Skip advert
Advertisement

Jaguar XJ 3.0 V6 Supercharged

We drive the revised Jaguar XJ, with the all-new 3.0-litre supercharged V6

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Jaguar XJ
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

This new supercharged V6 fills the void left in the range by the naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8. It’s smooth, powerful and flexible, plus it sounds great – and it makes the upcoming F-Type an even more exciting prospect. Tweaks to the suspension have improved the ride, if not quite perfected it, while the infotainment updates keep the XJ in touch with the competition.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Jaguar XJ has been refreshed, with uprated suspension, new technology and – most importantly – an all-new 3.0-litre supercharged V6.

This engine will eventually appear in the F-Type sports car. It replaces the 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 in the line-up – and with 335bhp, it’s 45bhp less powerful. But the new model is only two tenths slower in the sprint from 0-62mph, posting a time of 5.9 seconds.

Jaguar has also fitted an eight-speed automatic gearbox – previously the car only had a six-speed – and added a stop-start system. Together with the smaller-capacity engine, these changes boost economy by 6mpg to 30mpg and slash emissions by 40g/km to 224g/km.

But Jaguar believes that improving efficiency shouldn’t mean compromising the driving experience, so it’s worked hard to keep the V6 as flexible as the larger, naturally aspirated V8. There’s plenty of low-end torque, impressive throttle response and a sweet-sounding exhaust note, which will no doubt be turned up for the F-Type.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Yaris Hybrid

2024 Toyota

Yaris Hybrid

23,788 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £16,875
View Yaris Hybrid
Sorento

2019 Kia

Sorento

45,119 milesManualDiesel2.2L

Cash £18,229
View Sorento
T-Roc

2022 Volkswagen

T-Roc

27,890 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £21,299
View T-Roc
Juke

2018 Nissan

Juke

34,750 milesManualDiesel1.5L

Cash £7,300
View Juke

The eight-speed automatic works well in most conditions, although it can be slow to shift down in normal mode. Leave it in Sport or take control yourself, however, and it responds well.

Jaguar hasn’t just made changes to the powertrain; it’s also tweaked the dampers and springs for better comfort. Unfortunately, the slightly jittery ride over bumpy roads hasn’t been completely ironed out.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s not all bad news, because over larger undulations in the road the car wafts along in serene comfort. The XJ has always prioritised handling, though, and that’s no different in this updated version. The lightweight aluminium construction and quick, light steering make it more enjoyable to drive quickly than anything else in this class.

A limousine has to impress inside, and the XJ still does, even though Jaguar hasn’t changed the design. It’s a great mix of modern style and traditional luxury, while the updates to the infotainment system have made everything a little more intuitive, too. The iPod interface is now easier to navigate and the satellite navigation has new features like a lane guidance system.

DAB radio is also fitted as standard across the range, while the superb 825W 20-speaker Meridian stereo (already seen on the Range Rover Evoque) is an option on all but the top-end Portfolio and Supersports models.

So while the changes to the suspension aren’t quite as effective as we’d hoped, the 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine will broaden the XJ’s appeal in important markets like Russia and the US.

Two litres of capacity and two cylinders seems like a lot to lose under the bonnet, but drive the old V8 back-to-back with this new V6 model and you’ll struggle to tell the difference. That’s great for the XJ, and also brilliant news for the forthcoming F-Type.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,199 off RRP*Used from £15,337
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

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

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,600
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,295
* 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 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025