The Evolution of the Jaguar XJ: Britain’s Luxury Saloon

The Jaguar XJ has long been the flagship of British luxury motoring. Launched in 1968, it blended elegance, comfort and performance, often with a sporty edge that set it apart from German rivals. Over the years, it’s seen V12s, supercharged V8s, royal duties, and even a bold attempt at electrification. Here's how the XJ evolved through the decades.

Series I (1968–1973) – The Original XJ

Introduced as a replacement for multiple Jaguar saloons, the original XJ set a new benchmark. It featured a sleek, low-slung design, smooth ride, and inline-six engines—with a V12 arriving in 1972, making it the fastest four-door saloon in the world at the time.

Series II (1973–1979) – Evolution, Not Revolution

The Series II featured minor exterior updates and an improved interior layout. A new two-door coupe variant (XJ-C) added flair, while build quality and reliability took a hit during Jaguar’s tumultuous period under British Leyland.

Series III (1979–1992) – Subtle Refinement

Styled with help from Pininfarina, the Series III gave the XJ a more modern, graceful look. It retained the inline-six and V12 options but introduced fuel injection and upgraded electronics, slowly modernising the car while retaining its classic charm.

XJ40 (1986–1994) – A New Era

A ground-up redesign, the XJ40 brought square-edged styling, digital gauges, and more modern engineering. It dropped the V12 (initially) in favour of the new AJ6 straight-six, with a more rigid chassis and improved handling—but teething issues affected early reliability.

X300/X308 (1994–2003) – Return to Form

Jaguar returned to classic curves and round headlights with the X300. It reintroduced the V12 briefly, while the X308 facelift swapped it for a new AJ-V8 engine, including a supercharged XJR model that added serious performance to the lineup.

X350 (2003–2009) – Aluminium Innovation

The X350 looked traditional but underneath featured an all-aluminium monocoque, making it lighter and more advanced. It came with V6, V8, and supercharged options, along with the long-wheelbase XJ L. Tech like air suspension and touchscreen controls marked a shift toward modern luxury.

X351 (2010–2019) – A Bold Reinvention

Jaguar tore up the rulebook with the X351. Designed under Ian Callum, it ditched retro styling for a bold, fastback-inspired look. It came with supercharged V6 and V8 options, high-end materials, and advanced infotainment. The XJR575 packed a brutal 575 bhp, making it the most powerful XJ ever built.

Cancelled XJ EV (2020s) – The One That Got Away

Jaguar had planned to reinvent the XJ as a fully electric luxury saloon, built on the brand’s new electric platform. Development was well underway before Jaguar abruptly cancelled the project in 2021 as it pivoted to a new all-electric brand strategy.

From elegant straight-sixes and thunderous V12s to supercharged V8s and a near-miss with electrification, the Jaguar XJ has always combined luxury with driving pleasure. While it’s currently absent from the range, its legacy as Britain’s definitive luxury saloon lives on. Which generation is your favourite? Let us know in the comments.