2012 Jaguar XJ Total Car Score Analysis

Dramatically reinvented last year, the 2012 Jaguar XJ earns a below average Total Car Score for the segment.  
 
The XJ’s rakish roofline is a break with Jaguar tradition as refreshing as the car's overall dynamic poise. Strong, naturally-aspirated and supercharged V8s provide real punch and a lounge-worthy, well-crafted interior is a pleasant place from which to command the competitively priced XJ.  
 
Exterior style that is dramatic, but also awkward from some angles, comes at the expense of interior volume, with head and legroom falling short in standard wheelbase XJs. A slow-to-respond touchscreen display proves annoying, as do questions about the absence of real instrument gauges and all-wheel drive.  
 
With the completely new XJ bowing last year changes are minimal. Most brag-worthy is a new sport package, which boosts the XJ Supercharged's top speed to 174 MPH.  
 
For 2012 the rear seat DVD entertainment system is now standard in the XJ Supercharged.

2012 Jaguar XJ Model Line-Up

The 2012 Jaguar XJ is five passenger sedan available in standard and long wheelbases. Three trim levels are offered -- XJ, XJ Supercharged and XJ Supersport (covered separately).  
 
The XJ and XJ Supercharged both come with V8s but are distinguished by the addition of a supercharger and higher power outputs. The base XJ gets standard 19-inch wheels, an adjustable self-leveling suspension with selectable drive settings, dual-zone climate control, heated/ventilated front seats, a large touch-screen multi-function display and sunroof.  
 
Options include 20-inch wheels, a 20-speaker Bowers &Wilkins surround sound system and, for long wheelbase models, a reclining rear seat, seatback tray tables, and faux suede headliner. Safety features include an optional blind spot warning system and forward collision alert.  
 
The base XJ’s normally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 produces 385 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The addition of a supercharger boosts power in the XJ Supercharged to 470 hp and 424 lb-ft. The base XJ runs to 60 MPH in 5.5 seconds while the Supercharged takes only 4.9.  
 
The EPA puts 2012 Jaguar XJ fuel mileage at 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. The XJ Supercharged returns 15/21/17 mpg.

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