Which Jaguar XJ Version Should You Buy?
The Jaguar XJ catalogue covers nine generation entries, all Sedan models, from September 1968 to April 2021.
The Jaguar XJ catalogue covers nine generation entries, all Sedan models, from September 1968 to April 2021. For a buyer comparing specifications, the major dividing lines are clear: early cars combine RWD with Gasoline engines and four-speed Manual or Automatic gearboxes; later cars add Diesel, six- and eight-speed Automatic transmissions, turbo or compressor boost, and—in selected 3.0 AT versions—AWD. The strongest listed choice is the fourth-generation 5.0 AT with 510 hp and 625 Nm, while the lowest measured combined consumption is 6.5 l/100 km from the fourth-generation 3.0 AT Diesel with 275 hp. Buyers prioritizing later specifications without maximum performance can instead consider the restyled fourth-generation 3.0 AT Diesel: 300 hp, 700 Nm, 7.0 l/100 km combined, and 0–100 km/h in 6.2 seconds.
Jaguar XJ generations: what changed?
The first generation began with three Sedan versions from September 1968 through August 1973: 2.8 AT, 4.2 AT, and 5.3 MT. Power rises from 149 hp in the 2.8 AT to 186 hp in the 4.2 AT and 269 hp in the 5.3 MT. All are RWD, with independent spring suspension front and rear and 152 mm of ground clearance.
Its September 1973–February 1979 restyling expanded the range to six versions, spanning 3.4 MT and 3.4 AT through 4.2 AT and 5.3 AT alternatives. Power runs from 162 hp to 287 hp, while ground clearance is 140 mm. A further restyling, sold from March 1979 through November 1992, offered nine versions. These include 4.2 MT and 4.2 AT choices plus 5.3 AT and 5.4 AT twelve-cylinder cars; output ranges from 177 hp to 295 hp.
The second generation ran from October 1986 through October 1994 with eighteen listed versions, twelve of which are detailed in the supplied specifications. Its RWD Sedan range used 2.9 MT, 2.9 AT, 3.2 MT, 3.2 AT, 3.6 MT, and 3.6 AT names, with outputs from 147 hp to 199 hp and 120 mm ground clearance. The November 1994–October 1997 restyling brought five versions: 3.2 MT, 3.2 AT, 4.0 MT, 4.0 AT, and 6.0 AT. The 6.0 AT supplies 311 hp and 475 Nm, while the lighter-duty 3.2 choices make 211 hp and 301 Nm. The November 1997–March 2003 second restyling reduced the range to three listed versions: two 3.3 AT variants with 237 hp or 240 hp, and a 4.0 AT with 284 hp.
The third generation, available from April 2003 through June 2009, contains eleven Sedan versions. It introduces a 2.7 AT Diesel alongside Gasoline 3.0 AT, 3.6 AT, and 4.2 AT alternatives. Depending on the entry, the 4.2 AT develops 298 hp, 300 hp, or 400 hp; the 400 hp compressor version reaches 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds.
The fourth generation ran from July 2009 through July 2015 with seventeen versions, twelve detailed here. It broadens the choice from a 2.0 AT with 240 hp to 5.0 AT versions producing as much as 510 hp, adds AWD 3.0 AT alternatives, and uses six- or eight-speed Automatic gearboxes. Its August 2015–April 2021 restyling lists eight versions: 2.0 AT, several 3.0 AT configurations, and 5.0 AT versions with 470 hp or 510 hp. Every listed restyled version uses an eight-speed Automatic gearbox.
Jaguar XJ engine specs and version comparison
Repeated names identify different database versions, so power, fuel, drive, or generation must accompany the exact name.
