The Jaguar XJ is one of the go-to saloons for top notch luxury and comfort, whether you are a celebrity, politician or suit-wearing office type that wants to flaunt their status.

Although there are numerous alternatives on the market, most of which are German, the XJ has always managed to stand proud in the market thanks to its delightfully British personality.

The XJ has fun factor on its side too, with driving dynamics that offer Jaguar’s trademark sports car feel. But should you go Jag or German?

Performance

You are unlikely to explore all the power on offer in the XJ’s 3.0-litre V6 diesel on a daily basis, but there’s no denying that having a meaty V6 at your fingerprints is both useful and fun.

Driving around the city, the V6 is surprisingly domesticated, with the eight-speed automatic gearbox reacting to changes in speed extremely well, although it can hold onto first gear a tad too long when setting off at traffic lights.

Put your foot down and its 700Nm of torque pulls the 1.8 tonne XJ effortless up to 60mph in just 5.9 seconds. You may find yourself going faster than you think due to the refined, gliding nature of the XJ – but that is all part of its luxurious charm.

Its heady torque comes in handy with motorway overtaking, always a plus point for anyone needing to get to their private jet quickly.

Ride and Handling

You can hit the apex of a bend, fire yourself out the other side and have a serious amount of fun – especially if you engage Dynamic Mode.

Big, luxurious saloons aren’t really expected to be amazing to drive. But thankfully, the XJ flouts this prospect. Although its ride is on the firm side, the payoff is an adept and rather sporty ride. Chuck the XJ into a corner and it grips like a much smaller car. You can hit the apex of a bend, fire yourself out the other side and have a serious amount of fun – especially if you engage Dynamic Mode, which brings with it weightier steering and an enhanced throttle response. The XJ is still entertaining to drive in Normal Mode however, with light, yet accurate, steering that makes the large XJ a doddle to drive. The steering could do with a tad more feedback for really enthusiastic driving, but for a car of its size, it is without doubt one of the leaders of the pack in the saloon segment. Aside to its slightly firm ride set-up, overall comfort for the XJ is superb. It offers great insulation from wind and road noise, and the guzzling V6 under the bonnet, it doesn’t rattle over bumps and the seats are figure hugging.

Interior and Equipment

The Long Wheel Base (LWB) XJ saloon is around half a foot longer than the standard Short Wheel Base (SWB) XJ.

Luxury is the magic word here and the XJ undoubtedly delivers. For a start, the cabin comes caked in leather and chrome, from its dashboard fascia to its doors. There’s also small quirky design additions like an analog clock adorning the centre of the dash, an automatic glovebox and even electrically-adjustable headrests for the front seats. The InControl Touch Pro infotainment system is a massive part of the XJ’s character too, as it brings with it everything from convenience features like sat-nav to superfluously luxurious features like a TV. The sat-nav isn’t any old system though, it incorporates a Google-like search function that is able to hone in on what you are looking for with ease. For example, search the word “Italian” and it will present you will Italian restaurants. The InControl system has a host of other useful and sophisticated gadgets as well, like in-depth efficiency reports, all-round cameras and a flight tracker – which uses your flight number to report on weather and flight delays. The TFT screen behind the steering wheel goes hand-in-hand with this system, allowing you to flood the instrument cluster with everything from media details to sat-nav directions – ensuring you to keep your eyes looking forward. The rear seats of the XJ offer the same bombardment of luxury as the front, coddling rear passengers with lovely leather linings. The rear seats are not adjustable, but they offer a slightly reclined positioning and after sitting in them, we doubt you’ll feel the need to adjust them.  Rear passengers also get a huge centre arm rest with two cup holders and a large storage cubby. When it’s not in use, this doubles up as a mini desk for anyone who is working on the move. To make the most out of this rear luxury, you’ll probably want to keep it to two in the rear. Leg room is very generous and head room is satisfactory – although its German rivals offer more of the latter. Although comfort and luxury is paramount, the XJ’s boot is still pretty flexible, with up to 479 litres of storage space. The seats don’t fold down, but thanks to a wide opening and the ability to push cargo to the back of the boot, there is a surprising amount of flexibility.

Cost

Even if you go for the R-Sport model we tested – priced from around £71,000 – the XJ still comes out as competitively priced against the entry-level German models.

Comparing prices for luxury saloons can be a bit tricky – especially when you start to add optional equipment. An entry-level XJ will cost you just under £57,000, which is a large chunk cheaper than the Audi A8, Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series. Even if you go for the R-Sport model we tested – priced from around £71,000 – the XJ still comes out as competitively priced against the entry-level German models, especially when you consider the wealth of equipment you get. When it comes to running costs, the V6 diesel isn’t exactly cheap, claiming an average of 48mpg but realistically returning around mid 30s. It also emits 155g/km.

Our Verdict

Each of the up-market German saloons on the market tick the all-important luxury and comfort boxes effortlessly, but there is something unique about the XJ. When someone mentions Jaguar, you can’t help but mutter “Jaaaag” under your breath, like it brings with it a sense of unrivalled class and sophistication. That’s why the XJ attracts its own breed of buyer, regardless of whether it matches, or fails to match, what is offered by its German rivals. And aside to the badge appeal, the XJ is superb to drive, proving that you don’t have to leave fun at the door when heading to a board meeting.