Jaguar XJ D Portfolio LWB review

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Jaguar XJ 3.0D V6 Portfolio LWB Road Test

Test date 02 June 2010 Price as tested £69,520

For Effortless performance, engine refinement, well judged mix of ride and handling

Against Occasional wind noise, some cabin disappointments, precious little else

The last time we road tested a Jaguar XJ we concluded that it was “a great shame this cutting-edge car is wrapped up in a body and interior that hark back to a different age”.

Despite its landmark diesel engine, advanced aluminium structure and air suspension that allowed it to “beat its rivals for refinement and luxuriousness”, there was no doubt that the XJ TDVi should have been “more confident and more forward-looking”.

Fast forward five years and the latest XJ couldn’t be more different. That it’s more confident and forward-looking in appearance is in absolutely no doubt. It’s part of an outwardly and inwardly revived Jaguar marque that seems more comfortable within itself, having found its place as a maker of, as Jaguar’s strapline says, “fast, beautiful cars”.

There are faster XJs than the variant we’re testing. Jaguar is offering normally aspirated V8 and supercharged V8 petrol-engined versions of this luxury saloon, but it’s the diesel version that interests our road test – and will interest the market – the most.