| Generation or restyling | Exact version | hp | Nm | Engine, fuel and cylinders | Layout / boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 2.8 AT | 149 | not measured | 2792 cc, Gasoline, 6 | Inline / No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First | 4.2 AT | 186 | not measured | 4235 cc, Gasoline, 6 | Inline / No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First | 5.3 MT | 269 | not measured | 5300 cc, Gasoline, 12 | V-shaped / No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| First, restyling | 3.4 MT / 3.4 AT | 162 | not measured | 3400 cc, Gasoline, 6 | Inline / No | 4-speed Manual / Automatic | RWD |
| First, restyling | 4.2 AT | 169 or 173 | not measured | 4200 or 4235 cc, Gasoline, 6 | Inline / No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First, restyling | 5.3 AT | 253 or 287 | not measured | 5300 cc, Gasoline, 12 | V-shaped / No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First, restyling 2 | 4.2 MT / 4.2 AT | 177–208 | up to 314 | 4200–4235 cc, Gasoline, 6 | Inline / No | 4-speed Manual / Automatic | RWD |
| First, restyling 2 | 5.3 AT / 5.4 AT | 254–295 | 369–436 where measured | 5300–5345 cc, Gasoline, 12 | V-shaped / No | 3- or 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second | 2.9 MT / 2.9 AT | 147, 159 or 167 | not measured | 2900 cc, Gasoline, 6 | Inline / No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second | 3.2 MT / 3.2 AT | 199 | not measured | 3200 cc, Gasoline, 6 | Inline / No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second | 3.6 MT / 3.6 AT | 185 or 197 | not measured | 3600 cc, Gasoline, 6 | Inline / No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, restyling | 3.2 MT / 3.2 AT | 211 | 301 | 3239 cc, Gasoline, 6 | Inline / No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, restyling | 4.0 MT / 4.0 AT | 241 | 375 | 3980 cc, Gasoline, 6 | Inline / No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, restyling | 6.0 AT | 311 | 475 | 5993 cc, Gasoline, 12 | V-shaped / No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, restyling 2 | 3.3 AT | 237 or 240 | 310 | 3248 cc, Gasoline, 8 | V-shaped / No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, restyling 2 | 4.0 AT | 284 | 375 | 3996 cc, Gasoline, 8 | V-shaped / No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third | 2.7 AT | 207 | 435 | 2720 cc, Diesel, 6 | V-shaped / Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third | 3.0 AT | 238 | 301 | 2967 cc, Gasoline, 6 | V-shaped / No | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third | 3.6 AT | 258 or 262 | 335 or 345 | 3555 cc, Gasoline, 8 or 6 | V-shaped / No | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third | 4.2 AT | 298 or 300 | 420 or 411 | 4196 cc, Gasoline, 8 | V-shaped / No | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third | 4.2 AT | 400 | 541 or 553 | 4196 cc, Gasoline, 8 | V-shaped / Compressor | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth | 2.0 AT | 240 | 340 | 1999 cc, Gasoline, 4 | Inline / Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth | 3.0 AT | 238 | 293 | 2967 cc, Gasoline, 6 | V-shaped / No | 6- or 8-speed Automatic | RWD or AWD |
| Fourth | 3.0 AT | 275 | 600 | 2993 cc, Diesel, 6 | V-shaped / Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth | 3.0 AT | 340 | 450 | 2995 cc, Gasoline, 6 | V-shaped / Compressor | 8-speed Automatic | RWD or AWD |
| Fourth | 5.0 AT | 375 or 385 | not measured or 515 | 5000 cc, Gasoline, 8 | V-shaped / No | 8- or 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth | 5.0 AT | 470 or 510 | 575 or 625 | 5000 cc, Gasoline, 8 | V-shaped / Compressor | 6- or 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth, restyling | 2.0 AT | 240 | 340 | 1999 cc, Gasoline, 4 | Inline / Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth, restyling | 3.0 AT | 300 | 700 | 2993 cc, Diesel, 6 | V-shaped / Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth, restyling | 3.0 AT | 340 | 450 | 2995 cc, Gasoline, 6 | V-shaped / Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD or AWD |
| Fourth, restyling | 5.0 AT | 470 or 510 | 575 or 625 | 5000 cc, Gasoline, 8 | Inline / Compressor | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
Power per litre separates the later engines more clearly than displacement alone. The restyled fourth-generation 2.0 AT delivers about 120 hp per litre, compared with about 114 hp per litre for the 340 hp 3.0 AT and 102 hp per litre for the 510 hp 5.0 AT. The 5.0 AT still wins outright performance because it has 170 hp more than the 340 hp 3.0 AT and 270 hp more than the 2.0 AT.
Jaguar XJ performance, mpg and economy
For the restyled fourth generation, the 510 hp 5.0 AT is quickest at 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h. The 470 hp 5.0 AT needs 5.2 seconds, the 340 hp RWD 3.0 AT takes 5.9 seconds, and the 300 hp Diesel 3.0 AT takes 6.2 seconds. The 340 hp AWD 3.0 AT records 6.4 seconds, while the 240 hp 2.0 AT takes 7.9 seconds. Top speed is 250 km/h for the 3.0 AT and 5.0 AT entries, versus 241 km/h for the 2.0 AT.
The restyled Diesel 3.0 AT has the lowest combined figure at 7.0 l/100 km, with 9.6 l/100 km in the city and 5.6 l/100 km on the highway. The 2.0 AT records 9.0 l/100 km combined. The RWD 340 hp 3.0 AT uses 9.1 l/100 km, while the AWD form uses 10.5 l/100 km—an increase of 1.4 l/100 km. Both restyled 5.0 AT outputs record 11.1 l/100 km combined.
