Jaguar XJ
It’s no spring chicken in this company, but the XJ’s exclusivity and strikingly handsome looks mean it has aged with all the grace and delicacy you’d expect from a large Jaguar saloon. It’s a stunning car, and one that looks just as good from the inside as it does from the outside.
If that’s not enough, it’s by far one of the best executive cars to drive, with the driver just as much a focus of the car as those being driven – in a market where many owners are chauffeured around, driver appeal is often secondary to ride and rear seat comfort, but Jaguar traditionally caters for the type of buyer that likes to drive themselves, even if it is just at the weekends.
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For the working week, the XJ is equally good at cossetting executive backsides, while the long-wheelbase model has over a metre of rear legroom, leaving plenty of room to stretch out and relax after a hard day in the office.
It’s not a cheap car to run, though. The petrol-engined models are pretty thirsty, but all are sensationally quick, especially the 567bhp XJR 575. There is a diesel option, but only a 3.0-litre, which is adequate enough but not hugely quick. It’s still a great car to drive, though.
All trim levels – Luxury, Premium Luxury, Portfolio, R-Sport and Autobiography – include leather seats (heated front and rear), a panoramic sunroof, soft-closing doors and Jaguar’s InControl infotainment package.
As luxury cars go, it’s got far more character than most of its rivals, which makes up for some of the features it lacks compared to newer rivals.
Enquire Now on a new Jaguar XJAudi A8
Audi claims its new A8 is the most technologically advanced car it ha ever produced – something that’s not immediately obvious from its understated (albeit handsome) exterior styling.
As well as the company’s ‘Virtual Cockpit’, which replaces the traditional analogue dashboard with a host of touchscreen displays, the A8 will bring to the market a plethora of semi-autonomous features, including autonomous braking, traffic assist, which technically allows the car to drive itself in heavy traffic, and lane-keeping technology, as well as infra-red camera detection that can spot animals hiding in hedgerows. It’s clever stuff.
And while the all-alloy body may appear understated, the cabin is a technological feast – elegant, simple, but packed with high tech features, shrouded in gloss black and brushed aluminium.
The semi-autonomous features are all there, but at present legislation prevents a lot of them from being used, but Audi says that once the policymakers are content with them, all it will take will be a trip to your Audi dealer to have them activated.
Until then, the A8 remains a great luxury car and one that feels supremely well screwed together, with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines and a plug-in hybrid on the horizon. As the most sophisticated luxury car yet, It’s definitely one to watch.
Enquire Now on a new Audi A8BMW 7-Series
From a six-cylinder diesel to a twin-turbo V12, plus a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid that punches well above its weight, the BMW 7-Series has by far the biggest model range of any luxury saloon on the market right now – and that gives it huge appeal, as you can tailor it to your needs or your budget.
It’s less cossetting than some of its rivals, but it’s still extremely comfortable and almost as engaging for the driver as it is for the rear seat passengers, who can enjoy all manner of climate and infotainment settings.
Those after the full first-class experience can opt for a four-seater variant, with two individual rear seats, complete with massaging function. BMW will also extend the 7 Series’ wheelbase for you; the letter ‘L’ in the model’s name denotes this option, and it makes the back even more of a business class experience.
It’s little surprise, then, that the 7-Series is the car of choice for many of the UK’s high-end airport chauffeur services and luxury taxi firms, as it’s a wonderful car – but its popularity does have an impact on its exclusivity. It remains, however, a superb all-rounder and the best car here for ticking boxes for many different types of buyer.
Enquire Now on a new BMW 7 SeriesWhich should I choose?
With any luxury car, it boils down to individual choice, with brand and exclusivity playing a much bigger part here than in any other market sector – unless, of course, you’re running a chauffeur business. No matter your choice, though, you'll have yourself an extremely luxurious, versatile and capable vehicle.