2012 Jaguar XJ: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2012 Jaguar XJ is a light trim-and-equipment update, not a redesign. The biggest change is a standard rear comfort system for the XJL Supersport, with reclining and massaging rear seats, lumbar adjustment, footrests, and added passenger-seat controls.
About the 2012 Jaguar XJ
X351 generation, second US model year; before the later mid-cycle facelift
Jaguar positioned the XJ as a full-size luxury sports sedan for drivers who wanted less formal styling and more agility than traditional rivals. Its coupe-inspired shape, lightweight aluminum body, powerful V8 engines, rich leather cabin, and modern digital displays blended luxury-car comfort with a distinctly driver-focused feel. Long-wheelbase XJL versions added limousine-like rear space without abandoning the model’s athletic character.
The 2012 XJ ranges from a well-equipped 385-hp luxury sedan with leather seating, navigation, a digital instrument display, and a panoramic roof to 470-hp and 510-hp supercharged versions. Long-wheelbase XJL models add about five inches of rear legroom, while the 510-hp XJL Supersport combines the strongest engine with rear entertainment and chauffeured-car seating features.
What changed, by category
2012 Jaguar XJ specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V8, 5.0 Liter | V8, Supercharged, 5.0 Liter | V8, 5.0 Liter | V8, Supercharged, 5.0 Liter | V8, Supercharged, 5.0 Liter | V8, Supercharged, 5.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 6-Spd w/Spt Mde | Auto, 6-Spd w/Spt Mde | Auto, 6-Spd w/Spt Mde | Auto, 6-Spd w/Spt Mde | Auto, 6-Spd w/Spt Mde | Auto, 6-Spd w/Spt Mde |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 16 mpg | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | 15 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 23 mpg | 21 mpg | 22 mpg | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | 21 mpg |
| Horsepower | 385 hp | 510 hp | 385 hp | 510 hp | 470 hp | 470 hp |
| Torque | 380 lb-ft | 461 lb-ft | 380 lb-ft | 461 lb-ft | 424 lb-ft | 424 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 4190 lb | 4190 lb | 4190 lb | 4190 lb | 4190 lb | 4190 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 15.2 cu-ft | 15.2 cu-ft | 15.2 cu-ft | 15.2 cu-ft | 15.2 cu-ft | 15.2 cu-ft |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Adaptive Headlights | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| Subwoofer | ||||||
| USB Ports | ||||||
| 4-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||||
| Cooled Seats | ||||||
| Cooled Rear Seats | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Massage Front Seat | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
| Rear Window Shades | ||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||||
| Ventilated Rear Seats | ||||||
| Wood Interior Trim | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2012 Jaguar XJ?
The biggest change is the XJL Supersport’s new standard rear comfort system. Its rear seats power-recline and add massage, lumbar adjustment, footrests, winged headrests, and controls for moving the front passenger seat forward.
Did the 2012 Jaguar XJ get a new engine or redesign?
No. The 2012 XJ keeps the same body design and rear-wheel-drive V8 lineup, with 385-hp, 470-hp supercharged, and 510-hp supercharged versions using a six-speed automatic transmission.
Which 2012 Jaguar XJ trims have standard rear-seat entertainment?
The 2012 XJ Supersport and XJL Supersport have standard dual-screen rear-seat entertainment. Each has two 8-inch screens for rear passengers.
Was the Jaguar XJL renamed for 2012?
Yes. The long-wheelbase, naturally aspirated XJL continued under the XJL Portfolio name for 2012; it was a trim rename rather than a newly introduced model.
How does the 2012 Jaguar XJ compare with the 2011 model?
The 2012 XJ is mostly unchanged from 2011, with updates concentrated on trim equipment. The Supersport models gained standard rear entertainment, the XJL Supersport added a rear comfort system, the base XJ made premium audio standard, and adaptive cruise control became optional rather than standard on both Supersport models.