2011 Jaguar XJ

In the history of great transformations, this one is a doozy. The old Jaguar XJ was a perfectly modern automobile under the skin, but that skin was nothing more than a rehash of Jaguar's previous 30 years. The interior was so stale, it was practically growing mold. Jaguar felt something radical was needed -- not only to kick-start this flagship luxury sedan's sales, but revitalize the brand itself. With the 2011 Jaguar XJ, something radical is exactly what the world gets.
Gone is ye olde world styling, and in its place comes a strikingly unique blend of cues from the midsize Jaguar XF as well as all-new ones. The rear of the 2011 XJ looks like no other rump on the road. Meanwhile, the interior ditches the stuffy fascia of wood, the ugly green lighting and crotchety old J gate shifter in favor of a cabin so exquisitely detailed and so dramatically designed that it may make a potential Rolls-Royce Ghost buyer think twice. Really, this would be like Susan Boyle walking into a pub and walking out looking like Keira Knightley. Perhaps it's not a look for everyone, but dang, what a makeover.
However, while the look is a stunning 180, the mechanical bits and pieces are quite familiar. The aluminum chassis is similar to the outgoing car, allowing the XJ to maintain a much lower weight than its bulky luxury flagship competitors. This not only makes the XJ feel relatively nimble, but it also helps out the lineup of 5.0-liter V8s. The "base" XJ produces 385 horsepower while the supercharged XJ cranks out up to 510 horses.
Jaguar also didn't shy away from stuffing its rejuvenated flagship with safety, comfort and entertainment features. A blind-spot warning system, heated and cooled front seats and Bluetooth streaming audio are just some of the items standard on the XJ that are optional or not available at all on its European rivals. Best of all, the XJ has a pleasingly competitive price tag, one that undercuts other luxury sedans by upwards of $10,000.
So there you have it: style, dynamic substance and value. The 2011 Jaguar XJ has not only transformed itself visually, but it's also now a serious contender to join the luxury flagship hierarchy of 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, 2011 BMW 7 Series, 2011 Audi A8 and 2011 Porsche Panamera. All are worth a look, but after such a dramatic makeover, one look at the Jag XJ may be the only one you make.

No Video Content

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Jaguar XJ is a large luxury sedan available in regular and long-wheelbase (L) four-door body styles. Both are available in three trim levels, which correspond with an engine: XJ, XJ Supercharged and XJ Supersport.
Standard equipment on the XJ includes 19-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, a panoramic sunroof, automatic xenon headlamps, auto-dimming mirrors, a power-closing trunk lid, keyless ignition/entry, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, power front seats (16-way driver and 12-way passenger) with memory functions, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and leather upholstery. Also standard is an LCD digital instrument panel, a touchscreen electronics interface, Bluetooth (phone connection and audio streaming), a navigation system, voice controls and a 14-speaker sound system with CD player, digital music storage, an iPod interface, HD radio and satellite radio.
The XJL features different 19-inch wheels than the XJ, plus four-zone automatic climate control, a power rear sunshade, 20-way power front seats with massage function, heated and cooled rear seats, extended leather trim and faux-suede headliner. Most of these items are optional on the XJ with its Luxury package, while all L models furthermore feature rear vanity mirrors, manual rear side sunshades and fold-down trays in the front seatbacks.
The XJ Supercharged and XJL Supercharged add to the XJL's equipment 20-inch wheels, adaptive headlights and a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium surround-sound system. All of these items are optional on the XJ and XJL. The XJ Supersport and XJL Supersport add different 20-inch wheels and upgraded leather upholstery. Its standard adaptive cruise control, wood-trim wheel and rear seat entertainment system are optional on the other trims.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2010 Jaguar XJ is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 385 hp and 380 pound-feet of torque. As with all XJ models, a six-speed automatic with manual shift control is standard. Jaguar estimates a 0-60-mph sprint of 5.4 seconds and combined fuel economy of 19 mpg.
The 2010 Jaguar XJ Supercharged features a (surprise!) supercharged 5.0-liter V8 good for 470 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque. Jaguar estimates a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds and combined fuel economy of 18 mpg.
The 2010 Jaguar XJ Supersport gets a more powerful version of the supercharged V8 good for 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. Jaguar estimates a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds and combined fuel economy of 18 mpg.

