When we think of full-size sedans that combine the very most of luxury and performance the likes of BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz are some of the first names that likely come to mind. The Germans have had the luxury sedan market on lockdown for as long as most can remember. However, a British automaker has been quietly challenging them for a while and has gone criminally overlooked.

Jaguar has been delivering high-performance sports cars, sedans, and SUVs for decades, with big roaring engines gracing their vehicles for as long as they’ve been around. One such sedan that does just that is the eighth generation Jaguar XJ (XJ351), even better if you get the Supercharged trim. Whilst it’s hard to keep up with the fast-paced advancement in this segment, Jaguar has managed to keep their cars up to scuff; but it's never allowed them to break into mainstream popularity.

A side effect of the XJ getting left by the wayside is that the XJ’s value has plummeted at a starting rate, which is terrifying for those who bought their XJ new, but a dream come true for buyers looking for an amazing deal on a top-tier luxury sedan.

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Getting A Supercharged XJ At A Bargain Is Surprisingly Easy

How bad can depreciation really be, you ask? Really, really bad. The XJ has lost a ton of value since its discontinuation and is not a luxury car that holds its value. Whether people just don’t trust the brand or would rather opt for a BMW or a Mercedes-Benz, who knows? However, the XJ is so incredibly cheap right now it seems like a waste to not buy one, even if you weren’t looking.

The main model we’re looking at is the supercharged XJs. These cars offer the best powertrains by far, with almost 150 horsepower more than other models in most cases, and also come with a ton of high-level luxury options as standard.

XJ Supercharged Average Price

Across the board the XJ supercharged is cheap; there isn’t just a handful of model years that have been stuck by depreciation but all of them. The MSRP of the XJ Supercharged has sat anywhere between $89,000 and $95,000 from 2013 to now.

Looking at the JX market, if you take a look at supercharged models from around 2013, you can pretty easily get one for under $25,000 dollars, under half what its MSRP was. If you have a little more cash flow and were hoping for a slightly newer model, it's pretty common to get a 2018 or 2019 XJ Supercharged for around $50,000, some of them even popping up through Jaguar’s certified pre-owned program. That means even if you pick up a 4-year-old supercharged XJ, you’re still paying nearly half of what they used to cost new.

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The XJ Is A Refined Gentleman With A Mammoth Supercharged Powertrain

Now that you know that you can pick them up for incredibly cheap, let's dive into the reasons why you would actually want an XJ, starting with its absolutely fantastic engine. Jaguar has always been known for putting sexy, rumbly engines in even the tamest of cars. The XJ is not their tamest of cars. For the entirety of the fourth generation of the XJ, which ran from 2011 to 2019, the XJ Supercharged has housed a V-8 engine that outputs 470 horsepower.

2019 XJ Supercharged Performance

That is an insane amount of car that you can get for $25,000. All that horsepower rockets the XJ from zero to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds, which doesn’t sound like a lot until you remember that the XJ is a giant that weighs over 4,000 pounds. It also graces everyone within earshot with one hell of an exhaust note.

Even more impressive than its pure power and acceleration are its driving manners. You’d think with so much power and so much weight that the XJ would be an absolute boat, but it defies all expectations. Even compared to some of the most modern sports sedans, the Jaguar XJ Supercharged is incredibly agile. It may not be able to keep up with the likes of an S-Class but can you really complain when you’ve gotten the British sedan at such a bargain?

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Jaguar Defines Luxury With A Ton Of Features In The XJ

Obviously, the luxuries that you’re going to get in an XJ is going to vary based on the year model that you pick up and the additional extras that it comes equipped with. Another determining factor on your level of comfort is whether you get the standard model or long-wheelbase model which offers improved interior space. However, we can reassure you that even the most bare-bone XJ Supercharged is as much a dream on the inside as it is on the outside.

One of the things that Jaguar does better than most others in this segment is deliver an interior with soul. It may sound absurd taking a seat inside the cockpit of even the oldest XJ makes you realize just how cold and mechanical other cockpits can be. From high-quality materials to exquisitely designed seats, doors, and dash, the XJ offers drivers a sense of occasion in a way that not many other luxury sedans can match.

Standard Interior Features

• 20-Speaker Meridian Audio System
• Panoramic Front And Rear Sunroof
• Heated And Cooled Front And Rear Seats
• Automatic Hydraulic Trunk Opening System
• Quad-Zone Climate Control

Even in the 2013-year model, refined technology was a priority. One such example is the rotary transmission control which seamlessly rises up out of the center console when the car is started. The gauge cluster is also completely digital, managing to offer modernity while still staying classy.

While you aren’t going to feel like you’re missing out on the value of the 2013 model, newer models will obviously offer some updated features. In 2016 the XJ underwent a facelift and with it came a slew of touchscreen and tech updates that may be worth it for those that way inclined.

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Certified Pre-Owned Programs Keep Cost To Own Incredibly Low

The biggest worry on the minds of most people at picking up a used luxury car, especially one with a high-performance supercharged engine, is that it's going to cost an absolute fortune to maintain and that reliability is definitely going to be an issue. Fair concerns with simple solutions.

Any Jaguar newer than 2016 is subject to the British automaker’s EliteCare five-year/60,000-mile warranty. This means that if you pick up a new enough model its likely that your car will still be under standard warranty. Another option is picking one up through Jaguar’s certified pre-owned program, whereby they will sell you an option of a one-year unlimited-mile warranty or a two-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Other options include CarMax, who will offer an upgradable one-year, 12,000-mile repair plan as standard.

So, picking up an XJ Supercharged means that you’re getting a luxury sedan with a ton of standard interior features, an engine that outputs 470 horsepower, road manners that rival the likes of the Porsche Panamera, and a warranty that will cover all those scary expenses that come with owning a luxury sedan. For the price that these cars are going at and the extensive options that protect your purchase, it seems like a no-brainer.