2003 Jaguar XJ8 Sovereign LWBase review from UK and Ireland

Excessive wind rustle from the top of the passenger side front window at speed.

The lap of luxury. The Sovereign is absolutely loaded with features such as park distance control, electric heated memory seats and electric steering wheel adjustment. The V8 engine is very refined (just like the best V6's) and superbly quick.

The Jag does not handle particularly well probably due to the rather high ground clearance and thick tyres, CATS suspension would help. The emphasis is on cruising in serenity, the Jag could cruise at 140mph all day.

Petrol priced at 77.9p: the Jag costs £80 to fill up and that does not last very long at all.

A bit concerned about some of the interior quality: the switch gear seems very 'Ford,' which on a £45000 car is not really acceptable, for example the indicators make the same gimmicky sound as a Ford Focus. Also, little details such as the bare screw heads on the vanity mirrors disappoint, some rivals have little covers to hide the screws. Tiny details I know, but ones that should not have been overlooked on such an expensive car.

The Jag still remains the best luxury car, hopefully reliability has improved from XJ6's in the early 1990's.

Sleek styling is old fashioned, but still elegant, hand stitched leather and walnut interior is lovely.

Seats are too firm and boot too small.