Jaguar XJ50 Review: Celebrating 50 years of spectacular opulence

Jaguar XJ50 Review: Celebrating 50 years of spectacular opulence

50 years! That’s how long the Jaguar XJ has been on sale in the international markets. It all harks back to 1961, as when the Jaguar E-Type was first showcased at the Geneva Motor Show, which really managed to charm the great Enzo Ferrari. So, Sir William Lyons (founder at Jaguar) thought of building a sedan that’s extremely luxurious and fun to drive. In 1968, they launched the first-gen Jaguar XJ. Over the past 50 years, Jaguar has received overwhelming success with the XJ. So, to celebrate this momentous occasion, they brought out the Jaguar XJ50. Our Jaguar XJ50 review further reveals…

It comes as no surprise that the big Jag now needs a generation upgrade. However, despite its age, the Jaguar XJ50 looks terrific. That said, it does get a few over-the-top that exude a sense of freshness and modernity from the design. The changes include new chrome surround for the radiator grille, a fresh pair of 19-inch alloy wheels, and mildly tweaked front and rear bumpers.

Another noticeable change is the new XJ50 badges on the boot lid and the front fenders. And even when it has started to show its age, the new jag turns heads thanks to the well-balanced proportions and the low-slung coupe-like stance.

Inside the cabin, the XJ50 is as luxurious as it gets. As far as updates are concerned, the prodigious Jag now gets electrically adjustable and ventilated ivory soft grain perforated quilted leather seats with massage function. The dashboard is draped in black leather, and there’s a nice wooden insert that runs across the cabin – further adding to the opulence and panache. To remind you of the car’s legacy, the dashboard, door sills and the central armrest now boast an XJ50 moniker. Other than that, the dashboard design still remains largely unchanged with two large screens at the front and a niceto-hold leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Under the bonnet, the Jaguar XJ50 comes with a single-engine option – a 3.0-litre V6 diesel that’s good for 302bhp and 689Nm of torque. As speculated from its power and torque figures, the Jaguar XJ50 is marginally more powerful than its rivals. Even out on the road, the XJ50 feels peppier and there is zealous progression on every flex of the right foot. The ride quality is on the stiffer side, but the handling is just simply impeccable. However, at higher revs, the diesel clatter seeps in hampering the overall plush driving experience. All in all, the Jaguar XJ50 performs very well on all fronts. But, is it any better than its rivals? Find that out in our extensive Jaguar XJ50 review, only at autoX.