Among fourth-generation pre-restyling entries, the 275 hp Diesel 3.0 AT is still more economical at 6.5 l/100 km combined, 0.5 l/100 km below the later 300 hp Diesel. The later car counters with 25 hp and 100 Nm more, while taking 0.2 seconds less to reach 100 km/h.
Earlier generations often have no consumption or performance value in the supplied data. Those figures are not measured here and should not be inferred. For example, first-generation 2.8 AT, 4.2 AT, and 5.3 MT acceleration, top speed, and consumption are not measured; second-generation entries with missing economy values are likewise not measured.
Jaguar XJ dimensions, weight and wheels
Exterior length and width are not measured in the supplied data, so no Jaguar XJ length, width, or feet conversion can be stated. Weight, clearance, tank capacity, and wheel data do provide useful comparisons.
In the restyled fourth generation, kerb weight ranges from 1735 kg for the 2.0 AT to 1875 kg for several 3.0 AT and both 5.0 AT entries. Gross weight runs from 2280 kg to 2450 kg. Ground clearance is 104 mm and the tank holds 80 litres. Listed wheel combinations are 245/50 R18 with 275/45 R18, 245/45 R19 with 275/40 R19, and 245/40 R20 with 275/35 R20.
Weight per horsepower favors the strongest 5.0 AT: 1875 kg divided by 510 hp is about 3.68 kg/hp. The 470 hp 5.0 AT has about 3.99 kg/hp, the 1765 kg RWD 340 hp 3.0 AT about 5.19 kg/hp, the 1835 kg Diesel 3.0 AT about 6.12 kg/hp, and the 1735 kg 2.0 AT about 7.23 kg/hp.
Earlier cars offer more clearance. First-generation specifications show 152 mm initially and 140 mm after restyling. Second-generation versions show 120 mm, followed by 119 mm and then 110 mm through their restylings. Third-generation versions have 130 mm. Fourth-generation figures are 120 or 130 mm before restyling and 104 mm afterward.
Tank capacity also falls over the catalogue: 86 litres in the first second-generation restyling, 85 litres in the third generation, 82 litres in the fourth generation before restyling, and 80 litres afterward. Where the early data gives no tank figure or wheel size, it is not measured.
Which Jaguar XJ version should you choose?
Choose the restyled fourth-generation 3.0 AT Diesel with 300 hp if economy and usable output matter together. Its 700 Nm is the highest torque figure in the supplied catalogue, it reaches 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, and its 7.0 l/100 km combined consumption undercuts the restyled 340 hp RWD 3.0 AT by 2.1 l/100 km.
Choose the pre-restyling fourth-generation 3.0 AT Diesel with 275 hp if minimum measured consumption is decisive. Its 6.5 l/100 km combined result is the catalogue low, although it gives up 25 hp and 100 Nm to the later Diesel.
Choose the restyled 3.0 AT with 340 hp and RWD when Gasoline performance matters but 5.0 AT consumption does not appeal. It reaches 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and records 9.1 l/100 km combined. The equivalent AWD 3.0 AT takes 6.4 seconds, weighs at least 100 kg more in the directly comparable 1765 kg and 1865 kg entries, and consumes 1.4 l/100 km more combined. What AWD buys in this dataset is the AWD drivetrain itself; no traction measurement is provided.
Choose the restyled 5.0 AT with 510 hp for maximum acceleration. Compared with the 470 hp 5.0 AT, it adds 40 hp and 50 Nm, cuts 0–100 km/h time by 0.3 seconds, and retains the same measured 11.1 l/100 km combined consumption, 1875 kg kerb weight, and 250 km/h top speed.
For an older RWD choice, the third-generation 2.7 AT Diesel combines 207 hp and 435 Nm with 8.2 l/100 km combined, while the compressor 4.2 AT offers 400 hp and 0–100 km/h in 5.3 seconds at 12.1–12.3 l/100 km combined. For the second-generation restyling, the Manual variants are measurably quicker than the corresponding Automatic cars: the 3.2 MT takes 8.4 seconds against 10.2 seconds for the 3.2 AT, while the 4.0 MT takes 7.4 seconds against 8.2 seconds for the 4.0 AT.
No purchase price, reliability record, problem history, repair cost, or sale listing is included in the supplied data. Consequently, the defensible choice must rest on the measured engine, performance, economy, drivetrain, weight, clearance, tank, and wheel specifications above.