The Jaguar XJS does 15 mpg combined (12.8 city, 18.1 highway), which works out to about $2,560 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 4L 6-cyl does 18 mpg while 6L 12-cyl does 13 — a difference of $821 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every Jaguar XJS engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Jaguar XJS ranges from 18 down to 13 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $821 a year across 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4L 6-cyl | 15.5 / 21.5 | 1993–1996 | $2,133 | |
| 4L 8-cyl | 15 / 22 | 2002–2003 | $2,133 | |
| 5.3L 12-cyl | 11.4 / 16.2 | 1984–1992 | $2,866 | |
| 6L 12-cyl | 11 / 15.5 | 1994–1995 | $2,954 |
What that actually costs
The Jaguar XJS burns a gallon every 15 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 800 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.213 |
| Fuel per year | $2,560 |
| Fuel over five years | $12,800 |
| Against other V8 cars | +$175 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,862 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Jaguar XJS gives up 5.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 18.1 out there against 12.8 in town, a 41% drop worth $878 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 | 12.8 mpg | $3,000 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 18.1 mpg | $2,122 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.3 mpg (41%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the XJS changed over the years
The XJS peaked in 2003 at 18 mpg (15 city, 22 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1989 at 13 — 5 mpg apart, or $821 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2003 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2002 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1996 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1995 | 13.5 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 1994 | 13 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 1993 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1992 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1991 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1990 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1989 | 11 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 1988 | 11 / 16 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 1987 | 12 / 16 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1986 | 11 / 16 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 1985 | 11 / 16 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 1984 | 11 / 16 | 1 | $2,954 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 17 EPA ratings of the Jaguar XJS — 4 engines across 1984–2003. 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 $4,862. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Jaguar XJS get?
15 mpg combined on average — 12.8 in the city and 18.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2003.
How much does a Jaguar XJS cost in fuel per year?
About $2,560 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $12,800 over five years, or 0.213 dollars a mile.
Which XJS engine is the most economical?
The 4L 6-cyl at 18 mpg, against 13 for the 6L 12-cyl — a difference of about $821 a year.
Is the XJS good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world XJS 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 XJS is $4,862 against the $2,560 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 18 and 13 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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