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2004
Jaguar Vanden Plas

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2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas

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Expert 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

Beautiful, With No Buts
2004 Jaguar XJ Vanden Plas

The new Jaguar XJ Vanden Plas is a beautiful car. That much is obvious. Its double-scalloped headlamps, elegantly sculpted door handles and sensuously tapered rear end all catch the eye.

But beauty carries a penalty. It is the perceived lack of ability.

There are, for example, beautiful women who have spent their lives proving their intelligence and value as human beings. They labor under a bias that says the Almighty subtracted from their brains what he gave to their bodies. It’s the pretty-but-stupid thing.

That also happens with cars. Jaguar long has been known for its physical attractiveness. But if you aren’t a racing fan, familiar with the marque’s competence in events such as the Sports Car Club of America’s Trans-Am, you might believe that Jaguars embrace romance but lack passion for running or reliability.

Certainly, quality problems in previous Jaguar passenger models contributed to that thinking. Similar electrical and mechanical difficulties, such as the once-overwhelming smell of gasoline in the passenger cabins of all things Porsche, also plagued other automobiles. But in the hard-nosed, male-stance sports cars, those failures were seen as quirks. In the pretty Jaguars, they were seen as, well, failures.

The new Jaguar XJ, of which the tested Vanden Plas is one of three versions, rewrites the script. It is classic in terms of beauty and revolutionary in matters of vehicle construction and performance.

Look at that lovely body. Aluminum is in. Steel is out. As a result, the new XJ Vanden Plas — Jaguar is using “the new” for this one, as opposed to “2004 model” — is nearly 200 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Yet, Jaguar engineers claim, the new car is 60 percent stiffer than the previous model.

Much of that stiffness stems from the way the aluminum structure is bonded together. Jaguar took cues from the aerospace industry. The body components, which are called “pressings” in the auto industry, are joined by self-piercing rivets and epoxy adhesives. Robots apply the adhesives, which are heat-cured for strength. About 3,200 rivets are used in the process.

Increased body rigidity, coupled with a four-wheel independent suspension system using forged aluminum components, yields substantially improved handling. Although the new XJ is longer, wider and taller than its 1994-born and periodically freshened predecessor, it feels easier to drive than the previous model. It behaves better in curves, changes lanes at high speeds without the slightest hint of tail wiggle. Steering is precise, compliant. The car goes exactly where you point it.

Just watch where you’re going. The new XJ Vanden Plas and its XJ8 and XJR siblings are powerful automobiles. The Vanden Plas and XJ8 share a 4.2-liter, 294-horsepower V-8. The XJR comes with a supercharged, 390-hor sepower version of that engine. The cars leap from 0 to 60 mph — in 6.3 seconds for the XJ8 and Vanden Plas and five seconds for the XJR.

Should you leap into trouble, at speeds between 5 and 10 mph, you are not likely to shatter your bank account as well. Jaguar, in a nod to auto insurance companies, has designed a bolt-on front end capable of taking a 10-mph frontal hit without the car experiencing structural damage. As implied by its name, the bolt-on front end easily can be unbolted and replaced if it’s trashed.

Easy-fix technology also is applied to the doors of the new XJ. Should they be damaged in a low-speed, side-impact crash, they can be lifted off and repaired or replaced.

But the joy of the XJ Vanden Plas is in the driving . . . and arriving. It is a totally sensuous experience — slipping into the plush, leather-bound interior accented by burled-walnut trim and lambswool foot-well rugs, keying the ignition, hearing the soft moan of the engine, taking off. Invariably, when you arrive at your destination, people stop and stare at the car, you. They smile, nod in approval. It is a good feeling.

Nuts & Bolts

Complaint: I can’t keep it.

Praise: I wish I could keep it. The new XJ is performance art. It is a play or dance well done. You savor being a part of it, if only for a little while. On the practical side, kudos to Jaguar for coming up with a 10-mph bumper system that also looks great.

Head-turning quotient: Superior.

Ride, acceleration and handling: It’s pretty, and it kicks butt. The car moves fast with grace and authority. Very comfortable ride. Does not lean toward soft and mushy. Excellent handling in the curves.

Body style/layout: The new XJ , which will continue in its “new” iteration for several years, is a four-door sedan with front engine and rear-wheel-drive. It is available as the XJ8 (standard luxury), XJ Vanden Plas (super-luxury), and XJR (sport-luxury).

Engines/transmissions: The 4.2-liter V-8 in the Vanden Plas develops 294 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per minute and 303 foot-pounds of torque at 4,100 rpm. Both it and the 390-horsepower version in the XJR are linked to an electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission.

Capacities: The XJ Vanden Plas sits five people. Trunk space is 16.6 cubic feet. The fuel tank holds 22.5 gallons of gasoline. Premium unleaded is required.

Mileage: I averaged 26 miles per gallon in the Vanden Plas in mostly highway driving.

Safety: All-aluminum body structure designed to absorb major crash forces, thus reducing crash shock in the cabin; a full complement of passive safety (dual-stage air bags, automatically tensioning seat belts, etc.) and active safety (anti-lock brakes, brake assist, traction control, etc.) devices.

