Jaguar XJ 1997–2002 car dimensions: 5023 mm long, 1799 mm wide and 1345 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,780 kg. Braked towing is 1,900 kg.
The cabin has leather upholstery and wood trim as standard across the range. Automatic climate control is fitted. Cruise control is standard on many grades and later cars but optional on some early base models. Reverse parking sensors became standard from 2001 model year and on certain trims like Executive and SE earlier. they give an audible warning of obstacles when backing up. No other electronic driver aids are listed.
Boot space is 430 litres with seats in place. The floor is wide and flat but the load area is shallow and ends at the base of the rear window, so large items are restricted.
Braked towing capacity is 1900 kg. Unbraked towing capacity is 750 kg. A tow bar kit was available as an option. Payload is listed around 480 kg depending on model. Sport and XJR grades have stiffer suspension settings or optional CATS adaptive damping. other models use standard coil springs. The car is a luxury saloon so everyday work use is limited to light loads.
The cabin has a hand-crafted feel with wood veneers and leather upholstery. Front seats offer multi-way power adjustment including lumbar support plus driver memory for a set driving position. Automatic climate control manages cabin temperature. An electric tilt/slide sunroof is fitted as standard. Heated front and rear seats are available depending on grade and market. The ride soaks up bumps with a stable highway feel and low wind noise.
Fuel economy rated 16 city/22 hwy mpg on 4.0 V8 models.
Service interval every 10,000 miles or 12 months.
ABS standard on all models.
Dual front airbags and front side airbags standard.
Traction control standard on higher grades and later years.
The 3.2 and 4.0 V8 engines run on premium unleaded fuel. Published economy figures sit near 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway for the naturally aspirated 4.0, with the supercharged XJR a little lower. Real-world use often returns mid-teens in mixed driving.
Routine service is set at 10,000-mile or annual intervals. Oil and filter changes form the core of each visit. Transmission fluid changes help longevity on the five-speed automatic. Timing chain tensioners and water pumps need attention on higher-mileage cars.
Safety equipment includes standard dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS and seat-belt pretensioners. Traction control appears as standard on XJR and higher models, becoming more widely fitted later in the run. No official star ratings appear in the available records.
These cars reward regular maintenance. Keep fluids fresh, watch for bush wear in the suspension and address any electrical glitches early. With care the V8 powertrain can cover high mileages while the leather and wood cabin stays presentable.
Length 5023 mm, Width 1799 mm, Height 1345 mm, Wheelbase 2870 mm (XJ 1997–2002)
Sources: manufacturer data, auto-data.net, Wikipedia and encyCARpedia.