Safety

Every 2011 Jaguar XJ comes standard with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, active head restraints and a blind spot warning system. Front seat active seatbelts are optional on the XJ and XJL, and standard on the others.

Interior Design and Special Features

The Jaguar XJ's interior is exquisite; there's really no other way to describe it. Not only is the design unique and appealing from an aesthetic standpoint, but its craftsmanship and materials quality are a step beyond this already impressive league. Parallels to Bentley would not be unwarranted. Supple leather covers not only the seats, but most of the dash and doors. Rich wood trim wraps around the interior as if it were a structural element. Tastefully applied chrome, piano-black trim and ice-blue lighting further decorate this cabin fit for royalty. Plus, with myriad color choices, it's easy to equip the XJ in whatever way you desire.
In-car electronics are dominated by a large touchscreen, which works OK, but isn't as quick to operate as screen-and-knob systems like BMW's iDrive. Processing speed is also on the slow side. The instrument panel is in fact a big LCD, and adapts to different driving scenarios and in-use vehicle functions (navigation, for instance).
As before, the regular-length XJ's backseat is on the small side. If you regularly have backseat passengers, stepping up to one of the L models is definitely a good idea. The Jag's lower roof line provides enough headroom for most occupants, but passengers will feel less like they're in a limousine than they would in competitors. Trunk space is an average 15.2 cubic feet.

Driving Impressions

Few cars strike such an excellent balance between ride comfort and sporty handling as the 2011 Jaguar XJ. Even with the big wheels, it glides down the road with a sophisticated suppleness. And yet, with its lightweight aluminum chassis and adaptive suspension, the XJ is also deceptively agile. Choosing the car's "dynamic" driver setting engages a sharper throttle response, firmed dampers and quicker downshifts, all of which make the XJ feel much livelier. The steering is sharp, body roll is negligible and there is a nimbleness you notice in the XJ that's missing from its much heavier rivals. Which engine you choose simply comes down to whether you desire fast, faster or fastest. Indeed, despite having less power than the BMW 750i, the lightweight XJ 5.0 essentially matches the sporty Bimmer's acceleration.

2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G550

Suppose you're the motor pool manager for a military junta, or the owner of a majestic ski chalet high atop an alp. Maybe you're just a catty star on The Housewives of Beverly Hills. Whatever the circumstance, the odds are good that you'll want an unapologetically brash, monumentally powerful, endlessly capable and impenetrably built vehicle that is like absolutely nothing else on the road. Practicality and fuel economy? Inconsequential, my friend. What you want is a 2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Originally designed for military use more than 30 years ago, the G-Class (or G-wagen -- a throwback to this vehicle's original name, Gelandewagen, or "cross-country car") is in many ways the Mercedes-Benz counterpart to the old Hummer H1. In this case, though, the G-Class is packed with enough leather and creature comforts to make you almost forget you're driving something originally utilized by the Argentinean army. "Almost" is the operative word, however, as there's really no hiding the G-wagen's utilitarian roots -- and indeed that's part of the charm.
The G-Class is a 100-percent genuine SUV with a full-time four-wheel-drive system that features locking front, center and rear differentials. This old-school approach means the G-Class can be a chore to drive on the beaten path. The steering is slow, the handling is ponderous, the fuel economy is abysmal and the ride isn't exactly what we'd describe as plush. Still, we've seen plenty of people driving these around Beverly Hills en route to the mall.
So what's the appeal? Well, besides the sheer presence of the G, the first thing you'll notice is its construction. Mercedes are often described as being "built like vaults," but closing the G's side-swinging, spare-tire-carrying rear cargo door feels like sealing the gold-plated portal to Fort Knox. Mercedes even offers (via special order) heavy-duty armor plating. In total, the G seems meticulously over-engineered and completely indestructible.
It all adds up to a vehicle that doesn't really make any rational sense. But the same could be said of any number of exotic sports cars, and we rarely shoo people away from those. The G-Class is just a different sort of exotic luxury vehicle purchase, albeit one that can climb an alp and defend a generalissimo from attack rather than carve through a canyon road at 125 mph. If you're looking for a more sensible luxury SUV, the Range Rover, Lexus LX 570, Porsche Cayenne and the G's stable mate, the Mercedes GL-Class would be better choices. But as a standout third (or 18th) car in the garage, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is in a class by itself.

