2010 Jaguar XJ to Start at $72,500

Luxury doesn’t come cheap these days. The all-new 2010 Jaguar XJ revealed yesterday gets a new starting price of $72,500, including the destination charge. That’s for the base model with a 385-hp V-8. The outgoing XJ had a 300-hp V-8 and started at $65,700 (without destination). Other rear-wheel-drive luxury sedans, like the BMW 750i and Lexus LS 460, start at $80,300 and $63,825, respectively.

Looking at all the numbers, it seems Jaguar has priced the new XJ and the long-wheelbase XJL properly. It can’t go as high as BMW, and the updates are well worth the $6,000 bump from the outgoing model. Full pricing on each trim level is below.

2010 Jaguar XJ: First Look

Jaguar has redesigned its flagship sedan, the XJ, for the 2010 model year, giving it exterior and interior design in the style of the XF sedan, along with the new engines introduced for the 2010 XF. The XJ can be ordered now, but delivery won't begin until early 2010. A slew of new images are below.

Jaguar has finally given tradition a rest, abandoning the classic four-headlight front-end design that dates back decades — and that had appeared unchanged to the untrained eye since 2004 despite a complete redesign. The 2010's nose is a more balanced execution of the XF's prominent mesh grille and sculpted headlight clusters. The hood is dramatically domed and creased, an apparent trend across the market.

Viewed from the rear, the XJ would be indistinguishable as a Jaguar were it not for the large and perfectly centered chrome "leaper" emblem. The taillights look like someone grabbed a Bentley by the tail and stretched it vertically. The car looks coupe-like in profile, with a gradually sloping roofline, high rear deck and high beltline. It's more Mercedes CLS than 2009 XJ, and we hope that doesn't represent compromised headroom. Jaguar emphasizes the "feeling" of light and space inside, compliments of a standard panoramic glass roof. The XJ's interior has always been snug among full-size luxury sedans. Jag will offer a long-wheelbase model that offers 5 more inches of backseat legroom.

2010 Jaguar XF Lineup Grows With Second Supercharged Version

If updating the Jaguar XF sedan just one year after the model's introduction weren't enough, Jaguar is bringing back to North America a trim level we thought had been replaced by the all-new, performance-oriented 2010 XFR. Priced at $68,000, including destination charge, the 2010 XF Supercharged rejoins the Luxury and Premium trim levels that launched the model in 2009, as well as the new ultra-luxury Portfolio edition and XFR, which were introduced as 2010 models at January's Detroit auto show. The XF model line's prices range from $52,000 to $80,000 with destination.

The XF Supercharged splits the difference between the XF equipped with the optional 5.0-liter V-8 (new for 2010) and the XFR, which has a higher-output version of the new trim level's supercharged 5.0-liter. The breakdown is 300 hp for the 4.2-liter V-8, 385 hp for the new 5.0-liter, 470 hp in the XF Supercharged and 510 hp in the XFR. Jaguar's claimed 0-60 mph times are 6.2, 5.5, 4.9 and 4.7 seconds, respectively.

The Supercharged has upgraded brakes with silver-gray calipers and 20-inch wheels available on no other trim level. There's contrast stitching on the dashboard and door panels, a heated steering wheel, a faux suede headliner, exclusive Rich Oak Veneer trim and a Bowers & Wilkins surround audio system with HD radio. The XF Supercharged will hit dealerships in October.

Any concerns that Jaguar's new owner, Tata Motors of India, would put the brakes on development should be allayed at this point. If anything, they seem to have dialed things up.

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2010 Jaguar XKR and XFR: First Drive

You know you're not living in ordinary times when an automaker touts the gas mileage of its new 510-hp, supercharged V-8, but that's what Jaguar did when it visited the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Ill., with a 2010 XKR coupe and convertible and XFR sport sedan in tow. The event was designed to showcase these models’ performance capabilities to potential customers, but Jaguar let us lowly auto journalists drive both cars, too. The early judgment on the new supercharged V-8? It’s an enthralling blend of power and refinement.

Recall Alert: 2004 Jaguar XJ

Jaguar has issued a recall of 14,493 XJ vehicles from the 2004 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Jaguar is concerned with the rear under-floor brake pipes, which may have a condition in which water and dirt can collect beneath them and cause corrosion.

This can lead to a loss of braking performance or — in a worst-case scenario, in which both braking circuits lose integrity due to corrosion of the brake pipes — a complete loss of braking, which could result in a crash.

Dealers will inspect the brake pipes for signs of rust or other problems. If necessary, they will replace the pipes or other potentially damaged components free of charge.

Owners may contact Jaguar at 800-452-4827 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.

All-New Jaguar XJ: First Look

Jaguar revealed the first image of its all-new XJ sedan at the Shanghai auto show today. The topside image reveals a surprising bit of information of what the car will look like. Clearly, the styling takes cues from the well-received XF sedan, which debuted last year.

The front end, including the hood and grille, look a lot like the XF. There also appear to be significant bulges over the front wheels.  The car will have a large panoramic glass roof that comes standard, and the sideview mirrors look black instead of the car’s silver body paint, although that could be a visual trick from the angle of the photo.

