“There really is no other car in the same class. The Jaguar XJ has an outstanding look.”
2016 Jaguar XJ: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2016 Jaguar XJ gets a substantial mid-cycle refresh, led by updated front and rear styling with standard full-LED headlights. The cabin also receives a major technology and comfort upgrade.
About the 2016 Jaguar XJ
X351 generation (2011-2019 U.S. market), mid-cycle refresh year.
Jaguar positioned the XJ as its flagship full-size luxury sedan, but one with a stronger driver-focused streak than many large luxury rivals. Its core appeal was a sleek, low roofline, lightweight aluminum body, strong supercharged engines, and a cabin that mixed classic Jaguar warmth with modern screens and audio. Compared with German rivals, the XJ leaned more on style, road feel, and distinctive character than on conservative design.
The shorter XJ R-Sport is the more athletic-looking V6 model, with digital gauges, touchscreen navigation, premium audio, and heated and ventilated seating. The long-wheelbase XJL Portfolio emphasizes rear-seat room and diamond-quilted leather, while the XJR and XJR LWB use a 550-hp supercharged V8 and black exterior trim for a stronger performance focus.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The core supercharged V6 and V8 engines carry over with an 8-speed automatic, but the XJ Supercharged and XJL Supercharged move from flexible-fuel powertrains to gasoline-only versions. The XJL Portfolio also drops its flexible-fuel version, and rear-wheel-drive XJs gain electric power steering.
Styling
Jaguar revises the grille, front bumper, rear lights, and other exterior details, then makes full-LED headlights standard. The shorter base XJ is renamed XJ R-Sport, the XJ Supercharged gains a standard rear spoiler, and black exterior trim becomes standard on both XJR models.
Safety
Automatic high beams move from optional to standard on the XJL Portfolio. Jaguar also expands the range of driver-assistance features, although many remain optional.
Tech
A new 8-inch Touch Pro touchscreen with navigation replaces the previous system, and the digital instrument display is updated. An 825-watt Meridian surround-sound system and heated and ventilated front and rear seats become standard across the range.
2016 Jaguar XJ specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V8, Supercharged, 5.0 Liter | V8, Supercharged, 5.0 Liter | V6, Supercharged, 3.0 Liter | V6, Supercharged, 3.0 Liter | V8, Supercharged, 5.0 Liter | V8, Supercharged, 5.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 8-Spd Seq Sht & Spt | Auto, 8-Spd Seq Sht & Spt | Auto, 8-Spd Seq Sht & Spt | Auto, 8-Spd Seq Sht & Spt | Auto, 8-Spd Seq Sht & Spt | Auto, 8-Spd Seq Sht & Spt |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | 15 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg |
| Horsepower | 550 hp | 550 hp | 340 hp | 340 hp | 470 hp | 470 hp |
| Torque | 502 lb-ft | 502 lb-ft | 332 lb-ft | 332 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 |
| Rear Legroom | 38.9 in | 43.7 in | 38.9 in | 43.7 in | 38.9 in | 43.7 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Park Assist | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| 360 Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| 4-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||||
| Cooled Seats | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Massage Front Seat | ||||||
| Massage Rear Seat | ||||||
| Memory Front Seats | ||||||
| Memory Rear Seats | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
| Rear Window Shades | ||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2016 Jaguar XJ fully redesigned?
No. The 2016 XJ is a mid-cycle refresh of the existing X351 generation, not a ground-up redesign. Its aluminum body structure carries over, while the exterior, cabin technology, lighting, and equipment receive substantial updates.
How is the 2016 Jaguar XJ different from the 2015 model?
The 2016 XJ has revised front and rear styling, standard full-LED headlights, a new 8-inch touchscreen, updated digital gauges, standard Meridian audio, and standard heated and ventilated seating in both rows. The shorter base model is also renamed XJ R-Sport.
Did the 2016 Jaguar XJ get new engines?
No, the main engine choices carry over: a 340-hp supercharged V6 and supercharged V8s producing 470 or 550 hp, all paired with an 8-speed automatic. Flexible-fuel versions leave several trims, and the rear-wheel-drive models gain electric power steering.
Which 2016 Jaguar XJ trims focus on performance?
The XJR and XJR LWB are the main performance models for 2016. Both use a 550-hp supercharged V8 and standard black exterior trim; the regular XJR has the shorter body, while the XJR LWB adds more rear-seat room.
Which 2016 Jaguar XJ has the most rear-seat space?
The long-wheelbase models provide the most rear-seat room. These are the XJL Portfolio, XJL Supercharged, and XJR LWB, with the Portfolio placing the strongest emphasis on traditional luxury through its V6, extra cabin length, and diamond-quilted leather.
2016 Jaguar XJ Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2016 Jaguar XJ.
3.9
2016 Jaguar XJ
(54 reviews)
“The interior space is too closed off and to narrow. Not enough room compare to a BMW 750, And the drive of the car has a Japanese car feel to it NOT an European car.”
“Make sure the navigation input is voice and not required to be typed on keyboard.”