The Jaguar XJR does 16.5 mpg combined (14.1 city, 20.2 highway), which works out to about $2,327 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 4.2L 8-cyl does 18 mpg while 6L 12-cyl does 12 — a difference of $1,067 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every Jaguar XJR engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Jaguar XJR ranges from 18 down to 12 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $1,067 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2L 8-cyl | 15 / 22 | 2004–2009 | $2,133 | |
| 4L 8-cyl | 14.3 / 20 | 1998–2003 | $2,356 | |
| 5.3L 6-cyl | 13 / 19 | 1995–1995 | $2,560 | |
| 4L 6-cyl | 12 / 18 | 1996–1996 | $2,743 | |
| 6L 12-cyl | 11 / 14 | 1993–1993 | $3,200 |
What that actually costs
The Jaguar XJR burns a gallon every 16.5 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 727 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.194 |
| Fuel per year | $2,327 |
| Fuel over five years | $11,635 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$58 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,743 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Jaguar XJR gives up 6.1 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 20.2 out there against 14.1 in town, a 43% drop worth $822 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 | 14.1 mpg | $2,723 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 20.2 mpg | $1,901 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.1 mpg (43%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the XJR changed over the years
The XJR peaked in 2009 at 18 mpg (15 city, 22 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1993 at 12 — 6 mpg apart, or $1,067 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2009 car does 18. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2008 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2007 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2006 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2005 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2004 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2003 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2002 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2001 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2000 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 1999 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1998 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1996 | 12 / 18 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1995 | 13 / 19 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 1993 | 11 / 14 | 1 | $3,200 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 15 EPA ratings of the Jaguar XJR — 5 engines across 1993–2009. 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 $4,743. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Jaguar XJR get?
16.5 mpg combined on average — 14.1 in the city and 20.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1993–2009.
How much does a Jaguar XJR cost in fuel per year?
About $2,327 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $11,635 over five years, or 0.194 dollars a mile.
Which XJR engine is the most economical?
The 4.2L 8-cyl at 18 mpg, against 12 for the 6L 12-cyl — a difference of about $1,067 a year.
Is the XJR 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 XJR 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 XJR is $4,743 against the $2,327 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 18 and 12 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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