Jaguar XJL

Put me in the "hate it" group.

Haven't even sat in one,... but wouldn't buy one at 30% off...

If I want an ugly 4 door,... I find the Panamera less awful...

 

I saw one on the road for the first time a couple weeks ago. I thought it looked great. I really appreciate the fact that it has a distinct design when compared to Benz, BMW, Lexus, etc..

The only thing I really don't like, is the Jaguar leeper on the trunk. it just looks odd.

 

I liked the car when it came out, but as I see more and more of them, the styling just gets boring to me.

 

i personally love it.

Finally a breath of fresh air from someone other than the germans and the knock off japanese

 

The new Jag is a facsimile of the Acura/Lexus/ type of cars. Lost their way.

 

love everything about it from exterior, interior, value, etc. would have gotten it over my pana 4s but no awd in the jag.

 

I think it looks a bit too much like the Maser QP, but overall I like it. Much better than the Panamera.

 

Pics don't do it justice - first saw it and groaned.

Saw one on the road and I loved it! It's not photogenic, but I liked it in person

 

I'm not in the "hate" or "love" camp, but sort of in between. If I had to choose between the standard XJ and the XJL, I would choose the XJ every time. In looking at pictures just now, I'd say it was because the rear wheels on the XJL don't look pushed back far enough. If the wheelbase was a little bigger, I think the dimensions would like more "right" to me.

I've seen both cars at auto shows, and saw my first XJL on the street this past weekend. And while it looks a little better in the metal than it does in pictures, I still think there's too much rear overhang. I have yet to see an XJ on the streets, but at the auto show it seemed to have the right proportions. It's a massive step forward for Jaguar design, although I must confess to liking the previous-generation XJ's (particularly the R) styling.

 

I did not have an opinion either way when I saw pictures, but it really looks great in the metal. Elegant. I got a black car with black interior. Unbelieveable number of positive comments from friends and strangers. Part of it, I think, is that it is just different from the "normal" MBZ's, Audi's and BMW's that you see on the road -- all of which are great cars, just so familiar now. This XJ design is a complete departure from the old car -- I think Jag had to do that and take the chance because their buyer base was getting bored of the same design (unlike 911 aficionados!) and/or were dying off.

I chose the L because I thought the roof line flowed slightly better. I have had many of the super sedans (M5, E, XJR, RS6, S6, QP, etc) as well as Ferraris, Lambos and Porsches. This is a great car. I surprised myself by choosing the base engine car (385 hp) -- didn't seem like it was worth the extra dollars for the jump up to 470 or 510 (I know, stop that crazy talk). I use the car for commuting and didn't plan on driving it like a racecar -- I have other cars for that purpose.

My review of the good things about the car:

Price -- the car is a bargain compared to the S Class, 7 series or A8, many things that are options on other cars are standard on this car (heated/cooling massaging seats, heated steering wheel, window shades in the back, nav system, etc)

Acceleration in this base car is quite good

Interior is excellent (beautiful and tasteful)

In the L, an adult can cross his/her legs in the back seat when the front passenger has their seat exactly where they want it (I am about 6 ft tall)

Seats are firm and well bolstered but not hard

Fit and finish are excellent

Virtual dashboard is cool and adds flexibility in terms of info you see

Exhaust note is a little throaty, but not too much, as befits the car

What are the Cons?

Software glitches in the electronics -- am told a fix is coming

Tray tables in the back seat are useless -- too small (but who really cares? I have always thought they were silly)

No place for a front license plate (sadly, required in New Jersey)

Overall, I think Jag has done a great job with this car.

Kirk

 

I like these cars as I find there styling refreshing NON retro from Jags past..I drove one at the Amelia concours this spring and they are wonderful cars

 

I really like the new XJs but i do prefer the exterior design of the previous generation (especially 08+s or whever the update happened)

 

I saw Kirk's new XJ and thought it looked great!! I'm an XJ fan. I have the x350 body style (the one before the latest version) and really like the car! My wife loves it as well, and she usually dislikes 'expensive' toys on wheels.

Let's thank the Brits for making kick a** comfy rides.

 

I've now seen a regular length XJ and can say that I like it much better to the XJL. It's a very elegant car.

 

As mentioned by others, the new XJ has quite the presence in-person. Overall, I'd say I like it for it's mass/proportions. Though, I am not all that enamored w/ the new/late-model Jaguar sedan front-ends (ie. XF, XJ) in terms of headlights/hood/grille.

I find the black-colored C-pillar to be an odd styling/design cue. On darker colored models, it is subliminal; but on lighter colored models, it looks a bit awkward/misplaced to me. I do understand the design effect they were trying to achieve w/ this styling element, but it seems a bit polarizing to me.

Strangely, there isn't a single premium luxury full-size sedan currently that is truly w/o reproach or unconditionally admirable. The Audi A8 is very conservatively neutral. The M.B. S-class lacks the undeniable stature of past. The 7-series is (now) undistinguished. The Lexus LS resembles an over-sized ES.

I love the R.R. Ghost, but that falls into the ultra-lux' realm. And I've omitted the 4-door fastback coupe` style sedans (ie. M.B. CLS, A.M. Rapide`, etc).