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No big cars are cheap to run, but the XJ starts well with keen pricing that undercuts the opposition - a Jaguar tradition. Its lower weight yields a small but useful fuel consumption advantage across most rivals, while the V6 exposes company car drivers to less benefit-in-kind taxation even than a Mercedes E320 CDi diesel. The TDVi diesel itself is particularly cost-effective, attracting low company car tax as well as returning 35mpg and 214g/km of carbon dioxide; it meets the Euro IV emissions standards and thus is currently exempt from the 3percent diesel surcharge, while it lasts. Insurance groupings are competitive despite the exotic construction and the body relatively cheap to repair after a light frontal crash.
Residual (resale) values are stronger than for the previous XJ, if not class-leading; long warranties, manufacturer-approved schemes and the high quality of this car make it an attractive used buy, and not an entirely impractical one given its slightly lower running costs than are usual in this class. The XJ is usefully cheaper than its equivalents from rival manufacturers, in many cases substantially so. Bar the absence of sat-nav on most models, the XJ is pretty well equipped, the standard V6 coming with electrically adjustable pedals and steering wheel, 12-way power front seats, cruise control, adaptive restraint technology system front airbags, head 'bags, side 'bags, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers, besides the ABS anti-lock brakes, DSP anti-skid control, electric windows, central locking, air conditioning and leather that you'd expect. All XJs also have air suspension, CATS electronic damping and a six-speed automatic transmission as standard.
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