2005 Jaguar XJ Review

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Review:

When's the last time you slipped into a size-larger shirt and looked more dashing for the change?

That's the mean feat Jaguar has accomplished with its new trio of long-wheelbase XJ8 sedans. Five inches longer than the shorties they follow onto the market by a year, the "LWB" models also sit slightly taller and just 53 pounds more than the stock short-wheelbase XJs. Yes, they're bigger, but amazingly their new size comes virtually penalty-free.

The plus-sized XJ lineup includes three models. The XJ8 long-wheelbase is $63,495, priced just $2000 more than the standard XJ8 and, Jaguar points out, $10,500 cheaper than BMW's V-8, long-wheelbase 745Li. Powered by the 294-hp Jaguar 4.2-liter V-8 and hitched to a creamy six-speed automatic gearbox, the XJ8 L wears 18-inch wheels and a new grille insert so you can tell the difference between it and the shorter car.