2019 Jaguar XJR Review: Old Cat, Killer Claws
We've known the Jaguar XJ for nearly a decade, and instead of quietly retiring it, Jaguar has decided to inject it with a life-threatening dose of steroids. The name XJR575 not only sounds mean, but it has the bark to match. The supercharged 5.0-liter V8 that it shares with other cars in the Jaguar Land Rover universe, pushes out a serious 575 horsepower and rockets the big cat to sixty in 4.2 seconds. It's got all the old world charm inside the cabin and delivers a surprisingly entertaining drive for its size. The XJR575 might have shot itself in the paw due to its starting price of $123,300, its aging infotainment tech, and questionable safety levels, but it's sheer presence and exclusivity makes up for most of that. Going up against the likes of the BMW 760i xDrive and Mercedes-AMG S63 is an intimidating task, but this old Jag has some British fighting spirit left in it still.
What's the Price of the 2019 Jaguar XJR?
The 2019 Jaguar XJR575 starts with an MSRP of $123,300, excluding a destination fee of $1,025. While the six-figure price tag initially seems high, a Mercedes-AMG S63 commands more than $20k more, as does a BMW M760i xDrive, making the XJR575 seem like somewhat of a bargain. Optioned out, the XJR575 will cost you $138,751 before the destination charge.
Handling and Driving Impressions
Trying to pilot a 4,156 pound, supercharged 575 hp long-wheelbase sedan around tight corners is always going to be a challenge, but the 2019 XJR575 makes that task surprisingly easy. Unlike other cars in this class that focus more on passenger comfort and less on outright performance, the Jag XJR575 manages to feel like a much smaller car, and manages to give some actual road feedback through the corners, where it remains relatively flat; a truly impressive feat for a car in this class. A full-size luxury sedan shrinking around the driver is not a common trait, but the Jaguar does so with aplomb, and in the process, it firmly cements its status as the driver's car of the luxury limo segment. It also remains purer than most, with a commitment to rear-wheel-drive. Sure, that means on slippery surfaces you're bound to encounter slippage, but the long-wheelbase means that breakaway is gradual rather than snappy, meaning the XJR575 is a big cat you can dance with, should you be brave enough.
Around town, the performance side of the XJR575 becomes more apparent, though, particularly when driving at low speeds. This is where it reveals a bumpy ride due to stiffer performance-tuned suspension. If you're looking for comfort over performance, then you're looking in the wrong place, as the XJR575 is more about poise than wafting along in supreme isolation, despite the self-leveling rear air suspension. It's still comfortable, but this is a limo designed with the focus on driving joy.
Verdict: Is the 2019 Jaguar XJR A Good car?
Considering all the compromises one has to make when designing a long-wheelbase luxury performance sedan, it is impressive what the team over at Jaguar has accomplished. In the flesh, the XJR575 looks stunningly intimidating with its flared sills and aggressive hood vents, but while it might seem like a hooligan turned gentleman on the outside, the inside is all about that old-world charm. The interior is a lovely place to be, and thanks to its lengthened wheelbase, there's miles of legroom in the rear. The infotainment system works well despite being one generation behind the latest models, and the seating arrangement and material choices are top-notch. It's out on the road where the big Jag impresses the most: it hides its weight with grace and impressive poise and offers the driver an engaging and enjoyable driving experience that's hard to find elsewhere in this class. The XJR575 sounds like it could be an all-round winner; but it's getting long in the tooth now, which really is its biggest flaw.
What Jaguar XJR Model Should I Buy?
There's only one car to buy, so it would make more sense to tell you why you should buy it. With a starting price of $123,300, the exotic Brit has its work cut out for itself, but the big Jag shows its strong points in clever ways. Sitting at the top of the XJ model lineup helps: new owners get most of the available features Jag has to offer. That includes premium features such as intelligent LED headlights, quilted leather bucket seats, a Meridian surround sound system with 20 speakers and two subwoofers, and a whole host of smaller touches such as an auto-dimming rearview mirror, four-zone climate control, and soft-close doors. The interior is a beautiful place to sit in, thanks to quilted soft-grain leather seats with power adjustability and class-leading leg and headroom. Although no safety tests have been done on the XJR575, the standard list of safety features is impressive and includes automatic emergency braking, lane keep and lane change assist, driver awareness assistance, rear cross-traffic assist and blind-spot monitoring. The 575 is one of the most entertaining cars to drive in its class, giving it a significant leg up in the big performance sedan race.
2019 Jaguar XJR Comparisons
2019 Jaguar XJR vs Mercedes-AMG S63 Sedan
The Mercedes-AMG is a German juggernaut of note which manages to carry those few fortunate enough to afford one of its products in supreme comfort at high rates of speed. Powering the big Merc sedan is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that produces 603 hp and a massive 664 lb-ft of torque. That massive torque advantage makes the S63 feel punchier in the mid-range when compared to the Jag. Despite being more powerful and weighing over 400 lbs heavier than the XJR575, the AMG S63 will return 17/26/20 mpg city/highway/combined. The luxurious interior offers the same space as the XRJ575 but has a significantly larger trunk. On the road, the Mercedes-AMG is a better cruiser and soaks up road imperfections, but isn't as entertaining to drive. The Mercedes-AMG S63 is a more technologically advanced car, it's fast and it looks good, but the Jaguar is a better driver's car.
2019 Jaguar XJR vs BMW 7 Series
The BMW M760i xDrive is a middle-finger to downsizing and economizing. BMW took its range-topping 7 Series and dropped a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 under the hood which produces 601 hp and 590 lb-ft. The 5,128 pound BMW will get 13/20/16 mpg city/highway/combined, and yet it will still run from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds. Inside, the BMW takes on a more futuristic approach to its design and layout, which makes the Jag look ancient in comparison. Interior space is good, but the XJR575 offers more space in the back - however, the trunk of the BMW is larger than that of the XJR575. The BMW is a more accomplished cruiser, but also offers some impressive handling for such a sizeable car. It might not have the emotion of the Jaguar, but it is highly accomplished, and an easier car to live with on a day to day basis if you can stomach a nearly $30k price premium over the Brit.