The first Jaguar XJ to be wholly developed under Ford’s ownership was also a car that marked a sea-change for the brand’s most luxurious model. 

In a 12-year period, Ford had already taken Jaguar from a two-car model line-up – XJ and XJS – to a much more comprehensive one, with models such as the S-TYPE and X-TYPE competing in the more volume-heavy areas of the executive car market. And it was a move that was starting to pay off, with 2001 being the first year in Jaguar’s history in which it sold over 100,000 cars.

Momentum was building, but the XJ was still the brand’s luxury figurehead. A car that was big, elegant and pleasing to drive, with exceptional ride comfort and lively performance. But the V8-engined saloon was also rapidly becoming a dinosaur. 

It may have been pretty but the old XJ not only embraced everything that was right about the traditional Jaguar saloon, but also everything that was wrong - poor packaging, excessive weight, below average fuel consumption and a very old-fashioned structure. 

The new Jaguar flagship had to be significantly more modern, better screwed together and, most importantly, more efficient. It was going into the market against BMW’s new avant-garde 7-Series, packed with tech and futuristically styled, and Mercedes-Benz’s recently launched S-Class, considered by many to be one of the best cars in the world. It had to be good. But also, it had to be a rational purchase for fleet customers and user choosers.

What we weren’t prepared for, though, was just how advanced the car would be. It may have looked fairly traditional when it made its debut, but under the skin, the X350 generation of XJ was the most advanced Jaguar ever made. 

Instead of traditional build methods, the body used aircraft technology, with bonded aluminium substructures fixed to an aluminium shell. The body-in-white (essentially, the main vehicle structure) was a whole 40 per cent lighter than that of the outgoing car, despite its larger dimensions.

Further mass reduction came in the form of magnesium cross beams and a magnesium steering column, while the bulkhead was attached to the shell by means of super-strong epoxy adhesive. 

The magnesium components added cost, but were 30 per cent lighter again than aluminium. That gave incredible fuel efficiency for its size and terrific dynamics, as well as inherent corrosion resistance – something that other Jaguars were sadly unable to claim. 

It was a world-class example of vehicle engineering, and one that has really come into its own in the past few years as other luxury cars of the early and mid-2000s fall by the wayside and Jaguars keep on going. Those who own an X350 will tell you it’s one of the best cars ever made, and there’s a reason for that: it is.

This particular example was supplied new by Stratstone Jaguar in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in June 2003 before being sold within the Jaguar dealership network in 2005, where it ended up on the full court at Lancaster Jaguar in Sidcup, Kent. at the time, it had covered just over 28,000 miles.

It was sold into long term ownership with the next owner keeping it until 2015 when it was sold on again to an owner in Cheshire, who subsequently moved to Buckinghamshire, and from whom the vendor acquired it at the start of this year.

in its life, the Jaguar has covered just over 76,000 miles backed up by a service history the capital of its maintenance up to 73,269 miles.

The Jaguar is supplied with its original leather service wallet, inside which are an owners’ manual, dealer network guide, alarm system handbook, audio manual and service book.

the surface book contains 13 stamps at 10,200, 19,683, 25,854, 35,749, 38,425, 39,527, 43,013, 46,174, 48,541, 50,474, 53,894, 60,826 and 73,869 miles, four from main dealers and the rest from independent specialists. 

The car has a current MOT valid until June 2022, which it passed with no advisories, along with a full UK V5C.

The traditional styling of the X350 hides a remarkably modern car and one of its best features is its resistance to body corrosion – the all alloy bodywork simply won’t rot away like mild steel. 

The downside is that alloy oxidisation can be unsightly and is much harder to repair than more conventional steel. X350s tend to suffer from blobs of alloy corrosion around their extremities, particularly the rear window surrounds, door tops and rear door bottoms – but not this one!

You won’t find any aluminium oxide on this car at all – the bodywork is absolutely superb, with barely a mark other than some pinprick stone chips on the leading edge of its bonnet. 

The Platinum Silver paintwork is exceptional with no notable scuffs or marks and the flanks of the car are undamaged by parking dings. It is clearly an example that has been cherished and adored throughout its life.

Few things are more inviting than a Jaguar interior and the X350 draws you in immediately – its thick ‘Stone’ leather seats promise limitless comfort, while this example also has its original Jaguar factory floor mats and inviting maple veneers, including an optional maple steering wheel. 

It’s a wonderful ambience, topped off with electrically adjustable seats, climate control, sat nav, built-in audio controls and electrically an adjustable steering column. 

The seats are superb, while there is very little wear to the steering wheel or the carpets. Even the centre armrest, which is usually one of the first things to show signs of being well-used, is in fine fettle. It’s also wonderfully comfortable, front or rear.

In the boot, the spare wheel appears to have never been used and the load area is as clean and well-presented as the rest of the car.

Under the bonnet you’ll find Jaguar’s 240bhp 3.0-litre V6, as also seen in the X-TYPE and S-TYPE models. 

Even though the X350 was the biggest car to use the engine, it was also the lightest and the quickest thanks to its alloy bodywork, so it’s an impressive performer with decent fuel economy. 

You’ll easily top 30 mpg if you drive it sensibly. If you don’t, then you’ll hit 0-60 mph in just over seven seconds while still getting mid-20s MPG. 

The unit is famously reliable – a chain-driven V6 derived from the (whisper it) Ford Duratec engine found in the Mondeo and various US models. The engines are tough and will easily cover 300,000 miles or more with regular maintenance, so this well-serviced 76,000-miler is barely run in.

As a modern classic that will provide faithful, reliable, charming, comfortable and surprisingly economical transport, a Jaguar X350 takes some beating. The XJ6 is the best of the lot in that regard – more economical and supposedly more reliable than the V8 models, and astonishingly frugal for such a big car.

This one is fast becoming a rarity, too. The vast majority of XJs of this vintage covered big miles in their earlier years and while buying one with a six-figure mileage is unlikely to cause you major problems, one like this is a real find either to use every day, or to preserve as a low mileage, depreciation-proof future classic.

Smart low mileage X350s are sought-after cars these days. You’ve just found one. And a really good one, too.


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