Jaguar XJ Series (03-) TDVi Sovereign 4dr Saloon review

Your say

Jaguar XJ TDVi Sovereign Road Test

Test date 20 September 2005 Price as tested £51,020

For Refined and smooth diesel, ride comfort, low weight, cruising ability

Against Dated styling inside and out, some hard plastics, shallow boot

Thirty years ago, the very notion of a diesel Jaguar was unthinkable. The XJ – the epitome of British luxury on wheels – was powered by the classic straight six XK powerplant or the silky smooth V12. A luxury Jaguar demanded smooth, effortless whispering power. But times and technology have changed, and Jaguar failed to spot and capitalise on the boom in diesel-powered luxury cars.

The lack of a diesel since the launch of the new XJ has certainly hurt sales, but the cavalry has finally arrived in the shape of the XJ TDVi and its 2.7-litre V6. Expectations are high, because this engine has already won praise in the S-type D.