When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I love seeing the various cats side by side; you can get a better sense of scale, design change, and the subtle updates of the line over time. Here are two platinum XJs with charcoal interior, an X308 Sovereign and an X358 Vanden Plas. Of course I'm biased but I don't think they ever made a better looking Jag than the X300/X308.
This last back-to-front really shows how much "bulkier" the newer Jags are.
The one on the right looks like the one on the left, after 10 years of eating far too many doughnuts.
I agree 100%! Interesting to see as well an XJ40 and X300, then these two. Wish I could have all four side-by-side. Full disclosure: while the first post are my own pictures, these next five I found online.
With the right wheels, and the right color, the last two years of the x350 (08-09) look pretty good. I even prefer the more angular front bumper.
However, the problem with the newer car, like most all newer cars, is it is designed to better accommodate the newer human being, who is taller (and fatter, tbh). Taller things don't look fast, so the taller car does not look as - think giraffe v horse, or bulldog v greyhound. The other problem is the wind tunnel, and a lower coefficient always seems to win out when it comes to compromising the aesthetics of the large luxury cars. Lastly, from what I understand, the more updated chassis designs, which are safer, require taller doors, and this messes up the positive\negative space balance from the side (windows being dark or see-through) and the car body being lighter in value; this is why the darker x350's look better than the lighter ones.
At least you can see a family resemblance between the x308 and x358. The X351 must have been the illegitimate child of a Lexus/Jaguar fornication and looks too much like its mother. Not that today's Jaguars are ugly, but they don't stand out in a parking lot like they used to. For the entire run of the XJ6/8, I can think of nothing else that had a similar shape. Now every sedan on the market has the same basic profile.
Granted, Jaguar sedan styling was getting seriously old-fashioned by 2003. I thought the x350 was a reasonable evolution given that the market was demanding larger sedans. And it was still rather unique. But I guess I don't represent the typical consumer tastes as the X350 was the beginning of the long slide in sales. It must have been just disappointing enough that all the x308 owners who would have otherwise leased a new Jag every two or three years went to other brands like Lexus.
I agree 100%! Interesting to see as well an XJ40 and X300, then these two.
It nice to see the XJ40 standing out as rather 'modern' with its sharper design.
I did not like them when thy were introduced (but he, what did I know back then?), but start to appreciate them more and more in the recent years.
Might very well possible to add one to the stable one day.
For the choice between a x308 or x350, the only thing I still don't like about the x308 is the imbalance between the side windows, especially on the LWB versions.
If only Jaguar would have balanced them, the x308 design should be rather sleek and perfect.
It nice to see the XJ40 standing out as rather 'modern' with its sharper design.
I did not like them when thy were introduced (but he, what did I know back then?), but start to appreciate them more and more in the recent years.
Might very well possible to add one to the stable one day.
For the choice between a x308 or x350, the only thing I still don't like about the x308 is the imbalance between the side windows, especially on the LWB versions.
If only Jaguar would have balanced them, the x308 design should be rather sleek and perfect.
Was just about to compose a similar reply, but you handled it perfectly for me
I too have been finding the styling of the XJ40 growing on me over time, and nicely preserved examples really stand out from the current "curvy" crowd.
Ditto on the side window proportions, but a minor nit for an overall very well aesthetically designed series XJ40 through X308, where one can clearly follow the brand evolution.
I never like the XJ40 and still don't ...... my 1982 was due for replacement and I purchased a Mercedes W126 rather then the XJ40 .. still wish I had both the W126 and the 82 XJ6. The XJ40 was late to production and had was one of the most unreliable vehicles Jaguar ever made -- they were broke.
When the X300 came out in early 1994 as a 1995 -- It was gorgeous ... they really nailed it. Jaguar did not make the extended wheelbase car until the 1996 VDP. The LWB car had a raised roof and bench rear seat. The 1995 VDP had seats similar to the XJR in the back.
IMO the X300 has nicer bumpers -- the X308's looks too much like the Mercury Sable-- same wth the larger trunk trim. The X300 is a cleaner design. I like the interior of the X300 over the X308.
They had to do something .... the big MB's and BMW's were so much larger with huge back seats and trunks ....
No question in my mind the X308 is the best looking modern saloon Jaguar has ever made. The X358 looks like a bloated version of the sleek X308. The X351 is a behemoth without much charm.
Yeah, and even compared to many other small and midsize cars the X300 & X308 looks small, low slung and sleek as well.
I was just looking out the window and noticed my X300 parked between a newer Mini on the left, and a Mazda 6 on the right. The Mini looked as wide and taller than the X300, and the Mazda was huge in comparison.
One doesn't really notice until they are right beside each other how low, compact and purposefully sporty as a sedan the XJ40/300/308 line was in relation to other cars, just like the SIII before in comparison.
I still like the X358 styling the best... even better than the X351. My dream car would take front end of the X358 & rear of the X351. Best Interior is the X308. The curvy dash is just sexy.
One of the best things about the XJ40 and the 308 was the sloping rear deck which made rear vision terrific and the cars were a snap to parallel park. My XJ8L has far more usable back seat space than my XJ40s, so I can forgive the side window imbalance.
Yeah, and even compared to many other small and midsize cars the X300 & X308 looks small, low slung and sleek as well.
I was just looking out the window and noticed my X300 parked between a newer Mini on the left, and a Mazda 6 on the right. The Mini looked as wide and taller than the X300, and the Mazda was huge in comparison.
One doesn't really notice until they are right beside each other how low, compact and purposefully sporty as a sedan the XJ40/300/308 line was in relation to other cars, just like the SIII before in comparison.
.
Al's posting really struck me and perfectly describes the size of the X300 and X308. i don't know that I've given any thought to how they compare to even smaller and mid-size cars today until now. What I've always loved most about my X308, besides the gorgeous styling inside and out, is that it feels like I'm driving a sports car rather than a luxury sedan. I've always thought it is the perfect balance of both. Man, I love this car!
Aesthetically the X351 is truely awful, it could be made by anybody really.
The X308 is about as good as it gets, although I do like the XJ40 "S" design despite by all accounts being very poorly built. But if it was all down to looks we'd all have Lambo Miura's yes....?
X308 and X358 Side-by-Side