Price: Base price is $68,995. Estimated dealer’s invoice price is $66,000. Price as tested is $68,995, including a $665 destination charge.

Purse-strings note: An absolutely beautiful car. Compare with Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, Lexus LS430, Infiniti Q45.

2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas review: Our expert's take
By

Beautiful, With No Buts
2004 Jaguar XJ Vanden Plas

The new Jaguar XJ Vanden Plas is a beautiful car. That much is obvious. Its double-scalloped headlamps, elegantly sculpted door handles and sensuously tapered rear end all catch the eye.

But beauty carries a penalty. It is the perceived lack of ability.

There are, for example, beautiful women who have spent their lives proving their intelligence and value as human beings. They labor under a bias that says the Almighty subtracted from their brains what he gave to their bodies. It’s the pretty-but-stupid thing.

That also happens with cars. Jaguar long has been known for its physical attractiveness. But if you aren’t a racing fan, familiar with the marque’s competence in events such as the Sports Car Club of America’s Trans-Am, you might believe that Jaguars embrace romance but lack passion for running or reliability.

Certainly, quality problems in previous Jaguar passenger models contributed to that thinking. Similar electrical and mechanical difficulties, such as the once-overwhelming smell of gasoline in the passenger cabins of all things Porsche, also plagued other automobiles. But in the hard-nosed, male-stance sports cars, those failures were seen as quirks. In the pretty Jaguars, they were seen as, well, failures.

The new Jaguar XJ, of which the tested Vanden Plas is one of three versions, rewrites the script. It is classic in terms of beauty and revolutionary in matters of vehicle construction and performance.

Look at that lovely body. Aluminum is in. Steel is out. As a result, the new XJ Vanden Plas — Jaguar is using “the new” for this one, as opposed to “2004 model” — is nearly 200 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Yet, Jaguar engineers claim, the new car is 60 percent stiffer than the previous model.

Much of that stiffness stems from the way the aluminum structure is bonded together. Jaguar took cues from the aerospace industry. The body components, which are called “pressings” in the auto industry, are joined by self-piercing rivets and epoxy adhesives. Robots apply the adhesives, which are heat-cured for strength. About 3,200 rivets are used in the process.

Increased body rigidity, coupled with a four-wheel independent suspension system using forged aluminum components, yields substantially improved handling. Although the new XJ is longer, wider and taller than its 1994-born and periodically freshened predecessor, it feels easier to drive than the previous model. It behaves better in curves, changes lanes at high speeds without the slightest hint of tail wiggle. Steering is precise, compliant. The car goes exactly where you point it.

Just watch where you’re going. The new XJ Vanden Plas and its XJ8 and XJR siblings are powerful automobiles. The Vanden Plas and XJ8 share a 4.2-liter, 294-horsepower V-8. The XJR comes with a supercharged, 390-hor sepower version of that engine. The cars leap from 0 to 60 mph — in 6.3 seconds for the XJ8 and Vanden Plas and five seconds for the XJR.

Should you leap into trouble, at speeds between 5 and 10 mph, you are not likely to shatter your bank account as well. Jaguar, in a nod to auto insurance companies, has designed a bolt-on front end capable of taking a 10-mph frontal hit without the car experiencing structural damage. As implied by its name, the bolt-on front end easily can be unbolted and replaced if it’s trashed.

Easy-fix technology also is applied to the doors of the new XJ. Should they be damaged in a low-speed, side-impact crash, they can be lifted off and repaired or replaced.

But the joy of the XJ Vanden Plas is in the driving . . . and arriving. It is a totally sensuous experience — slipping into the plush, leather-bound interior accented by burled-walnut trim and lambswool foot-well rugs, keying the ignition, hearing the soft moan of the engine, taking off. Invariably, when you arrive at your destination, people stop and stare at the car, you. They smile, nod in approval. It is a good feeling.

Nuts & Bolts

Complaint: I can’t keep it.

Praise: I wish I could keep it. The new XJ is performance art. It is a play or dance well done. You savor being a part of it, if only for a little while. On the practical side, kudos to Jaguar for coming up with a 10-mph bumper system that also looks great.

Head-turning quotient: Superior.

Ride, acceleration and handling: It’s pretty, and it kicks butt. The car moves fast with grace and authority. Very comfortable ride. Does not lean toward soft and mushy. Excellent handling in the curves.

Body style/layout: The new XJ , which will continue in its “new” iteration for several years, is a four-door sedan with front engine and rear-wheel-drive. It is available as the XJ8 (standard luxury), XJ Vanden Plas (super-luxury), and XJR (sport-luxury).

Engines/transmissions: The 4.2-liter V-8 in the Vanden Plas develops 294 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per minute and 303 foot-pounds of torque at 4,100 rpm. Both it and the 390-horsepower version in the XJR are linked to an electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission.

Capacities: The XJ Vanden Plas sits five people. Trunk space is 16.6 cubic feet. The fuel tank holds 22.5 gallons of gasoline. Premium unleaded is required.

Mileage: I averaged 26 miles per gallon in the Vanden Plas in mostly highway driving.