No Video Content

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a five-passenger SUV available in one loaded trim: the G550.
Standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, automatic bi-xenon headlamps, automatic wipers, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, a sunroof, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power front seats (including power lumbar, power adjustable bolsters, heating, ventilation and memory functions), a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated rear seats, leather upholstery and auto-dimming driver and rearview mirrors. High-tech features include the Mercedes COMAND electronics interface, a navigation system, real-time traffic, voice controls, Bluetooth, a Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system, HD radio, satellite radio, digital music storage, a six-CD/DVD changer and an iPod/USB audio interface.
The Edition Select package adds an AMG dual exhaust, fender flares, silver-painted wheels, carbon-look exterior molding, leather-covered dashboard with gray contrast stitching, two-tone leather seating and piano black wood trim. There are also numerous special-order Designo exterior paint, leather color and interior trim choices.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz G550 is powered by a 5.5-liter V8 that produces 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Standard powertrain equipment includes a seven-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, a limited-slip rear differential and locking front, center and rear differentials.
In Edmunds performance testing, the G550 went from zero to 60 in a quick 6.6 seconds. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 12 mpg city/15 mpg highway and 13 mpg combined; it doesn't get much worse than that.

Safety

The G-Class comes standard with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. Mercedes-Benz mbrace emergency telematics are also standard.
In Edmunds brake testing, the G550 posted a 127-foot stop from 60 mph, an exceptional performance for such a heavy vehicle.

Interior Design and Special Features

Although modern Benz electronics and climate controls are fitted to the G550, there's no getting around the utilitarian truck architecture. The navigation system and its fussy COMAND interface (which mostly relies on a four-button directional pad) are located at knee level; the simple climate controls are at your shins. Some features can be operated with steering-wheel controls, but in general, all other high-end luxury SUVs are more user-friendly. In front, there is a single cupholder that clumsily plugs into the center armrest and another located in the passenger footwell.
Interior quality is excellent, but space is a different matter. Front-seat legroom is insufficient for taller drivers, and the backseat could use some more legroom as well. On the upside (literally), there is no shortage of headroom, and the range of height adjustment for the power front seats is astounding. Flipping the rear seats forward provides 79.5 cubic feet of cargo space, but large humps on each side of the cargo floor (which resemble rear benches for seating troops) make it difficult to stow wider items like golf clubs.

Driving Impressions

Acceleration in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz G550 is always a laugh-inducing experience; something this huge simply should not be moving so quickly. The ride is comfortable on the highway, and only the nastiest potholes will send unpleasant impacts into the cabin. In terms of handling, the tall and narrow G doesn't inspire confidence through turns, and it enjoys the dubious distinction of being the slowest vehicle on record in the Edmunds slalom test, thanks in part to a highly intrusive stability control system. Moreover, the steering is slow and doesn't return to center quickly since this vehicle is set up for off-roading.
The slow steering is a benefit in the dirt, though, as the G-Class can be guided through just about anything nature throws at it and the steering wheel rarely registers the impacts. With its full-time 4WD system with front, center and rear locking differentials, the G goes about its trail bashing (if one is so inclined in a $100,000 vehicle) with a more back-to-basics approach than what you'll get from a high-tech Land Rover or Lexus.