2016 Jaguar XJ L 3.0-litre diesel Review
It may be the oldest car in its class but as soon as the XJ L makes an entry, it feels special. The charm of that sexy silhouette and the joy of spending quality time in the XJ’s pampering cabin hasn’t waned over the years. Yet the update is due, simply because someone paying a crore of rupees needs to be lured into that JLR dealership. So what does the new XJ L have to offer then?
All-new?
For 2016, Jaguar has massaged the 3.0-litre V6 diesel to deliver 296bhp and a colossal 700Nm of torque. It weighs a little under two tonnes yet does the 0-100kmph run in just 6.2 seconds. That’s a pleasantly fast luxury limousine. Jaguar has also reduced the tyre size to 18 inch wheels with 50 profile fronts and 45 profile rears, aimed at giving the XJ L a more comforting ride than the 19 inchers did prior to this facelift. And they do a brilliant job of ironing out all road irregularities. It’s poised and levels out the worst of road surfaces without having that floaty feel of large luxury sedans. The steering is new as well, an electrically assisted unit now that feels super-light in the city but weighs up brilliantly when you push it through a series of corners. The XJ L feels a lot tighter than its cushy quilted leather insides and 5.25 metre length suggest.
What else?
The stunning exterior hasn’t been tinkered with. As with most recent face lifts though, the head lamp cluster gets a re-think. Our review car in top spec portfolio trim gets full LED headlamps with the double-J DRL design. Besides the downsized tyres, there’s a new multi-spoke alloy wheel design and small alterations to the bumpers.
Will it turn heads?
It still does and that’s down to being a unique design with enough and more individual styling elements to stand out and not the Russian nesting doll designs the Germans are making. On the inside, you won’t need to turn your head too much while manoeuvring. The XJ L now gets 360 degree surround cameras and you can pick your view according to the parking situation. The XJ L also gets a new ‘InControl Touch Pro’8 inch infotainment system that’s as quick to respond as your smartphone. Touch and swipe commands work just like a phone and it is intuitive to use right from the get go.
Fun to drive?
It holds its line and exits corners with the finesse of a much smaller car. The torque builds at 1500rpm and there is so much of it that the throttle response seems to be deliberately dulled down to keep you from leaping ahead at the lightest prod. It takes some getting used to. Paddle shifters add that element of sportiness in what should be a predominantly chauffeur driven car. Despite its size though, the Jag is easy to drive in town and should encourage you to get behind the wheel more often than flagship luxury limousines would tempt their owners to. We like that.
Easy on the pocket?
At Rs 1.05 crore, ex-showroom Mumbai, the XJ L is considerably cheaper (Rs 10-15 lakh) than its rivals. In this 3.0-litre V6 guise, it’s also a lot more powerful – 15 per cent more on average. The XJ L is a generation older to the 7 Series and S-Class though so if you want something contemporary, they are still your best bets. You won’t however feel short-changed if you get the Jag.
Evo India rating – 4/5