Safety: All-aluminum body structure designed to absorb major crash forces, thus reducing crash shock in the cabin; a full complement of passive safety (dual-stage air bags, automatically tensioning seat belts, etc.) and active safety (anti-lock brakes, brake assist, traction control, etc.) devices.

Price: Base price is $68,995. Estimated dealer’s invoice price is $66,000. Price as tested is $68,995, including a $665 destination charge.

Purse-strings note: An absolutely beautiful car. Compare with Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, Lexus LS430, Infiniti Q45.

Factory warranties

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
6 years
Powertrain
4 years / 50,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
4 years / 50,000 miles

Consumer reviews

4.7 / 5
Based on 15 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.7
Interior 4.8
Performance 4.8
Value 4.6
Exterior 4.8
Reliability 4.1

Most recent

  • Made for Royalty!

    Words can't explain how amazing the X350 chassis is whether you buy a base XJ V8 or the top of line XJ Portfolio! If you are planning to buy an XJ this is the best updated model of these cars in specifically the X350 chassis from 2004 to 2005, the updated clean sweep X356 from 2006 to 2007 and than the facelift X358 from 2008 to 2009 I've owned several variation of these beauties from a 2004 XJ Vanden Plas, 2006 XJR , 2006 XJ Portfolio all the way to a 2009 XJ Super V8 and all have been nothing but fantastic, trouble free cars!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best ever!

    Best car I’ve ever owned (2004 Vanden Plas). Have owned over 35 cars. It’s beautiful. Fast. Dependable. 32 mpg hwy 24 local. Compliments on it everywhere I go. Presently has 170k miles on it. Runs like a bat out of xxxx!!!! Does everything the report says. Very best car at driving. It will get you in trouble real fast if you’re not an experienced driver!!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Very comfortable ride.

    This car is so quiet and comfortable that if you are the driver, you need to remember that you're not a first class passenger and you have a pilot navigating the roadways. You have to be on your toes, easily to get complacent and forget you are driving.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • So far so good...a nice ride.

    This car is a great buy for the money. It has lots of return. But, you need to be your own mechanic or at least diagnose things. They are usually reliable with average repairs for 15 year old car. The engine and drive seem to be strong points. The plastic thermostat housing seems a common failure point. So is the suspension compressor that is not terribly expensive, my had both failures.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • I get complements all the time. Comfy and Stylish

    Luxury for a very low price. Get a British car shop and you will be fine. Very comfortable ride and very stylish car. All automatic consoles and very technologies for its time. It's a great weekend and show off car. I get complements everywhere I go.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • As luxurious as a rolls Royce phantom leather seat

    It came with 4 lambswool rugs. Neither the new Rolls or Bentley offer that as standard feature. Best looking exterior of any vehicle in the world. Buttery soft leather seats, But Iwalnut wood amazing lustre , ride is like floating in the air, heated seats with leather of this quality is unmatched. New Rolls and Bentley standard leather is subpar for the hefty price of these cars.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Stylish, classy and smooth.

    Very comfortable ride, not as cushy as the Jaguars of old though. If you are looking for the Lazy-Boy ride, they don't have it anymore. The ride is firmer to give you more precise handling and better control. Motor is bulletproof (Ford 4.2L) Transmission is also (ZF 6HP26) if taken care of. Air suspension can cause problems but is a nice feature. The looks can't be beat, very classy and sensual.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Nice luxury/sport/cruiser

    The ride is a compromise between the cushy lounge chair ride of the old jags and the firmer sporty new jags. Air suspension, while nice can be problematic. Engine is bulletproof as is the transmission (if taken care of).
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Still a great car

    Aside from transmission clunkiness , this car is great. The motor is responsive and powerful. The air ride is to be envied. The leather is the pinnacle of interior design. The body style is no longer dated, but desired (the new Jags are boring). Parts are a little pricey but can be found reasonable online.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Absolutely best bargain ever made

    Just purchased 04 Jag VP and love every mile of it. Never owned anything but GM and Ford products. This car is without the best deal made. It loves the road. Easy on gas. Honestly got 32 mpg going to Fl in May of 2013. So far, no complaints. I do keep it garaged as much as possible. I'm saving this one.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • This car has it ALL!

    I've owned this car for several months now and I still get very excited when behind the wheel! My XJ8 VDP is sleek, opulently adorned, FAST, AMAZING gas mileage (20/30), almost every toy imaginable...except Bluetooth and cooled seats. No one believe that it's a 2004! This car is before it's time!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • You've got to test drive one to know what it's lik

    Absolute luxury in its interior; soft leather, smoothest ride I?ve ever been. My wife owns the Mercedes, yet for the long trips, she prefers the Jag ride to her Benz. Very powerful and responsive on the road, and the insurance is surprisingly lower than some of the older luxury class of vehicles.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas?

The 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas is available in 1 trim level:

  • VDP (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas?

The 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas offers up to 18 MPG in city driving and 28 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas reliable?

The 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas has an average reliability rating of 4.1 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas owners.

Is the 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas. 93.3% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.7 / 5
Based on 15 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.7
  • Interior: 4.8
  • Performance: 4.8
  • Value: 4.6
  • Exterior: 4.8
  • Reliability: 4.1
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