Used 2011 Jaguar XJ for sale 

The 2011 Jaguar XJ is a large luxury sedan available in regular and long-wheelbase (L) four-door body styles. Both are available in three trim levels, which correspond with an engine: XJ, XJ Supercharged, and XJ Supersport. Here we will compare the regular wheelbase models. The sedan starts at a base price of $72,700 and goes up to $110,200 for the Supersport trim.

Standard equipment on the XJ includes 19-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, a panoramic sunroof, automatic xenon headlamps, auto-dimming mirrors, a power-closing trunk lid, keyless ignition/entry, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, power front seats (16-way driver and 12-way passenger) with memory functions, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and leather upholstery. 

Also standard is an LCD digital instrument panel, a touch screen electronics interface, Bluetooth (phone connection and audio streaming), a navigation system, voice controls, and a 14-speaker sound system with a CD player, digital music storage, an iPod interface, HD radio, and satellite radio.

The long wheelbase XJL features different 19-inch wheels than the XJ, plus four-zone automatic climate control, a power rear sunshade, 20-way power front seats with massage function, heated and cooled rear seats, extended leather trim, and a faux-suede headliner. The XJ Supercharged and XJL Supercharged add to the XJL's equipment 20-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, and a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium surround-sound system.

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The long-wheelbase car weighs just 50 pounds more, and the extra length tames some of the zings in its very fast steering, with just that amount of weight added, the longer wheelbase models would be the ideal pick here. When it comes to the trim choosing, the base XJ is adequately filled to enjoy the sedan.

The 2011 Jaguar XJ is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 385 hp and 380 pound-feet of torque. As with all XJ models, a six-speed automatic with manual shift control is standard.

The 2011 Jaguar XJ Supercharged features a (surprise!) supercharged 5.0-liter V8 good for 470 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque. The 2011 Jaguar XJ Supersport gets a more powerful version of the supercharged V8 good for 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. 

On most all performance fronts, the 2011 XJ is thankfully innocent of the worst electronic crimes against ride and handling. You've seen other luxury sedans crippled by too many sensors, too many variables, too much engineering attention. Here's it's more simple: the XJ gets an independent suspension with coils up front and links in back, electronically adjustable air springs in back, and an electronically controlled rear differential on supercharged cars. To fine-tune these settings, Jaguar Drive Control allows owners to choose Normal, Dynamic and Winter settings to adjust throttle, steering, transmission, and ride quality.

Fuel economy is mostly an afterthought for anyone shopping the 2011 Jaguar XJ. Still, it's worth pointing out that the XJ doesn't get exceptional fuel economy even though it has a lightweight aluminum body structure. Without any options for diesel or hybrid models, the XJ lineup is at its best in the base short-wheelbase version. For the base short-wheelbase version, EPA rates it at 16/23 mpg in city/hwy. Adding supercharging to the 5.0-liter V-8 drops fuel economy to 15/21 mpg in city/hwy. 

Meanwhile, the long-wheelbase edition is rated by the EPA at 15/22 mpg. Jaguar's six-speed automatic transmission was state-of-the-art just a couple of years ago, but now other luxury brands are adopting seven- and eight-speed automatics. When comparing with the rivals, both offer better figures with Audi A8 leading the race with 21 mpg combined.

As elegant as it is outside, the 2011 Jaguar XJ is really defined by its distinctively styled, uniquely luxurious passenger cabin. It’s a wholly contemporary luxury execution, but with a perfect dose of sport and heritage befitting the Jaguar name. Highlights include a prominent trim element that wraps from below the windshield to the rear doors, leather-wrapped upper dash, prominent center air vents, a full LCD "virtual" gauge cluster, panoramic moonroof, and the now-familiar transmission selector knob that automatically rises from the center console when the engine is started.

With aluminum body panels bonded and riveted to an aluminum space frame, the 2011 Jaguar XJ is substantially lighter than the competition—though, with new features, the difference is diminished somewhat. The XJ weighs in at roughly 4,300 pounds, which the company claims is 250 pounds less than its lightest competitor, the BMW, and hundreds less than the big Audi A8. There's about 12,000 aluminum cans' worth of recycled metal in the XJ's body structure. 

The 2011 XJ also has a little less room inside than you might expect, since its roofline and aluminum body dictate some leaner proportions than vertically inclined, steel-bodied cars like the Lexus LS. The interior has roughly the same cubic feet space as before, but it's shallower than other luxury liners. Front-seat passengers will notice it less, but the XJ does get a bit tight at the knees. Legroom isn't the issue in front, nor in the back--especially on long-wheelbase versions, which get 5 inches more rear legroom. Major interior highlights of the sedan include-

• Ambient interior lighting
• Steering Wheel Controls
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Adjustable steering wheel column
• Optional Heated steering wheel
• Heated Front Seats

2011 Jaguar XJ Infotainment System

In-car electronics are dominated by a large touchscreen, which works OK, but isn't as quick to operate as screen-and-knob systems like BMW's iDrive. Processing speed is also on the slow side. The instrument panel is in fact a big LCD and adapts to different driving scenarios and in-use vehicle functions (navigation, for instance). 

The gauges and secondary controls all but abandon real dials for a large high-definition LCD screen that displays all the usual functions, while also changing colors subtly to indicate performance driving modes with a soft red glow. There's also an LCD touchscreen that interfaces driver, climate, audio, and navigation functions without using buttons. Few key features include-

• AM/FM Stereo
• CD Player
• HD Radio
• MP3 Player
• Premium Sound System
• Entertainment System (Optional)
• Hard Disk Drive
• Navigation System
• Wireless Cell Phone Hookup

The 2011 Jaguar XJ is available in standard and long-wheelbase versions, with XJL models offering an additional five inches of legroom (but less parking-lot maneuverability).

In between the strongly styled front end and more stately rear, XJ design highlights include a long, coupe-like roofline, front-fender adornments, and a black-out treatment on the rear roof pillar that Jaguar says gives the impression of an exotic "floating" roof. We’re not yet sure exactly what impression it gives us. 

Three details stand out: the D-pillar is blacked out to create a floating roof look, but it jars the eye, disturbing the XJ's elegance more than it enhances it. The second detail is a massive glass sunroof that opens the XJ cabin to light--and glare from its gauges and flashy trim. Third, those distinctive hockey-stick taillamps. Most dislike them at first glance, but they lift the XJ's tail and do more to evoke a sort of French sensibility. Tally them up and there's real visual interest. Major exterior features include-

• Aluminum wheels
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Fog Lamps 
• Auto-Off Headlights
• Reverse camera
• Sunroof/moonroof

We're giving credit here to the XJ's stout aluminum construction, which is essentially the same as the structure of the Boeing 767. Bonded and riveted aluminum makes for a very, very strong passenger cell. The structure's basic goodness is amplified by a good complement of safety equipment. The new car also sports six airbags, anti-lock brakes, and traction and stability control as before. The new XJ’s stability control loosens its apron strings a bit when the car’s Dynamic mode is chosen. Few standout safety features available with the sedan are-

• Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• Child Safety Locks
• Traction Control
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Auto-Leveling Headlights

The 2011 Jaguar XJ has not only transformed itself visually, but it's also now a serious contender to join the luxury flagship hierarchy of the 2011 BMW 7 Series and 2011 Audi A8. All are worth a look, but after such a dramatic makeover, one look at the Jag XJ may be the only one you make.