The Jaguar XJ was Jaguar’s flagship luxury sedan for more than half a century, from the original XJ6 of 1968 to the last car built in 2019. The first XJ was the final car overseen by Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons, and its low, graceful shape defined the Jaguar sedan for decades. The XJ offered a famous V12, served as the British Prime Minister’s official car in armored form, and was reinvented with a modern aluminum body before its production ended.

At a glance

Generation Years Highlights
Series I–III 1968–1992 Lyons’ design; XJ12 V12 from 1972
XJ40 1986–1994 More modern, squarer design
X300 / X308 1994–2003 Return to classic look; V8 from 1997
X350 2003–2009 Aluminum body
X351 2009–2019 Radical Ian Callum design

The original XJ6

Launched in 1968, the XJ6 combined remarkable ride comfort, handling and a low, elegant silhouette at a competitive price. It won wide acclaim and became one of the most successful Jaguars. The XJ12 of 1972 added a 5.3-litre V12, making it one of the fastest four-door cars of its time.

Updates and ownership changes

Through the 1970s and 1980s, Jaguar went through British Leyland ownership and quality struggles, then privatization and, in 1990, acquisition by Ford. The XJ40 modernized the car, and the X300 of 1994 returned to curvier, classic proportions that customers loved. The X308 introduced Jaguar’s first V8.

Aluminum and a radical redesign

The X350 (2003) used an aluminum body, making it light and agile, though its traditional styling felt old-fashioned to some. The X351 (2009), designed under Ian Callum, was a dramatic break with tradition, with a sleek coupé-like shape and modern interior. Jaguar was sold by Ford to Tata Motors in 2008.

The Prime Minister’s car

Armored versions of the XJ served British Prime Ministers for years, and the XJ appeared in countless films and TV series as the car of British officials and gentlemen villains.

The end — and a new Jaguar

XJ production ended in 2019. A planned electric XJ was cancelled in 2021 as Jaguar prepared a radical reinvention as an all-electric luxury brand, previewed by a bold concept in 2024.