Jaguar XJ 3.0-litre Diesel review

The Jaguar XJ is a car that we here at ZigWheels quite like mainly due to its drop dead gorgeous looks, balanced proportions and of course, its brilliant interiors. In fact, when we drove the 2.0-litre petrol version of the XJ recently, we mentioned how we would probably have that over most of the other cars in its category. But as with most other luxury car segments in India, diesel outsells petrol which is why the car seen here, the Jaguar XJ 3.0-litre diesel, is probably the most important XJ in the list.

There is no difference in the way the XJ diesel looks as compared to the petrol powered one. Which is a welcome change as most other manufacturers do tend to showcase some differences between the more expensive petrol and slightly cheaper diesel version. The XJ is without a shadow of a doubt one the prettiest luxury cars in the world today. From its large grille reminiscent of Jaguars rich heritage to its aggressively designed headlamps, the XJ is a certified head turner. And it gets even better around the back with its wraparound windscreen design that flows flawlessly into the blackened out c-pillar.

The XJ is also one of the few cars that manages to have a classic feel and design while still looking modern enough to make it as desirable as the latest Apple gadget. The wraparound dashboard with its wooden inset combined with the raised centre console and large round AC vents almost makes you feel like the captain of a classic speed boat. And then there is the gear selector knob that raises out from the aluminum centre console and the Tron inspired lighting around it. All in all, the XJ’s interior is just an absolutely fantastic showcase of design and quality. That said, most XJ owners will be seen in the back seen more often than the drivers and Jaguar as expected does not fail to impress in that department either. With plush and individually adjustable seats combined with an inbuilt massage and cooling system, the big Jag does have a lot to offer.

Click here to read more about exterior and interior design – Jaguar XJ 2.0-litre Petrol review.

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Engines & performance  rating_4.5_rating

The Jaguar XJ 3.0-litre diesel comes with a twin turbocharged V6 motor which feels really smooth and almost non-diesel-like when revved. With its smooth 275PS of power and a sea of torque rated to 600Nm, the diesel motor does feel quite nippy while of course offering the fuel economy that diesels are loved for. Although the XJ doesn’t really showcase any turbo lag when you go through the gears with your foot welded to the floor, there is a slight response lag from the engine if you expect it to jump into action while cruising in a higher gear. That said, the gearbox, an 8-speed dual clutch unit, which we did find a little lethargic in the petrol, does duty here to a higher degree of efficiency due to all the extra torque it gets to chomp on.

Handling & braking  rating_4.5_rating

So does the heavier diesel engine make this large luxury barge any less nimble? Well, no. Not really. If anything, the extra torque on the diesel makes the XJ come alive and dance to your tunes. We still find it surprising as to how a car this big and heavy can handle with such finesse while offering a ride quality that is second to none. We particularly like the way the steering weighs up as the speed builds up offering the best combination of a light and nimble steering feel in traffic conditions to a heavier and more precise feel while at higher speeds. Also, as we know, Aunt May once said ‘With great Power comes great responsibilities’ and suffice to say, the brakes on the Jaguar XJ 3.0-litre diesel still do a great job of stopping the rather heavy piece of exquisite metalwork to a standstill.

Price and Fuel efficiency  rating_4.0_rating

Not only does the Jaguar XJ manage to trump its rivals, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the Audi A8 and the BMW 7 Series in terms of the way it looks, it is also significantly cheaper than the trio. With prices starting at Rs 94.81 lakhs as compared to Rs 1.14 crore for the Mercedes, Rs 1.07 crore for the BMW and Rs 1.17 crore for the Audi, the Jaguar does seem like quite a bargain. That said, with a new XJ expected sometime next year, we also expect Jaguar to start doling out considerable discounts for their unsold stocks which in turn would make them even greater value for money for the long term luxury car buyer.

Verdict  rating_4.5_rating

The verdict on this one, just like the petrol powered version (Click here to read – Jaguar XJ 2.0-litre Petrol Review) is quite straightforward. The Jag certainly has a lot going for it especially when it comes to first impressions. And yes, just like we mentioned earlier in our petrol review, there are cars you can buy today in its segment like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class that are a much more complete package. But then, there is just something special about this Jaguar luxobarge that manages to stir the soul in a way that nothing else does.