Jaguar XJ
Price: From £39,970
For: Performance; ride comfort; traditional charm and character.
Against:Feels dated now; small, shallow boot.
The Jaguar XJ - launched in this all-aluminium iteration back in 2003 but little changed in its exterior outline since 1968 - is now more than a little old-fashioned, but it's still feeling very special indeed.
These days, the XJ features an advanced bodyshell, air suspension, all the latest electronics and engines including the excellent Peugeot-supplied 2.7 V6 diesel, tuned and adapted so it feels every bit worthy of a Jaguar. Under Ford's ownership, Jaguar's reliability record was much-improved, as well. This should not change under Jaguar's new Indian ownership, either: Tata is promising not to make any radical changes, and production will not be moved - at least in the short- to medium-term - out of the UK.
The more traditional choices are the 3.0 V6 and 4.2 V8 (supercharged in the XJR, long-wheelbase bodies optional), and for full olde-worlde character, the Daimler name-badge has been revived for the Super Eight. The diesel's the only one to escape tax band G and the £25-a-day London congestion charge, though.
