Jaguar XJ History

Full-size luxury car · 1968–2019

Sample hero image — replace with real model photography.

History

The XJ debuted in 1968 as the saloon that consolidated Jaguar's range into a single model line, personally championed by Sir William Lyons. Praised for its blend of ride, refinement, handling, and value, it became the definitive Jaguar and remained in production, across many generations, until 2019.

The original Series 1–3 (1968–1992) introduced the silky 5.3-litre V12 in the XJ12. The XJ40 (1986–1994) modernised the platform; the X300 (1994–1997) restored classic four-headlamp styling; and the X308 (1997–2003) brought Jaguar's AJ-V8. The X350 (2003–2009) switched to a lightweight all-aluminium body, and the final X351 (2010–2019) adopted a bold, modern shape before the nameplate was retired.

Generations

Series 1–3 · Series 1 / 2 / 3 (1968–1992)

The original XJ6/XJ12, home of the 5.3-litre V12; about 318,000 built across the three series. The Series 3 carried Pininfarina styling tweaks.
XJ40 (1986–1994)

A thoroughly modernised XJ with the new AJ6 six; the 6.0-litre V12 arrived for its final year.
- 1992
  Photo: “1992 Jaguar XJ6 Saloon.jpg” by Coolalabright / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 4.0
X300 (1994–1997)

A Ford-era restyle that brought back the classic quad-headlamp face, with supercharged six-cylinder XJR models.
X308 (1997–2003)

Switched to Jaguar's AJ-V8 — the XJ6/XJ12 names giving way to XJ8, with a supercharged XJR.
- 2000
  Photo: “2000 Jaguar XJ Executive Auto.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
X350 / X358 · X350 (2003–2009)

An all-aluminium monocoque made it lighter and roomier despite a larger body; classically styled.
X351 (2010–2019)

A dramatic, modern redesign that broke with the retro look; the last XJ, retired in 2019.