Like the current XJ, a standard model and an extended wheelbase version will be offered. We’ll have to wait until July 9 when the entire car is revealed in the U.K. to learn more. The company does say that orders for the new Jaguar will be taken by the end of this year, with delivery in early 2010.

If you’re interested in learning more about the XJ, the company has a new site dedicated to it here, and  you can sign up for updates. 

Buick, Jaguar Unseat Lexus Atop J.D. Power Reliability Study

J.D. Power and Associates’ annual reliability study was just released, and Buick and Jaguar are tied for the top spot, unseating Lexus. The rankings are for three-year-old vehicles, which are rated according to problems per 100 vehicles. J.D. Power mails out surveys to thousands of people, and this year’s field included 46,000 original owners of 2006-model-year vehicles. Four of the top 10 brands were domestic makes, including Mercury, Lincoln and Cadillac.

Buick and Jaguar tallied 122 problems per 100 vehicles, with Lexus close behind at 126. Toyota won five segment awards for best models, including the Toyota Highlander, Prius, Sequoia, Camry Solara and Tundra, which was the most of any automaker. Lexus fielded four winners in the ES 330, GX 470, LS 430 and SC 430. While those scores are impressive, we’re not quite sure how Scion, another Toyota nameplate, ranked near the bottom of the list with 222 problems per 100 vehicles.

While the results may sound surprising on their face, Buick has been in the top 10 since the survey was relaunched in 2003. Jaguar also steadily improved in quality while under Ford ownership. Jaguar was sold last year to Indian carmaker Tata Motors. 

Keep reading for scores of each brand as well as each vehicle segment.

Two Guys and a 2009 Jaguar XF

Our resident Gen Y car buffs took a week to test out a car that’s meant for a completely different demographic, but they still had plenty to rave about. How does a Jaguar win these guys over? Keep reading to find out.  

Scale: Fail, Meh, Win, Epic Win

How does it look?  

Joe Bruzek — Win: The XF is an amazingly handsome sedan that shares many of the qualities I liked so much in the C-XF concept. The XF is more masculine than any Jaguar I can think of -- at least when it’s the right color. That masculinity didn’t really translate in our test car, which was a blah “Grand Marquis” beige. The official name of the color is Vapour Gray Metallic and, no lie, I drove past an 80-year-old man driving a Grand Marquis of the same color and quietly let out a sigh of shame.

Eric Rossi — Win: I agree with Joe that the XF is more macho than previous Jaguars (coupes excluded), but mainly when looking at it from the front or front angle. Take a profile of this car, add the Vapour Gray (or whatever you want to call it) paint job and the standard wheels and, I hate to say it, but you’re left with something that just looks ordinary. The interior was very contemporary and had nice materials with a solid feel. Also, I thought the nav was dreadful. The transition between menus apparently deserved a fancy wipe from one screen interface to the next. This would be cool if it didn’t take 8 seconds in which you’re watching a screen instead of the road to change the station or turn on the heated seats.

Jaguar Announces Pricing on 2010 XF, XK

The 2010 model year sees the addition of a high-performance model for the XF lineup, the XF-R, which was introduced just last year. There are also significant price hikes on all other XFs and XKs. All 2010 models go on sale during the summer of 2009.

The 2010 XF lineup includes the XF Luxury, Premium and XF-R, including a total of three engine options, two of which are brand new. The 2010 XF has a starting price of $51,150, which is a $1,950 price hike over last year’s starting price. Jaguar says the hike is due to a new acoustically laminated windshield and brake-assist safety system.

The new 385-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 comes standard on the Premium, and a supercharged version of the same engine powers the XF-R. The XF Premium starts at $56,150, and the supercharged XF-R starts at $79,150.

2010 Jaguar XF, XFR at 2009 Detroit Auto Show

• Competes with: BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, Audi S6
• Looks like: A powerful Jaguar that can compete with the Germans
• Drivetrain: 300-hp, 4.2-liter V-8; 385-hp, 5.0-liter V-8; 510-hp, supercharged V-8
• Hits dealerships: TBD

Jaguar has revealed its first performance version of the XF. Last year, the automaker released the all-new model to rave reviews and sales that outpaced the entire Jaguar lineup. Then the economy turned, and the XF was no longer a shining star.

The 2010 model adds two new engines, including a supercharged V-8 powering the new XFR. Its 510 hp is more than impressive and competes directly with high-powered models from German automakers BMW, Mercedes and Audi. The real surprise, then, isn't that the XFR hits 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, it’s the car's combined mileage of 22.5 mpg. That’s better than a V-6 Honda Accord, which has a combined rating of 22 mpg. Ratings of 510 hp and 22.5 mpg do not compute.

Those looking for some extra power but not that much extra power have a new 5.0-liter V-8 sans supercharging. Found in the Portfolio and Premium trims, its more-than-respectable 385-hp rating is also complemented by good mileage: 24.5 mpg combined. The base model’s 300-hp V-8 remains unchanged from last year. The two new V-8s replace the outgoing 420-hp, supercharged V-8 found in the XF Supercharged.

The XFR gets some more aggressive bodywork, and we have many more pictures of it below.