After undergoing major changes, both mechanically and design-wise, for the 2011 model year, the 2012 version of the Jaguar XJ-Series is virtually unchanged, with the exceptions of a couple of modification around standard and optional equipment for the XJ Supersport trim.

The 2012 Jaguar XJ-Series comes available in three rear-wheel-drive trims: Base, Supercharged and Supersport. Each trim has a 5.0-liter 32-valve DOHC V8 engine equipped with a sequential-shift 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive that runs on premium gasoline and is estimated to get 15 mpg city/21 highway (the Base trim ekes out 16/23). But that’s where the similarities end in regard to the powertrains. The Base engine is a standard 305-hp V8 that achieves 380 lb-ft of torque. Both the Supercharged and Supersport have an intercooled supercharger as well. The Supercharged trim reaches 470 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque, while the Supersport makes it up to 510 hp and 461 lb-ft torque. Each trim is also available as an XJL, which is exactly the same except that the wheelbase is longer (124.3 instead of 119.4 inches), providing an extra 5 inches of legroom in the rear seat.

As far as standard equipment features, the Base trim of the 2012 Jaguar XJ-Series is loaded with them. Standard equipment includes cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, power windows, power steering, a heated steering wheel with adjustable steering column, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, soft-grain leather heated and cooled front seats, soft-grain heated leather rear bench, panoramic glass roof, Jaguar Smart Key System with keyless entry, LED rear lights, twin tailpipes with chrome finishers, bi-function HID xenon headlights, heated rear window, heated electric exterior mirrors, 600-watt Jaguar premium sound system with AM/FM/HD radio, Sirius XM satellite radio capability, CD/DVD player, iTech System, Bluetooth v2.0 audio streaming, a hard drive navigation system, 8-inch full-color touchscreen and two USB ports in the center console. The Base trim also can be upgraded with the Portfolio package, which a features leather steering wheel, 20-way power seats with massage, suede-cloth headliner, 4-zone climate control, heated/cooled rear seats and “Portfolio” side-vent badges

Standard upgrades for the Supercharged trim are 4-zone automatic climate control and a 1,200-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system. An optional package for the Supercharged trim is the Sport & Speed Pack, which increases maximum speed to 174 mph. Exterior feature changes include 20-inch Venom alloy wheels with diamond turned finish, red brake calipers, front grille with chrome surrounds and gloss black mesh, front aero splitter and rear decklid spoiler. Interior features include sport seats in soft grain leather with 18-way adjustment, 3-position driver's and passenger memory, and bright finish accelerator and brake pedals.

Standard equipment changes found in the Supersport trim include a wood-and-leather heated steering wheel, semi-aniline leather heated and cooled front seats, semi-aniline leather rear bench seats and an electric rear sunblind. The Supersport has an optional Speed Pack that mirrors the upgrades found in the Supercharged trim’s Sport & Speed Pack, except that “Supersport” badges are found in the side power vents, and it has no changes to the interior.

Optional equipment for all trims includes a rear-seat entertainment package, which features dual 8-inch LCD screens, rear media interface, touchscreen remote control and two sets of wireless digital headphones, illumination package and visibility package.

Standard wheels for the 2012 Jaguar XJ-Series Base trim are 19-inch Aleutian Alloy wheels with all-season tires, while the Supercharged and Supersport trims have 20-inch Matavia Alloy wheels with performance tires. Wheel options include 19-inch Toba Alloy wheels and 19-inch Toba Polished Alloy wheels (both with all-season tires), 20-inch Kasuga Alloy wheels, 20-inch Kasuga Polished Alloy wheels, 20-inch Amirante Alloy wheels, 20-inch Orona Alloy wheels and 20-inch Orona Polished Alloy wheels—all with performance tires.

As for safety equipment, the 2012 Jaguar XJ-Series includes numerous features standard. Front passenger impact airbags, front passenger side-impact airbags, front and rear side-curtain airbags, front passenger occupancy sensor, tire pressure-monitoring system, 4-wheel antilock braking system with emergency brake assist, traction control, dynamic stability control, blind spot sensor, parking sensors with rear-view camera and a security system with engine immobilizer are all standard for all XJ-Series trims.

Agile cornering, quick steering and powerful acceleration are recurring themes that owners of the 2012 Jaguar XJ-Series mention when discussing the Base. The Supercharged and Supersport trims get even better marks, with some owners stating that the XJ-Series compares favorably to competitors like the BMW 750i, which has a more powerful engine. The ride is comfortable without being soft and gives the car a sporty feel, even though it’s encased in the body of a luxury sedan.

Competing against other large sedans such as the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, Audi A7 and Porsche Panamera puts the 2012 Jaguar XJ-Series in some pretty heady company. With the number of standard luxury features available, even in the Base trim, and with a price point that can be several thousand below the competition, the Jaguar XJ-Series should claim its fair share of the market.