Jaguar XJ Diesel

BMW 116i, 330ci, M3 E30 and E46, BMW 530d E39

Jaguar XJ (XJ40, X300, X350)

Lexus LS460L

Mercedes CLS500

Mini Cooper S Manual Hatch and Cabrio

Porsche Boxster S, 911C4S Cabrio

Saab 900 8v Classic, 93 Aero, 95 Troll

Toyota Rav4

Before buying this car, I spent a week in renting each following car which I compare now to the XJ which I have now.

F10 BMW 535i: This was my big-car handling benchmark. But it utterly disappointed. Even with Variable Dynamic Control and Sports Vario Steering, the steering was woolly and the handling was floppy, although the chassis balance was good. The direct injection 3 litre turbo engine sounded harsh and rough. But the comfort of the seats was far superior, the boot was more flexible and the GPS with HUD was wonderful. The Jaguar XJ Diesel beats it on in-gear acceleration, handling agility and with double the fuel efficiency.

Lexus 460L Ottoman: This was my backseat ride comfort benchmark. The Lexus has features only a Maybach or a Toyota Alphard has - leg rests. The leather is superior to any Continental cars' except Rolls Royce and Bentley, the soft cushiness of the seats and suspension really sooth everything away. It is my choice of chauffeur car over a RR Phantom or a MB S-Class. But the handling is wallowy, though balanced, and the gearbox is a little confused. The v8 engine sounds wonderful though. The interior although plasticky in a Toyota way, is kinda really soothing though. The XJ also severely lacks rear headroom. Lexus wins for soothing passengers. Boot space is terrible though and the autoboot is bizarrely really slow. Fuel consumption is pretty good, equal to the BMW 535i.

Bentley Continental: I like Englishy cars, so my styling benchmark was the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur. The Jaguar for me is a more enduring design because it looks stranger, and it has been observed that 'There is no excellent beauty that hath not strangeness in the proportion." When I first looked upon it, I thought Jag had ruined the XJ. Today I think it looks extraordinary. The Bentley is immediately attractive, but it's not a lasting attraction for me. Also the Bentley is far too heavy and clumsy to drive. The interior is better made than XJ, but looks far less interesting. The XJ has the most extraordinary looking interior on sale today next to the Pagani Huayra.