sys. | XJR | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6 | 7 | 6.1 |
Typical luxury car, with lots of buttons and controls. Most are clearly marked, conveniently placed. Optional navigation system absorbs some audio and climate functions, complicating their use. Standard steering-wheel-mounted redundant audio controls help. Shift knob obscures Jaguar's J-gate shift pattern in manual mode. Optional rear-seat entertainment-system controls not intuitive to some testers, and DVDs must be loaded into trunk-mounted changer with ignition on. Some cabin materials disappoint compared to previous XJs and are not up to lofty standards set by top rivals.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas w/nav. sys. | XJR | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 8.6 |
Firm, comfortable, highly supportive seats. Head and leg room tight for large adults, but power-adjustable steering column and pedals help most find an agreeable driving position. Narrow door openings, low ride height make entry/exit more difficult than in other luxury sedans. Visibility to rear compromised by tall trunklid.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas w/nav. sys. | XJR | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8.2 |
More comfortable than previous XJs and comparable to direct European rivals, though toe space tight. Nicely bolstered cushions. Adjustable seatbacks with lumbar supports and power headrests are available as an option on Vanden Plas and XJR.
CARGO ROOM
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas w/nav. sys. | XJR | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.9 |
Luggage volume average for class, though trunk is shallow. Lid opens wide on nonintruding hinges, however, and has assisted soft-touch close. Large glovebox, padded map pockets highlight interior storage.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas w/nav. sys. | XJR | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4 | 4 | 5.1 |
Ford owns Jaguar, and the British marque's special character feels watered down in the latest XJ. Still, this is a solid enough luxury sedan, and tends to undercut most rivals' top-line models on price. The XJ8 is the best value within the XJ lineup. Vanden Plas is pricey for the added features. XJR is fun to drive, but isn't as satisfying as its high-performance competition.
Total Score
| XJ8 | Vanden Plas w/nav. sys. | XJR | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | 65 | 66 | 66.8 |
Total Score: 68
Scores for all Premium Large Cars
Next Step: Get a price quote from your local dealer ►
