2013 Jaguar XJ
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 5.0L 8-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 15 / 23 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,150 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 503 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $48,240–$62,133 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 6.8/10, the 2013 Jaguar XJ earns a Good rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.0/10, while Value at 5.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.0/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 7.3/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance lands mid-pack at 7.5/10: enough power and composure for everyday needs, without the dynamics that distinguish the segment's driver-focused options. Technology scores 8.0/10 — one of the stronger tech packages in the segment. Expect a responsive infotainment system, broad smartphone integration, and a solid suite of driver-assistance features.
Priced from $48,240–$62,133, 10 MPG, seating 5, the Jaguar XJ sits in the premium tier of the sedan category. The value score of 5.8/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 13 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2013 Jaguar XJ, but it needs the right buyer. Its reliability and value scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2013 Jaguar XJ ranks #1169 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 11% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.7 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $48,240 starting price is about 74% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $50k →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$26,250 ($5,250/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 3 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Across the XJ model years we've scored, the 2013 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 6.9/10 | $50,400 | Read review → |
| 2013 (this review) | 6.8/10 | $48,240 | |
| 2012 | 6.9/10 | $46,080 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Electrical system / Software 02/06/2014 · 14V292000 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain model year 2013 Jaguar XJ vehicles manufactured May 21, 2012, through July 10, 2012. The generic software calibration installed on the vehicles' Restraints Control Module (RCM) may not… |
|---|---|
| Equipment / Other / Labels 14/03/2014 · 14V123000 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain model year 2013 XF and XJ vehicles manufactured March 26, 2013, through April 10, 2013. In these vehicles, the certification label that is intended to specify the required Gross Vehicle… |
| Suspension / Rear 31/03/2014 · 14V157000 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 XJ, XF and XK vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the toe links, components used to control the alignment of the rear wheels, can separate from the rear sub-frame. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2013 Jaguar XJ that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2013 Jaguar XJ's reliability 6.0/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 6.8/10 overall, ranking #1169 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 11% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2013 Jaguar XJ starts at $48,240 and ranges up to $62,133 across trims (MSRP when new). At 10 MPG, expect roughly $5,250/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
No standout weak years: across the 3 XJ model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (6.9/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.
The documented issues for the 2013 Jaguar XJ are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Electrical system, Equipment, Suspension (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
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