2014 Jaguar XJ 3.0 diesel review, test drive

A significantly lower price tag and some more features make the diesel Jaguar XJ hard to ignore.

Published on Jul 25, 2014 08:24:00 PM

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2014 Jaguar XJ 3.0 diesel review, test drive

Jaguar hasn’t altered the basic layout of the cabin, so the XJ carries on with its really sporty looking dashboard that beautifully wraps itself around the front seats. Quality of materials is good, but in a few places, you’ll find the odd cheap-feeling bit, like the steering adjustment knob, which is straight out of a Ford. For the most part, however, this isn’t an issue. What is more apparent an issue, however, is the relatively low-resolution graphics for the touchscreen that controls the infotainment system. It simply looks out of place in a car of this price, and feels a bit dated now. The TFT screen that makes up the speedo and tacho dials could do with an update as well.

As for the driving experience, the Jag remains perhaps the most involving of the luxury limos, although it lacks the ultimate chassis balance of a 7-series. The steering is accurate, if a bit light at high speeds, and on the whole, the car feels a lot more balanced than its vast size would lead you to believe. The creamy smooth 271bhp, 3.0-litre, V6 twin-turbo diesel (mated to an eight-speed torque converter auto) is also game for a full Sunday’s worth of hard driving. It’s quick to respond to throttle inputs and feels punchy at all speeds. The nice growl from the motor only adds to the experience. In humdrum city driving though, the engine never lets out more than a, well, purr – engine refinement is simply super.

The big Jag also successfully manages to mute out a lot of outside noise. Most bumps are done away with quietly and it’s only the large potholes that thud through the cabin. But, the low ground clearance and massive 3.2m wheelbase do call for a little bit of caution over speedbreakers.

In all, the 2014 XJ delivers all that we’ve ever liked about the big Jag for substantially less money than before. Offering probably the best compromise of driving pleasure and luxury among diesel limos, the XJ is a car that’s tailor made for those who split their time behind the wheel and in the rear seat. Charming as ever, the XJ has just got that much harder to resist.

NIKHIL BHATIA