The Jaguar XJ does 18.9 mpg combined (16.1 city, 24 highway), which works out to about $2,032 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3L 6-cyl does 21 mpg while 4.2L 6-cyl does 15 — a difference of $731 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every Jaguar XJ engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Jaguar XJ ranges from 21 down to 15 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $731 a year across 5 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl | 18 / 27 | 2013–2019 | $1,829 | |
| 4.2L 8-cyl | 16 / 25 | 2004–2009 | $2,021 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 15.4 / 23.1 | 2010–2019 | $2,087 | |
| 4L 8-cyl | 15 / 22 | 2002–2003 | $2,133 | |
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 14 / 17 | 1984–1985 | $2,560 |
What that actually costs
The Jaguar XJ burns a gallon every 18.9 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 635 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.169 |
| Fuel per year | $2,032 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,160 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$353 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,011 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Jaguar XJ gives up 7.9 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 24 out there against 16.1 in town, a 49% drop worth $785 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 16.1 mpg | $2,385 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24 mpg | $1,600 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.9 mpg (49%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the XJ changed over the years
The XJ peaked in 2013 at 20 mpg (17 city, 25.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1985 at 15 — 5 mpg apart, or $640 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2019 car does 19.5. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 16.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2018 | 16.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2017 | 16.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2016 | 16.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2015 | 16.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2014 | 16.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2013 | 17 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2012 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2011 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2010 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2009 | 16 / 25 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2008 | 16 / 25 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2007 | 16 / 25 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2006 | 16 / 25 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2005 | 16 / 25 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2004 | 16 / 25 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2003 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2002 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1985 | 14 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 1984 | 14 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 27 EPA ratings of the Jaguar XJ — 5 engines across 1984–2019. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $4,011. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Jaguar XJ get?
18.9 mpg combined on average — 16.1 in the city and 24 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2019.
How much does a Jaguar XJ cost in fuel per year?
About $2,032 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,160 over five years, or 0.169 dollars a mile.
Which XJ engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl at 21 mpg, against 15 for the 4.2L 6-cyl — a difference of about $731 a year.
Is the XJ good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world XJ figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Jaguar XJ is $4,011 against the $2,032 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 21 and 15 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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