Jaguar XJ i4 Turbo Review: Luxury Meets Practicality

Forget the hype. Forget official press releases about soaring luxury car sales by the Germans. The Jaguar XJ is here to challenge them after a long time. For one, it has a bit of style and it offers a lot more options too. It's one thing to drive the Jaguar XJ Supercharged 5.0 V8 that mere mortals could only dream about. It's a completely different ballgame to drive the more practical version. We decided to test the XJ i4 Turbo, which features a 4-cylinder, 236 HP engine with a much more affordable price tag compared to its V6 and V8 counterparts while offering comparable luxury options. Read on.

Style

The Jaguar XJ has been designed exceptionally well, so much so that it makes German marques look pale. This model can easily challenge the BMW 7 Series on sheer style stakes. This is particularly poignant considering that, in the luxury sedan market in the UAE, the Germans are outselling the British by a long margin. To turn things around, Jaguar has introduced the XF and XJ, which admittedly have lots of potential if marketed properly. Key design features include:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Rear spoiler
• Vibrant color schemes
• Bold side lines

Interior Finishing

The interior of the Jaguar XJ feels like the living room of your rich and retired uncle. While it's a bit too executive for my taste, it undeniably exudes class and luxury. However, the look is decidedly senior. The seats are upholstered in plush bond grain leather and include a seat cooling option, which is a blessing in Gulf weather. The wood trim decoration features Satin American Walnut veneer, offering a very classic feel. Additionally, the thin steering wheel and analog clock are nostalgic touches from a bygone era. Although the finishing and stitching are of high quality, the soft-touch materials could be softer; I have seen softer materials in some Infiniti models, for example.

Interior Space

We tested the long wheelbase version of the Jaguar XJ, which is quite spacious by any saloon standard. The rear leg room is more than adequate. However, due to the shape of this model, front headroom might be an issue for taller drivers, particularly those above 6 ft. The boot also offers sufficient space to accommodate most everyday requirements.

Interior Features and Technology

The interior convenience features and options in the Jaguar XJ i4 Turbo outweigh those found in German rivals at this price point. Key features include:

• Cooling controls for all seats, front and back
• Memory Seats with 3 settings
• Meridian Surround Sound system
• Entertainment screens at the back of both driver and passenger seats
• Center armrest with two cupholders and an entertainment console
• Two vanity mirrors with lights for rear passengers
• Rear windows with shades
• Blue ambient lighting
• Electric dual-pane sunroof
• Navigation and push-button start

They have practically thought of everything.

Driving Performance

The Jaguar XJ i4 Turbo is primarily an executive highway cruiser, not intended for sport-minded drivers. This vehicle is suited for soft-bottomed managers who prefer being driven from Dubai to Abu Dhabi without hassles. Expectedly, the handling is quite basic, and sharp turns should be avoided. The pickup also takes about a second to move from a standstill. However, such traits are forgivable, as one does not expect high sportiness from a luxury cruiser. What is expected is adaptive cruise control instead of standard cruise control. Come on Jaguar, it’s time to upgrade if you want to compete with German cars; even Hyundai offers adaptive cruise control in its luxury models! Acceleration is fairly decent at 8 seconds. The standout feature of this vehicle is its fuel efficiency, at 13 L / 100 km, which is commendable for a luxury cruiser. This efficiency is attributed to its lightweight design; it is the lightest XJ model among the long wheelbase versions. Additionally, the 8-speed automatic transmission contributes to the low fuel consumption metrics. From an overall driving perspective, the German models have a clear edge over this particular XJ. Nonetheless, it fulfills its role as a luxury touring vehicle quite well.

Verdict

With a price tag of over 260,000 AED, you could easily acquire a German marque that offers a better driving experience. However, in terms of interior options and convenience features, the Jaguar XJ has an advantage over its rivals. It also turns heads with its stylish design. Therefore, it is definitely worth a test drive when shopping for a luxury saloon.