Skip advert
Advertisement

Jaguar XJS

Built between: 1975-1996, number sold: 115,413, cool cat rating: 4/5

Jaguar

Any car that stays in production for 21 years can’t be bad! That’s what the XJS did, assuring its place here. Introduced in September 1975, it was equipped with a 5.3-litre V12 engine, and at the time was the most expensive production Jag ever sold.

With oblong headlights and big rubber bumpers at the front, plus flying buttresses and a cut-off tail at the back, the bold styling was a break from tradition. Its considerable size also caused a stir, but the XJS was conceived as a grand tourer rather than a sports car. It impressed with its long- distance refinement and silky performance.

Advertisement - Article continues below

A reputation for poor reliability and fuel consumption slowed sales of early V12 models. From 1983, a new 3.6-litre straight-six broadened its appeal. A cabriolet was introduced in the same year. It used a central bracing hoop, as Jaguar couldn’t afford to re-engineer the body to increase rigidity. When a full convertible arrived in 1988, it proved extremely popular. A major restyle in 1991 kept the XJS alive, and it was now fitted with a 6.0-litre V12 and 4.0-litre straight-six units.

Helped by success in Touring Car racing, sporty variants were popular and 115,413 XJS models were sold. The car in our picture was the last off the line in April 1996. Once maligned, this long-serving cruiser has become an appreciated classic. The XJS was a flagship coupé for more than two decades, and is now seen as one of the greatest Jaguars.

Details

WHY: E-Type successor has gradually won fans over.

For an in-depth buyer's guide on the Jaguar XJS from Classic and Performance Car click here...

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,233 off RRP*Used from £12,420
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,848 off RRP*Used from £7,649
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £1,676 off RRP*
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £16,700
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal
Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Match - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal

The value-focused Volkswagen ID.3 Match performs well and is easy to live with
Road tests
28 Apr 2025