Against 260 other V8 cars rated 2001–2003, the XJS beats their 15.5 mpg average by 2.5 mpg, about $344 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1984, the 4L 6-cyl (1993–1996), does 18 mpg and the thirstiest, the 6L 12-cyl (1994–1995), 13: $821 a year apart.
Every Jaguar XJS engine, compared
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
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Honda Civic gets 36.8 mpg, the Nissan Sentra 27.3 mpg and the Volkswagen Beetle 37.3 mpg, next to 18 mpg for the 2003 XJS. The XJS costs the most of them to run: $1,104 a year more than the Volkswagen Beetle.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2003) | $0.178 |
| Fuel per year | $2,133 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,665 |
| Against other V8 cars, 2001–2003 | −$344 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,862 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2003 Jaguar XJS gives up 7 mpg in town: 22 on the highway against 15 in the city, $815 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2003) | 15 mpg | $2,560 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22 mpg | $1,745 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7 mpg (47%) | 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 biggest single-year change came in 1993: 14 to 18 mpg.
| 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 2003 Jaguar XJS get?
18 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1984 the XJS has averaged 15 mpg.
Is the 2003 XJS more efficient than the 2002?
About the same: 18 against 18 mpg combined.
Which XJS year has the best gas mileage?
The 2003, at 18 mpg combined (15 city, 22 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the XJS get better gas mileage than the Honda Civic?
No: 18 mpg for the 2003 XJS against 36.8 for the 2004 Honda Civic, about $1,090 a year more to run.
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